Three NRL giants and the Dolphins continue to sign Redcliffe region juniors

Three NRL club giants have joined the Dolphins in signing Redcliffe Peninsula talent, including two from Daly Cherry-Evans old school of Redcliffe SHS.

Redcliffe Dolphins Connell Cup player Keoki Koraba celebrates after a try Connell Challenge under 16s Tweed Seagulls v Redcliffe Dolphins Saturday March 5, 2022. Picture, John Gass

The Cronulla Sharks and Canberra Raiders have signed two Redcliffe SHS students from the Langer Trophy while as NRL newcomers the Dolphins and the Melbourne Storm also scour the catchment for schoolboy development squad talent.

Fullback Guy Visachi-Waerehu has been snapped up by the Raiders and versatile forward Jacob Taulani has signed a contract with the Cronulla Sharks in what is a huge endorsement of the Redcliffe SHS rugby league program which ramped up this year following the school’s historic promotion into the Langer Trophy.

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It is a dream come true for Year 12 pupil Guy-Visachi Waerehu, a fullback or five-eight, who arrived on the shores of the Peninsula in January from Auckland hoping to land an NRL deal.

He left his family behind and his sacrifice was rewarded.

Buy Visachi Waerehu of Redcliffe SHS has been signed by the Raiders. (Image/Josh Woning)

Visachi Waerehu was outstanding against Keebra Park SHS when he displayed the silky skills of a five-eight, speed and toughness to run crash ball and make try saving tackles on his line.

It was the type of performance which would have enticed NRL clubs sitting on the fence to take a punt on him.

Redcliffe SHS players Bailin Haji, Jacob Taulani, Jayden Alefaio.

News Corp first brought attention to Taulani last May during the Langer Trophy play-offs against Alexandra Hills SHS and clearly Sharks scouts have seen him as a player of potential.

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But NRL newcomers the Dolphins were still leading the charge in their home district, securing the likes of Queensland 15s state team trio Jairus Halahala, Mereki Warradoo and Nate Berrigan, all from Redcliffe SHS, another Redcliffe SHS boy Cody Star.

Redcliffe SHS’s Nate Berrigan playing for Queensland. Picture, John Gass

Another Peninsula boy Jake Carsburg (Grace Lutheran) who attends school just down the road from Dolphin Oval. Carsburg, a centre, was also in the Queensland 15 years representative side who got better the longer the national tournament in July progressed.

The North Lakes Kangaroos junior Brian Pouniu as a six-year-old old. Now he is a Dolphins recruit.

But also secured from the Dolphins catchment were the likes of Nudgee College sensation Tory Bath, former Langer Trophy player of the year Corey Thomas (Wavell Height alumni), Charlie Dickson (Wavell SHS), Nixon Pasese (Nudgee College), Brian Pouniu (Caboolture) and Carter Welfare (Nudgee College).

Nudgee College player Tory Bath gets a try Nudgee College v BSHS in the GPS First XV rugby. Saturday August 20, 2022. Picture, John Gass

The Dolphins have made extraordinary inroads into junior recruitment give the club was only confirmed last summer and regard south to Wavell Heights, west to Albany Creek and Kilcoy, and north to the Sunshine Coast and as far as Rockhampton as their foot print.

The Melbourne Storm were also fighting hard to retain their foot print in the northern part of the south east.

Redcliffe Dolphins player Keoki Koraba of Wavell SHS gets a try. Picture, John Gass

For example they have the likes of Rocky fullback young gun Matt Hill, and Caloundra SHS young guns Ellyjah Birve, Tully Mclellan and Chase Paterson on their books.

The Savvy Melbourne Storm recruitment scouts have also identified Wavell’s Walters Cup pair Keoki Koraba and Kobi Floro.

Storm NRL squad member and former Caloundra High School history teacher Chris Lewis (middle) with Caloundra High year 11 students Chase Paterson (left) and Tully McLellan. Picture: Supplied.

Redcliffe has long been a league stronghold, way back since 1965 when the side claimed its first BRL premiership.

Redcliffe SHS is the past school of Queensland Origin giants Daly Cherry-Evans, Petero Civoniceva, Josh McGuire and Karl Oloapu, the Broncos-signed five-eight who was named Player of the Carnival at the nationals during July, and Rob Toia (Nudgee College, Qld 19s).

Sunshine Coast Falcons and Mal Meninga Cup player Tully McLellan. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ recruitment of next generation players continues, with Mabel Park SHS centre Tyrese Tovao signed by the NRL’s newest franchise.

Tyrese Tovao as a junior at Easts Carina. He has been signed by the Dolphins. (AAP Image/Richard Walker)

Tovao, who is still eligible for under 16s, scored four tries in one match for the Easts

Tigers in the Cyril Connell Challenge earlier in the year and has continued to make an impression across the Broncos Challenge matches this season.

Redcliffe SHS fullback Guy Visachi Waerehu. Picture David Clark

Originally published as Three NRL giants and the Dolphins continue to sign Redcliffe region juniors