20 reasons Greg Inglis’ old school is a go-to for NRL talent scouts

It is a Brisbane state high school that has produced some of the league’s finest players – including an Origin great – and now the current generation is sweeping toward the NRL. Here are 20 reasons why.

Wavell SHS Queensland players Tyreece Tait, top left, Damascus Neemia (top middle) and Karl Oloapu, second from the bottom right. Picture: Zak Simmonds

It is a school which has produced some of the league’s finest players – and now the current generation is sweeping toward the NRL.

Wavell SHS, who host Redcliffe SHS in Wednesday’s live stream Langer Trophy clash, has the likes of Greg Inglis, Jake Webster, Dustin Cooper, Ashley Harrison, Adam Blair, Darryl Brohman, David Wright, Shane Tronc, Sika Manu and Kodi Nikorima as past players.

Inglis is a 39 Test veteran, David Wright a two Test player and long serving Queensland player of the 1970s, while Adam Blair is a veteran of more than 50 Tests for New Zealand.

Peter Benjamin Uini, Jared Horne, Charlie Dickson and Karl Oloapu are the future – and in Karl’s case – the present of Wavell SHS’s league program. Picture, John Gass

In addition Harrison and Brohman were Origin forwards while Lee Hutchinson was an elite Queensland Residents player.

But that is the past. What about the present and most recent past?

Coach Mick Roberts with current captain Karl Oloapu who made our Team of the 2020s – plus our Wavell all-time side. Picture: Liam Kidston

Here we give you 20 reasons Wavell SHS is still an NRL development ground powerhouse.

It is the name of the 20 players we have included in our Wavell SHS Team of the 2020s.

It is captained by current skipper Karl Oloapu – the recent player of the national carnival and Australian schoolboy selection.

RELATED LINKS

MARSDEN SHS’S TEAM OF THE 2020s – and their greatest ever side

WATCH THE LATEST SCHOOLBOY LIVE STREAM REPLAYS HERE

CLASH OF THE TITANS – PBC SHS v KEEBRA PARK SHS LANGER ACTION

And behind the current Langer players are an array of NRL signed Wavell junior players including Mereki Warradoo (Dolphins), Mason Phillips (Bulldogs), Jared Horne (Broncos), Charlie Dickson (Dolphins), Amos Tuialii (Dragons), Ben Uini (Roosters), Presley Folau (Broncos), Robertson Tusi-Tofu (Broncos) and Mark Tuialii (Raiders).

Wavell’s Corey Thomas made our team of the 2020s.

OUR TEAM OF THE 2020S

Fullback: Corey Thomas (Dolphins)

Thomas was the 2020 Langer Trophy Player of the Year who after a stint with the Wests Tigers, has been signed by the Dolphins for the 2023 season.

Wavell’s Tyreece Tait scoring for Norths this season. Picture, John Gass

Wing: Tyreece Tait (Broncos)

The 2022 Queensland schoolboys finisher is a brilliant talent whose long stride propels him across the ground at a great rate of knots.

Raiders centre Prinston Esera offloading. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Centre: Prinston Esera (Raiders)

For two seasons Esera was the Rolls Royce of schoolboy rugby league, a beautiful mover who broke into the Langer side as a Year 10 student. He also made the 2021 Queensland schoolboys side as a winger.

Centre: Tevita Toloi (Newcastle)

Although Po Hotere-Papalii was considered, Toloi is impressing in the Newcastle system where he plays Jersey Flegg. But we put Po on the bench.

Tahrell Feaveai of Wavell SHS. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Wing: Kallum Weatherall-Stacey

Blink and you miss him. While Tut-Tut Chapman was considered, the pure pace of Weatherall-Stacey demanded he be included. With him and Tait on the wings, Wavell has express pace.

Five-eight: Karl Oloapu

The recent player of the national carnival, Oloapu is a five-eight but significantly played No. 13 for Queensland at the recent schoolboy carnival, a decision which added another string to his bow.

Halfback: Isaiah Longi (Penrith).

The Queensland 19s State of Origin fullback is a capable halfback who is learning his trade in the Penrith system playing a mix of reserve grade and Jersey Flegg football.

No. 13: Tahrell Feaveai

Feaveai is one of our favourites, an all or nothing mobile middle forward who knows no fear. Wavell teams are so much better when he plays.

Second row: Caleb Esera (Raiders)

The older brother of Prinston, our centre choice, Esera is an impressive edge back rower making his way in the world in the Canberra Raiders system.

FLASHBACK: Wavell State High School under 15 Queensland representative players Junior Taungatua, left, Drew Timms and Tahrell Feaveai.

Second row: Ben Te Kura (Broncos)

Big Ben is a huge unit, part of a promising crop of young forwards coming through in what shapes as an exciting era for the Broncos. Ideally an edge player, but did play prop in the Meninga Cup at stages this season.

flashback: Wavell State High School representative forwards Tuku Hautapuha and Jayden Clarkson.

Prop: Jayden Clarkson (Raiders)

A true blue, hard working front rower who does the little things right. The former Queensland schoolboys prop is tough as teak and is made of the right stuff who is an asset to any side he is in.

Hooker: Bristow Murray

A real go-getter for the Wavell, he adds so much to the side when fit and on the field.

Prop: Tuku Hau Tapuha (Roosters, 3 NRL games)

Tapuha arrived at Wavell from a rugby union background where he started in division three. But the tall forward blossomed to make the 2020 Queensland schoolboys side.

Prinston Esera (L), Felix Faatili and Karl Oloapu. (News Corp/Attila Csaszar)

Reserves: Felix Faatili (Broncos), Damascus Neemia (Canterbury), Drew Timms (Redcliffe), Salei (Canberra), Po Hotere-Papalii, Junior Taungatua (Tigers), Will Curren

Both props Faatili and Neemia are Queensland schoolboys while Taungatua was enormous for the Wavell side in 2020 before being injured.

Salei is an impressive incumbent player and Timms a player every team needs due to his work ethic.

Redcliffe Dolphins player Drew Timms is a Wavell past student. Picture, John Gass

Where will history record our Players of the 2020s in years to come?

At the moment Wavell SHS’s greatest side looks something like this:

1. Derek Fletcher

Super Cup: Norths

2. Dustin Cooper

NRL: 37

3. Greg Inglis

Tests: 39

Origin: 37

NRL: 263

Greg Inglis. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

4. Michael Bond

Australian schoolboy

Super Cup with Clydesdales

5. Jake Webster

Tests: 8 New Zealand

NRL: 67

Super League: 270

6. Karl Oloapu

Current student

Australian schoolboy, player of the national carnival

7. Lee Hutchinson

Super Cup: Premiership (Easts)

Queensland resident: 10

8. David Wright

Tests: 2

Qld: 15 (in the 1970s)

9. Aaron Lewis

Queensland schoolboy

Super Cup: Souths Logan

10. Shane Tronc

NRL: 147

11. Adam Blair

Tests: 51 New Zealand

NRL: 331

12. Darryl Brohman

Origins: 2

NRL: 117

Brisbane Rothman’s Medallist

13. Ashley Harrison

Origins: 15

NRL: 276

Reserves: Dean Whalley, Richie Fa’aoso, Sika Manu, Ricky Paul, David Wotherspoon, Kodi Nikorima

WATCH TROPHY

WEDNESDAY’S LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE

GEE CUP GRAND FINAL

3.45pm: Stretton State College v St Mary’s College

LANGER, WALTERS

Mabel Park v Marsden SHS

2.00pm Langer Res

3.00pm Walters Mabel Pk

4.00pm Langer

Wavell SHS v Redcliffe SHS

3.30pm Langer Res

4.30pm Walters

5.30pm Langer

PBC SHS v Keebra Park SHS

3.00pm Langer Res

4.00pm Walters PBC

5.00pm Langer PBC

Ipswich SHS v Coombabah

2.30pm Walters – Forest Lake v Ipswich Brandon Pk

3.30pm Langer Coombabah v Ipswich Brandon Pk

Originally published as 20 reasons Greg Inglis’ old school is a go-to for NRL talent scouts