Queensland Schoolboys Trials 2014

The Chairman’s XV began the weekend’s rugby by kicking off to GPS 3, and it didn’t take long for the GPS favourites to shift the ball in to space, with fullback Hamish Stewart (TGS) slotting wing Quillian Pritchard Malaki (GT) in to exploit an overlap on the left flank. However, the first handling error of several throughout the evening’s play saw the sides set to pack the first scrum under the Ballymore lights.

As the packs collided GPS Tighthead Luke Peterson (BBC) was able to pop his opposite number Jack O’Connor (ASH), winning his side the ball against the feed in a spectacular pack effort.

The next few phases saw the GPS forwards test out the centre field defence of the Chairmen, and achieved good success getting over the advantage line. A penalty to GPS saw flyhalf Fred Dorrough (TSS) kick for the line. Josh Taylor’s (TSS) well executed lineout throw saw a clean take at the back, and the forwards initiated a wobbly rolling maul attempting to capitalise on their size advantage which was defended well. Loosehead prop Josvyn Sokimi (IGS) made himself busy in attack, carrying the ball nearly every second phase for GPS as the team moved inside the 22.

The mountain of possession in the GPS’ favour began to take a toll on the defending Chairman’s players, and a simple second man play from flyhalf Dorrough (TSS) to inside center Matt Smit (BSHS) created space for fullback Stewart (TGS) to put blindside winger Malaki (GT) in for an untouched try, 20 metres out from touch. Dorrough’s conversion was unsuccessful.

Some phases after kickoff Dorrough received the ball from halfback Max Dempsey (BBC) and chose to take contact running the ball out of the 22. Managing to free his arms through the tackle, Dorrough telegraphed his offload, allowing Chairman’s lock Mitchel Schneider (SLC) to pluck the ball out of the air and slice through the gap to the attacking 5 metre line. The Chairman’s forwards frantically launched themselves at the try line in a series of pick and drives, but a jarring tackle forced a knock on from Number 8 Denzel Briscoe (SPLC) over the goal line.

After trying to run the ball out of their 22 unsuccessfully, GPS elected to exit the conventional manner, and a good clearance kick to 30 metres out saw the Chairman’s XV awarded potentially dangerous attacking field position. However, Darece Anae’s (SEC) lineout throw was intercepted with ease by GPS lock Nick Jeffries (NC) in what would become a recurring theme throughout the match. Despite teams only having 4 hours to train together prior to the commencement of the tournament, GPS 3 displayed a remarkable set piece dominance over their Chairman’s rivals.

Chairman’s openside Daniel Robinson (SPC) put on a big hit to disrupt the GPS counter attack, but the resulting dropped ball only served to stagger the defensive alignment for the defending team. Hooker Taylor (TSS) was able to power through a half gap in the line before turning it inside, giving GPS time and space to exit through a kick.

Blindside flanker Agassi Stowers (NC) and lock James Gall (ACGS) were excellent in the breakdowns, and their presence was enough to strangle the Chairman’s side out of the contest, effectively slowing down the ball to the extent that any potential overlaps were quickly corrected by a switched on GPS defence.

With the lack of space out wide, Chairman’s halfback Liam Neyland (IONA) was forced to rely on one out forward runners crashing into the 10/12 channel, to no great success. A knock on from one such hit up saw the ball shifted to space well, going through the hands of Stowers and Sokimi, who had a great individual draw and pass by offloading through contact to wing Tyrone Hussey (NC), who was able to beat 3 or 4 defenders by refusing to go down. His speed and footwork saw him finish a great try 10 metres in from touch, which went unconverted.  Throughout the match there has been a ton of space for GPS to exploit on the wings, a result partly a the lack of communication in the Chairman’s backline, as well as great running lines of centres Smit (BSHS) and Hiale Roycroft (GT) to draw defenders.

A penalty for not rolling away was awarded to GPS off the next kick off, and Roycroft went close to scoring a try immediately after by dragging a score of bodies along with him from 15 out to the try-line, but committed a penalty by having a second crack after being taken to ground.

The remainder of the Match Reports, including the second half of this one,  will be available on Saturday

I pulled up Prop Josvyn Sokimi after his game for a quick chat.

GAGR: We noticed you had an absolute ton of carries out there! (between 10-15 carries easily). Was that something you concentrated on prior to the game?

JS: Yeah a little bit, for me really it was just concentrating on the little things right. Not so much focusing on carries or rucks

GAGR: How many hours did you boys train together as a team?

JS: 2 sessions, so 4 hours tops. It’s pretty tough to develop combinations.

GAGR: They say GPS 3 is the team picked on form, not on reputation. How do you feel the GPS 3 boys will go when the teams are picked?

JS: It really depends on how hard you play, how hard you want it. You’ve got to make the most of your opportunities when you’re out there.

GAGR: What’s the biggest challenges facing a GPS 3 rep like yourself for tomorrows game against GPS 1?

JS: I’ve never scrummed against (GPS 1 Tighthead Prop Shambeckler Vui, an Ipswich Grammar team-mate of Josvyn’s), so that’s the biggest challenge for me I guess. Just because you’re in the 3 team doesn’t mean anything, guys like Campbell Magnay last year played for the Schoolboy’s after playing 3s. Everyone gets an opportunity.