NRL in Cairns: Trial teams locked in, Luki re-signs
Cowboys coach Todd Payten has encouraged his young side to show what they can do in Saturday’s trial against the Rabbitohs, as the club locked in a rising star. FULL COVERAGE >>
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COWBOYS coach Todd Payten has encouraged his young side to show what they can do in Saturday’s trial against the Rabbitohs.
Payten has named a side made up of the club’s exciting up and coming stars as well as a number of players from their three feeder sides for the Barlow Park, Cairns, clash.
FROM NORTHERN PRIDE, TO THE PRIDE OF THE LEAGUE
While Souths coach Jason Demetriou will be keeping an eye on his centres, Payten has a few selection decisions to make before Round 1.
“It all counts. There’s three or four guys there who are in contention for Round 1,” Payten said.
“It’s a good opportunity for them to prove to us they’re doing well, getting their jobs done.”
YARRABAH ROLLS OUT WELCOME MAT FOR THE BUNNIES
The Cowboys had their first hitout on February 12 against the Northern Pride in Tully, when the Young Guns took the field.
Rushed ball and poor decision making hampered their efforts, and Payten is looking for those areas to be addressed by the players who have backed up.
Yarrabah will face Northern Pride in a curtain raiser at 2.50pm, before Souths and North Queensland lock horns at 5pm.
FINAL TRIAL TEAMS
Rabbitohs: 19. Jacob Gagai, 2. Zane Bijorac, 3. Jaxson Paulo, 4. Josiah Karapani, 5. Richie Kennar, 6. Jack Campagnolo, 7. Dean Hawkins, 16. Shaquai Mitchell, 9. Peter Mamouzelos, 10. Davvy Moale, 11. Ben Lovett, 12. Jed Cartwright, 8. Hame Sele. Interchange: 14. Tallis Duncan, 15. Tyson Hodge, 18. Izaac Thompson, 20. Isaiah Vailalo, 21. Nick Mougios, 22. Romano Cook, 23. Shannon Gardiner, 24. Trent Peoples.
Cowboys: 1. Tom Chester, 2. Laitia Moceidreke, 3. Jordan Lipp, 4. Brendan Elliot, 5. Iosefo Baleiwairiki, 6. Jake Bourke, 7. Daejarn Asi, 8. Emry Pere, 9. Josh Chudleigh, 10. Griffin Neame, 11. Ben Condon, 12. Connelly Lemuelu, 13. Riley Price. Interchange: 14. Patrick Kaufusi, 15. Ross Bella, 16. Bernard Lewis, 17. Andre Niko, 18. Nick Lui-Toso, 19. Jayden Hodges, 20. Kayleb Milne, 21. Zac Laybutt, 22. Kyle Laybutt.
LUKI LOCKED IN TO COWBOYS FOR THREE MORE YEARS
HEILUM Luki has revealed it “felt like the right to do” when he opted to spurn interest from rival clubs and stay loyal to his home club for the next three years.
The Cairns-born Central Scorpions junior put pen to paper on a three-year-deal to remain at the North Queensland Cowboys, which was announced on Friday to coincide with the NRL club’s visit to Cairns.
Luki has been with the club since he was a junior, and coming through the Cowboys Academy and playing for the NRL club’s Cairns-based feeder club, the Northern Pride.
And it is his belief in the system and staff employed by coach Todd Payten which was among the biggest factors in his decision to re-sign.
“I spoke with Toddy and came to the agreement that I wanted to stay in Townsville for the next three years,” Luki said. “I’ve really enjoyed my time here.
“It felt like it was the right thing to do.”
“There was a bit of interest from other places, but I wanted to stay in Townsville for a few more years.
“I think I’ve grown with the club. It’s a great community, great bunch of lads. Toddy has a really good coaching staff and it’s the best place for me to be at this time to further my football career.”
Locking up members of the club’s academy system has been a priority in recent time, and securing Luki’s signature was crucial to the Cowboys showing again how they provide a pathway for talented footballers from across North Queensland.
Cowboys CEO Jeff Reibel said Luki’s deal, which keeps him at the club until 2025, was representative of why the club exists and the role it plays.
“We were founded back in 1995 with a real focus and purpose to keep North Queenslanders in North Queensland, and Heilum’s a perfect example of that,” Reibel said.
“He’s a young man who has come through the grades in Cairns, he was part of our Academy. The opportunity he’s here with us, and the opportunity to build a team around in years to come.
“He’s big, he’s athletic, he’s a fine young man off the field as well, and he embodies what the Cowboys are all about. He’s a great example of what our club is and where we’re headed.”
Payten said Luki had rare athletic ability, especially in that back-row position, and given his young age had plenty of room to grow in the Cowboys’ system.
“He’s a good kid, he comes from a good family, and his resigning is another reason as to why this club got off the ground in the first place,” Payten said.
“He’s got an abundance of talent … he’s got a good head on his shoulders.”
Luki made his NRL debut last year, scoring a try in his first of 11 appearances in Cowboys colours in 2021.
He won’t feature in the preseason trial against South Sydney at Cairns’ Barlow Park, but may get a run against the Broncos in Mackay next week.
The 20-year-old said an emphasis had been put on the defensive components of his game to ensure he grows as an NRL player in his second season, when he’ll be out to lock down a starting spot in the Cowboys’ second-row.
“It’s probably just focusing on my defensive area and to become more confident in making decisions, and my movements, I’ve worked really hard with that in preseason,” Luki said.
“The team is looking really well this year and I’m feeling confident we’ll do well.”
DEMETRIOU NAMES FIRST SQUAD
FORMER Northern Pride premiership winner Jason Demetriou has named his first South Sydney squad since taking over as coach.
The Rabbitohs will feature nine players with NRL experience, led by grand finalists Blake Taaffe and Jaxson Paulo, as well as former Raider Siliva Havili, who will play for Souths for the first time.
YARRABAH WELCOMES RABBITOHS TO COMMUNITY
Tully product Jack Campagnolo will wear the No. 6 jersey alongside Lachlan Ilias, who is among the men in contention to partner superstar Cody Walker in the halves after the departure of former skipper Adam Reynolds.
Shaquai Mitchell, the younger brother of Latrell, has been named on the bench just days after his solid outing for the Indigenous All Stars.
SEA EAGLERS UNVEIL ROOKIE WITH SERIOUS BLOODLINES
This is the first time Souths have played in Cairns since 2018, the last of six straight years in which they brought premiership games to FNQ.
Three Northern Pride players will line up for the Cowboys, who named a squad made up of the club’s leading emerging talents and the top players from its three Hostplus Cup feeder teams – the Pride, Townsville Blackhawks and Mackay Cutters.
Flyer Bernard Lewis, hooker Jayden Hodges and second-rower Nick Lui-Toso will all play for the Cowboys, who will feature a number of Pride-allocated first graders.
Fijian Rugby 7s sensation Iosefo Baleiwairiki is also set to make his Cowboys debut. Baleiwairiki joined the Cowboys in the pre-season after claiming a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics last year.
HOW THE TEAMS WILL LINE UP
South Sydney: 1. Blake Taaffe, 2. Zane Bijorac, 3. Jaxson Paulo, 4. Josiah Karapani, 5. Richie Kennar, 6. Jack Campagnolo, 7. Lachlan Ilias, 8. Hame Sele, 9. Peter Mamouzelos, 10. Davvy Moale, 11. Ben Lovett, 12. Jed Cartwright, 13. Siliva Havili, 14. Tallis Duncan, 15. Tyson Hodge, 16. Shaquai Mitchell, 17. Lachlan Gale, 18. Izaac Thompson, 19. Jacob Gagai, 20. Isaiah Vailalo, 21. Nick Mougios, 22. Romano Cook, 23. Shannon Gardiner, 24. Trent Peoples.
Cowboys: 1. Tom Chester, 2. Laitia Moceidreke, 3. Jordan Lipp, 4. Brendan Elliot, 5. Iosefo Baleiwairiki, 6. Jake Bourke, 7. Daejarn Asi, 8. Emry Pere, 9. Josh Chudleigh, 10. Griffin Neame, 11. Ben Condon, 12. Connelly Lemuelu, 13. Riley Price, 14. Patrick Kaufusi, 15. Ross Bella, 16. Bernard Lewis, 17. Andre Niko, 18. Nick Lui-Toso, 19. Jayden Hodges, 20. Kayleb Milne, 21. Zac Laybutt, 22. Kyle Laybutt.
ARROW TAKES ON MENTOR ROLE
MAROONS enforcer Jai Arrow will pass on as much experience and knowledge he’s earned in 103 NRL games to the next generation of South Sydney players as the Rabbitohs prepare for their first hitout of the preseason.
The Rabbitohs landed in Cairns on Sunday, and on Monday were at Barlow Park ripping into their first field session of the year.
Arrow has fond memories of Barlow Park - it’s where he scored a rare try for Norths Devils in 2017 - but if he’s not named by in coach Jason Demetriou‘s first trial squad as Rabbitohs’ head coach on Tuesday, he will play a key role off the paddock.
And that’s where Arrow hopes to have his biggest impact.
Not only does he have personal goals, which, at this time of year, is centred on being physically and mentally prepared for Round 1, but Arrow wants to play a leading hand in helping mentor the club’s budding first graders.
“We’ve got a lot of young kids who are playing their first games of men’s footy this week, so it will be to guide them,” Arrow said.
“If they ever need help, I’m an approachable guy so to mentor the younger guys, and give back as much as I can to them, and guide them in the right direction.
“It’s pretty daunting as a young kid coming into a fulltime first grade squad, let alone playing.
“They will be putting on that red and green, and relishing the time where there will be a packed house here no doubt.
“We can mentor those young boys to get right for Saturday’s game.”
Arrow has been impressed by forwards Ben Lovett and Tallis Duncan this off-season, and is keen to see how the duo perform.
“Ben Lovett is a quality young man, he’s big boy for a young fella, and a good young edge back rower coming through and Tallis Duncan as well, who has very similar traits,” Arrow said.
“They’re great young fellas who love to learn, love to train, and get out there and rip in with the boys.
“They haven’t missed a beat, haven’t shied away, haven’t taken anything for granted. They’ve been great throughout the whole preseason and shown why they’re in this squad.”
As for the upcoming campaign, Arrow, who endured a rollercoaster 2021 which ended abruptly when he failed a head injury assessment during Souths’ grand final loss to the Panthers.
He has shifted his focus to 2022, with a view to play consistent footy and be “the best Jai Arrow” he can.
“I want to play some consistent footy this year,” he said.
“I had a few hiccups last year obviously, but I just want to be the best possible Jai Arrow, and the best possible person I can be, and give back as much as I can to the community.”
This is the first time Souths have ventured to Far North Queensland since 2018, the last of six straight years during which the foundation NRL club brought premiership games to Cairns.
Far North footy fans will see much of Souths’ and the Cowboys’ extended squads when they face off at Barlow Park this Saturday evening, with neither side likely to field their big guns.
Tickets are available at 123tix.com.au, and will also be made available for purchase at Brothers Leagues Club Innisfail and Intersport in Cairns.
CAMPAGNOLO EYES NO. 6 JERSEY
THE past three times Jack Campagnolo has returned to Far North Queensland for rugby league he has worn a different jersey, but it’s the cardinal and myrtle he will this Saturday he wants to make his own.
The Tully product has arrived with his South Sydney teammates before the Rabbitohs’ pre-season trial against North Queensland Cowboys at Barlow Park on Saturday night.
It is the first time the Bunnies have played in Cairns since 2018, the last of their six-year run of premiership games at Barlow Park, while the Cowboys last played there in 2020 against the Broncos.
The Rabbitohs who take the field this week will have a Far North feel, because Campagnolo is set to play his first game for his newest club.
And he will do anything he needs to do to secure a starting role for the club’s NSW Cup team – at least to start.
There is a potential opportunity to play in the NRL later this season given uncertainty around Covid and how players and clubs will be affected.
“I’m signed for the year right now, so I want to be the best in the Cup,” Campagnolo said. “The other boys are a bit younger than me so I see that as an advantage. I’ve got a bit of experience.
“Being the Covid years, there might be an opportunity for fringe players.”
Campagnolo came through the Pride’s development system and played for the senior team until 2020, when he moved to Brisbane to link with Wynnum-Manly.
He ended up having his best season, claiming the Queensland Cup’s five-eighth of the year as he took the Seagulls to the grand final.
He moved to Sydney at the end of the year and is, for the first time in his life, a full-time rugby league player.
“It’s so much more consistent,” he said. “You only do maybe four or so hours at Cup, but it’s 25 to 30 hours. It’s more reps, more specific with a lot of things.
“I thought it would be tougher to adjust. The first few weeks were pretty tough but I think I’ve adjusted pretty well to it.
“If I was coming in as a rookie it might be different.”
Campagnolo was used in the halves as well as hooker during his time at the Pride, but has his sights set on the No. 6 or No. 7 jersey when the season kicks off.
His journey at Souths will start with the NSW Cup, though there is so much competition in the halves that this Saturday’s trial will be crucial.
That is if Souths coach Jason Demetriou, who led the Northern Pride to the Queensland Cup/NRL State Championship double in 2014, names Campagnolo in his squad on Tuesday.
A Pride Invitational team will face Yarrabah in a curtain raiser at 2.50pm, while the main game starts at 5pm.
Tickets are available at www.123tix.com.au.
matthew.mcinerney1@news.com.au
Originally published as NRL in Cairns: Trial teams locked in, Luki re-signs
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