Six Queensland players toured New Zealand with the Australian
Schoolboys at the end of September. They were: Chris Muckert,
Townsville Grammar; Ashley Harrison, Wavell SHS; Justin Hodges,
Cairns SHS; John Rowbotham, Kirwan SHS; John Shillington, Padua
College; Michael Ryan, St Edmund?s Ipswich.
The
Australians opened their four-match itinerary at Carlaw Park on
30th September against Auckland Secondary Schools . They then
took on the New Zealand Schoolboys in two tests, at Rotorua
Stadium and Ericsson Stadium. The tour concluded with a match
against an Auckland Invitational Under 18 side on October 10.
Prior
to the tour the team appeared in a promotion at Sydney Football
Stadium on 12 September during half time of the first grade
semi-final. This included a video package highlighting past
players and the record of the Australian Schoolboys.
As the
saying goes, talent always will shine through. This certainly
rang true for two young Queenslanders selected for the Australian
Schoolboys? four-match tour of New Zealand.
From
shadow player to Australian representative - due reward for
Cairns SHS student Justin Hodges. Family reasons saw Justin
originally selected as a shadow for the Peninsula squad at
Townsville.
After being called
into the starting lineup as a winger, Justin turned in some
brilliant performances from fullback at the state championships
to win selection in the Queensland Schoolboys. Further standout
efforts at the national championships in Melbourne culminated in
him gaining Australian honours.
St Edmund?s
Ipswich student Michael Ryan had to wait a little longer, but the
young hooker?s talents were eventually recognised when he
received a late call up to become the sixth Maroon in the
national side.
