Jesse McLean Jesse McLean (Year 12)‘It was an honour in the first place to play for CIS and to represent the travel up to Brisbane alongside many of my school mates and other friends. ‘I really enjoyed playing against such talented opposition. green and gold At the end of the tournament, it was a privilege to bepicked in the Australian team to play alongside the best in the country.’ Year 12 student Jesse McLean was selected in the Australian Schoolboys rugby league squad in July. Jesse, a winger and prolific try-scorer, was outstanding while representing the Combined Independent Schools (CIS) Under 18 team during the 2022 Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League Championships in Redcliffe, Queensland. Jesse will represent Australia in test matches this year. Fellow Newington students Siteni Taukamo, Billy Dickens, Daniel Wright (all Year 12) and Lipina Ata (Year 11) impressed at the Championships alongside Jesse in the U18s. In the Under 15 team, Newington students Heamasi Makasini, Callum Grantham, Keone Anitelea-Tsioussis (all Year 9) and Jack Ennis (Year 10) contributed to the CIS team defeating the Combined High Schools side 16–14 in the Pool A Championship Final. Callum was named MVP in the final. New boys make Gen Blue squads Gen Blue is the NSW Waratahs’ elite development squad, which includes the best young rugby talent 18 years and under in NSW. Jaydon Viliamu, Jacob Veiru (both Year 11) and James McGregor (Year 12) were selected for the Under 18 boys squad and (as were Billy Dickens and Lipina Ata but they made themselves unavailable for participation). Casey McLean (Year 11), Matthew Humphries and Toby Rodwell (both Year 10) made the Under 16 squad. As this edition ofNews was being finalised, we received word that James McGregor and Jaydon Viliamu were selected for the 25-playerJames McGregor, pictured here on Back to Newington Day, Australian Schools and U18s squad. Congratulations to both boys. made the Gen Blue squad. 30 | Service |News Spring 2022 | Stanmore 7–12