Thanks Reg. Are these teams being trimmed before Champs? From memory they could only take 25 players last year.
all I have is this:
Queensland Rugby Union today announced the playing squads and coaching staff for both the Brisbane City and Queensland Country U19s, ahead of the second annual U19s National Rugby Championship.
The 30-man squads have been selected following the culmination of the 2019 Queensland Premier Rugby season, with players selected having represented their clubs in either Colts 1 or First Grade (Hospital Challenge Cup) throughout the year.
Recently named U19s player of the year Josh Flook has been selected for Brisbane City, while Fred Fewtrell who was a standout for Easts in First Grade throughout the Premier Rugby season will feature for Queensland Country.
Grant Anderson (Bond) will return as Queensland Country U19s head coach for a second year, alongside his assistants Nick Fogarty (GPS) and James McLaren (Sunnybank).
Pat Byron (Brisbane SHS) has taken over the Brisbane City U19s reigns, and will be supported by Kelevi Tuicolo (Brothers) and Daryl McNamara (Wests).
With both Country and City contesting the inaugural final last year, City claiming the title with a 40-7 win, the two sides are hungry to build again in 2019.
“We’re looking forward to the opportunity that this year’s competition provides,” said City head coach Byron.
“We’ve seen a number of players progress through the program last year onto higher honours. Isaac Lucas obviously made his Super Rugby debut this year and now he is in the senior Brisbane City squad for the NRC alongside fellow graduates Rhys van Nek and Phoenix Hunt.
“This is a great step in the development pathway of these players and I’m looking forward to seeing what future talent we can unearth from this year’s crop of players.”
Country head coach Anderson reiterated Byron’s thoughts.
“We’ve seen a number of players from last year’s squads go on and play in Queensland Premier Rugby this season and the competition obviously benefited the Junior Wallabies’ preparations for the World U20s Championships,” said Anderson.
“I’m really happy with the group we have together in Country, we have a good mix of second year players and fresh faces.
“Souths obviously ran a good Colts program this year, taking out both the Colts 1 and Colts 2 titles, and selections reflect their success so I’m looking forward to seeing those players seize their opportunity.”