Langer Trophy: NRL clubs raid Allan Langer’s old school of Ipswich SHS
Seven NRL clubs have raided the old Queensland school of Broncos’ legend Allan Langer, signing 11 players.
Ipswich
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NRL clubs have swooped to sign schoolboy rugby league talent from one of the Langer Trophy’s finest schools.
Ipswich SHS, the old school of the great Allan Langer, has 11 players signed to six NRL clubs - the Bulldogs, Souths, Titans, Manly, Roosters, Newcastle.
A seventh NRL club, the Melbourne Storm, has offered 2021 semi-final star Caleb Jackson a train and trial opportunity in two weeks.
News Corp’s Langer Trophy livestreaming continues on Wednesday with the qualifying match between Redcliffe SHS and Caloundra SHS.
The Ipswich SHS students affiliated with NRL clubs are: Kane Self (Knights), Ogden George (Bulldogs), Isaac Togia (Titans), Oliva Iaulualo (Bulldogs), Tayshon Foley (Bulldogs), Jeriah Vagana (Titans), Rene Bagon (Manly), Nick Torrens (Rabbitohs), Caleb Jackson (train and trial, Storm), Tommy Luhrman (Roosters) and Josiah Pahulu (Titans).
A 12th student, Jack Laing from the Jets Mal Meninga Cup side, is being observed by talent scouts.
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Middle forwards Pahulu (Titans) and Bagon (Manly) have contracts which extend beyond this year
Ipswich SHS Langer coach Josh Bretherton said interest from a wide variety of NRL clubs in his players was a great reflection on both the individuals and the community and program.
“You can see the variety of clubs across the students so it shows the school has done a really good job, and that there is also talent in the area,’’ he said at this week’s Ipswich SHS rugby league launch.
“It is an area rife with rugby league talent and is a district which loves its rugby league. The community is proud of these boys.’’
He said it was now up to the boys to take advantage of the opportunity they had been given.
“It is recognition of their talents and an incredible opportunity for them to be in these academies and develop their skills and get all the support that comes with that,’’ Bretherton said.
“But they all know that it comes with hard work because it (academy contracts) do not guarantee them anything post school, aside for Josiah and Rene.
“So it is about teaching the boys that they have one foot in the door and that they are ahead of all of the others, but they have to make the most of it.’’
Ipswich has long been identified as one of the great rugby league breeding grounds which has produced past champions like Dud Beattie, Noel Kelly, Gary Purcell, Allan Langer, the McLean brothers (rugby and league), the Walters boys, Ian Robson, Gary Coyne, Denis Flannery, Rod Morris, Des Morris, Greg Quinn, Larry Brigginshaw, Ali Brigginshaw, among dozens of others.
Current NRL players from Ipswich region includes Philip Sami (Titans), Treymaine Spry (Titans), Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks) - all Ipswich SHS alumni - Tautau Moga (Dragons), Joe Ofahengaue (Wests Tigers), David Fifita (Titans), Luke Keary (Roosters) and Sam Walker (Roosters).
What the boys think about their opportunities.
Oliva Iaulualo (Bulldogs): “The arrangement (with Canterbury) gives me confidence to play with these older guys at Ipswich. It gives me confidence,’’ the rookie prop said.
Tayshon Foley (Bulldogs): “It gives me confidence knowing I have a good club supporting me,’’ five-eight Foley said.
Jeriah Vagana (Titans): “It is great knowing I am with such professional people. And the school has helped a lot, on and off the field.’’
Rene Bagon (Manly): “Knowing I have a good club behind me gives me the motivation to keep pushing. The school has also really helped me as a student and a player,’’ the young front rower said.
Nick Torrens (Rabbitohs): “This is my second year with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. I was surprised to be contracted by them and it has helped me.
Caleb Jackson (Storm): “It is good seeing my mates going through these systems. Last season in the Langer has also brought a lot of confidence and I know what it is like in the Langer now,’’ the centre and fullback said.
Tommy Luhrman (Roosters): “Going into my third year of Langer has given me confidence because I know what it is like and hopefully I can help the younger boys,’’ the hooker said. “The school has helped me heaps with my apprenticeship and with my footie and school work.’’
Josiah Pahulu (Titans): “Being at the Gold Coast Titans gives me confidence because you are surrounded with great players and that motivates me on and off the field as well. Being surrounded by Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Dave Fifita inspires me to be as great as them. You watch their work rate and work ethic on and off the field and you want to be like them. The culture at the Titans is more like a brotherhood.’’
Jack Laing, the Jets Mal Meninga Cup middle forward, said it was great seeing his class mates recognised by NRL clubs, but that was not his main focus.
“My goal was to work hard, do the little things right and if I do that, what I want in the future will come my way,’’ he said.
FOOTNOTE: Ipswich SHS is also rife with outstanding rugby league girls’ talent. We will present those outstanding footballers next month.
LANGER TROPHY
LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE
March 23: Redcliffe SHS v winner of Caloundra SHS v Mountain Creek SHS
April 27: St Mary’s College v Mabel Park SHS.
June 1: Start of Langer Trophy
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