After an outstanding week in which he helped guide NSW Combined Catholic Colleges to the national schoolboy title, young Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey has been named Captain of the Australian Schoolboys team to play England Academy.
A member of the Sharks SG Ball team in 2016 and the brother of NYC hooker Jayden, Brailey was an integral member of the NSWCCC side that scored a last-minute victory over NSW Combined High Schools in the Australian Secondary Schools Under-18 National Championships in Wynnum last week.
He was later named Player of the Championships.
Brailey also played for the Australian Schoolboys in 2015 in games against New Zealand, while his brother Jayden toured England and France with the same team in 2014. He attends the Aquinas College in Menai.
The Australian Schoolboys will play England Academy in a two-Test series later this month, with the second game to be held at Southern Cross Group Stadium prior to the Sharks round 22 match against the Canberra Raiders on August 6.
NRL General Manager League Integration and Game Development Andrew Hill said the ASSRL was an important breeding ground for the game.
“Just 12 months ago Nathan Cleary and Curtis Scott were selected in the Australian Schoolboys side and have now played first grade,” Mr Hill said.
“We look forward to the next batch of outstanding talent continuing to emerge through our pathways.”
2016 Australian Schoolboys to play England Academy:
1 - Nic Cotric - Erindale College
2 - Mawene Hiroti - Matraville Sports High School
3 - Zac Lomax - Figtree High School
4 - Tuimavave Afualo - Westfields Sports High School
5 - Campbell Graham - Marcellin College Randwick
6 - Lachlan Lam - Marcellin College Randwick
7 - Sean O’Sullivan - Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown
8 - Pasami Saulo - Hunter Sports High School
9 - Blayke Brailey © - Aquinas Catholic College Menai
10 - Thomas Mikaele - Keebra Park State High School (Qld)
11 - Brodie Jones - All Saints College Maitland
12 - Josh Curran - Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown
13 - Sean Keppie - Westfields Sports High School
14 - Dean Blore - The Hills Sports High School
15 - Reece Robson - Endeavour Sports High School
16 - Payne Haas - Keebra Park State High School (Qld)
17 - Michael Tupou - Patrician Brothers’ College Blacktown
HEAD COACH - Brian Battese NSWCCC
First Test: Australian Schoolboys v England Academy 2.00pm Sunday July 31. Dolphin Oval Redcliffe, Queensland
Second Test: Australian Schoolboys v England Academy 1.15pm Saturday August 6. Southern Cross Group Stadium
Lead photo - Australian Schoolboys 2016
Below - Blayke Brailey
