Chilli Tonelli-Smith today added another chapter to his blossoming rugby story while his famous father watched on from the Ballymore grandstand.
The young flyhalf guided Brisbane Grey to a thrilling 29-24 win over Queensland Country to clinch the Under-16s division at the KDL Property Group Emerging Reds Cup.
Like any flyhalf learning the game, bringing others into the game and not overplaying your hand is a sign of smarts. Others at the tournament seemed to kick out of necessity when pressured. He dabbed shrewd kicks with purpose.
Tonelli-Smith, 16, did a bit of everything over the course of Brisbane Grey's 3-0 streak this week to earn the gong as Best Back in the U16s.
The blond hair is a throwback to the mid-'80s when father Brian played under the same mop of blond hair on debut for Queensland as a teenager.
Young Chilli is lapping up everything on offer in rugby this year while also being linked to rugby league's Dolphins.
"I loved this tournament...the professionalism, the dressing sheds, the atmosphere. It was a great opportunity for all the boys," Tonelli-Smith enthused.
"It's my first time playing on the main field, the stadium."
Tonelli-Smith guided the 16As at Nudgee College this year with cameos in the First XV. Mentoring from grey-haired Andrew Scotney, the Nudgee assistant coach and former Reds flyhalf, was invaluable.
"I'm really enjoying rugby because of the school environment and tournaments like this," Tonelli-Smith said.
"I think my game management has definitely improved and being a bit more effective in contact."
Tonelli-Smith said his father was never pushy even with his Test background for the Wallabies and Ireland and top-tier coaching experience.
"Dad is always positive and super-constructive, not pushy," Tonelli-Smith said.
"His advice will be around being calm when there's chaos on the field and talking about tempo as in changing it with a quick tap."
Queensland Country came roaring home from 29-10 down. Winger Tom Tugai is a rugby novice but his second hat-trick of the week showed off his long striding speed and determination with the tryline in his sights.
Brisbane White finished 34-12 victors over South-East Queensland. Lock Denver Bradford won Best Forward of the U16s with his performances for White.
In the Under-14s, a 3-0 sweep by South-East Queensland White was topped by a 27-22 thriller against SEQ Gold.
Seb Hartel showed all the winger skills. An in-and-away to burn the cover defence for a fine try down the left sideline on Tuesday was just one of his class finishes.
The Brisbane Junior Rugby Union quelled a Queensland Country comeback 26-24 in the other U14s game.
