After rigorous selection trials in all states (except Tasmania, where rugby has sadly fallen completely off the radar), the cream of Australian schoolboy talent descended on Ballymore to fight for the coveted Jika Travers Shield. With the profile of schoolboy rugby increasing in the eyes of both the rugby public and the ARU, the trials are now an important stepping stone into senior rugby.
Look no further than the recently successful Australian Under 20’s for evidence, with all but two of the squad coming through the Australian Schoolboys or the Australian A team. Scouts from both Union and League were present. The stakes were high.
The trials progressed in earnest, with NSW I and II chalking up big wins on day one over Victoria and WA respectively. Day two again provided few surprises, the exception being Queensland II who only just got over the Victorians, with the southerners coming within a point of a big upset. Day 3 was where it all happened though, with the second stringers upsetting their more fancied rivals- QLD II getting up by a point over NSW I, and NSW II by 7 over QLD I.
That set the scene for the final, in which the banana benders got through in a close one over their second-team cousins from below the border, 19-15. The game was a cracker, and will be shown at 1:00pm on the 28th July on Fox Sports for those interested. The fight for the bronze was taken out by the QLD I side, who won easily over NSW I. No doubt these results will be seen as another historic victory for Queensland rugby, which will be endlessly trumpeted- well, maybe until the Tahs put them back in their place in the Super 15. Twice.
With all the rugby played, it came time for the moment all the players, parents and assorted hangers-on were waiting for: the announcement of the Australian Schools side to play Samoa and Fiji in early September. The lucky blokes are listed below, as well as a highlights package put together by the guys at Fox. Tune back in closer tothe time, where G&GR will bring you extensive coverage of all games.
2010 Australian Teams for Domestic Test Matches
Australia
NAME SCHOOL TEAM
Rhys Brodie St Andrew’s College NSW 2
Curtis Browning Brisbane State High School QLD 1
Tom Connor The Kings School NSW 2
Lindsay Crook The Southport School QLD 1
Steve Cummins The Hills SHS NSW 1
Tom Cusack Marist College ACT
Tim Donlan St Ignatius’ College NSW 2
Tim Duchesne Knox Grammar School CS
Chris F’Sautia Brisbane State High School QLD 1
Jed Gillespie The Kings School NSW 2
Malietoa Hingano St Augustine’s College NSW 1
Lewis Holland St Edmunds College ACT
Boyd Killingworth The Kings School NSW 2
Apolosi Latunipulu Newington College NSW 2
Joel Luani Newington College NSW 2
Guy Millar The Kings School NSW 1
Gary Neugebauer Hale School WA
Maile Ngauamo Ipswich Grammar School QLD 1
Walter Petaia Brisbane State High School QLD 1
Sam Reiser St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace CS
Hugh Roach Newington College NSW 1
Dion Taumata Keebra Park High School QLD 2
Ed Wylie The Kings School NSW 2
Australia A
Jay Adkins St Joseph’s Nudgee College CS
Michael Bermingham Brisbane Grammar School QLD 1
Jack Bridges St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace QLD 1
Blake Cullen Ipswich Grammar School CS
Grant Davies Brisbane Grammar School QLD 1
Rhys Dombkins St Augustine’s College NSW 1
Stuart Goodman Barker College NSW 1
Jed Holloway Waverley College NSW 1
Oliver Hoskins Scotch College WA
Stephen Hunt St Joseph’s Nudgee College QLD 2
Chris Ingate The Kings School NSW 2
Luke Keary Oakhill College NSW 1
James Klassen Villanova College QLD 2
Benn Melrose The Kings School NSW 2
Andy Molimau Morrabin VIC
Elijah Palupe Brisbane State High School QLD 1
Cameron Patrick Mountain Creek HS QLD 2
Giorgio Phillips St Joseph’s Nudgee College QLD 1
Andrew Ready St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace QLD 2
Tim Reid The Kings School CS
Joseph Swan Brisbane State High School QLD 2
Lausii Taliauli The Southport School QLD 2
Waldo Wessels Endeavour SHS NSW 1
