Victorian coach Liam Neveling has high hopes for his team at the Australian schools rugby championship in Sydney with a young league star and a winger with X-factor just two of the reasons he is so upbeat.
Neveling, who currently coaches senior rugby at Melbourne, said his team has the ability to win matches, cause upsets and “won’t be easy beats” at the Australian Schools rugby championships kicking off on Monday in Sydney.
Neveling said his squad is a mix of private and state school guns, cultures, speedsters and skilled players. He is also hoping a handful of them will be on the Australian Schoolboy team list at the conclusion of the four-day tournament at Eric Tweedale next Thursday.
“Mine are fast, we have a decent pack who are fit and we are well connected,’’ Neveling said. “We also have a good captain who leads them around and talks to them in Caedus (Vaihu).
“I wouldn’t say we are the smallest, about average, but we are quick around the park and they work very hard. We want to win games, the boys want to win it all. My expectation is to have fun and play decent rugby. But we are not easy beats, we can cause upset.’’
Neveling said some of his players to watch include his captain who also played for Victoria last year, “He’s very good, a very good leader,’’ he said.
“Our No. 8 Puluna Vaea, he should be with the Rebels again, but he’s been injured and our No. 10 Stirling Keogh, our vice-captain (Scotch College), is another one to watch. “He’s very good on driving the game, a very good leader and a very good game manager.
Neveling said he also has a player with X-factor in Mackenzie (Leith Maribyrnong Secondary College, Footscray JRUFC).
“My winger can kick from goal line to goal line. He’s very good and fast,” he said.
“We have a fullback who plays for Storm under 19s in Jaziah Teofilo-Koko (Emmanuel College). He’s a talented rugby league player who came to the school trials. He’s only 17 but wanted to get in. He’s brilliant. His footwork, his game management, spatial awareness, it’s great. He can find space, his defence is very good, he gets people organised.
“And I have a 16-year-old who can hold his own, Ziggy (Tainui Whakaari Melbourne Grammar School, Footscray JRUFC). He’s very good for his age. he can cover nine, ten and fullback and his footwork is incredible. he’s one to watch.’’
“We have four or five boys who should make it in the Australian team. They have the capability.’
Article by Amanda Lulham, first published in The Daily Telegraph
2023 VICTORIAN SCHOOL BOYS SQUAD
1 Alifa Laasia Staughton College, Footscray JRUFC
2 Haze Heke Hallam Secondary College, Harlequins JRUFC
3 Caedus Kakatisi Vaihu (C) Aquinas College, Harlequins JRUFC
4 John Brady Haileybury College, Melbourne JRUFC
5 Lisala Nakalevu Rowville Secondary College, Harlequins JRUFC
6 Seasisupi Teu Sunshine Secondary College, Footscray JRUFC
7 Ezra Imo Braybrook College, Footscray JRUFC
8 Puluna Vaea Scotch College, Melbourne JRUFC
9 Jehan Roland Mazenod College, Harlequins JRUFC
10 Stirling Keogh (VC) Scotch College, Melbourne JRUFC
11 Mackenzie Leith Maribyrnong Secondary College, Footscray JRUFC
12 Max Angove Trinity Grammar School, Melbourne JRUFC
13 Edward Lyons St Kevin’s College
14 Zyon Iosefo Parade College, Footscray JRUFC
15 Jaziah Teofilo-Koko Emmanuel College
16 Leo Bakhache Wesley College, Harlequins JRUFC
17 Mitchell Thomas Haileybury College, Melbourne JRUFC
18 Michael Taukapo Dandenong High School, Harlequins JRUFC
19 Charlie Wake Melbourne Grammar School, Melbourne JRUFC
20 Morgan Tanuvasa Fountain Gate Secondary College, Endeavour Hills JRUFC
21 Jerome William Westall Secondary College, Moorabbin JRUFC
2 Anaru Whakaari Melbourne Grammar School, Footscray JRUFC
23 Tainui Whakaari Melbourne Grammar School, Footscray JRUFC
Coaches & Team Manager
Head Coach Liam Neveling, Xavier College, Melbourne Rugby Club
Assistant Coach Conrad Foord, Melbourne Rugby Club
Assistant Coach Nic Houbart Powerhouse Rugby Club Manager
Team Manager Tony Hollamby, Our Lady’s Surrey Hills, Box Hill Rugby Club
Results
U18 Boys 7th & 8th Playoff
VIC U18 19 (Tries: M. Angove Conversions: J. Roland Penalty Goals: J. Roland (4)) Def ACT U18 15 (Tries: Y. Marela (2), J. Whittaker)
* Highlighted players are current and / or past players from Melbourne RUFC representing Victorian U18 Schoolboys
