The best XV of players from any school

[The Chosen]

woops,lost it- try again:

1. Ross Turnbull 1959
2. Bruce Taafe 1962
3. Ben Alexander 2003
4. Steve Cutler 1977
5. Peter Fitzsimons 1978
6. Alan Manning 1999
7. Bob Davis 1978
8. Ryan Perkins 2000
9 Nick Stirzaker 2009
10.John `Sparrow' Dowse 1953
11.Adrian Turnbull 1951
12.Tom Carter 2001
13. Dave Burnett 1969
14. Phil Tuck 1977
15. Michael McNair 1997

Not a bad team- couldn't fit in John Langford(DNQ),Noodles Latimer,Andrew Brink and latter day Australian Schoolboys, Nathan Charles,Mark Johnson & Luke Rissman.
With Taafe,Manning & Charles, Knox has been a good production line for Hookers.
I didn't see all these players but I have to mention the most brilliant in my opinion was Dave Burnett(4 years in the 1st XV- not allowed these days) who later played for Gordon,NSW & Australia.

 

[tranquility]

he and Lloyd were very devastating and if I remember correctly Anton and Karmichael gave TSS curry that year. Although it was a 3-3 draw it cost us a premiership and both were absolutely on top of their game that year.
Not so sure about the being expelled bit. You may be right but I never heard it before. I know his father had a disagreement wit the TSS coach and there was some ill feeling. His father was always a medling fool even after school and may have cost Anton any chance of moving upwards later in his career.

No he was definitely expelled, so was hos younger brother Monty who also went to Churchie. Wild lads. ha ha
In that match you are speaking about, Churchie was decimated by injuries and Karmichael had played a round robin rugby league comp for Met East in the morning before coming back and dominating in the 3.15 game. Anton was phenomenal as well in that game. But K truly was the star of that side and is the best schoolboy player I have seen by quite a way, including David and Quade.

I remember when I went and watched the Australian schoolboys play NZ in 2003, and K wasn't playing because he was playing in the League schoolboys but he turned up to watch the lads go around. The coach practically begged Karmichael to throw a jersey on and have a run, but K just laughed it off and took a seat in the grandstand. He was only 16 in his final year of school as well, it will be a great day when he come back to out code fill-time.

 

[Joe Mac]

Im trying to put together a list of players from St Ignatius College, Riverview. For a school with so many Aussie Schoolboys in its time, it is surprisingly tough.

I have a list of Wallabies which total's 14. I have added in the one's which positions and debut I can find however there are a lot I cant find anything on. If anyone knows please let me know so I can add them in position to the list.

1 John Coolican - Wallabies 1979
6 Bryan Hughes - Wallabies 1913
7 James Hughes - Wallabies 1907
9 John Manning - Wallabies 1904
10 Ignatius O'Donnell - Wallabies 1899
11 Willie Gordon - ACT Brumbies 2001
12 Jim Lenehan - Wallabies 1957/ Mitch Inman - Western Force Rugby Union 2010
13 Charles Morrisey - Wallabies 1925
14 Matthew Mostyn - Ireland Rugby Union Team, 1996
15 Bob Wesffield - Wallabies 1928-29/ Michael Keirans - NSW Waratahs 1990

Players of the future:
Lachie McCaffrey - NSW Waratahs Rugby Union 2010
David McDuling - Australian Under 20s Rugby World Cup Squad 2009
Jono Jenkins - Australian Rugby Sevens 2009, Western Force Squad 2010
Ed Jenkins - Australian Rugby Sevens 2009


Unknown's:

Wallabies

Jim Stenmark - Wallabies, NSW Waratahs - Wallabies player from 1947–48, Waratahs player 1944-46
Anthony Dempsey - Wallabies 1993, NSW Waratahs 1992-94
Humphrey Oxenham - Wallabies 1907, NSW Waratahs 1900-1904
Brian Oxenham - Wallabies 1939
Sean Spence - Wallabies 1962. NSW Waratahs 1962-63
Herbert Daly - Wallabies 1908-09, NSW Waratahs 1905-09

Notable Non-Wallabies

Mark "Champo" Clarebrough - NSW Waratahs 1979
Brett Clarebrough - Australian Rugby Sevens 1979
Ed Shannon - NSW Waratahs 1979
Cecil O'Dea - NSW Waratahs 1928
Ian Camrie-Thomson - NSW Waratahs 1928
John Diserens - ACT Brumbies
Frank Ahern - QLD Reds
Gerald Quinlan - Ireland Rugby Union Team

 

[Rothschild]

No he was definitely expelled, so was hos younger brother Monty who also went to Churchie. Wild lads. ha ha
In that match you are speaking about, Churchie was decimated by injuries and Karmichael had played a round robin rugby league comp for Met East in the morning before coming back and dominating in the 3.15 game. Anton was phenomenal as well in that game. But K truly was the star of that side and is the best schoolboy player I have seen by quite a way, including David and Quade. .

If i remember correctly, TSS had only arrived back at 11) the previus nght from a tournament in Japan.
From then on no more last minute arrivals for TSS and i think it was the last overseas pre-season campaign

 

[observer]

In the Knox XV I would find a spot, probably at 10 or 12, for the great Gordon centre Charlie Blunt from the 70's and early 80's. He also played with the Tahs.

 

[Joe Mac]

Does anyone want to have a crack at a QLD GPS, NSW GPS, CAS, CHS and ACT comp? it would be interesting to see which of the groups has the stronger side

 

[The Chosen]

In the Knox XV I would find a spot, probably at 10 or 12, for the great Gordon centre Charlie Blunt from the 70's and early 80's. He also played with the Tahs.

Although Charlie's sons went to Knox- Charlie himself went to Kings( if I recall correctly!)

 

[observer]

Although Charlie's sons went to Knox- Charlie himself went to Kings( if I recall correctly!)

You may be right although I'm basing my knowledge on the fact he played a season for Knox Old Boys in the subbies

 

[kambah mick]

Joe Mac at 125. The Mick Kearins you mention (nb. correct spelling), was a fullback, preceded Matt Burke I think. He has a brother Rick who played as a goal kicking winger for the Waratahs a couple of years after Mick.

 

[Joe Mac]

Thanks KM

 

[lincoln]

woops,lost it- try again:

1. Ross Turnbull 1959
2. Bruce Taafe 1962
3. Ben Alexander 2003
4. Steve Cutler 1977
5. Peter Fitzsimons 1978
6. Alan Manning 1999
7. Bob Davis 1978
8. Ryan Perkins 2000
9 Nick Stirzaker 2009
10.John `Sparrow' Dowse 1953
11.Adrian Turnbull 1951
12.Tom Carter 2001
13. Dave Burnett 1969
14. Phil Tuck 1977
15. Michael McNair 1997

Not a bad team- couldn't fit in John Langford(DNQ),Noodles Latimer,Andrew Brink and latter day Australian Schoolboys, Nathan Charles,Mark Johnson & Luke Rissman.
With Taafe,Manning & Charles, Knox has been a good production line for Hookers.
I didn't see all these players but I have to mention the most brilliant in my opinion was Dave Burnett(4 years in the 1st XV- not allowed these days) who later played for Gordon,NSW & Australia.

Knox rates as having too many stars burnt out at an early age than most schools in Sydney - the local talent base was/is immense. Very few (if none) imports.

 

[Lindommer]

Knox Grammar School:

1. Ross Turnbull 1959
2. Bruce Taafe 1962
3. Ben Alexander 2003
4. Steve Cutler 1977
5. Peter FitzSimons 1978
6. Alan Manning 1999
7. Bob Davis 1978
8. Ryan Perkins 2000
9 Nic Stirzaker 2009
10.John `Sparrow' Dowse 1953
11.Adrian Turnbull 1951
12.Tom Carter 2001
13. Dave Burnett 1969
14. Phil Tuck 1977
15. Michael McNair 1997

To be coached by Gough Whitlam, perhaps? And managed by Ian Sinclair?

 

[TerryTate]

Tom Carter spent most of his schooling at King's didn't he?

 

[T.Rugby]

Tom Carter spent most of his schooling at King's didn't he?

think it was pretty much half half but he graduated from knox and spend 2 years in the 1st XV i think

 

[Elfster]

Knox Grammar School:

1. Ross Turnbull 1959
2. Bruce Taafe 1962
3. Ben Alexander 2003
4. Steve Cutler 1977
5. Peter FitzSimons 1978
6. Alan Manning 1999
7. Bob Davis 1978
8. Ryan Perkins 2000
9 Nick Stirzaker 2009
10.John `Sparrow' Dowse 1953
11.Adrian Turnbull 1951
12.Tom Carter 2001
13. Dave Burnett 1969
14. Phil Tuck 1977
15. Michael McNair 1997

To be coached by Gough Whitlam, perhaps? And managed by Ian Sinclair?

What about a space for Michael Gee - though 5,000 years old isn't he still playing for Warringah?

 

[RANGER 2]

Brown Hornet.. I've had a go at a Downlands one..

1. G.Holmes - 2001 - Wallabies
2. S.Stephens - mid 1990's - was apparently told he was too small for Aus 21's and they picked Freier ahead of him
3. B.Robinson - 1987 - - Wallabies - apparently played prop in 86 team according to "brave and game" site.. a good excuse to fit Murray in backrow.
4. G. Veivers - 70's - Australian Rugby League rep
5. G.Morgan - 1988 - Wallabies
6. M.Murray - 1989 - Reds
7. C.Roche - 1975 - Wallabies
8. P.Ryan - 1988 - Broncos, Maroons, Brumbies
9. B.Johnstone - 1987 - Wallabies
10. T.Horan - 1987 - Wallabies - played flyhalf at school
11. B.Potter - 1958 - Wallabies
12. G.Fairbanks - 1999 - Wallabies tourist
13. D.McEwen - early 90's - League with Western Reds apparently
14. K.Bourke - 1938 - Wallabies was mainly a Centre though
15. N.Stains - 2000 - Reds

Was a strong school during the 80's and 90's based on hard as nails kids from western Queensland and the coaching of former England Test Coach John Elder who relocated there because he thought Toowoomba's weather would help his health... little did he know it's a bit like Melbourne.

They loved nothing better than beating the GPS schools who treated them as a "bye". But they've struggled a bit of late.. apparently the numbers dwindled because of the drought, some say they have too many boys chasing girls instead of Footballs after going fully co-ed. haven't heard much about players from out there for a long time so I may have missed some outside backs in particular.

Been a couple of Aus Schoolboys lately though - Keiren Landers was the best of them - tough Halfback - Lee might remember from a couple of years ago - He went to the Cowboys and ended up a backrower in the 20's comp, then i heard he trained with reds college only to end up playing Qld Cup league.

Some handy players probably slipped through the system cos they never moved to Bris.. Cyril Connell the legendary Broncos scout would often show up at games... they've always had great backrowers... Hunter Berne was right up there but went bush, Dan Sullivan (played Aus schools 2 years then with David Wilson at Easts then went down to Sydney with Parramatta and Souths), Mark Robinson - Brett's brother played Aus Schools and a heap of first grade for Souths, Rohan Welsh who reads the news for Channel 7 spent 3 years in firsts and Oz 16's and played around Bris for a while.... a few others played for Sunnybank in their premiership years a couple of seasons ago

QRU's hopeful of a Darling Downs team joining premier grade here soon...tapping into Downlands and TGS etc, it would be interesting to see how they'd go...

 

[Alex]

3 Wallaby coaches is good going though. (Brock, Daryl Haberecht, Dr John).

We're deeper at lock. Colin Scotts could have been a monster for the Wallabies but played grid iron instead. Greg Peterson will probably become a Wallaby.

At prop, IIRC Ray Smith from the '87 premiers played prop for Warringah, NSW B and a handful of games for NSW. Scott Webster, captain of the '93 premiers, played loosehead prop (badly) for the Queensland Reds. Choromanski briefly played for NSW, so we at least have state rep talent in the front row.

Rupert Rosenblum for 10 ? He was at least capped.

I was intrigued by this exercise and so started doing a bit of research. I have found references to 21 Wallabies having attended Scots, including 3 Wallaby captains – although as with all internet research the usual caveats apply. For example, one of the 21 is a Stuart Scotts, but I cannot find any record of someone of that name being capped for Australia.

Apart from the obvious difficulties in comparing across eras, in particular never having seen many of these players play, certain positions that we would never consider interchangeable today were in the past (While Hugh Taylor was primarily a second row, he also played prop for Australia). In selecting this team I have only picked players in positions in which they have represented Australia and have not picked players who have not been capped (save at hooker which is the only position in which I cannot find a wallaby representative). Two Scots old boys appear to have been capped at prop - both against NZ. Also, while it is possible to establish the positions in which players represented Australia, where they are playing out of their usual position and you have not seen the players play it is not possible to make an informed assessment as to how good they were in these positions (eg. John Solomon apparently captained Australia from five-eighth) - but in the interests of filling all positions and keeping the best players on the paddock the two doctors have been asked to play in positions that they were not best known for - but where they were capped.

15. Jim Hindmarsh – 9 tests, 1975-1976
14. Stewart Boyce - 13 Tests 1962-1967 (alternate: Phil Crowe. – 6 tests, 1976-1979)
13. Billy McKidd – 6 tests, 1976-1979
12. Beres Ellwood – 20 tests, 1958-1966
11. Jim Boyce – 12 tests, 1962-1965 (alternate: John MacBride – 10 tests 1946-1948)
10. Dr John Solomon – 14 tests, 1949-1955 (alternates: Rupert Rosenblum – 3 tests, 1969-1970, Norm Storey – 1 test, 1962)
9. Ken Catchpole – 27 tests, 1961 - 1968
8. Tim Gavin – 47 tests, 1988-1996 (alternate: David Carter – 5 tests, 1988-1989)
7. David Brockhoff - 8 tests, 1949-1951
6. Bill Calcraft – 3 tests, 1985-1986
5. Warwick Waugh – 8 tests, 1993-1997 (alternate: Phil Hardcastle - 5 tests, 1946-1949)
4. Tom Bowman – 16 tests, 1998-1999
3. Max Elliott – 1 test, 1957
2. Michael Chromanski - uncapped
1. Dr Hugh Taylor – 4 tests, 1923-1924

Coach: Daryl Haberecht (John Solomon and David Brockhoff were also wallaby coaches but are players in this team)

Co Captains?: John Solomon and Ken Catchpole. Phil Hardcastle also captained the wallabies but does not make the starting XV (arbitrarily based on number of tests played rather than any assessment of ability).

 

[Bruce Ross]

Welcome aboard, Alex. You've set yourself a high standard with your first post.

 

[Alex]

Welcome aboard, Alex. You've set yourself a high standard with your first post.

Thanks Bruce - I'm sure I will have no difficulty in revising expectations downwards soon enough.

 

[ACSC]

Here is a go at Brisbane Grammar, can’t find any records at all so lots of blanks but I am sure about these ones. Not a lot of recent wallabies, I think partly because they do not offer sporting scholarships but that is an issue for another thread.

1. Stephen Moore
2. Cameron Lillicrap
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. Tom Lawton Snr
11.
12. Dick Marks
13.
14. Greg Martin
15. Otto Ernest Nothling (thought he deserved the spot because I’m not a Greg Martin fan but stuck him on the wing anyway)

Coachs – Alan Jones, Alex Evans (forwards) and John Hipwell (backs)

Otto Ernest Nothling (August 1, 1900 – September 26, 1965)- was a rugby union player who represented Australia (19 caps), as well as an Australian cricketer who played in (1 Test). He is one of only two Australian rugby and cricket dual internationals.

P.S. How’s this for a schoolboy sporting career
Tom Lawton Snr (16 January 1899 — 1 July 1978) - He played in the school's rugby 1st XV for three years and was the best back in 1916 and 1917. He played in the school's 1st XI for four years, was captain in 1916 & 1917; adjudged best fielder in 1915 & 1916 and topped the batting average in 1917. He rowed in the 1st VIII for three years, played tennis, won at athletics, was school swimming champion and school captain in 1917.
If that’s not enough he also won a Rhodes scholarship to Oxford University in 1922.

Just remembered David Nucifora, but would still have squeaky starting so maybe give him a spot in the coach's box.