NRL schoolboy signings: Where the class of 2022 Langer Trophy and GPS First XV stars were going
NRL signing news: Your guide to where the schoolboys of 2022 are going from the Langer Trophy and GPS First XV competitions - along with some top notch AIC talent.
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So where are the class of 2022 Langer Trophy open grade players headed in the NRL?
And what about some of the Year 12 GPS First XV boys who have been scouted by league clubs?
In the last two years recent Langer Trophy graduates like Xavier Savage (PNC SHS, Canberra), Xavier Willison (PBC SHS, Broncos), Kless Hass (Keebra Park SHS, Gold Coast Titans), Deine Marirner (PBC SHS, Broncos), Jo Jo Fifita (TSS, Titans) and TC Robati (Marsden SHS, Broncos) have burst into the NRL.
Next year watch for Blake Mozer (Keebra Park SHS product, Broncos hooker) and Jack Howarth (BBC old boy, Melbourne Storm) to debut while another dozen or so wait in the wings.
RELATED LINKS
VOTE ON QLD CLUB LEAGUE’S BEST FORWARD
THE TOP 70 LANGER, GPS AND AIC PLAYERS HERE
WHERE THE YEAR 12 SCHOOLBOYS ARE HEADED
Brisbane Broncos
Best buys: Karl Oloapu (Wavell SHS)
Five-eighth Oloapu was named Player of the Championships at the schoolboy nationals in July. He has a midair step in the Benji Marshall mould, is dynamic while having great vision with short or cut out passes.
Tyreece Tait (Wavell SHS)
Oloapu’s teammate at Wavell, left winger Tyreece Tait is tall with genuine pace. He is quick, very quick, someone who seems to bounce along like a rubber ball, gathering speed as he goes. He is an x-factor player for sure.
Rookie watch 2023:
Coby Black, Marsden SHS halfback
The Queensland schoolboys representative broke into his first year of opens rugby league and will be back again next year as a Year 12 student.
Lewis Symonds, Coombabah SHS second rower
A champion weightlifter, the athletic Symonds broken into Langer Trophy from Year 11 at Coombabah SHS and will be a forward leader for the side in 2023.
Cameron Bukowski (Villanova College, hooker)
Out of sight but not out of mind, Cameron Bukowski is an outstanding dummy half prospect whose appearances were limited in 2022 due to injury. But the son of former ARL front rower Gary remains a prospect to watch and will hopefully enjoy a good school season for Villa in 2023.
Kaiden Lahrs, Kirwan SHS forward
The son of former NSW and Kangaroo front row giant Tom, Kaiden Lahrs is a rookie on the rise who represented the Queensland 15s last season and will again be pushing for state selection as a senior player in 2023.
Frankie Goldsbrough, Churchie centre
The Year 11 Churchie First XV premiership winning centre will be back again next year after impressing as much with his defence as he did his running.
Other open grade signings
Cameron Bukowski (hooker, Villanova College)
Jett Bryce (back row, Keebra Park SHS),
Devonte Vaivela (centre, Marsden SHS)
Saxon Innes (wing, Marsden SHS)
Bailey Trew (fullback, wing, Marsden SHS)
Robertson Tusi-Tofu (winger, Wavell SHS, Qld 15s rep 2021s)
Will Herbert (Outside back, Churchie)
Frankie Goldsbrough (Centre, Churchie)
Israel Leota (Winger, Ipswich Grammar School)
Beni Allen (No.13, edge John Paul College - TAS)
Gold Coast Titans
Best buys: Backs
Keano Kini (PBC SHS, fullback)
Kini was a fullback sensation in 2021 and 2022, graduating to the Queensland and Australian schoolboys side this season. New Zealand born, he was an absolute gun running the ball on either side of the field, or pouring down the middle. He also played as an extra five-eight.
Best buys: Forwards
Josiah Pahulu (Ipswich SHS) and Arama Hau (Keebra Park SHS)
The boys were the best two forwards in the Langer Trophy and the Titans have them both secured.
Pahulu, a mobile prop or No. 13, was captain of the unbeaten champions Ipswich SHS and was dynamic with his power carrying the ball, timing in defence and fitness.
Arama Hau was an elite No. 13 with the agility and skills of an edge forward. Both boys earned Australian schoolboys selection.
Rookie watch 2023
Wailer Whaiapu (Keebra Park SHS, back row)
Whaiapu entered the Langer arena this year as a back row workhorse but as the season progressed work on his impact carrying the ball. Next year he will be a third season Langer Trophy representative.
Zan Harrison (PBC SHS, halfback)
Northern Rivers product Zane Harrison has come through the PBC SHS system learning from champion halves Josh Lynn (2022) and Tom Weaver (2021) who in turn took notes from Toby Sexton (Titans NRL). Harrison was mature beyond his years this season and will be even better in 2023.
Other signings
Seth Nikotemo (Keebra Park SHS, Qld schoolboys lock)
Immanuel Kalekale (Keebra Park SHS, Qld schoolboys prop)
EJ Finau (middle)
Tyrell Waaka-Rhind (hooker)
Jeremaiah Tamepo (Keebra Park SHS winger)
Taelon Te Whiu Hopa (Marsden SHS, utility forward)
Will Semu (Marsden SHS, centre)
Izayah Petricevich (Coombabah SHS
Ryan McCann (Coombabah SHS, centre)
Tanu Nona (PBC SHS, hooker)
RELATED LINKS
LANGER TROPHY TEAM OF THE YEAR HERE
STRUDDY’S CUP GRAND FINAL DAY REPORTS, BEST PLAYERS
NRL CLUBS SIGN REDCLIFFE SHS TALENT
South Sydney
Best buys: Haizyn Mellars (wing, Marsden SHS, Qld schoolboys)
The son of a former NRL player (dad Vince) and Olympic basketballer (mum, Charmian), Mellars played wing for the Queensland schoolboys this season. He is quick, but also great in the air with his vertical leap.
Jye Gray (halfback, The Southport School, Burleigh Bears)
Gray had the winter of dreams, captaining the Queensland rugby league schoolboys to the national championship win, and also The Southport School to a joint premiership in the GPS First XV competiton. In May Gray also starred for Souths Logan in its Meninga Cup under 18 premiership win. A halfback or five-eight, he has blinding speed over 20m and is a tough little Rooster with deceptive power
Liam Le Blanc (prop, Nudgee College)
Le Blanc also played for the Queensland rugby league schoolboys as a prop, but also played No.8 for Nudgee College in its shared GPS First XV premiership. Tough, unrelenting in the middle, the young prop is a great signing by Souths.
Rookie watch 2023
Mark Nosa (Marsden SHS, five-eight)
Nosa will play Langer Trophy next season. A five-eighth, he is a big body with great vision while also troubling defence when he carries the ball to the line.
Other signings
Jacob Tinslay (hooker, Marsden SHS)
Braden Teuila (edge forward, Marsden SHS)
Melbourne Storm
Best signing: Gabriel Satrick (Ipswich SHS)
They have had Cameron Smith and Billy Slater from Queensland, and currently have Cameron Munster and Harry Grant from the Sunshine Coast. So who are the next Queensland kids bound for the Melbourne Storm? Mark down this name - Gabriel Satrick.
Satrick, originally from Yarrabah in far North Queensland, was unknown beyond the Ipswich SHS community at the start of the year.
But by the end of the season he was:
+ named in the Queensland schoolboys team
+ the Man of the Match in the Queensland schoolboys national winning effort
+ named in the Australian schoolboys side
+ the most influential player on the field in Ipswich SHS’s Phil Hall Cup win
+ crowned Peter Sterling Medallist for player of the national schoolboy competition.
Other senior school signings
K-ci Whare (prop, Coombabah SHS)
Karauria Stokes (Keebra Park SHS, fullback)
Caleb Jackson (Ipswich SHS, Qld development training sessions)
Stanley Huen (IGS, centre)
The Dolphins
Best buy: Michael Roberts (PBC SHS, centre)
The Dolphins have been gathering outstanding Year 9 and Year 10 schoolboy talent but don’t have a lot of Langer Trophy players simply because by the time they were announced for the 2023 NRL season last November, most of the Langer talent had been secured by NRL clubs.
But they have one of the best in Michael Roberts, the brother of NRL speed demon James Roberts.
The Australian schoolboy centre, Roberts is a natural, a big match player with speed to burn, but also tough as teak in defence. He is exactly the type of kid who will make it.
Tory Bath (Nudgee College)
The electric Bath has lit up the GPS First XV rugby season for Nudgee College after an outstanding Meninga Cup campaign alongside Karl Oloapu at the Norths Devils.
After absorbing the Queensland schoolboys’ form for Nudgee, the Dolphins moved to sign star fullback from its inner northern catchment.
Rookie watch 2023
Tyrese Tovao (Mabel Park SHS)
Tyrese Tovao could be a wildcard of 2023. An Easts Tigers junior, he is a dynamic centre with pace and plenty of it who will benefit from playing in the Langer league for the first time next season. He was blooded in open football this season as a Year 10 student, playing both centre and lock for the Mabel SHS reserves.
Sydney Roosters
Best buy: Alex Leapai (Mabel Park SHS)
The astute Roosters got under everyone’s guard to sign Leapai in 2021 as a Logan Brother juniors. Since then the Mabel Park SHS has two seasons of Langer behind him, making our Team of the Year for the 2022 season. Watch for the young giant to again impact the competition in his third season in the competition as a Year 12 student.
Rob Toia (Nudgee College, centre)
Is he the best schoolboy footballer in Queensland? Toia had his 2022 season cut short by injury but was elite in two and a half games for Nudgee and Queensland’s best player in a disappointing State of Origin under 19 rugby league side.
Sydney Roosters
Ben Uini (Wavell SHS, prop) who was a young bull in his first season of Open competition. Watch for him to lead the way next year.
Cronulla Sharks
Best buy, Tre Fotu (Wavell SHS, centre)
Fotu was a late season signing for the Sharks, but is one of the more astute additions. A powerhouse centre, Fotu helped Souths Logan win the under 18 Meninga Cup and then was the backline brute in Ipswich SHS’s unbeaten run through the school season. His strength was emphasised when he carried three defenders with him to score in the NRL National schoolboy final.
Jett Forbes (PBC SHS, winger)
Jett Forbes was among the most improved players across this season, not merely a finisher but a creater of tries from the wing. He always had a high involvement, but seemed to enjoy the added responsibility of being a senior player for PBC SHS.
Other signing
Jacob Raulani (prop, second rower, Redcliffe SHS)
Canberra
Best buys
Lauloto Salei (Wavell SHS) and Guy Vischi-Waerehu (Redcliffe SHS)
Both boys were unknown at the start of the season, with Lauloto Salei progressing from a No. 13 to be a powerful left edge runner between Karl Oloapu and Tryeece Tait at Wavell SHS.
Redcliffe SHS’s Visachi-Waerehu was an even bigger surprise packet, arriving from New Zealand at the start of the season unaware the Langer Trophy even existed. By the end of the season the fullback, five-eight had been secured by the Raiders which was a great endorsement and source of encouragement for young Redcliffe SHS playing senior Broncos-sponsored rugby league.
Other signing
Mark Tuialli (Wavell SHS, centre)
St George Illawarra
Best buy: Amos Tuialli (Wavell SHS centre, winger)
The cousin of Wavell SHS centre Mark Tuialli (see above), Amos is a younger, taller version. A year 11 student, he did something few through possible this season - beat Marsden SHS Queensland schoolboys winger Haizyn Mellars for ball in the air. There is plenty upside to this kid who will back up against next season.
Mikael Ibrahim (St Laurence’s College)
Now here is a very good footballer. Mikael Ibrahim was the Laurie’s outside centre in its back-to-back AIC First XV rugby premierships and at times looked like a man among the boys. In rugby league he plays No.13 for the Brisbane Tigers.
Other signing
Teapo Stoltman (outside back, Marsden SHS)
Warriors
Carlos Pauli (Keebra Park SHS, prop) and Julian Drinnan (Mabel Park SHS, halfback)
The big and the small have been snapped up by the Warriors, with Pauli a middle man prime mover from the training ground of Keebra Park SHS. Halfback Drinnan, a tremendous organiser with a great kicking game, helped Mabel Park SHS secure three wins in its second season of Langer Trophy.
Wests Tigers
Best signing
Chris Faagutu (Marsden SHS, No. 13)
The Australian and Queensland schoolboys No. 13 has the agility and pace of an edge forward. He is dynamic down the middle with his power and pace, and is a born leader on the field and at training.
The Lotaki brothers
Keebra Park SHS’s Lotaki brothers, Taniela and Dorian, were confirmed as Wests Tigers signings over the weekend. Both boys were centres, with Dorian a big, powerful No.3 not unlike Ipswich SHS’s Queensland representative Tre Fotu. Dorian rallied late and hard to try and get his side back into its semi-final against PBC SHS.
Other signings
Mou Taumaletila-Maulolo (Marsden SHS prop)
Manly
Best signing: Rene Bagon (Ipswich SHS)
Bagon was an interchange forward matchwinner for the undefeated Ipswich SHS side, rising to the occasion the deeper Ipswich got into the season. Manly think a lot of him - after signing him as a yoiung student at Forest Lake SHS, they started flying him to Sydney each weekend to play in their junior rep teams from his current school, Ipswich SHS.
Penrith
Best signing: Po Papalii (Wavell SHS)
A dynamic centre from Greg Inglis’ old school, Po Papalii was a left centre battering ram for Wavell with power and pace.
Canterbury
Best buys: Demascus Neemia (Wavell SHS, prop) and Oliva Iaulualo (Ipswich SHS edge)
Demascus Neemia is an old fashioned, tough as teak middle forward who rose to make the Queensland schoolboys this season.
Oliva Iaulualo is an exciting edge forward with big hands and a long reach who is hard to contain in a tackle or near the storyline.
David Leota (Ipswich Grammar School)
The Bulldogs swooped to sign David Leota (Ipswich Grammar School, Ipswich Jets) in March after Leota established himself as arguably the best middle forward in the Connell Challenge under 16 competition playing for the Jets. Later in the season, the head gear wearing Leota made his GPS First XV debut playing No.8.
Parramatta
Best buys: Joshua Lynn (PBC SHS) and Kyen Murphy (Coombabah SHS)
The Queensland schoolboys halfback has learned his trade at PBC SHS from Tom Weaver and Toby Sexton (both Titans). A little like Cooper Cronk he is an organiser whose option taking played him into the state schoolboys side.
Parra should also be pleased with their purchase of edge player Murphy who can play centre or second row. A real glue player, he is dependable and tough.
Newcastle
Jeremy Trappett
The Year 12 Iona College student and Wynnum Manly junior had another outstanding season, helping Queensland win the league schoolboys and being Iona’s front man in its AIC First XV rugby. A fullback, he also showed he could handle centre with ease this season.
Best still on the market
At the time of going to print PBC SHS left edge workhorse Will Taylor, Ipswich SHS forwards Jack Laing (No. 13), Ahmani. Leilua, Tommy Luhrman and Loko Tonga (prop), were good ones still unsigned. Luhrman was associated with the Roosters and they, or another NRL club, may take a second look at him after his outstanding tag-team performance alongside fellow Ipswich SHS hooker Gabriel Satrick (Storm) this season.
Tommy Luhrman
Taylor was a real favourite of ours, a second rower from the Northern Rivers who was outstanding for Tweed Seagulls in the Meninga Cup, and for PBC SHS in the Langer Trophy.
Laing was a No.13 warrior for Ipswich SHS who got through a mountain of work while Leilua was as solid as a rock in the centre, a Wayne Bennett or Craig Bellamy type of player.
At 197cm, Tonga came from the land of the giants and impacted greatly Ipswich SHS’s campaign this season.
(Footnote): The list is of Open grade NRL signings primarily from SEQ, not those from Year 10 or Year 9 competitions).
Originally published as NRL schoolboy signings: Where the class of 2022 Langer Trophy and GPS First XV stars were going
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