WATCH LIVE: Ipswich v Wavell in the Langer Trophy

In a huge day of schoolboy footy, Ipswich go up against Wavell in the Langer Trophy, Langer Reserves and Walters Cup from 3.30pm. WATCH LIVE!

AS Ipswich State High looks to tame major threat Wavell on Wednesday, a rising halfback is building his rugby league career in the prestigious Langer Trophy competition.

North Queensland Cowboys contracted Jake Self has played in Ipswich State High’s four top grade matches so far this year having joined the school’s highly regarded program.

“I moved here this year from Ipswich Grammar,’’ Self said. “It’s an opportunity I guess.’’

The year 12 student wanted to devote more energy to his rugby league development, something Ipswich State High offers.

“You do footy here every day as a subject so it’s really helping me along the way,’’ he said.

WATCH THE REPLAYS

Self, 17, signed a three-year deal with the Cowboys when he was 15. He’s waiting to see what the future holds with the NRL club.

“One hundred per cent. That’s the dream,’’ he said of his NRL aspirations.

After a breakthrough 22-16 win over Coombabah last week, Ipswich State High is looking to build some winning momentum as the battle for positions hots up.

“You just knew that the boys wanted it,’’ Self said, watching his teammates train.

“Last week it was something else. Just motivation.

“We had a camp over the holidays which I reckon brought the boys a bit closer.

“You can see that now.’’

Ipswich State High kicks off Wednesday’s program at Wavell with the Langer Trophy Reserves teams playing at 3.30pm.

The Walters Cup (year 10) sides from both schools play at 4.30pm with the Langer Trophy encounter at 5.30pm.

Watch the matches live on this website as part of News Corp’s extended coverage of major schoolboy matches this season.

With a new finals format this year, Ipswich State High head coach Josh Bretherton is eager for his team to consolidate the positive effort against Coombabah.

“It’s the first unchanged side we’ve had so hopefully that helps us in putting the next step forward,’’ Bretherton said.

“Trying to get back on the path that we expect ourselves.’’

Ipswich State High has to finish in seventh or above to contest the quarter-finals starting of August 18. Securing a top five spot is the immediate goal.

“Getting a win helps with morale and mood but hopefully it also has an impact on their confidence,’’ the coach said, happier with last week’s improved effort.

“That’s been the big thing that we’ve been pushing - improving our defensive resolve and our line speed and our intensity in defence.

“That’s something that traditionally we’ve done very, very well here but hadn’t done well so far this year.

“So it was nice to see us move much closer to that.’’

Bretherton is wary of Wavell having seen what they are capable of in their wins over Coombabah 42-6 and Mabel Park 14-6.

“I had a good look at them. They are a very, very good football side,’’ Bretherton said.

“They’ve had a couple of odd results in there but we see them as one of the better sides running around the comp.

“A huge group of those boys were part of the Met North team that went and won the state championships.

“They’ve got a big pack that go forward very well.’’

Wavell fullback Kallum Stacey has speed to burn.

“There’s a few little threats there that we’ll have to worry about - how they go forward, if the fullback gets early ball,’’ Bretherton said.

For Self, being a part of the Ipswich State High rugby league program is an important part of his development.

“All the coaches here are like family I guess,’’ he said.

“Everyone is all in (focused on footy).’’

The Ipswich-bred footballer is keen to keep improving his game, including his kicking.

“We have got an extra session on Wednesday morning so I will try to do a bit of that then,’’ he said.

Self made under-15 and under-18 Met West teams in addition to playing for Easts in the Mal Meninga competition this season.

The former Brothers and Norths junior is waiting to see what happens with the Cowboys next year after receiving his three-year contract while at school.

He currently plays for Easts in the Brisbane competition.

Standing 187cm tall, Self said his height helps his kicking game.

The footballer nicknamed “Selfie’’ has always played in the halves.

“I just like getting my hands on the ball,’’ he said.

Away from footy, Self likes fishing and does some work as a first-year plasterer.

“That’s another reason why I moved here (to Ipswich State High),’’ he said. “More opportunities outside of footy.’’

Teams for Wednesday’s Langer Trophy match.

Ipswich SHS: 1. Caleb Jackson, 2. Kulu Baruani, 3. Shannon Stewart, 4. Damien Burrows, 5. Vincent Pereira, 6. Mason Pintegne, 7. Jake Self, 8. Josiah Pahulu, 9. Tommy Luhrman, 21. Rene Bagon, 11. Josiah Patea, 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13. Jarvis Yeatman.

Interchange: 14. Tyrese Weatherby, 10. Samson Sauaso, 16. Richard Mala, 17. Tupou Fe’ao.

Wavell SHS: 1. Kallum Stacey, 2. Po Hotere-Papalii, 3. Tre Fotu, 4. Prinston Esera, 5. Jordan Tut-Chapman, 6. Karl Oloapu, 7. Jalen Afamasaga, 8. Damascus Neemia, 9. Tyrell Waaka-Rhind, 10. Tahrell Feaveai, 11. Will Curran, 12. Ben Te Kura, 13. Drew Timms.

Interchange: 14. Jayden Smith, 15. Felix Faatili, 16. D’metrius Iose, 17. Bristowe Murray.

Emergencies: Norman Rua, Naytan Iselin-Jansen, Jayden Ambichi.

Livestreaming schedule for Wednesday

(Matches at Wavell)

3.30pm: Langer Trophy Reserves - Wavell v Ipswich State High

4.30pm: Walters Cup - Wavell v Ipswich State High

5.30pm: Langer Trophy - Wavell v Ipswich State High