AIC Rugby 2021

[Teh Other Dave]

Torp I think we're more like minded than you realise. The comp is there primarily for the enjoyment of the players, whether the parents, old boys, etc like it or not. More than that, school's meant to be a place for kids to learn and (within reason) make mistakes. The transactional nature of some sporting scholarships flies in the face of that, especially the kids helicoptered in at year 12/13.

 

[Shaw Road]

Any word on the Lauries 1st XV ?,coaching staff and predicted line ups?

 

[AICrugby101]

Any word on the Lauries 1st XV ?,coaching staff and predicted line ups?

Ex Padua First XV premiership winning coach from 2011, 2015 and 2016, Mr. Ben Lowrie has taken up the role as deputy principal at Lauries this year. I wonder if he will have any involvement in their rugby program anytime soon. He was part of Padua's long term building of their rugby program since the early 2000's when they were still rugby league focused. Has a great record and had influenced the growth of Paduan rugby into a force to be reckoned with these days. Could be a good pick up for Lauries rugby moving forward into the new decade.

 

[PhilClinton]

I see Padua have hired current Brothers Prems coach Kelevi Tuicolu as their sports and performance role. Will be interesting to see how this will change where Padua blokes play footy after school and what he can do at the school.

 

[AICrugby101]

I see Padua have hired current Brothers Prems coach Kelevi Tuicolu as their sports and performance role. Will be interesting to see how this will change where Padua blokes play footy after school and what he can do at the school.

Brothers in recent years has seen a number of Padua old boys play there. Most notably are the Creighton brothers (Lawson and Hudson) who are now in the QLD Reds squad for this season.

 

[Ray Stuart]

Hey Guys, Thought I would get on here as the chat and the vibe for the season is considerably down to previous years. Anyway, any news on possible team lists, coaching changes and upcoming trial matches.

 

[Jets]

Anyone, with more knowledge than me, willing to have a prediction at how the season will turn out this year?

MCA are always good, I hear Padua have a good team. Will Mowen make a change at Villa?

 

[Tbone]

This year is shaping up as the closest in years, with 4 schools in the running by my reckoning.

Expecting big things from Iona. Have players returning, and always been strong in this age group. With a very strong Year 11 cohort who I believe (could be wrong) have never lost a game. This will be where their strength lies as plenty of depth.

SLC have been premiers coming through a number of times, and after a good showing last year will be tough to beat. Looks like the black and gold may have turned a corner. Can anyone confirm if John Bryant is back or did he finish last year?

Padua will have a very big forward pack. If they can avoid injuries and pick up their fitness from last year will be a genuine contender.

Marist will be good, but doubt they will be in the same category as the previous few years. Will have at least 5 starters from last year plus a few who got plenty of 1sts experience. Concern lies in the halves as will not have the calibre of Mitchell and Whitten driving them around the park. Quite a few positions open at this stage.

Pats and Villa will be thereabouts too based on previous results in this year group, but I would like to hear more about them. Who's returning and stepping up? Depth is where they will struggle if injuries start to take a toll.

SPLC will have been in contact with St Kentigern's in Auckland so expect plenty of new faces. As usual an unknown but have always been weak in this age group, but with a strong year 11 and imports will not want to be underestimated.

SEC will struggle once again, but also with a strong year 11 could cause an upset if they are taken lightly.

I would not be surprised if this is a another shared premiership year. All it will take is some key injuries, teams not turning up on the day, a yellow/red here and there and poor discipline for any one team to get toppled.

Thoughts on teams line ups and chances?

 

[Ray Stuart]

Also hearing news out of Iona today that Toutai Kefu (current Tonga national coach and former Wallaby) is now apart of there rugby program, specifically coaching their First XV. Could be very interesting to see how this will go considering the now Grade 12's and Grade 11's having been able to boast multiple premierships each year.

 

[The Nomad]

Also hearing news out of Iona today that Toutai Kefu (current Tonga national coach and former Wallaby) is now apart of there rugby program, specifically coaching their First XV. Could be very interesting to see how this will go considering the now Grade 12's and Grade 11's having been able to boast multiple premierships each year.

Programs at a few of the schools really seem to be stepping up .

MCA have always had a good program , but great to Iona , Padua and Villa putting in quality directors of rugby .

Kelevi , Mowen and Kefu will bring very good leadership and are all strong on culture .

Got to be good for the comp in general .

 

[Jets]

Is Kefu doing Iona and BBC? Or has he stepped down from the role at BBC?

 

[Bob smilie]

Any word on predicted teams for 2021?

 

[RugbyTech]

Anyways,

Any word on Possible starting lineups, trial game outcomes and team management? Favored Teams?

So far it sounds like it will be an interesting comp this year.

 

[Jets]

Padua, SEC & SLC are playing 3 way 1st XV squad trial this weekend, at Norths.

 

[Janes Tamou]

News on St Patricks College 1st XV: Been visiting training sessions recently as I live around the area and I've noticed a few notable things about the team. The Front Row appears to be stacked with many returning players and a lot of size; one returning as a third year player seemingly running faster then the centres in their speed drills which does look quite dangerous. Following on another prop returning in the Reds Academy looking deadly in defence and attack at training. Their Backrow appears to be one of the strongest I have seen in St Patrick's College history. They seem to have a Pete Samu type player who I have heard is loosely related to Taniela Tupou himself which could be an asset for this year. From scrum work I have seen their blindside flanker is an absolute lineout specialist, who I have seen in previous years. The openside flanker appears to be the most aggravated player in the team and has put some impressive tackles on men over 110kgs. They also appear to have recruited a new outside back with impeccable speed and footwork. Despite this it appears that the team lacks in depth which could be hindering to their season if injuries take place. Overall this team will be hard to beat as many returning players and will be up to the occasion.

 

[Tbone]

News on St Patricks College 1st XV: Been visiting training sessions recently as I live around the area and I've noticed a few notable things about the team. The Front Row appears to be stacked with many returning players and a lot of size; one returning as a third year player seemingly running faster then the centres in their speed drills which does look quite dangerous. Following on another prop returning in the Reds Academy looking deadly in defence and attack at training. Their Backrow appears to be one of the strongest I have seen in St Patrick's College history. They seem to have a Pete Samu type player who I have heard is loosely related to Taniela Tupou himself which could be an asset for this year. From scrum work I have seen their blindside flanker is an absolute lineout specialist, who I have seen in previous years. The openside flanker appears to be the most aggravated player in the team and has put some impressive tackles on men over 110kgs. They also appear to have recruited a new outside back with impeccable speed and footwork. Despite this it appears that the team lacks in depth which could be hindering to their season if injuries take place. Overall this team will be hard to beat as many returning players and will be up to the occasion.

Nice one Janes, good to hear from St Pats. The front rower I believe is Jack Booker, pretty impressive specimen, has to be in contention for a QLD spot this year. Interesting that a couple of boys have lobbed up this year. Sounds like Pats will be a strong contender, look forward to seeing them in action.

 

[Ray Stuart]

Iona played Villa in a trial at Wynnum with a win to Iona 24-19. Few solid contributors from both teams.

 

[Bledisloe]

Padua, SEC & SLC are playing 3 way 1st XV squad trial this weekend, at Norths.

Pretty even trial game between all three schools yesterday at North’s, lots of year 11 lads getting a taste for what’s to come.

 

[My Arsenal]

A good day of Rugby at Norths. SLC and PAD ran big squads on the day - big PAD forwards dominated the SLC pack at scrum time with SLC backline looking slightly sharper across the paddock - SEC were good in patches (big #8 was impressive as was #11) to beat SLC - an aggressive SLC won the forward battle #19 looked strong with ball in hand and openside #21 was strong at the breakdown too - shaping up to be a great season.

 

[AICrugby101]

Excited for this year as COVID-19 had obviously cut the season short last year. A shared premiership to Marist and Lauries would have felt a bit odd for them in the circumstances so this year will meant alot more to those schools if they can win it.

On another note, do any AIC schools play GPS schools in trials these days? I remember in the 2000s it wasn't uncommon to see Marist play Nudgee and Lauries play Terrace for example in trial matches. These days the AIC is more competitive so I would love to see other schools give some GPS schools a crack in trial matches. It seems that since the CIC was dissolved in 2014 there has been very little connection between the two competitions. I guess the GPS schools would not be as interested as AIC but it would be interesting to see. Could become an annual game for schools to look forward to with a cup involved, thoughts?