Anglican Church Grammar (Churchie): 2015 result: 1st
Churchie will be bolstered by Queensland and Australian schoolboys representative Tristan Stanghorn in 2016, with the outside centre a pivotal piece in their attempt to win their third straight premiership.
Stanghorn had a fine showing in the Queensland schoolboys trials and will lead his side as the might of the GPS attempts to dethrone the reigning premiers.
Churchie will begin their campaign at home in Round 1, hosting an Ipswich side eager to cause an upset.
Churchie First XV
1 Daniel Cool
2 Tom Sharp
3 JP Tominiko
4 Fred Fewtrell
5 MJ Havili
6 Jack Slack
7 Tom Hughes
8 Henry Mitchell
9 Isaac Tarabay
10 Jake Mason
11 Wilson Sprague
12 Frazen Suffren
13 Tristan Stanghon
14 Sam Richardson
15 Henry Lennon
Brisbane Grammar School: 2015 result: 8th
After only amassing one win in 2015, Brisbane Grammar begin the season with a tough trip to Nudgee College in the opening round of the GPS. They will be buoyed by the presence of Australian schoolboys flanker, Fraser McReight.
2016 is a clean slate for BGS, and they’ll be sure to leave nothing in the tank as they look to cause a few upsets as the season goes on.
BGS 1st XV
1 Emile Tuimavave
2 Max Eiszele
3 Harry Masselos
4 Hugh Arthur (VC)
5 Joe Babalool
6 Ollie Shepherd
7 Harry Devereaux
8 Fraser McReight (c)
9 Nick Whip
10 Paddy Hogan
11 Will Ramsay
12 John Shaw
13 Tom Gilbert
14 Josh Baker
15 Andrew Traves
16 Mitch Straker
17 Angus Lovelock
18 Lachlan Robinson
19 Tom Gardener
20 Will Borger
21 Zach Allen
22 Harry Martin
23 Ed Brown
Brisbane Boys College (BBC)
2015 result: tied 3rd
It was a case of ‘close, but no cigar’ for BBC in 2015, as they finished in the top half of the table for another successive year.
The black and green’s promising forward pack, led by Aussie schoolboy representative Sean Farrell, are certainly contenders in this years competition.
However, BBC’s discipline and ability to close out matches will be the difference if they’re looking to make a premiership run late in the season.
With a bye in Round 1, the extra week of preparation may pay dividends in what should be a tough season for the boys in green.
BBC First XV TBC
Brisbane State High School
2015 result: 6th
Brisbane State High School come into the 2016 season after some strong results in their previous campaign.
Wins against heavyweights Nudgee College and Gregory Terrace in 2015 have set the foundation for a resurgence this year, with BSHS looking to contend with the frontrunners of the competition.
With power upfront in Australian schoolboys prop, Lloyd Gorman, and a red hot fullback in Murray Taulagi, State High have all the makings of a team that can give anyone a run for their money.
Consistency will be key if BSHS are to contend with the competitions heavyweights.
Brisbane State High TBC
St. Joseph's Gregory Terrace
2015 result: 7th
The Terrace army will be optimistic heading into the 2016 season, after another mid-table finish in last years competition.
Led by Queensland and Australian schoolboys representatives Isaac Lucas (younger brother of former Queensland Reds utility Ben Lucas) and Will Eadie, the black and red are the dark horses of this year’s competition, capable of beating any team on their day.
The consistency of Lucas at 10 will dictate Terrace’s results in 2016, as his stellar passing game and an ability to attack the defensive line will be paramount to their success.
Look out for the Terrace XV to cause a few upsets throughout 2016, when they begin their campaign at home to BSHS.
Gregory Terrace First XV
1 Oliver Macklin
2 Harry Birgan
3 Joshua Nasser
4 Ed Paynter
5 Harry Wilson
6 Seamus Tweedy
7 Harry Webster
8 James Reiser
9 Sam Kirk
10 Isaac Lucas
11 Will Eadie
12 Bailey Ralston
13 Hoani Ford-Stevens
14 Jordan Rogers
15 Byron Ralston
Coaches: Ben McCormack, Tony Wall
Ipswich Grammar School
2015 result: 9th
The Ipswich boys had a season to forget in 2015, and will be looking to bounce back in this years GPS competition.
After coming close in a number of their matches, it’ll be the fundamentals that will dictate the results for the red and white.
Spurred on by some strong showings in the Queensland schoolboy trials, look out for flanker Joshua Sheridan and prop Eugene Koortz as their size and tenacity at the breakdown will be essential to Ipswich’s success on the field.
IGS First XV v ACGS – 16/07/2016
1. Eugene Koorts
2. Kolio Petersen-Timu
3. Jason Tani
4. Joseph Faulalo
5. Michael Fitzgerald
6. Noah Hughes
7. Joshua Sheridan (captain)
8. Job Timi
9. Dylan Van Der Merwe
10. Cooper Whiteside
11. Coen Van Dugteren
12. Zac Teevan
13. Bevan Reynolds
14. Ratu Niumataiwalu
15. Callum Hicks (vc)
St. Joseph’s Nudgee College
2015 result: 2nd
A resurgent Nudgee side will take to the GPS competition this year, looking to make amends on what could have been in 2015.
The premiership was all but in their grasp to share with Churchie, but an unheralded loss to BSHS in round 7 saw them slip 2 points below the eventual premiers.
The infamous blue and white army will be led by their fly-half Augustus Rangihuna, as he attempts to steer his side to their first premiership since 2013.
Nudgee play hosts to BGS in round 1 looking to start their campaign with a win, on the hallowed turf, Ross Oval.
Nudgee First XV
1 Lachlan Campbell
2 Joe Cotton
3 Blake Schoupp
4 Tom Jeffries
5 Josh Dallecour
t6 Ethan Bullemor
7 Brodie Woodward
8 Joe Small
9 Phoenix Hunt
10 Augustus Rangihuna (c)
11 Josh Preval
12 TJ Meni
13 Semisi Tupou
14 Ryan Shephard
15 Willie Malala
16 Tom Forde
17 Harrison Cannon
18 Brock Carmichael
19 Jacob Prideaux
21 Tom Blackmore
The Southport School (TSS)
2015 result: tied 3rd
As they are every year, heavyweights TSS are certain contenders for the GPS premiership in 2016.
Bolstered by their immense forward pack, the Southport boys will be a physical challenge for any team that dares meet them head on.
Consistency has always been a huge part of the TSS program, and their constant finishes in the top 3 are testament to that.
The difference this year will be whether they can topple their old rivals, Nudgee and Churchie, who have shared the victory spoils the past two years over them.
Player to watch: blindside flanker, Tipene Mavoa.
TSS First XV TBC
Toowoomba Grammar School: 2015 result: tied 3rd
Toowoomba Grammar had a stellar 2015 campaign, finishing tied third in a season to be proud of.
The boys from the Darling Downs notched wins against heavyweights TSS and Churchie, handing the premiers their only loss for the season.
2016 will be a year for continuing that fine form and confidence, and transferring that into a title contending team for TGS.
Look out for Australian schoolboys hooker, Matthew Wilshere, who feature for the side in Round 1 against TSS, looking to go back to back over the coastal powerhouse.
TGS First XV TBC
