Former Kangaroos including Danny Buderus, Greg Alexander and Bradley Clyde celebrated their Schoolboy roots today at the announcement of a star-studded Australian Secondary Schools Centenary Team.
The greatest Australian Schoolboys team ever assembled saw Buderus named at hooker, Alexander at halfback and Clyde at lock, while McCarthy High's Brad Fittler was named at five-eighth.
Members from the inaugural 1972 Australian Schoolboys team, who went undefeated in their 13-match tour of Great Britain, were also in attendance at today's event. From that team, Ian Schubert, Les Boyd and Craig Young gained selection, while coach Roy Masters spoke of his fond memories of that tour.
Former Australia, NSW and Grantham High fullback Tim Brasher took the No.1 jersey while Cronulla's favourite son Andrew Ettinghausen was picked on the wing.
Balmain Tigers legend Paul Sironen partnered Narrabeen High's Steve Menzies in the second row, while modern-day sensations Mark Gasnier, Justin Hodges, Tonie Carroll, Greg Inglis, Matthew Gidley and Brent Tate completed the lineup.
"Schoolboy Rugby League is an important part of our game and to be named in this side, particularly alongside such amazing players, is a real honour," former Patrician Brother Fairfield student Greg Alexander said today.
"I have great memories playing for St Francis Xavier and when I was picked for the Australian Schoolboys I'll never forget it because it was my first time in the green and gold colours," Danny Buderus said.
"The pride that came with pulling on the jumper, you were playing for Australia and it was a huge thrill for kids our age."
Current and former players and officials gathered at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum this morning to present team members with a commemorative Australian Schoolboys jersey provided by longtime sponsors Classic.
Classic, who this year are celebrating 75 years of manufacturing Rugby League merchandise, took today's opportunity to announce further support for Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League, extending their sponsorship with the ASSRL for another 10 years until June 2018.
Members of the 2008 Australian Schoolboys team, which this year regained the World Youth Championship with Test wins over France and England, accepted the jerseys for those players absent due to NRL finals preparation.
"To see and meet the players who have represented the Australian Schoolboys before us really hits home what an honour it is to make the side," 2008 Australian Schoolboys Captain Tim Auremi said.
Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League President Bruce Wallace said the Australian Schoolboys Centenary Team celebrated the ASSRL's role in the development of future first-grade players.
"For many players selection in an Australian Schoolboys side is the first step to greater heights," Wallace said today.
"The Test matches bring with them a lot of pressure and emotion and it's a terrific way to introduce young players to representative football.
"These players represent the very best to come through Australia's secondary schools and we're very proud to be able to announce a team of this calibre – the players in this team are all legends of the game."
Today's event, hosted by ARL Development, brought together some of the game's top officials including ARL Chief Executive Geoff Carr, NRL CEO David Gallop, ASSRL officials and life members, and representatives from several high schools around the state.
ARL Development General Manager Bill Palmer said the event was a perfect opportunity to illustrate the link between the grass roots Rugby League and Schoolboy Rugby League at the elite level.
"We're very strong supporters of school-based Rugby League and always viewed the Secondary Schoolboy Championships as the epitome of that process," Palmer said today.
"We are proud to sponsor the ASSRL's National Schoolboy Championships and particularly pleased to sponsor today's event as the Schoolboys Centenary Team is certainly a team worthy of plenty of recognition."
