Rugby – 1st XV are 2015 GPS Co-Premiers

After an off-season that saw a number of changes made to the Rugby program it was encouraging to see positive progress being made and highlighted by a fantastic effort by the 1^st XV who were Co-Premiers with the Scots College. This makes 2 joint GPS Premierships (2013 and 2015) and 2 GPS Championships (2010 and 2012) in the last 6 years.

The success of the 1^st XV after last year’s 4^th place, was built upon a solid foundation of hard work and belief in one another and the pressure that was constantly exerted on the team by a strong 2^nd XV, who came second in their competition. In addition to the 1^st XV being crowned Co-Premiers, Newington secured the Centenary Cup from St Ignatius’ College and retained the Bryan Palmer Shield with a victory over The King’s School.

On Back to Newington Day on 5 September and one point down to Riverview in the final minute of the last game of the season, a try by Newington hooker Teu Atiola clinched the 2015 GPS Co-Premiership for Newington. The crowd erupted with the final result 42-38.  Watch footage of the last riveting four minutes here. 

Father and Son GPS 1st XV Premiership Duo

When Michael Mannix (ON 1981) proudly congratulated his son Charlie Mannix (ON 2015) on his GPS 1st XV co-premiership he understood exactly how he felt having played for the 1979 GPS winning side when he was in Year 10. Michael is pictured above left in the back row of the 1979 GPS Premiership team and Charlie is pictured left with 2015 1st XV team mate Clifford Campbell. Congratulations to both father and son!

Ben Volavola (ON 2010)

 Former Waratah Ben Volavola has signed with the Canterbury Crusaders for the 2016 Super Rugby Season. He was also a member of the Fiji side for the Rugby World Cup and displayed outstanding form scoring a sensational try against Australia, with the commentators mentioning that he was a product of Newington.Ben is pictured above. Photo credit: David Rogers

Stop Press… we have also just learnt that Mika Allalatoa (ON 2009) has also just signed with the Crusaders.

Cameron Murray (ON 2015)

Congratulations to Cameron Murray, pictured above, Captain of the 2015 1st XV GPS Co-Premiership side for his selection until 2018 by the South Sydney Rabbitohs. At Newington, Cameron displayed outstanding leadership qualities and his on field performances were excellent. Cameron was selected in the CIS Opens Rugby League team and his performances at the National Carnival earned him selection in the Australian Schools team.