The talent produced by Queensland’s great rugby nurseries has long overflowed into rival teams interstate and overseas, but never before has so much of it been recalled home at once.
This week Brisbane rolls out the red carpet for a host of domestic and international rugby teams for the inaugural Brisbane Global Rugby 10s tournament – but for a certain group, the welcome mat extends just that little bit further.
65 South-East Queenslanders will make their return to the Sunshine State this weekend to play in front of friends, families and fans.
50 players at this weekend’s tournament attended school around Brisbane while a further 19 have worn the club colours of the Queensland Premier Rugby competition.
Among the seasoned veterans are former Wallabies Dan Heenan (Marist College Ashgrove class of 1999), Drew Mitchell (St Patrick’s College Shorncliffe 2001) and Berrick Barnes (Ipswich Grammar School 2003), while the youngest present are Brisbane Boys’ College 2015 teammates Jayden Ngamanu (Queensland Reds) and Ben Gunter (Wild Knights).
St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace and The Southport School are the leading schools with six former students apiece, while the University of Queensland leads the club scene with 17 representatives set to take the field on Suncorp.
Of the 15 teams participating, just the Bulls, Chiefs, Highlanders, Hurricanes and Blues do not feature a Queenslander.
Queensland Reds
1. James Slipper – The Southport School (2007) & Bond University
2. Sef Fa’agase – Shailer Park State High School (2011) & University of Queensland
3. Alex Mafi – Nudgee College (2014) & Bond University
4. Andrew Ready – Gregory Terrace (2010) & Easts
5. Rob Simmons – The Southport School (2006) & Sunnybank
6. Izack Rodda – Ipswich Grammar School (2014) & Easts
7. Michael Gunn – Churchie (2012) & Easts
8. Adam Korczyk – Brisbane State High School (2012) & University of Queensland
9. James Tuttle – Nudgee College (2013) & GPS
10. Moses Sorovi – St Peter’s (2013) & University of Queensland
11. Henry Taefu – Churchie (2010) & Sunnybank
12. Samu Kerevi – Brisbane State High School (2011) & Souths
13. Lachlan Maranta – Gregory Terrace (2009) & Wests
14. Chris Kuridrani – Ipswich Grammar School (2009) & GPS
15. Karmichael Hunt – Churchie (2003) & Brothers
16. Jayden Ngamanu – Brisbane Boys’ College (2015) & Souths
17. Taniela Tupou – Brothers
18. Sam Talakai – Brothers
19. Lukhan Tui – Brothers
20. Cadeyrn Neville – Bond University
21. Leroy Houston – Wests
22. Jake McIntyre – Sunnybank
23. Eto Nabuli – GPS
24. Brad Lacey – Norths
25. Duncan Paia’aua – Norths
26. Chris Latham – Wests
27. Radike Samo – GPS
Brumbies
28. Tom Banks – Brisbane Boys’ College (2012) & University of Queensland
29. Andrew Muirhead – Brisbane State High School (2010) & Souths
30. Aidan Toua – Churchie (2007) & Easts
31. Jarrad Butler – The Southport School (2008) & Easts
32. Blake Enever – Sunshine Coast Grammar School (2008) & Easts
33. Lolo Fakaosilea – St Patrick’s (2013) & Sunnybank
34. Ben Hyne – Downlands College (2012) & Brothers
35. Brent Hamlin – Brisbane State High School (2007) & Souths
36. Saia Fainga’a – GPS
37. Tevita Kuridrani – University of Queensland
38. Andrew Walker – Easts
Lausii Taliauli (The Southport School 2011) was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Waratahs
39. Brad Wilkin – Iona College (2013) & Easts
40. Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz – Ipswich Grammar School (2013) & University of Queensland
41. Matt Lucas – Gregory Terrace (2009) & Sunnybank
42. Mack Mason – Churchie (2014) & Easts
43. Bryce Hegarty – Marist College Ashgrove (2010) & GPS
44. Con Foley – Gregory Terrace (2009) & University of Queensland
45. Israel Folau – Marsden State High School (2006)
46. Lote Tuquiri – Sunnybank State High School (2007)
Western Force
47. Jono Lance – The Southport School (2007) & University of Queensland
48. Luke Morahan – The Southport School (2007) & University of Queensland
49. Heath Tessman – St Peter’s (2001) & University of Queensland
50. Ian Prior – Ormiston College (2008) & University of Queensland
51. Shambeckler Vui – Ipswich Grammar School (2014) & University of Queensland
52. Richie Arnold – Bond University
53. Isi Naisarani – Souths
Melbourne Rebels
54. James Hanson – Gregory Terrace (2005) & University of Queensland
55. Ben Meehan – Brisbane State High School (2011) & Sunnybank
56. Jonah Placid – Toowoomba Grammar School (2012) & Easts
57. Jake Schatz – Churchie (2007) & Sunnybank
58. Laurie Weekes – University of Queensland
59. Morgan Turinui – Sunshine Coast Stingrays
Note – Nudgee College Rebels Sam Jeffries (2009) and Sean McMahon (2011) were unavailable for selection due to injury.
Panasonic Wild Knights
60. Jack Cornelsen – Brisbane Grammar School (2012) & University of Queensland
61. Berrick Barnes – Ipswich Grammar School (2003) & Wests
62. Ben Gunter – Brisbane Boys’ College (2015) & Souths
63. Dan Heenan – Marist College Ashgrove (1999) & GPS
David Pocock (Churchie 2006) was not selected.
Toulon
64. Drew Mitchell – St Patrick’s (2001) & University of Queensland
65. James O’Connor – Nudgee College (2007) & Brothers
66. Ayumu Goromaru – Bond University
Liam Gill (Gregory Terrace 2006, Sunnybank) was not selected.
Samoa
67. Bronson Fotualii-Tauakipulu – Brisbane Boys’ College (2013) & Sunnybank
68. Ausetalia Vaiomanu – University of Queensland
Crusaders
69. Digby Ioane – Gregory Terrace (2003) & Sunnybank
