GPS 2013 Review – and Team of the Year

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Player of the Year – Andrew Kellaway (Scots)

Game of the Season – Joeys v. Scots (Hunters Hill) and Newington v. Scots (Bellevue Hill)

Biggest Surprise of 2013 – Henry Hutchinson (Riverview)

Best Overall School – Joeys (23 competition winners) — 75% overall win ratio.

Try of the Season – Mike Kennedy (Riverview v. Newington)/Guy Porter (Scots v. Riverview)

Hit of the Season – Tepai Moeroa on Ben Hunt (Newington v. Riverview)

Moment of the Season – Olly Kamp’s try off a tight head scrum to win the game (Joeys v. Scots)

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2013 GPS XV — Team of the Year

Here is the Green & Gold GPS Team of the Year based on play for their school in the 2013 GPS competition, and paying no regard to performances in trials or rep games, nor to how they played last year.

No regard was paid either to how many players were chosen from any school.

Thanks to “George Smith”, “Jasdec”, “Lee Grant” and “Whose That Guy” for their input.

1. Vunipola Fifita (Newington) – Consistent for a player of his build. Damaging ball runner and defender with a solid work rate. Held his own in set pieces and was a key member of a powerful Newington pack. Rewarded with selection in the Australian Schoolboys team.

2. Hosea Fotokuva (Riverview) – Hosea has come a long way since switching from the backrow earlier in his school days and is showing signs of becoming an elite schools hooker.

Selected for Aus A schools, he will have to improve his work rate if he is going to push for a spot in the EOYT Schools squad; but he is a scary prospect for the 2014 season.

An honourable mention to Jamaine Crossley (Scots) who also had an impressive year.

3. Matt Sandell (Joeys) – Arguably the best tight-five forward in the GPS, and was selected for Aus Schoolboys, as he was in 2012. He was an inspirational skipper for Joeys this year and stood out in some of their tougher games.

He is the whole package with a high work rate, destructive running game, dominant defence and technically sound set piece play. Matt will tour with Aus Schoolboys this year and is one to watch after he leaves school.

4. Nick Kellaway (Scots) – There is not as much hype around Nick as there is around his twin brother, Andrew, but those who have been watching his progress knew he was going to perform well this year.

An uncompromising player, Nick is a tough defender, whilst being one of the better lineout jumpers in the GPS.

5. George Lehmann (Kings) – George was one of the big improvers this year and was a much-needed part of the Kings forward pack. He held his own at the set piece, was a physical presence at the breakdown and also a damaging ball runner.

Both he and Joeys’ Koim Wingti are second rowers to watch for rep honours next season.

6. Olly Kamp (Scots) – At the start of the season Kamp was just another man in the Scots star back row, but after the injury to Angus Crichton he proved himself to be one of the best forwards in the competition.

A big lad, Kamp caused havoc at the breakdown with his physicality and high work rate. He was powerful in contact, both with and without the ball, and could slot in anywhere in the backrow. Am tipping him to impress with the Aus A side and earn himself a spot on tour.

David Morris (Newington) was unlucky to miss out on selection.

7. Jack McCalman (Kings) – In an average TKS side, captain McCalman led from the front. A genuine 7, McCalman made his presence felt at the breakdown and caused many turnovers. Strong in both attack and defence, Jack deserved his Australian Schools selection.

Honourable mention to Hamish Dunbar (Scots).

8. Lachie Cannell (captain) (Newington) – No surprises here with Cannell being chosen for Australian Schoolboys this year. Missed a number of games during the season but stood out when needed.

An excellent leader with a huge work rate, whether playing at lock or no.8, Cannell is another who has an exciting future ahead of him.

An honourable mention to Joey’s Ned Hanigan who gained selection in the Australian Schoolboys team too, but took a while to come back to his best form after injury.

9. Joey Lussick (Newington) – Was one of the standout players in the 2013 GPS and was dangerous in every game this season.

He has the best running game I’ve seen from a 9 in a long time and his goal kicking was a bonus. He is a big scrumhalf and acts as a fourth backrower on defence.

He just edges out the Australian Schoolboy half, Mitch Short (Scots), who also had a marvelous year, and has a better pass.

10. Andrew Deegan (Joeys) – Another Australian schoolboy representative, Deegan stepped up in his third year of 1st XV rugby.

One of the best defensive 10s in the competition, he grew in confidence in 2013 and showcased his classy running game all year. When he lacked support from his outside backs he could just as easily find the gaps himself.

Honorable mention to Jack Clancy (Shore).

11. Simon Kennewell (Newington) – A former St Augustine’s boy, Simon impressed in his time in the Newington first XV especially with his strong finishing.

Usually a fullback, Simon starred on the wing for both Newington and Combined States in 2013 and is another to watch out for in the GPS next year.

Honourable mention to Matt Crafts (Scots).

12. Tepai Moeroa (Newington) – A renowned figure in the GPS competition this year, Tepai proved to be one of the hardest players for opponents to handle. His bruising running when attacking an opponent’s goal-line, or when helping Newington to exit from their own 22, gave tacklers nightmares.

The baleful big bopper repeatedly used opponents as speed humps and one opposition player is quoted as saying “the lines he runs are enough to make people sick”. His defence was brutal also and he frequently put on big hits, which were not always accompanied by the use of arms.

Honourable mention to Ben Starkey (Scots), another big improver.

13. Taane Milne (Newington) – When most people mention Tepai they also talk of Taane. He has similar running and defensive attributes as Tepai, but his ball skills set him apart. His vision is impeccable and when he isn’t going through holes himself, he’s putting people through them.

He played a lot of the season at 15, but is better known as a 13.

Like his Newington team mates, Lussick and Moeroa, he will be playing rugby league when he leaves school, but one hopes this fine young player will see fit to return to the union code down the track.

Honourable mention to Harvey Duncan (Shore).

14. Henry Hutchinson (Riverview) – The outside centre is chosen here because not many wingers stood out this year in my view, and it seemed like a crime to leave Hutchinson out.

The youngster left many defenders embarrassed with his deadly step and change of speed. However, it was his defence that set him apart.

He was successful at bringing down opponents whether they ran at him or tried to run around him, and when he got them to ground he was quick to pilfer the ball.

Later in the year Hutcho will become one of the youngest Australian Schoolboy players ever. He plays like a 16 year-old Tim Horan and although he still has another year of school in 2014, some good judges predict already that he will have considerable success as a senior player.

15. Andrew Kellaway (Scots) will have an Aus Schools gold jersey for the second year in 2013 and many predict that he will wear gold as a senior player also as “the next Matt Burke”.

“Kell”, the ranga, played his third year of 1st XV for Scots this season and lived up to all the hype. Lightning fast, excellent in defence and near unstoppable in attack, Andrew will be a hero at Scots for years to come.

Expect to see him playing Grade in 2014 and getting on the fast track.

Below is a slideshow of all the members of the 2013 GPS XV

 Photos by “Jasdec” and Lee Grant