Fowler brothers on fire

The 2023 rugby union campaign has been another successful one for two Narrabri brothers, Joey and Jonty Fowler.

The sons of Narrabri Rugby Club stalwarts Chris and Amanda Fowler are both forging successful paths for themselves in the sport that their family has excelled in for decades.

Those paths crossed on Saturday at Box Hill Rugby Club where the duo were scheduled to play at the same venue, Joey in the under-19s match between Melbourne Rebels and NSW Waratahs for the Rebels, and Jonty for the NSW Waratahs in the under-16s game between the two teams.

However, only Jonty played as Joey sat out injured with a groin issue that he suffered earlier this month.

It was a successful day for Jonty in the second round of the Super Rugby under-16s competition.

After sitting out in the Waratahs’ 50-5 win over the ACT Brumbies a week earlier on Saturday, September 30, the 16-year-old earned a starting role for the round two match against the Rebels and was proud to run out in the number 10 jersey.

He made a positive impact too as the side scored a thumping 51-9 win.

NSW then won the under-19s game 62-5 against Joey’s Rebels as the older of the two brothers had to watch from the sideline.

He will miss Melbourne’s next game but is expected to be back for round four.

The 18-year-old suffered that injury during the warm up during game two of a Trans-Tasman series between the Australian Schools and Under-18s and New Zealand Schools down in the nation’s capital.

Joey came on as a substitute in the first game between the two sides late last month as New Zealand prevailed 30-3, and he then started in game two as the Aussies went down 55-36.

Jonty Fowler in action for the NSW Waratahs’ under-16s team.

He suffered his injury in the warm-up of that game before battling his way through.

The Narrabri boys have not only been successful at the representative level this season, but also at club level as well.

Jonty is in Year 11 at the prestigious St Joseph’s College Hunters Hill, and played five games for the school’s first XV this year before playing out the rest of the season in the second team.

The seconds won their competition to cap off a memorable season for the Narrabri boy.

Joey, while contracted to the Rebels, has been playing his club footy in the NSW Shute Shield for Sydney Uni.

He earned his first grade and second grade debuts early in the year and also played for the club in the Australian Club Championship match back in March when they downed the 2022 Brisbane premiers, Wests Bulldogs Rugby Club, 45-19 away from home at Sci Fleet Stadium, Sylvan Road.

He made an instant impact for the Students as he set up a brilliant try with a crafty kick in that match.

Joey predominantly played for the club’s first colts team throughout the year.

They finished third on the regular season ladder following 14 wins, a draw and just three losses, and met the minor premiers Warringah, who had won all of their games except one, in the final.

Warringah won the decider 35-31 at Concord Oval, but it was a successful season for Joey and his teammates.

A memorable year will continue for the brothers as they hope to help their respective sides reach the junior Super Rugby finals next month.