Classy Souths centre Xavier Rubens led the way when the Queensland Reds Under-19s opened their season with a dominant 53-12 visit to Canberra on Saturday.
The Reds skipper crossed for the first and last tries against the ACT Brumbies at Canberra’s Viking Park in the second round of the Super Rugby Men’s U19s competition.
Rubens, 19, is building a season to remember. He has trained with Les Kiss’ Reds as a member of the Buildcorp Reds Academy and savoured a Colts One premiership triumph with Souths.
To score the first of his team’s eight tries, Rubens swooped on a loose Brumbies pass in the opening minutes, grubbered it ahead from 40m out, regathered and kept his balance when defenders came at him.
It was his understanding with fellow Souths centre Maddox Maclean which always gave the Reds U19s an edge in midfield after the pack commanded the set pieces.
It was Maclean who flicked a lovely pass, as he hit the turf, in the final minute for Rubens’ second try.
“Maddox was joking that I didn’t set him up for any (tries). He’s a good ball player and he’s probably had a hand in half my tries this season. I owe him one,” Rubens said.
“It’s good to have chemistry to rely on like that.
“It was our first game together as the U19s, after our first round bye, so it was great to get the cogs turning before our biggest game of the season next Sunday.”
The Reds U19s face their traditional foes from NSW at Ballymore Stadium on Sunday from 2pm (Qld time).
“Our forwards were super-strong against the Brumbies, especially at the maul,” Rubens said.
Flanker Noah Rauluni, hooker Finlay King and replacement hooker Cooper Hoare all scored tries from rumbling rolling mauls off lineouts while comeback flanker Charlie Brosnan scored his try from a pick-and-go following another.
Brosnan stepped up with an excellent 80-minue comeback game after six months out with a dislocated hip while Australian Under-20s prop Trevor King was a dominant force.
The headgeared Rauluni was everywhere as a flanker after his late call-up to replace Charlie Cooke (shoulder).
Quick-thinking halfback James Martens was the most dangerous attacker on the field. He made a 30m break from the scrumbase in the first half and was held-up over the tryline in the second after a quick lineout option and interplay with winger Daniel Malum.
He finally scored himself from a quick tap six metres out.
Flyhalf Brody McLaren kicked beautifully off the tee in a blow-your-hat-off wind with six-from-seven.
“For a first game together, we are pretty happy. You don’t find out where you are at until you play so it’s exciting to think how we can tidy up some areas and improve again,” coach Dale Roberson said.
“Xavier led well behind an excellent set piece that was dominant.”
REDS U19s 53
Tries: Xavier Rubens 2, Trevor King, Finlay King, Cooper Hoare, James Martens, Charlie Brosnan, Noah Rauluni
Conversions: Brody McLaren 5
Penalty Goal: Brody McLaren
Def
ACT BRUMBIES U19s 12
UNDER-16s
Skipper Agapetos Lote-Felo was the powerful standout when the Reds U16s beat a plucky Brumbies side 53-19 in Canberra on Saturday.
The Brumbies led 12-5 early in the match before No.8 Lote-Felo singlehandedly made a statement.
From the base of a ruck 30m out, The Southport School student picked up the ball and galloped over. He ran over one defender and beat two more with a step and swerve thrown in.
It was the “follow me” moment from the skipper and his strong-running impacts and skills kept coming.
After an impatient opening which gifted the Brumbies an intercept try, the Reds still found themselves down 19-15 approaching half-time.
Winger Isaac Fidock threw a lovely one-handed pass inside to put centre Taione Taka over for 20-19.
Lote-Felo threw a good pass in the lead-up and a pick-and-go contributed to a big moment on half-time.
Towering prop Sio Kite crashed over for 27-19 on half-time and the Reds didn’t concede a point in a dominant second half.
Coach Welmar du Plessis shrewdly used his 12 substitutions. He ran on Kite for the final 15 minutes of the first half and gave him the opening 20 minutes of the second. He was a huge impact player and his scrum authority blotted out the Brumbies.
It was a nine-try display and none was better than the opener.
Both flyhalf Rohan Nicol and inside centre Pierre Poluleuligaga handled twice in a slick, looping transfer to the left edge where Fidock scored.
The one sour note to the match was losing Toowoomba Grammar lock Rupeni Baravilala to a knee injury in the opening minures. Replacement Jack Burton played with more confidence as the game wore on.
“We were a bit loose and rusty early on but there was some very good play and we didn’t let the Brumbies score after the 25th minute,” coach Welmar du Plessis said.
“We know we will have to start better against the NSW U16s next Sunday.
“Agapetos is a big ball-carrier and we all saw him lead by his actions as captain.”
REDS U16s 53
Tries: Aiden Luke, Malakaih Beals, Hemi Rakuita, Dylan Terblanche, Vivesio Kite, Taione Taka, Tyrece Herniman, Agapetos Lote-Felo, Isaac Fidock
Conversions: Angus Underwood 3, Dylan Terblanche
Def
ACT BRUMBIES U16s 19
ROUND THREE at Ballymore Stadium, Sunday, October 13
(Qld times)
Noon: Reds U16s v NSW Waratahs U16s
2pm: Reds U19s v NSW Waratahs U19s
