St Patrick’s College enters the 2026 AIC rugby season with one of the youngest and most reshaped First XV line-ups in the competition — and plenty of intrigue around what that could produce.
Eleven players are set to make their First XV debuts in Round 1, underscoring a clear shift toward youth as the Shorncliffe-based side prepares to face St Peters.
It’s not just the number of new faces — it’s how young they are. A large portion of the squad sits in Years 10 and 11, placing immediate responsibility on players still early in their senior rugby journey.
The changes run across the entire park. In the forwards, Lucas Poole, Seturo Nanai, Luke Thirgood, Jett Walker, Kahu Davis-Raeli and Peeter Sheppard all step into the starting side for the first time, forming a new-look pack tasked with handling the physical demands of AIC rugby from the outset.
The backline mirrors that turnover. Halfback Bryce Murray and flyhalf Kingston Rarere take on the key playmaking roles, while Oliver Potts and Alex Petrellis add pace out wide. At the back, Max Speedy rounds out a spine built almost entirely from debutants.
There are early signs of what this group could bring. Potts arrives with a reputation as a sharp goal kicker, Thirgood offers mobility through the second row, and Petrellis brings energy on the edge — traits that hint at a side built on movement and intent rather than pure experience.
Preparation has also carried a lift. The squad recently spent time with Queensland Reds winger Tim Ryan, a former St Patrick’s student whose rise to Super Rugby has provided both inspiration and a glimpse of what’s possible from the Shorncliffe pathway.
Round 1 against St Peters shapes as a genuine test. With so many players adjusting to First XV rugby, cohesion under pressure will be key, particularly in the early exchanges.
For St Patrick’s, the equation is clear: a young side, a steep learning curve, and an immediate opportunity. The experience may be limited, but the upside is real — and this group now gets its chance to define the season from the first whistle.
Published 1-May-2026
