Liam Gill

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Liam Gill

Liam off to France

Queensland Rugby Union today confirmed Liam Gill will depart the St.George Queensland Reds at the end of the season to take up a contract in France.

Gill is in his sixth season with the St.George Queensland Reds, after making his debut in 2011. He has played 65 games for Queensland in that time, as well as 15 Tests for the Wallabies.

Executive General Manager - Reds, Daniel Herbert said: "It's disappointing to be losing Liam to an overseas club, but we understand he has weighed up his options and decided this was too good an opportunity to refuse.

"Liam is a talented player and someone who has made a great contribution to the Reds over the past six years after graduating from our elite pathways system. He has international aspirations but plays in a position in which Australia have significant depth and he felt he would have limited Wallaby opportunities.

"Whilst we are disappointed to see him go there are limitations to what we are currently able to do if players garner overseas interest and aren't in the top band of Wallabies. We hoped a flexible contract would encourage Liam to stay in Queensland and Australia but in the end he felt this was his best option all things considered.

"We know his focus will remain on the Reds while he is still at Ballymore and hope his final year with us is a successful one."

Gill said it was a tough call to make but that he would use it to help fuel his final season at the Reds.

"It was a very difficult decision, but I felt the time was right to challenge myself and play rugby in a different environment," he said.

"I feel I have done as much as I can in Australian Rugby and now look to enjoy a new opportunity.

"It's really difficult to leave the Reds, but I'm excited by the opportunity this current group has for the season. This news just gives me even more drive to repay the faith of the QRU and the support of our fans."

Originally a member of the Reds Academy, Gill earned a full Super Rugby contract at just 17 years of age. He made his Queensland debut during the Reds' victorious 2011 campaign and made his Test debut the following year.

Liam Gill

Position: Openside flanker

Height: 184cm

Weight: 96kg

Born: 08/06/1992

Place of birth: Melbourne, VIC

Senior Club: Sunnybank

School: St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace

Representative Honours: Australian Schools (2009), Australian Sevens (2009-2010), Commonwealth Games Sevens (2010, 2014) Australian Under 20s (2010-2012), Queensland (2011-), Australian Wallabies (2012-), Brisbane City NRC (2014-).

Queensland debut: 2011 v Brumbies, Canberra

Queensland caps: 65

Queensland points: 35 (7T)

Test debut: 2012 v New Zealand, Auckland

Test caps: 15

Man of the Match 24th October 2015

Congratulations to Brisbane City flanker Liam Gill, named Buildcorp NRC Man of the Match!

Rebels vs Reds match at AAMI Park

Old Collegians President Kim Evans shares a special moment with past Old Collegians Junior RFC players Alex Rokobaro and Liam Gill following the Rebels vs Reds match at AAMI Park!

... Photo courtesy SARU

Liam Gill drinking from the Super 15 Trophy

From Wikipedia, 8th March 2013

Liam Gill

Liam Gill is a professional rugby player for the Queensland Reds. He was born in Melbourne and lived in the United States before playing junior Rugby in Adelaide.

Liam played for Old Collegians, and went on to play for Sunnybank RFC, Australian Under 20s, Australian Sevens, the Queensland Reds, Brisbane City in the National Rugby Championship, and became the 861st player to represent Australia.

In 2010 Gill became the youngest ever to player to compete in the IRB Junior World Championship during which his Australian side lost to New Zealand in the final.

Gill was a member of the Australia U20s team that competed in the 2011 IRB Junior World Championship, along with fellow Queenslanders: Joel Faulkner, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Lucas, Simon Morahan, Eddie Quirk, Siliva Siliva, Dom Shipperley, and Kimami Sitauti.

Gill was named captain of the Australia U20s side that competed in the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship.

In 2012 Liam Gill made his debut for the Wallabies. As well as being this year's Australian Under-20 captain, Gill became the 861st player to have represented Australia. The Open Side Flanker (number seven) is a crucial player for the Queensland Reds as he has been called "the best pilferer in the game".

Queensland Reds

Profile

http://www.redsrugby.com.au/Reds/RedsSquad/PlayerPage/tabid/583/playerid/12/Default.aspx

Liam Gill
Openside Flanker
Height: 184cm, Weight: 96kg, Date Of Birth: 08/06/1992, Place of Birth: Melbourne

Rugby Career:
Senior Club: Sunnybank
Caps: 25 Super Rugby Points: 15 (3t)
Super Rugby Debut: Mar 2011 v Brumbies, Canberra
Test Rugby Caps: 8
Test Rugby Debut: 2012 v All Blacks, Auckland

St.George Queensland Reds flanker Liam Gill enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2012, playing in all but one match during the Reds' Australian Conference winning Super Rugby campaign and also debuting for the Wallabies at just 20 years of age.

Liam was a standout performer for the Reds in just his second Super Rugby season as he worked in tandem with fellow fetcher Beau Robinson to be a constant menace at the breakdown for opposition teams.

Despite only turning 20 in June, Liam flourished as Queensland's best breakdown scavenger, finishing the Super Rugby year with a competition-high 33 turnovers, including 26 breakdown or tackle steals. Liam was the only Australian to average more than 2 breakdown or tackle steals per game (2.4).

Liam also demonstrated enormous leadership qualities for a player of his age and was given the honour of captaining the Australian Under 20s at the 2012 Junior World Championships in South Africa, in his third campaign.

After missing the Wallabies June Test window due to the Australia Under 20 selection, Liam became Australia's 861st Test representative later in the year when he made his national debut against the All Blacks in Auckland. The match didn't go the way of the Wallabies but Liam flashed enough of his brilliance to remain a permanent fixture within the matchday squad throughout the remainder of the Rugby Championship.

Liam first earned a fulltime Reds contract in 2011 while still just 17 years of age and in the nine appearances he made during his debut season of Super Rugby in 2011, the young flanker always impressed.

The mobile No.7 made his Super Rugby debut from the bench in round three against the Brumbies and later scored his first run-on appearance when he was selected to go head-to-head with Australia's premier openside David Pocock and the Force in round 17.

Liam showed flashes of his talent during that match against the toughest of opponents, although it was a week later against the Chiefs where he flourished, producing one of the best individual performances of any Reds player during the 2011 season. His tireless efforts at the breakdown and in defence were enough to earn the teenager the Man of the Match Award, while he also scored his maiden Super Rugby try in that encounter, a pick-and-go effort metres from the line.

Liam capped off his breakthrough season with cameos from the bench during the Reds Super Rugby semi-final against the Blues and in the final against the Crusaders, icing his memorable debut year in Super Rugby by winning the title.

He also collected the Premier Rugby Colt of the Year award for the second season running for his dominant performances with 2011 Premiers Sunnybank.

Liam, along with fellow youngster Dominic Shipperley, were originally drafted into the 2011 Australian Under 20s squad for the Junior World Championships in Italy in May, but were later released as injury cover for the Reds in their roll towards the Super Rugby Championship.

Before joining the Reds senior squad, the talented backrower was a standout member of the QAS Reds Academy and was one of the more consistent performers in the 2010 Australian Sevens squad.

After making his debut on the Sevens World Series circuit in Las Vegas as a 17-year-old, Liam went on to represent the Australian Under 20s later that year before winning a silver medal at the Delhi Commonwealth Games where Australia lost to New Zealand in the Rugby Sevens gold medal match.

Liam also enjoyed a prolific schoolboy career. He was named tour captain for the Australian Schoolboys tour of the United Kingdom in 2009 and he was also the winner of the prestigious Bronze Boot Award for Best on Ground in the Australian Schoolboys contest against New Zealand that year.

Other major honours include captaining Queensland U15 and U16s, along with representing Queensland Schoolboys at Under 19 level.

Liam was born in Melbourne and lived in the United States for several years before playing junior rugby in Adelaide and later relocating to Brisbane.

DID YOU KNOW? Liam finished the 2012 Super Rugby season with a competition-high 33 breakdown or tackle turnovers. By comparison, his Wallabies teammate David Pocock ended the season with 21 breakdown or tackle steals in an extra 245 minutes of rugby, while Michael Hooper secured 17 breakdown or tackle steals in almost 190 minutes of additional game time.

***Updated 10/12/2012***

At 6th February 2011

From Green & Gold Rugby, http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/forum/showwiki/Liam+Gill

Liam Gill

Name: Liam Gill
Born: 8 June, 1992
Age: 18 Years, 8 Months Old
Position(s): Open-side flanker

Liam went to St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace in Brisbane and was also named tour captain for the Australian Schoolboys tour of the UK in 2009.
His other rugby honours include: Qld U15 captain; Qld U16 captain, Qld Schoolboys 2009: Bronze Boot Winner (Aust v NZ Schoolboys 2009).

Gill plays for the Sunnybank club in Brisbane's Premier competition and in 2010 was named the QRU Colt of the Year.
Gill was part of the Reds Academy program in 2010 before signing a full-time contract with the QLD Reds for the 2011 and 2012 season.

In just over six months since finishing high school, flanker Liam Gill has captained the Australian Schoolboys on their tour to the UK and Ireland, has become a standout performer on the Sevens World Series circuit, represented Australia at the Junior World Championships where they finished runners up, at just 17 signed a senior contract with the Queensland Reds for the 2011 season and won a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Liam has announced himself as a player of the future in both the shortened form and 15-man a side versions of the game. In just three of the eight World Series tournaments this season, Gill registered 40 points with eight tries to become a name-to-watch among crowds - and oppositions - for his tireless defence and work-ethic.

Total Rugby Interview 2010

From www.irb.com/totalrugby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kTNbGtR-OdM4 minute interview

Schoolboy gets his chance

Phil Lutton January 27, 2011
rugbyheaven.com

Boom schoolboy Liam Gill has been given first crack at the vacant openside of the scrum for the Queensland Reds, who will take a near full-strength side into this Saturday's trial against the Crusaders in Cairns.
Reds coach Ewen McKenzie has given the Super 15 rookie the assignment in Daniel Braid's old position against the Crusaders as the Reds prepare for their first hit-out of the year in the heat of the tropical north.
Braid was a machine at the breakdown for the Reds last season and one of the key platforms to their turnaround in form. But with the Kiwi's return to Auckland, a key plank of the Queensland scrum remains to be filled.

McKenzie has indicated five or six players are in the running, with former Waratahs Lei Tomiki and Beau Robinson - both named on the bench in the 28-man trial squad - among the candidates.
The side features the Wallaby halves pairing of Will Genia and Quade Cooper while James Horwill, the Reds skipper, will lock the scrum in his first game since a season-ending knee injury that saw him sidelined last season.

"The strength of the squad reflects the importance we are placing on finding the right combinations for the season. It's also important for us as coaches to find out more about players we don't know as much about," McKenzie said.
"Everyone's looking forward to a couple of week's time when the season kicks off but it's important we do the hard work now to get into a good position."

Reds team to play Crusaders (from fullback) Rod Davies, Aidan Toua, Digby Ioane, Will Chambers, Luke Morahan, Quade Cooper, Will Genia (vc), Scott Higginbotham, Liam Gill, Radike Samo, Van Humphries, James Horwill (c), James Slipper, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley.
Reserves Kimami Sitauti, Ben Tapuai, Mike Harris, Ian Prior, Leroy Houston, Lei Tomiki, Beau Robinson, Ben Coridas, David McDuling, Guy Shepherdson, James Hanson, Albert Anae, Greg Holmes.

Interview: Liam Gill

Source: News Audio
Published: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 12:52 AEDT
Expires: Tuesday, January 11, 2011 12:52 AEDT

Australia's Liam Gill told Grandstand Online's Luke Pentony he and his team-mates can be proud of winning the silver medal in the rugby sevens at the Delhi Commonwealth Games.
mp3

Liam Gill Player Profile

rugby.com.au, at 6th February 2011

Name Liam Gill
Club Sunnybank (QLD)
Position Flanker
Nickname Gilly
Height 183cm Weight 86kg
Date and place of birth 08/06/1992, Melbourne, Australia
Representative honours Australian Schools (2009); QLD Schools (2009), Australian Sevens (2010), Australian Under 20s (2010)

In just over six months since finishing high school, flanker Liam Gill has captained the Australian Schoolboys on their tour to the UK and Ireland, has become a standout performer on the Sevens World Series circuit, represented Australia at the Junior World Championships where they finished runners up, and at just 17 signed a senior contract with the Queensland Reds for the 2011 season.

Gill has a real chance to add a Commonwealth Games medal to his list of achievements.

A professional and mature approach beyond his years has seen the No.7 stamp his authority in the Queensland Premier Club competition for his side Sunnybank.

Born in Melbourne, Gill lived in the United States for several years before relocating to Adelaide and then making Brisbane his home.

Liam Gill & the Commonwealth Games Rugby 7s

Photo by Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images AsiaPac
October 11th 2010

Photo: Reuters
Australia's Liam Gill tackles England's Ben Gollings during their rugby sevens pool match during the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi - Monday October 11, 02:15 PM

From: http://www.qru.com.au/Reds/Sevens.aspx

Commonwealth Games Sevens The Australian Sevens team enjoyed a remarkable tournament at the 2011 Commonwealth Games, winning the silver medal after falling just short to New Zealand in the final.

Queensland was well represented in the squad with Reds flyer Luke Morahan combining with QAS Reds Academy talents Kimami Sitauti and Liam Gill. Both Sitauti and Gill were rewarded for their stellar play in both Sevens and 15-a-side rugby throughout the year and will join the Reds full time squad in 2011.

Queensland Reds and Sevens rugby The Australian Sevens team has already begun their preparations for an extensive 2011 campaign, holding a three day training camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in early November. That was attended by four members of the 2011 QAS Reds Academy squad: Tevita Kuridrani, Simon Morahan, Ian Prior and Jono Lance.

Reds and Academy players played a major role in the most recent iRB Sevens Championship, with Luke Morahan, Kimami Sitauti, Liam Gill, Ed Quirk and Dom Shipperley all key figures for the Australian team.

Teams combining Reds, Academy and Queensland Premier Rugby players will also continue to raise the profile of Sevens rugby over the course of the next year as they compete at selected tournaments.

International Rugby Sevens, 19-21 March 2010, Adelaide

'Talented youngster Liam Gill is doing his utmost to push any thoughts of the Olympic Games out of his mind. When Rugby makes its comeback to the Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2016, he'll be 23 & in his prime. But the 17-year old is also aware that there's plenty of Rugby to be played before then.

"I'm trying not to think about it & just concentrate on what is coming up," Gill says. To compete at the Games would be a dream for the youngster, but for now his head is firmly focused on this weekend's battle.

Gill, who played his first game of Rugby for the local Old Collegians' club when his family spent two years living in Adelaide, argues passionately that Sevens will prove enticing for young, emerging Rugby players ... and not just because of the Olympics.

Having made his debut in the IRB Sevens World Series in Las Vegas, Gill is an enthusiastic convert to Sevens and willingly spruiks its benefits. 'sevens is a tough game," says Gill, who has played 15-a-side Rugby all his sporting life. "It's a lot more fitness-based and one-on-one Rugby. I love it."

Gill, who toured the United Kingdom with the Australian Schoolboys team late last year, was rushed to Las Vegas after the Australian squad was hit by injury. "I'd like to have a nice crack at Sevens. More players are going to get into it and the travel & experience involved is great." says Gill, one of three teenagers that played for the Australian 12 in Las Vegas. He was joined by 19-year-olds Ed Quirk & Kimami Sitauti, who was also an Australian schoolboys representative last year.'

From 'The Ones 2 Watch', By Warren Partland, the Official Program, International Rugby Sevens, 19-21 March 2010, Adelaide

Aussies fire in Adelaide Rugby Sevens

Scott Walsh, From: AdelaideNow, March 20, 2010

UNBEATEN Australia advanced to the quarter-finals of the Adelaide Sevens and an encounter with Fiji after beating England 17-12 in a spirited final pool match on day two.

The result eliminated England from the cup competition, punishment for an upset loss to the USA on opening night.
Kimami Sitauti ran in two tries for the home side before Liam Gill crossed the line for the winner in front of about 9000 spectators at Adelaide Oval.
Gill was sent off for a high tackle in the closing minutes, but a handful of desperate tackles guided the Australians through.

Their victory had the added benefit of pushing them closer to passing England into fourth on the IRB Sevens table. The usual suspects New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Samoa all advanced, while Argentina and Wales also progressed to the cup quarter-finals.

Australia had earlier trounced the USA 36-0 to secure their path to the knockout phases of the tournament.
The Australians ran in six tries to nil, including a hat-trick to their opportunist centre Brakin Karauria-Henry.
Karauria-Henry scored three tries, Liam Gill crossed for two while skipper Pat McCutcheon was the first over in his first match having sat out Friday night's opener against Niue.
Aware that a points difference could derail their cup hopes, the Aussies ensured the US remained scoreless thanks to a brilliant diving tackle on the tryline after full-time by Ed Stubbs.

"It's a good confidence builder to touch them up, considering they were able to knock off England (Friday) night," McCutcheon said. "Them being able to topple England gave us an early wake-up call that these guys are geniune contenders out here and we had to lift our level of game. The boys went out with a good attitude, and we were able to do that."

Australia withstood the US's opening attack and pushed towards the 22-metre line before a botched line-out handed back possession.
A slick interception by Gill opened the US defence and allowed McCutcheon to cross before Gill scored his own a minute later.

The Aussies were simply too disciplined and too strong at the breakdown for the US Eagles and by the time Gill bagged his double after the half-time siren the home side was out to a 24-0 lead.

The only time the US looked like scoring was in the dying seconds, but Stubbs's diving effort ensured a pristine scoresheet.
"With for and against you never can tell, we're the only team undefeated in our pool but if we get knocked off there's three teams in it," McCutcheon said. "We don't want to leave it up to points, we want to win this game and finish on top outright."

Thursday 18th March 2010

Liam Gill visits Collegians' - the day before the start of the Sevens.
Photos by Elena Casciano?

Danny McCartan & Liam

Liam Gill & Collegians'

Player Profile 2010

Liam Gill
Player Profile
From rugby.com.au
March 2010

Club: Sunnybank
Nickname: Gilly
Position: Flanker
Height: 183cm
Weight: 86kg
Date and place of birth: 8th June 1992, Melbourne, Australia
Representative honours: Australian Schools (2009); QLD Schools (2009), Australian Sevens (2010) Date and place of birth: 8th June 1992, Melbourne, Australia
Representative honours: Australian Schools (2009); QLD Schools (2009), Australian Sevens (2010)

Australian Schoolboys

Liam Gill was named tour captain for the Australian Schoolboys tour of the UK and Ireland in 2009 and was a standout performer. Gill is a mobile flanker who causes plenty of trouble at the breakdown. The talented 17-year-old made his debut for the Australian Sevens in Las Vegas 2010 and has already been earmarked as a player of the future.
Born in Melbourne, Gill lived in the United States for several years before relocating to Adelaide and then making Brisbane his home. In his spare time away from rugby, Gill enjoys fishing.

Rugby Sevens, Adelaide, March 19th to 21st March 2010

Kevin Swiryn of the USA & Liam Gill of Australia compete for the ball. Photo: Getty images

Liam Gill of Australia gets away to set up a try during day three of the IRB Adelaide International Rugby Sevens match between Fiji and Australia at Adelaide Oval on March 21, 2010 in Adelaide, Australia. March 20, 2010 , Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Liam Gill of Australia passes the ball during the match between Australia and USA during day two of the IRB Adelaide International Rugby Sevens at Adelaide Oval on March 20, 2010 in Adelaide, Australia.

March 19, 2010 , Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Liam Gill of Australia competes for the ball against James Rodwell of England during the match between Australia and England day two of the IRB Adelaide International Rugby Sevens at Adelaide Oval on March 20, 2010 in Adelaide, Australia.

March 19, 2010, Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Kimami Sitauti congratulates Australian team mate Liam Gill on scoring the winning try during day two of the IRB Adelaide International Rugby Sevens match between Australia and England at Adelaide Oval on March 20, 2010 in Adelaide, Australia.
March 19, 2010, Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images AsiaPac

Australia Prevail In Cracking Belfield Clash

27 November 2009
Source: www.irishrugby.ie
The Ireland Under-19 Schools side eventually gave way to the greater size and strength of Australia in a free-flowing and at times spellbinding schools international clash at Belfield on Friday afternoon.

SCHOOLS INTERNATIONAL MATCH: Friday, November 27

IRELAND UNDER-19 SCHOOLS 14 AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLBOYS 31, Belfield Bowl

Scorers: Ireland: Try: Chris Colvin; Pens: Paddy Jackson 3
Australia: Tries: Chris Feauai, Nicholas Stirzaker, Kimami Sitauti, Matt Lucas, Liam Gill; Cons: Rohan Saifoloi 2, Rodney Esekia

This was a match of high quality and intensity as the two sets of players hammered into each other right from the first whistle. Initially, Ireland centre JJ Hanrahan sent a long punt tumbling towards the Australian 22-metre line. From there, team captain Emmet MacMahon took a ball against the throw. Tighthead Conor Carey drove around the side. The ball was recycled for out-half Paddy Jackson to send Hanrahan hurtling through the middle for what looked like a certain try - until full-back Jacob Woodhouse intervened with a textbook tackle.

Ireland threatened again before an interception from Woodhouse lifted the siege. It was a temporary reprieve though. Australia captain Liam Gill was sin-binned for a late tackle on lock MacMahon and out-half Jackson struck the penalty for a 3-0 lead in the sixth minute. Almost immediately, Ireland conceded a penalty for slipping the bind at a scrum. But number 10 and vice-captain Rohan Saifoloi fired his shot at goal left of the posts. Home full-back Ross Jones' excellent offensive kick had scrum half Nicholas Stirzaker scrambling the ball into touch on his own line from where Ireland were inches from the opening try - Jackson was brought down near the posts and the support was slow to get to him. The visitors' centres Joel Faulkner and Tyson Frizell combined to take them out of danger. A swift counter brought play deep into Ireland's territory and scrum half Stirzaker stole in on the blindside for the game's opening try. Saifoloi converted from the right to make it 7-3 in the 16th minute, against the run of play.

Then, Australia gave away a penalty at an Irish lineout. Jackson connected beautifully from the left-hand side to leave one point between them.

Openside Rory Cunningham's superb work at the breakdown forced a penalty from which Ireland put together a sweet lineout move. The ball was transferred left and quick-thinking from Jackson opened the way for Jones to send left winger Chris Colvin sprinting in at the corner. Straight after the restart, scrum half Blane McIlroy cut loose for a gain of 30 metres. He was at the base of the ensuing ruck to carve out an opening for Hanrahan, whose side-door offload could not be taken on the run. The game was ebbing and flowing as Australian winger Kimami Sitauti beat off three tacklers in the space of 60 metres before Jones made his second attempt count.

However, Ireland's problems at the scrum were exposed for Sitauti to wheel over on the right and recover the lead for the tourists on the half hour. The Irish, coached by Terry McMaster and Bobby Byrne, were back for more when the gold jerseys refused to retreat from a kick. Jackson was on the money for the third time to make it 14-12 just before the break.

However, on the resumption, Australia were soon into their stride. The Irish scrum was in obvious trouble.

The home pack conceded a penalty from a reset. Saifoloi slammed it right into the corner. A lineout and drive ended with a try for replacement scrum half Matt Lucas in the 48th minute. The superior size and strength of the boys in gold started to show up around the fringes as they moved beyond the gain-line. Then, out-half Saifoloi's attempted drop goal was cruelly deflected into the path of Gill for a fortuitous try for the captain on the hour. Ireland could have fallen away, but they engineered a fine move down the left with Hanrahan almost putting Jones into space. There was still plenty of gas in the tank.

In the last act, winger Chris Feauai put a seal on the win for Australia by gliding over on the right for their fourth try, converted by replacement out-half Rodney Esekia.

IRELAND U-19 SCHOOLS: Ross Jones (Castleknock College); Lukas Kunz (St. Munchin's College), Michael McAuley (RBAI), JJ Hanrahan (Rockwell College), Chris Colvin (Royal School Armagh); Paddy Jackson (Methodist College), Blane McIIroy (Methodist College); Rory Harrison (Methodist College), Kieran Stokes (CBC Cork), Conor Carey (Methodist College), Emmet MacMahon (St. Michael's College) (capt), Robert Hynes (Clongowes Wood College), Aaron Spring (Sligo Grammar School), Rory Cunningham (Colaiste Iognaid), Bryan Carroll (PBC Cork).

Replacements used: Niall Scannell (PBC Cork) for Stokes, Tom Goggin (St. Munchin's College) for Hynes (both 42 mins), Conor Duffy (Belvedere College) for Carey, Luke McGrath (St. Michael's College) for McIlroy (both 63), Daniel Diviney (Gonzaga College) for Colvin, Eoin Joyce (Terenure College) for Cunningham, Philip Whyte (Bangor Grammar School) for Scannell, Eoin Moriarty (St. Mary's College) for Jones (all 69).

AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLBOYS: Jacob Woodhouse; Chris Feauai, Joel Faulkner, Tyson Frizell, Kimami Sitauti; Rohan Saifoloi, Nicholas Stirzaker; Scott Sio, Hugh Roach, Paul Alo-Emile, Curtis Browning, Greg Peterson, Matt Ika, Liam Gill (capt), Nathan Paila.

Replacements used: Matt Lucas for Stirzaker (33 mins), Luke Jones for Browning (42), Jack De Guingand for Ika (48), Matthew Garland for Faulkner (54), Marcus Heather for Roach (61), Tom Kingston for Alo-Emile (63), Joe Welch for Sio (64), Rodney Esekia for Saifoloi (65).

Referee: Laurent Cardona (France)

Schoolboys face tough first assignment

November 26, 2009 - 12:31pm
Story by: ARU
Source: http://aru.rugby.com.au/news/schoolboys_face_tough_first_assignment,135537.html

The Australian Schoolboys face a tough first assignment on their tour of the UK and Ireland when they take on Irish Schools at University College in Dublin on Friday (Saturday 2am AEDT). St Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace product Liam Gill will captain the Australian XV and is expected to be one of coach Rob (Tiny) Nowlan's weapons in the lineout and at the breakdown. On top of the honour of leading the Australian Schoolboys side, Gill this week also won selection in Australian Sevens Coach Michael O'Connor's 18-man squad for the upcoming IRB Sevens World Series; alongside teammate Kimami Sitauti. Prior to leaving for the seven match, month-long Schoolboys tour, Gill said he hoped his team could go through the "Triple Crown" tour of Ireland, Wales and England undefeated. Gill also said his side was focussed on toppling the Irish Schools side to help ease some pain over the Wallabies 20-all draw with Ireland a fortnight ago.

The 28-man squad flew out of Sydney on Sunday and have been adapting to the chilly and wet weather conditions during training sessions in Dublin. The players have been taking in the sights of the Irish capital and have also been enjoying the hospitality of their billets. Regular Australian Schoolboys captain Jordan Tuapou and hooker Ross Marais weren't considered for selection due to injury. After their opening match against the Irish Schools on Friday, the Australian Schoolboys will play two "capped international" matches against the Irish under19s side on December 2 and then against a Wales under19 outfit in North Wales two days later. The 2009 Australian Schoolboys are the 10th outfit to embark on a tour of the UK and Ireland and they are intent on upholding a glittering winning record set by previous Australian Schoolboy teams. Their predecessors have won 99 of 108 matches played on tours to the UK and Ireland, including 26 of 30 "internationals".

The Australian Schoolboys tour squad is dominated by Queensland with 13 players, eight of whom hail from Brisbane State High, which has assumed the mantle of Australian Rugby's new leading schoolboy nursery. It is also the school that produced Wally Lewis, a member of the 1977-78 touring team to the UK and Ireland.

Source: www.rugby.com.au

Australian School Boys to play Irish Schools (15-1)

Jacob Woodhouse, Chris Feauai, Joel Faulkner, Tyson Frizell, Kimami Sitauti, Rohan Saifolai (vc), Nic Stirzaker, Nathan Palia, Liam Gill (capt), Matt Ika, Greg Peterson, Curtis Browning, Paul Alo-Emile, Hugh Roach, Scott Sio. Res: Jack Kimmince, Marcus Heather, Joe Welch, Angus Hamilton, Luke Jones, Jack De Guingand, Matt Lucas.

Fixtures:
Nov 27 - Australian Schoolboys v Irish Schools
Dec 2 - Australian Schoolboys v Irish U19 (Capped International)
Dec 5 - Australian Schoolboys v Wales U19 (Capped International)
Dec 9 - Australian Schoolboys v U19 Regional Academy XV
Dec 13 - Australian Schoolboys v England U18
Dec 16 - Australian Schoolboys v U19 Regional Academy XV
Dec 19 - Australian Schoolboys v U19 England Academies (Capped International)

Australian Schoolboys squad:
Paul Alo-Emile (Brisbane State High School), Curtis Browning (Brisbane State High School), Jack De Guingand (St Kevin's College), Rodney Esekia (Chandler Secondary College), Joel Faulkner (Brisbane State High School), Chris Feauai (Brisbane State High School), Tyson Frizell (Illawarra Sports High School), Matthew Garland (Brisbane State High School), Liam Gill Tour Captain (St Joseph's Gregory Terrace), Kyle Godwin (Aquinas College), Angus Hamilton (Scotch College), Marcus Heather (Endeavour Sports High School), Matthew Ika (Brisbane State High School), Luke Jones (St Pius X College), Jack Kimmince (The Southport School), Tom Kingston (St Aloysius' College), Matt Lucas (St Joseph's Gregory Terrace), Ross Marais (The Southport School), Nathan Paila (Hallam Senior College), Greg Peterson (The Scots College) , Hugh Roach (Newington College), Rohan Saifoloi Team Vice-Captain (Brisbane State High School) Scott Sio (Trinity Grammar School), Kimami Sitauti (St Joseph's Nudgee College), Nicholas Stirzaker (Knox Grammar School), Jordan Tuapou Team Captain (Brisbane State High School), Joe Welch (St Ignatius' College), Jacob Woodhouse (The Scots College).

Samantha Broun

Reds scholarship to nurture Nudgee talent

Source: http://city-north-news.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/reds-scholarship-to-nurture-nudgee-talent/

26 March 2009

BOONDALL: Nudgee College rugby gun Cayden Matehaere and Gregory Terrace's Liam Gill are among eight junior players selected in the Reds Rugby scholarship program.
Both players were part of the Queensland under-16 team last year.

Flyhalf Matehaere shone for his school last season, with a last second drop goal against Ipswich Grammar School giving his team an undefeated premiership season. The program mentors the best senior schoolboy talent in Queensland and works in conjunction with other development initiatives. Reds High Performance rugby manager Ben Whitaker said the players were identified through school or club rugby and were provided with elite coaching and the necessary steps to succeed throughout the professional ranks. As well as cash incentives, Super 14 match tickets and clothing, players will also be involved in the highest level development program, which includes mentoring from present and past Reds.

"They're a great bunch of kids and I think that's one of the key things we look at," Whitaker said. "They're not only talented footballers but they look to achieve away from the football field, so hopefully the program can support them being even better in those areas. "We're showing a specific interest in these eight players and we hope that one day they graduate to be a Red, but at the same time we've made it clear to them that there's no guarantee for them in any team, whether it be this year at school or Academy the next year.