The talented side has been compared to the 2001 side containing NSW Waratahs open side breakaway Beau Robinson, Canberra Raider Brad Cross and Gold Coast Titan Daniel Conn.

In that year St John’s fell to Farrer Agricultural College in the final but will have the chance to become the top school in NSW Country when they face Kyogle High School at Carrington Park at 12pm.

The St John’s side consists of 10 Central West junior representatives including two NSW Country representatives Edward Magnusson and captain Kyper Yap as well as a NSW Combined Catholic Colleges representative in Samwise Wheeler.

Inside centre Lionel O’Mally was named Dubbo Junior Rugby League 2007 rugby league player of the year.

Furthermore the tight five are accustomed to a heavier workload, having the same formation as the St John’s College Opens tight five that were Western Area finalists in 2007.

Coaches Ben O’Mally and Andy Haycock have tasted previous success in the 2003 Yeats Shield Opens with a side led by current Dubbo Kangaroo Joe Snare, Brumbies Academy player Peter Raines and CYMS premiership player Simon Yeo.

“This year we have been able to win games with tight and effective forward control and hard-running backline play,” Haycock said.

“The team has also relied on the Saturday combinations of the Dubbo Roos under 17 Reds in the forwards and the St John’s Junior Rugby League under 16s in the backs.

“We will look to dominate in the forwards who are led by Kyper Yap and Daniel Carolan-Work.

“Our goal kicking five-eighth Trent Gavenlock will play a key role while the impact of centre combination Lionel O’Mally and Josh Smith as well as fullback Samwise Wheeler will be important.”

The team was selected from more than 30 boys who attended trials for the side at the College Rugby Academy in term one.

ST JOHN’S COLLEGE: 1 Alex Thomson, 2 James Clarke, 3 Kyper Yap (c), 4 Daniel Carolan-Work, 5 Robbie Parish, 6 Jarrod Taylor, 7 Tom Evans, 8 Edward Magnusson, 9 Bryce Williams, 10 Trent Gavenlock, 11 Brad Welsh, 12 Lionel O’Mally, 13 Josh Smith, 14 Sam Wright, 15 Samwise Wheeler. Replacements: 16 Pat Gallagher, 17 Ned Williams, 18 Julian Dunn, 19 Nathan Cross, 20 Will Yeo.