QLD AIC Rugby 2025

[The_Game_Played_In_Heaven]

12

 

[CoachN]

A couple a big games this week at opposite ends of the table.

Villa vs Marist. Villa have been on a charge the last couple of weeks but even playing away I think the quality of the Marist team will get over the top. Should be the game of the round and could go either way. Marist by 7

SEC Vs SPE Battle of the west and battle for the wooden spoon can Peters get their first win or will Eddies end any hope of a win this year. Eddies by 7

Iona Vs SLC most years this is a great contest of to good teams but not this time around SLC 20+

SPC vs PADUA - the boys in brown and gold will be too clinical and will put SPC down. PADUA 20+

 

[Jed313]

Heading for the third, final round, ‘grand final’ in a row. Great for the boys fortunate enough to be a part of that - amazing way to end the comp.

A lot of talk for SLC across this year, they were never in the mix with this cohort over the years. It was always Padua, MCA and Iona. Padua have had some close ones against MCA, I recall 1 game going to a conversion after the whistle and a few solid tussles with Iona but that was it. The current Padua cohort went undefeated from 5A’s to 10A’s (the usual player mix up occurred in year 11 with some playing firsts and winning) and I make at least 10 of those boys from the 5A’s in their current team. There were a few years where their B’s went undefeated as well, thus a tonne of depth in this year 12 group. There are boys in there who have never lost a game in school colours – that’s 8 years. Surely not to be repeated.

So what does this mean: With only 1 or 2 year 11 boys in the team (injury dependent) it’s mostly the same team who’ve shown the same desire to win this year, even without their star 10 for 3 games – who’s probably the best player in the comp. MCA have always gone close but never got there. Do they have a few year 11’s to bolster the ranks, or do they need them? It’s a dead heat comparatively in the backs - strike power galore in both sides. MCA have won this year by running, Padua have won a few ways, but with their 10 back (and his boot) he will turn them around, pin them down and cramp that style. Do MCA have something else they haven’t needed to show yet?

It seems like Padua at home, all the way - but if MCA get up, it would be a devastating steal. All the pressure on the brown and gold.

 

[Smiley]

At the u18 QLD state champs in Townsville last week Downlands had 18/19 players in the darling downs team as a 1st XV really. and met north had 6 from Padua, 5 from Pats, 3 from BGS and the rest from random schools. No Nudgee or Marist boys. Met North won 18-14.

Lets just set the record straight here. That 19 was hardly Downlands 1st XV with a number of players not participating. So in essence the best combination of schools mentioned in post above barely beat a Downlands 1st/2nd combination

 

[XFactor]

Strong win by MCA. Big final round next week.

 

[Jets]

 

[pundit]

Let’s just set the record straight here. That 19 was hardly Downlands 1st XV with a number of players not participating. So in essence the best combination of schools mentioned in post above barely beat a Downlands 1st/2nd combination

As if the Met North team was at its strongest either. Most of the top players don’t even play it. I’d be shocked if Padua, Ashgrove etc. top players even tried out for it. I know for certain Ross, Humphrys, Clark etc. didn’t.

 

[Smiley]

That im not too knowledgeable so will take your word for it - but yes you make the same point im trying to make

 

[XFactor]

The state schoolboys side was once the main representative pathway. Highly valued. The main pathway is now Reds Academy etc. None of the main regions were at their strongest. Pointless argument.

 

[Smiley]

I hear you! But the point was made earlier so was simply trying to provide a counter to rating school team strength by using state team results

 

[XFactor]

I agree.

 

[Smiley]

Question - Lauries is having a very poor
Showing in this year’s comp compared to its recent past.

1. Is this due to
Welmar leaving
2. Do they just not have the cattle this year in comparison to what they had a few years ago?

 

[Barry T]

I mean in fairness they've lost only 2 games this year to Ash and Padua which happened last year as well with Welmar at the helm. The Ashgrove score blew out in the end due to the yellow card. Losing Finn Mackay was massive for them though as he was the perfect flyhalf for that style.

 

[Smiley]

Fair- ebbs and flows of teenage school footy! If you dont have Nudgee’s depth your ebb cycles will be deeper - especially for smaller schools

 

[Smiley]

Surely in the interest of Rugby we need to add strength to this competition! Options like Kings College or Downlands will do a lot for this comp

 

[qldaic.rugby]

Its official Marist College Ashgrove are challenging last years premiership winners Padua in a last round "grand final" head to head at Banyo next week the 14/6/25. Although Marist sit top of the ladder due to the points differential, I see them sitting as underdogs for this battle.

It would be great to see as many of the school boys, family friends and the general public their to watch this game, it would really boost the AIC competition, expecting heaps of people to be out at Banyo next week. Its going to be a great day of Rugby out at Banyo playing fields next week.

 

[Dabu]

I think Lauries are going ok. Maybe a shift away from their 10-man rugby blueprint is the way going forward. The big question needs to be asked, what the hell has gone wrong at Iona? These guys were a powerhouse two years ago in the 10As. I hear grumblings the school is more focused on rugby league than rugby union these days. Not sure if this is true or not?

 

[oldskool198]

I think they will only get stronger, unless boys in younger grades get poached from gps. The 8As are undefeated, went undefeated last year and won ballymore cup in the u14s, some serious contenders for first xv in year 10.

 

[Dabu]

I think you’re right with the poaching. I was told this year’s 9As lost their four best players to GPS schools.

 

[Jets]

View attachment 22374Surely in the interest of Rugby we need to add strength to this competition! Options like Kings College or Downlands will do a lot for this comp

It’s not going to happen as AIC isn’t just a rugby comp. ATC are the school most likely to join AIC as they currently compete in most sports.