Harlequin Juniors represent Australian Schoolboys

At the Australian Schoolboy Championships in July, 2009 three Quins were selected in the Combined States Side - Angus Hamilton, Jack de Guingand and Jack North. All three started in the Harlequin U8s and played through to the U16s.

The final game of the championships featured defending champions Queensland 1 up against surprise finalists Combined States, the best schoolboy players from Victoria, Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania, who upset tournament favourites NSW 1 in the pool stages.

After the championships Angus Hamilton was selected in the Australian Schoolboys and Jack de Guingand was selected in Australia A Schoolboys and has been appointed captain with another Victorian, Rodney Esekia, appointed vice captain.

“I feel lucky that they think I deserve the captaincy. The selectors said they have been looking at me and they like the way I talk to the boys and play on the field. I have been playing with vice captain Rodney for many years in the Victorian State team and he’s a great talker and leader. He organises the backs beautifully, so he can look after the backs whilst I look after the forwards,” De Guingand said.

This talented 17-year-old flanker was born in Tasmania but raised in Victoria and started playing Rugby at age six. He was introduced to the game by his father, who let him sit up in the early hours of the morning and watch the Wallabies play the Springboks in South Africa.