DOWNLANDS V GRAMMAR
Wallaby breakfast helps set O’Callaghan Cup scene
RUGBY UNION: Celebrations for Toowoomba’s weekend O’Callaghan Cup activities began early yesterday when rugby royalty met up in the city to entertain a packed breakfast gathering.
Former Wallabies Garrick Morgan, Tim Horan and John Eales were guest speakers at this year’s Downlands College Wake Up With The Wallabies Breakfast at The Annexe City Precinct.
The annual breakfast is now in its third year with yesterday’s event catering to a soldout audience.
The function was a pre-cursor to today’s iconic O’Callaghan Cup First XV match between Toowoomba school rugby rivals Downlands and Toowoomba Grammar School.
Morgan and Horan were part of Downlands O’Callaghan Cup 1986 team which drew 6-all with a Grammar line-up including Wallaby Jason Little.
Eales was a regular sporting visitor to Toowoomba with his school Marist College Ashgrove and remembers the strength of both Downlands and Grammar on the rugby and cricket field.
“Garrick invited me up for the breakfast this year, and it brings back a lot of memories,” Eales said.
“I went to Ashgrove and we played a lot of cricket and rugby up here against both Downlands and Grammar.
“I don’t remember leaving here with a lot of wins.
“Downlands had four Wallabies at one stage in their team, Garrick, Tim, Brett Johnstone and Brett Robinson.
“That’s an extraordinary number of international players that not too many other schools could match.
“It was great to get up here yesterday and catch up with Jim Noble, an old Ashgrove boy, at Grammar.
“I was able to get along to to both schools and it’s tremendous to see the work Garrick and so many other people at Downlands and Grammar are doing with our emerging rugby talent.”
Some of Australia’s leading schoolboy rugby talent will be on display when Downlands College and Toowoomba Grammar School resume their cross-town rivalry this afternoon at Downlands.
The annual match — first played in 1950 — features one of Australia’s longest-running school sporting contests.
Today’s latest First VX clash highlights a gala celebration of rugby at Downlands with matches throughout the day starting with under-13 games.
Tomorrow afternoon’s Cup clash showcases three players who competed at this year’s national rugby titles in Sydney including Australian Schoolboy squad member Will Chaffey who is part of the Grammar pack.
Downlands has two title reps lining up.
Forward Peter Halapio was a Queensland team member while team captain and outside centre Tom Gore lined up for Combined States.
Gore notches a rare feat this year when he takes part in his third O’Callaghan Cup.
“We’re coming off two losses which is a bit disappointing but it’s a great experience and I’m very privileged to play be able to play three years of First XV and O’Callaghan Cups,” Gore said.
Downlands is looking to end Grammar’s winning streak of four wins and despite its strong rep player presence, Gore said the Griffins were looking for an all-round mixture of experience and newcomers to help return the cup to Ruthven St.
“There’s a few returning from last year,” Gore said.
“I think we’ve got five or six returning and then there’s a lot of under-16 players which is great for the school and great for us this year, going into next year.
“We come together really well and we all get on brilliantly which is something any team needs.
“We are lucky enough to have that culture.
“I missed our lead-up matches because of the nationals but the boys I’ve heard played very well.
“They followed their structures which is all you can ask and is all we need to do.”
Gore also expects his team to lift with a strong homeground influence amongst an anticipated crowd of 5000 spectators.
“Playing at home is brilliant,” Gore said.
“I’ll never forget my first-ever game on this field and obviously to be in front of the stands at Downlands turf is a great experience and is something we all treasure.
“Hopefully we can turn the tables if all goes to plan and if we can do everything we’ve been asked then hopefully we can come through with a win.”
Downlands will be coached for the first time this year by Garrick Morgan with David O’Sullivan assistant coach.
“The preparations going well and at the end of the day we are out there to win when we do play Grammar,” Morgan said.
“The main thing is not to be too pressured by the situation on the day. Trust themselves, these boys, and go out there and believe in their abilities.
“I feel as though we have a balance. We’ve got a little bit of X-factor, which you need, and I
believe we’ve just installed a real team spirit this year.
“And like every other year, if you play for Downlands there’s a lot from the past you have to live up to.
“These boys are great. I’ve
really enjoyed working with them.
”There’s two good teams out there and whoever wants to works harder and whoever wants it more, will win.”