Powerful teenage footballer in tune for NRL Schoolboys final

That is why he is nicknamed “The Uncle’’ - the music loving rugby league player has a cool and responsible approach keeping an eye on his teammates. Watch the footy semi-finals live.

IF powerful prop Samson “The Uncle’’ Sauaso wasn’t developing a promising rugby league career, he would most likely be making music.

The Ipswich State High footballer plays a number of instruments like the guitar, piano and drums.

Music provides a wonderful way to complement his rugby league progress.

However, his immediate focus is helping his fourth-placed team upset NRL Schoolboys Cup competition leaders Marsden State High in Wednesday’s semi-final at Langlands Park.

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“I reckon the boys are ready for it,’’ Sauaso said.

“If we win, I’m happy.

“If we lose, I’m proud of the boys. They have worked very hard this whole year from the beginning.’’

Sauso is progressing his footy career in the school academy having also had a stint with the Ipswich Jets Mal Meninga side this year and being part of the Met West under-18 team.

Head coach Josh Bretherton praised Sauaso’s maturity working with younger players in the Ipswich side.

That is why he is nicknamed “The Uncle’’ - having a cool and responsible approach keeping an eye on his teammates.

Ipswich State High rugby league player Samson Sauaso offers a positive approach working with his younger teammates.

Sauaso, 18, grew up in Springfield starting as a halfback with the Redbank Bears in junior footy.

With Samoan heritage, he later found his way into the second row then his current position as a prop, where he casts a powerful presence.

Sauaso has played in all Ipswich State High’s NRL Schoolboys Cup encounters this season.

“I’ve learnt a lot with the Ipswich program,’’ Sauaso said, having been at the school since year seven.

“Each and every coach is teaching me something different and I always come here to learn and that’s what I do.’’

Wednesday’s semi-finals being live streamed on News Corp web sites are on after final round matches were called off due to the recent community sports lockdown.

Ipswich State High lost to Marsden 48-10 in second round before stringing together some stronger performances.

With Tuesday morning’s training session called off due to the rain, head coach Josh Bretherton ran an extended video session outlining Ipswich State High’s strategy.

The players were given key players to target and offered valuable insights from previous Marsden State High matches this year.

“Because of the weather, it went a bit longer . . . and we had a bit of time this morning just to relax a little bit,’’ Bretherton said.

“The boys have been really, really good the last week.

“It was odd coming off the back of those couple weeks of lockdown and stuff but what they done last week was excellent.’’

Enjoyable challenge tackling competition leaders

Bretherton said Ipswich State High had learnt from their previous loss to Marsden.

“They deserved to beat us in that second round,’’ the head coach said.

“They were very good that night and we weren’t good enough.

“There are certainly some things that we can take out it.’’

That includes defensively in the crucial moments.

Bretherton was confident his team would enjoy the challenge of tackling the top side.

“They are very good football team. They are very athletic,’’ he said of Marsden.

“They have got a big forward pack . . . but what they have actually done really well is they move the ball very efficiently and they have got very fast leg speed so they make people chase them.’’

Gabriel Satrick will make his Langer Trophy debut in the semi-final.

“That is a bit rare and very exciting for him,’’ Bretherton said.

The rest of the team is unchanged from their previous two victories.

Driving force

As an important member of the team, Sauaso produced one of Ipswich’s highlights of the season in their previous 26-6 win over St Mary’s Toowoomba.

At a crucial stage in the second half, Sauaso single-handedly drove a St Mary’s player back over the tryline, reasserting Ipswich’s dominance.

However, the modest footballer said helping his team score was the major goal.

“I’m just glad to be part of the team and with the boys,’’ the Broncos fan said.

“I’m just developing . . . I put into my routine and strive to improve myself.’’

Having worked on his tackling, Sauaso answered why he loves playing rugby league.

“Just the contact . . . and the energy,’’ he said.

He is thriving on the intensity of the NRL Schoolboys Cup competition.

“All the boys love footy, from all sorts of teams,’’ he said. “They are all great players and they all have preparations for footy and that’s what I love about it.’’

Ipswich State High team for Wednesday’s semi-final: 1. Caleb Jackson, 2. Kulu Baruani, 3. Shannon Stewart, 4. Damien Burrows, 5. Ariki Wallace, 6. Mason Pintegne, 7. Jake Self, 8. Josiah Pahulu, 9. Tommy Luhrman, 21. Rene Bagon, 11 Josiah Patea, 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13, Jarvis Yeatman, 14. Tyrese Weatherby, 10. Samson Sauaso, 15. Gabriel Satrick, 18. Richard Mala.

NRL Schoolboys Cup (Langer Trophy) semi-final live streaming schedule

Wednesday (3.30pm): Ipswich State High v Marsden at Langlands Park