The best XV of players from any school

[Lee Grant]

EDIT: I'M GOING TO STICKY THIS THREAD AS IT'S A GREAT ONE DURING THIS TIME [MODS].


I don't know if this should be in the Grassroots section or here, but since bugger all forum members visit Grassroots, and there is a lull in rugby of interest to most members - and it pertains partly to the Wallabies, I'm putting this here anyway.

The post poses the question: what is the best XV of players from any Australian school picked from any era – judged on how they played as senior players. To the extent that it is possible, selections should take into account the ability of the players in the era they played in.

A thread like this may be anathema to some folks who think that it is more important that we discuss spreading the rugby grassroots away from elite rugby schools, but they need not post to that effect.

That will be taken as a given for some forum members, and I agree with them whole-heartedly, but am posting this for those who may be interested.

 

[Lee Grant]

St. Joseph's College
(Hunters Hill)

Years listed are those they played for the Wallabies.

15. Terry Curley (1957-59)
14. Arthur Tonkin (1947-50)
13. Matt Burke (1993-2004)
12. Jack Blomey (1949-50)
11. Bill White (1929-32)
10. Kurtley Beale (2009-present)
9. Luke Burgess (2008-present)
8. John O'Gorman (1961-67)
7. Ted Heinrich (1961-63)
6. Jack Ford (1925-30)
5. Ted Fahey (1912-14)
4. Steve Williams (1980-85) [Captain]
3. Declan Curran (1980-83)
2. Chris Carberry (1973-82)
1. Tony Daly (1989-95)

Notes
15. Curley's career was shortened because of the commencement of his priesthood. I saw him play, and with a different calling he would have been a Wallaby great IMO.

13. Burke played outside centre for Oz Schools and Joeys had a plethora of good fullbacks over the years compared to other positions.

10. Likewise Beale is picked at flyhalf.

7. Heinrich played other backrow positions also, but otherwise I would have had to have picked Lipman, a Pom.

6. Ford played mainly at 8, but he played some at 7 for Oz, and this is my post.

4/5 Williams and Fahey – both Wallaby captains.

3. Tough choice between Curran and Jake Howard whose career coincided with that of Wallaby great Ray Prosser.

I had to rely on my extensive rugby library to read up on some of the players who I didn't see play (everyone prior to 15. Terry Curley.)

 

[RugbyReg]

St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace:

15 Clem Windsor - (1947)
14 Phil Carmichael - (1904-09)
13 Harry Roberts - (1961)
12 Michael Cook - (1986-88)
11 Digby Ioane - (2007-Current)
10 Michael Lynagh - (1984-1995)
9 Mick Dore - (1905)
8 Brendan Nasser - (1989-91)
7 David Croft - (2002-03)
6 Tony Shaw - (1973-82)
5 Bill Campbell - (1984-90)
4 Damian Frawley - (1986-88)
3 Chris Handy - (1978-80)
2 Mark McBain - (1983-89)
1 Nick Stiles - (2001-02)

 

[topo]

St. Joseph's College
(Hunters Hill)

Years listed are those they played for the Wallabies.

15. Terry Curley (1957-59)
14. Arthur Tonkin (1947-50)
13. Matt Burke (1993-2004)
12. Jack Blomey (1949-50)
11. Bill White (1929-32)
10. Kurtley Beale (2009-present)
9. Luke Burgess (2008-present)
8. John O'Gorman (1961-67)
7. Ted Heinrich (1961-63)
6. Jack Ford (1925-30)
5. Ted Fahey (1912-14)
4. Steve Williams (1980-85) [Captain]
3. Declan Curry (1980-83)
2. Chris Carberry (1973-82)
1. Tony Daly (1989-95)

Notes
15. Curley's career was shortened because of the commencement of his priesthood. I saw him play, and with a different calling he would have been a Wallaby great IMO.

13. Burke played outside centre for Oz Schools and Joeys had a plethora of good fullbacks over the years compared to other positions.

10. Likewise Beale is picked at flyhalf.

7. Heinrich played other backrow positions also, but otherwise I would have had to have picked Lipman, a Pom.

6. Ford played mainly at 8, but he played some at 7 for Oz, and this is my post.

4/5 Williams and Fahey – both Wallaby captains.

3. Tough choice between Curry and Jake Howard whose career coincided with that of Wallaby great Ray Prosser.

I had to rely on my extensive rugby library to read up on some of the players who I didn't see play (everyone prior to 15. Terry Curley.)

Probably too early to say but Pat McCutcheon might challenge for a back row spot, likewise Damien Fitzpatrick might end up giving Chris Carberry a run for his money.
I only just remember Jake Howard, but I think he might have shaded Declan Curran.

I wonder if Jimmy Gray gets on GAGR - he would have a learned opinion on this.

 

[Rothschild]

T.S.S.
Give me time to get the years together, (dates are open for amendment by persons more knowledgeable than I)

1: James Slipper (2005-2007)
2: Tom Lawton (early 1990's)
3: Richard Nyholt (early 1990's)
4: Rob Simmons (? - 2007)
5: Nathan Sharpe (about 2001 - grade 5 - 12)
6: Scott Higginbottom (didn’t play 1st VX) (? - 2007)
7:
8: Ole Avei (2001)
9: Luke Evans (1999 - 2006)
10: Jonno Lance (2001 - 2007)
11: Peter Jackson
12: Nathan Grey (early 1990's)
13: Wally Fullerton-Smith
14: Luke Moraghan (1999 - 2007)
15: Matt Rodgers (about 1991 ish)

Not in position order
16: Caleb Brown (2000 - 2004)
17: Vitori Buatava (2000-2001)
18:
19: Lloyd Johansson
20: Ben Tapuai (2004 - 2007)
21:

 

[RugbyReg]

Nathan Grey played Number 8 in 1991 didn't he?

 

[Rothschild]

I defer to greater minds here. I have them as I know them from senior rugby as I didn't see too many of them at school.
Please feel free to amend accordingly.

 

[dobduff11]

Nudgee College:
1: Antonio Kaufusi
2: Sean Hardman
3: Phil Kite
4: Waita Setu?
5: Hugh McMeniman
6: Rocky Elsom
7: Mark Loane
8: Richard Brown

9: Richard Kingi
10: Elton Flately
11: Nemani Nadolo
12: James O'Connor
13: Will Chambers
14: Joe Tomane
15: Peter Hewat

Not sure where alot of these players played for their own school team but that would be a great team

 

[Langthorne]

There must be only a handful of schools that have 15+ Wallaby alumni, and of those even less who could fill every position - my guess is that we'd struggle to find 5 (which is not to say I don't find the exercise interesting).

 

[RugbyReg]

Nudgee College:
1: Antonio Kaufusi
2: Sean Hardman
3: Phil Kite
4: Waita Setu?
5: Hugh McMeniman
6: Rocky Elsom
7: Mark Loane
8: Richard Brown

9: Richard Kingi
10: Elton Flately
11: Nemani Nadolo
12: James O'Connor
13: Will Chambers
14: Joe Tomane
15: Peter Hewat

Not sure where alot of these players played for their own school team but that would be a great team

Paul McLean would be there and Loane would be 8. Tony Darcy at 1. Could have Panaho at 3.

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace:

15 Clem Windsor - (1947)
14 Phil Carmichael - (1904-09)
13 Harry Roberts - (1961)
12 Michael Cook - (1986-88)
11 Digby Ioane - (2007-Current)
10 Michael Lynagh - (1984-1995)
9 Mick Dore - (1905)
8 Brendan Nasser - (1989-91)
7 David Croft - (2002-03)
6 Tony Shaw - (1973-82)
5 Bill Campbell - (1984-90)
4 Damian Frawley - (1986-88)
3 Chris Handy - (1978-80)
2 Mark McBain - (1983-89)
1 Nick Stiles - (2001-02)

That's a bloody handy pack in any era I reckon. Look at that back row and the locks!

 

[Doc]

St Joseph's College Gregory Terrace:

15 Clem Windsor - (1947)
14 Phil Carmichael - (1904-09)
13 Harry Roberts - (1961)
12 Michael Cook - (1986-88)
11 Digby Ioane - (2007-Current)
10 Michael Lynagh - (1984-1995)
9 Mick Dore - (1905)
8 Brendan Nasser - (1989-91)
7 David Croft - (2002-03)
6 Tony Shaw - (1973-82)
5 Bill Campbell - (1984-90)
4 Damian Frawley - (1986-88)
3 Chris Handy - (1978-80)
2 Mark McBain - (1983-89)
1 Nick Stiles - (2001-02)

The players left out speak volumes there too. Could easily squeeze another 40-50 test caps into that side.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Love this thread. The lists so far appear to be the interpretation of the poster.
Having attended the inaugural Randwick Hall Of Fame Lunch this Year, it begs the question has any school or Old Boys association actually established a Hall of Fame. It is not unusual to see a school honours board listing ex pupils who have become Wallabies. In the case of Newington College, this can sometimes be an issue if the Wallaby was not selected to play for 1st XV while at school.

Just goes to show that there are exceptions to the "normal" pathway of school 1stXV, schoolboy reps, Aust U20, Club 1st grade, Wobbolies.

Any actual school rugby Hall of Fames?

 

[Lee Grant]

1. Players need not be Wallabies to make a team.

2. Somebody should have a go at Matraville High School.

 

[Rothschild]

Nudgee College:
1: Antonio Kaufusi
2: Sean Hardman
3: Phil Kite
4: Waita Setu?
5: Hugh McMeniman
6: Rocky Elsom
7: Mark Loane
8: Richard Brown

9: Richard Kingi
10: Elton Flately
11: Nemani Nadolo
12: James O'Connor
13: Will Chambers
14: Joe Tomane
15: Peter Hewat

Not sure where alot of these players played for their own school team but that would be a great team

What - no McLeans?

 

[Rothschild]

1. Players need not be Wallabies to make a team.
2. Somebody should have a go at Matraville High School.

Can only think of three although I am sure there are a few more.

 

[Rothschild]

Paul McLean would be there and Loane would be 8. Tony Darcy at 1. Could have Panaho at 3.

I thought Darcy went to Churchie

 

[Bruce Ross]

1. Players need not be Wallabies to make a team.

2. Somebody should have a go at Matraville High School.

There'd be overlapping of positions but you'd have to include the three Ellas, Lloyd Walker and Russell Fairfax.

 

[Lindommer]

Paul McLean would be there and Loane would be 8. Tony Darcy at 1. Could have Panaho at 3.

Just beat me to it, Nodster.


From Sydney schools King's and Scots should be able to put a decent team on the field.

 

[Lee Grant]

Bruce - David Knox would be there and Eddie Jones would make the team too.

Lindo - a poor effort indeed from some old boys/supporters - and from Shore and Newington also.