Mason Pintegne: Smart work ethic at school gives teen a shot at NRL future

Ipswich student Mason Pintegne signed a Canberra Raiders contract after making a conscious decision to apply himself. The rising star shares how he made the grade.

Canberra Raiders-bound Ipswich student Mason Pintegne feels nervous about heading south soon to join the National Rugby League club.

However, the creative halfback will tackle his massive challenge as a dedicated Ipswich-bred teenager enriched by football and life skills in his home city.

“I wouldn’t have got this contract if it wasn’t for them,’’ the Ipswich State High School senior team vice-captain said, appreciating all the support.

“They have helped me in all aspects of footy and not just in footy, life in general and my fitness stuff as well.

“The coaches are really good.’’

Pintegne, 18 this year, has signed a two-year contract with the Raiders. He will join the NRL club after completing his year 12 studies at Ipswich State High.

“I’m pretty nervous,’’ he said. “It’s an opportunity I’ve got to take.’’

Canberra is calling for Ipswich State High School student Mason Pintegne, preparing for the footy opportunity of a lifetime.

Ipswich State High Rugby League Academy head coach Josh Bretherton is one teacher who knows better than anyone why the homegrown talent deserves his Raiders contract.

“I’m delighted for Mason. He put in a lot of hard work,’’ Bretherton said.

“Mason has been with us since he was in grade seven so he’s come all the way through from a little fella.

“When he first went to school, he had some struggles . . . and he has worked very, very hard. And as he grew up and matured, he made a very conscious decision that he was going to apply himself well in the classroom and we couldn’t be more proud of him.

“He was smart enough to buy into the lesson the coaches were giving him here which is ‘if you get yourself on track from a classroom point of view and you work hard, your life is more organised and structured . . . that same commitment then transfers to your football’.

“And as he’s learnt that, he has just continued to get better.’’

That included Pintegne making Ipswich Diggers, Met West and Queensland Schoolboys sides.

He has also represented Ipswich Jets Mal Meninga sides.

Mason Pintegne in his early years at Ipswich State High making the Queensland team.

Bretherton said it was always satisfying seeing students like Pintegne mature as a footballer and young man.

“He is a kid who has been a regular in Rugby League Ipswich and always stayed loyal and played his football at West End Bulldogs,’’ Bretherton said.

“He has grown from a young Diggers rep when he was little to a Queensland under-15 schoolboy, Jets Mal Meninga and a Met West under-18 player.

“His contributions to Ipswich State High School as a Langer Reserve and Langer level have been excellent. All these things together make for a very complete resume he and his family should be so proud.’’

Mason Pintegne preparing to represent Ipswich State High in the Langer Cup competition. Picture: David Lems

Pintegne’s NRL club contract is the latest in a long line of major successes from the Ipswich school’s progressive rugby league Academy.

Ipswich State High captain Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Cowboys) and co vice-captain Josiah Pahulu (Gold Coast Titans) were on long-term contracts before the season started.

Leading example of working hard

Bretherton backed Pintegne to deliver his all-round skills at the Raiders.

“He’s got a really nice change of direction for those first five-10 metres,’’ Bretherton said.

“He defends quite well for a half. He’s quite willing to defend strongly and he’s got a really good nose for finding space.

“He runs off that left foot step a little bit and creates some real troubles . . . a lot of his better attributes are the way he creates momentum by his runs.’’

Creative halfback Mason Pintegne has cut off his trademark rat’s tail after playing with it through his school years.

One extra not going to Canberra with Pintegne is the trademark rats tail he wore throughout his school years.

He cut that off a month ago during the current NRL Schoolboys Cup competition representing Ipswich State High.

Pintegne was also key part of the Ipswich State High Reserve side that won the grand final two years ago.

Bretherton said he had to bide his time in Reserve grade “and he understood the value in that.’’

But as he moved regularly into the senior side, Pintegne attracted more attention from the Raiders.

The Ipswich State High School field where Mason Pintegne improved his footballing skills.

Bretherton has been teaching at Ipswich State High for 11 years. He has been in charge of the rugby league program for four season after the elite program was launched in 2014.

“I’m immensely proud of the program and we’re very proud of all our boys,’’ he said.

“So any time one of them gets an opportunity like Mason has, that’s a great moment.’’

Bretherton is looking forward to watching Pintegne join other former Ipswich State High players take on the next stage of their football careers.

“It’s really exciting but we are equally proud of the guys that will come through and stay locally in the Queensland Cup system and move onto NRL premierships or study or whatever.

“That’s what we do it for.’’

Ipswich State High players to have secured NRL contracts for after school include:

2021: Mason Pintegne (Raiders), Kuli Finefeuiaki (Cowboys), Josiah Pahulu (Titans), Shannon Stewart (Titans), Rene Bagon (Manly after the year 11 student finishes school).

2020: Evander Tere-Rongotaua (Roosters), Elijuwhon Suavai (St George), Waylon Fiaii (Sharks), Deijion Leugaimafa (Rabbits), Ilai Tuia (Penrith Panthers).

2019: Value Lisati (Penrith), Elone Taufa (Penrith).

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