Prime Teacher’s XV
All The Teachers At Their Best, In One Team
T. G. George
THE SHORE TEACHERS RECENTLY PLAYED the Indigenous students in touch last week. Despite the loss, it was a valiant effort from the teachers, displaying some incredible ball movement and trickery, but arguably just lacking the bountiful pace of the students. Maybe in their prime, this might’ve been a different story. So, what would a prime teacher XV team look like?
The squad is oozing with talent and solidified by experience. The front row is led by Mr Craig. He was a stand-out performer last week, scoring an open try in the corner. He has played over 150 games for Eastwood, scoring 41 tries and 205 points. He said his greatest achievement was playing his 100th First Grade game in the Shute Shield, but who can forget the Saturday night at Leichhardt when he ran on for the Waratahs in a win over the Crusaders? At 16, his coach told him that his neck was too long for him to play hooker, and since then he has defied all odds and silenced his critics.
The props are Mr Fitsemanu and Mr Payne. A lack of experience does not hold them back, as they are full of ticker and ready to put their bodies on the line for the teachers.
In the second row is Mr Wood and Mr Byrnes, who are sure to give any forward pack trouble with their stature alone. Additionally, Mr Byrnes impressed everyone with his two quick passes to set up tries – however, he was not as successful on the chip and chase attempt.
At number six is another Shute Shield legend, Mr Inches. He has played over 80 Shute Shield games for Manly 1st grade, as well as a stint overseas in National Division 1 in England, where he played for Westcombe Park from 2009-2010. His proudest rugby achievement is captaining the Manly Marlins, a team he has followed his whole life.
Slotting in at number seven is Mr Murphy. He scored a magnificent solo try in the touch match and gets the job done for Woollahra Colleagues every weekend. He has played for this club since 2016, and in 2022 won the Kentwell Premiership.
At number eight is the great Mr Davis. He controlled the play of the touch match and made some threatening runs. Since 2012 he has dominated the 5th Division of Subbies with Maccabi RUFC. He is also one of few international representatives across the School, playing for Australia in the 2013 and 2017 Maccabiah Games in Israel. He went on to coach this team in 2022 and won the silver medal as a player in 2013, making him the second most decorated international rugby player at Shore.
Kicking off the backline is Mr Sinclair, the Head of Rugby at Shore. He has played fly-half for Norths from 2016-2022 but is put in at 9 to make way for Mr Wallace. His greatest rugby achievement was coaching the 14As to victory over Joeys in 2015.
Taking the number 10 jersey over some serious competition is Mr Wallace. He played for the Waratahs from 1993 to 1996 and represented the Wallabies from 1992 to 1996. His greatest rugby achievement was debuting for Australia, against Italy in 1994. On one of his tours of the UK with Australia he was fortunate enough to meet the late Queen Elizabeth.
On the wing is Mr Benn. Perhaps lacking the experience and post high school devotion to the game, he says he is “happy to finish an overlap try”. He competed in the 400-metre hurdles when he was younger, so he is also useful on the chip and chase.
In the centres are Mr Jones and Mr Blood. Both have been stand-out players in the teacher vs student matchups. Mr Blood has played a lot of his rugby in Canberra and currently coaches the Second XV.
Down the right is Junee, Junee, Junee. A legend of both codes, playing 56 games for the Waratahs and 63 games for the Roosters. On top of that, he has played four tests for the Wallabies and notably won the 1994 Bledisloe Cup. Interestingly, he was part of the 1992 tour of South Africa – the first time Australia had been there in 30 years. Here, a function was held, where he conversed with former South African Presidents, Frederik de Klerk and Nelson Mandela.
At fullback is Mr Pienaar. He played fullback for the Shore First XV in 2005, and in the touch game passed on the torch to the current First XV fullback, Tom Klem, by getting stepped on Tom’s way to a try. He has also played for the Gordon Colts and St Ives Subbies. His greatest rugby achievement was almost tackling Kurtley Beale against Joeys.
The referee is another South African representative, Mr Dobes. Some would call him the Mr Miyagi of referring as he has had years of experience in the Shute Shield.
1. Mr Craig playing for Eastwood
2. Mr Junee in a wallabies jersey