Suncorp Australian Schoolboys Team to Face Fiji

[James]

Australian Schools Rugby Union has today named a provisional 15-man team for a Test against Fiji U18 in Brisbane in September.

The match to be played as a curtain raiser to the Bledisloe Cup match at Suncorp Stadium on September 13 will be will be the first time a Schoolboys Test has been held in conjunction with a Wallabies Test and also marks the 35th anniversary since the first Schoolboys international in Australia against England at the SCG in 1973.

Among those selected are Josh Daley, the brother of Queensland Reds prop Ben Daley, who is one of five Queensland players selected after their 23-12 victory over NSW I at the recently concluded national championships.

Selected along with Daley (The Southport School) were lock Nick Buchanan (Terrace), the son of former Australian cricket coach John Buchanan, No 8 Jarrad Butler (The Southport School) and Nudgee wings Nicky Price and Dom Shipperley.

Six players are from NSW with three from The Kings Schools, including centre combination Michael McDougall and Cameron Mitchell and flanker Josh Ellice-Flint.

Salesi Manu (St Augustines College), Sam Roberson (St Stanislaus College, Bathurst) and Knox Grammar’s Mark Johnson have also been selected.

Halfback Justin Turner (Central College) is WA’s only reperesentative, while ACT flyhalf Robbie Coleman and fullback Tyler Stephens continue St Edmunds College’s long line of Australian Schoolboy representatives.

The remaining eight positions in the Australian Schoolboys squad will be filled after Australian Schools A plays Fiji in Sydney on September 6.

Suncorp Australian Schools team:

1. Salesi Manu (St Augustines College, NSW)
2. Sam Roberson (St Stanislaus College, Bathurst, NSW)
3. Josh Daley (The Southport School, Qld)
4. Nic Buchanan (St Josephs College, Gregory Terrace Qld)
5. Mark Johnson (Knox Grammar School, NSW)
6. Josh Ellice-Flint (The Kings School, NSW)
7. Kotoni Ale (St Augustines College, NSW)
8. Jarrad Butler (The Southport School, Qld)
9. Justin Turner (Central College, W.A.)
10. Robbie Coleman (St Edmunds College, ACT)
11. Nicky Price (St Josephs College Nudgee, Qld)
12. Michael McDougall (The Kings School, NSW)
13. Cameron Mitchell (The Kings School, NSW)
14. Dom Shipperley (St Josephs College, Nudgee)
15. Tyler Stephens (St Edmunds College, ACT)



WA Australia A Squad reps:
Ben Hales
Scotch College

Alex Rovira
Challenger College

Congratulations to all three boys.
Anyone know anything about Alex and Ben?

[Ecky]

One can only imagine that Alex is Tony and Edna's (from Soaks) little boy - or one of 'em.

One of the Roviras was captain of a 1st XV PSA team that I reffed last year (WC v TC) - probably this one? That Rovira was a back rower and pretty damn proficient at the game.

[gotheforce]

Ben's an amazing player. plays lock and no.8. Very damaging runner and also such a good utitlity forward to have in a team. Been in the NTS since it started and is touted to be one of the best players around at PSA and schools level. Might see him get an academy contract with the force next year.

[force addict]

Ben goes to Scotch as is a good friend of my friend. Apparently a fantastic player.

[Shaun]

Alex was captain of the Hale 1st XV. Pretty damaging ball runner and has a good physical presence. Justin was #9 for Hale last year.

[Ecky]

One can only imagine that Alex is Tony and Edna's (from Soaks) little boy - or one of 'em.

One of the Roviras was captain of a 1st XV PSA team that I reffed last year (WC v TC) - probably this one? That Rovira was a back rower and pretty damn proficient at the game.

Ok so that would be WC v HS then........

[gotheforce]

yeah. both alex and justin were yr 12 last year. but chose to go to tafe/challenger cos it means they are eligible to play for the state schoolboys and compete for a spot in the australian schoolboys team. Cruz Ah Nau was another one who would definitely have made it, if not for a damaged ACL the weekend before they left on tour.

Ben is a yr 12 this year though. Vice Captain of school from what ive heard. according to one of the coaches, a very nice bloke off the field and a very very good player on the field. Easily one of the first names jotted down for the starting XV.