The Wide Bay’s 17-18 rugby union side has a special mission at this week’s Queensland State School Rugby Championships – and a secret weapon – as they play for glory, and a Qld jersey.
As Wide Bay, the team has not won a match at the state championships for 10 years, but Rye who is also the Queensland coach, is confident that drought can be ended this year and he also set his 23-strong squad another target.
“So our goal we set the team this year is to win a game at the tournament and also to score points in every game,” he said.
“We believe that is an achievable goal and will be going in all guns blazing against Peninsula first up on the first morning.”
The Wide Bay team will play two games on Thursday against Peninsula, representing schools in the Cairns region and Met East, made up of Brisbane schools.
They will then take on two more Brisbane-based regions in Met North and Met West, with results in those four games setting their course for further games possibly against teams from Capricornia, Sunshine Coast and Darling Downs on Saturday and Sunday.
Coach Rye said the tournament was a great chance for Wide Bay players to test their mettle against the best players in the Queensland schools representative system and put themselves in line for a possible spot at the national championships to be held in Sydney in July.
“It’s good to see our boys get to go down there and play against the best players in the state to vie for a Queensland jersey,” Rye said.
“On Sunday we will select two teams to represent Queensland in the national championships.
“This is the only chance to get selected for Queensland.
“So for us, it gives us a measuring stick on how we are compared to all the other regions around the state but also provides an opportunity to students from Wide Bay to represent Queensland if they are good enough.”
Rye said the squad he had this year contained some exciting talent with some players who played in the championships last year returning.
“We are looking forward to seeing how those students go as Year 12 students,” he said.
“Being a year older and bigger, they know what they’re going to expect. “There are a couple of exciting players in the backs, so if they can get some open space, I’m interested to see what they can do.”
Coach Rye picked five players who he hopes can help the Wide Bay break their 10-year winless drought.
Players to watch
Adam Khan – fly-half
“Adam was in the Next Gen Sevens program for the Queensland Rugby Union last year and played for the Wide Bay Bulls in the Mal Meninga Cup.
“He is one of those players returning from last year.
“We picked him at 10 but he will play a roving role in the backs and he should cause problems to sides with his electric pace.”
23/05/2023 – Adam Khan is one of the star players for the Wide Bay Schools rep team and was part of the Next Gen 7s program run by QRU last year. Picture: supplied
Luke Adamson – full-back
“Luke has just been named in the Emerging Origin program in league after a great season with the Wide Bay Bulls.
“I am interested to see how he goes in the 15-a-side game. He will be our full-back.”
Mitch McCullum – No.8
“Mitch is from Bundaberg and plays in the back row and will probably be our No.8.
“He’s a strong ball carrier and good around the field.”
Jordan Hislop – second row
“From Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay, Jordan is a big, strong ball carrier in the forwards and he will play in the second row.
“He has just been playing for Wide Bay League at the state league carnival in Townsville where he played front row.”
Jet Holt – scrum-half
“Jet is from James Nash State High School in Gympie. He will be one of our main communicators on the field and is real live-wire around the field.”
The championships begin on Thursday, May 25 with Wide Bay due to kick off their first game against Peninsula at 1pm at Albert Park, the home of Surfers Paradise Rugby Union club.
Games will also be played at the same venue on Friday, May 26, Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28.