Redcliffe Dolphins dive into Australia’s No.1 schoolboy rugby league team

The Redcliffe Dolphins have swooped on champion school Ipswich State High, the best schoolboy rugby league team in Australia, as we edge closer to the 2023 NRL season.

The NRL’s newest team on the block need look no further than Ipswich State High School for superstar rugby league talent.

Ipswich State High went the entire Langer Trophy season undefeated, before taking down Palm Beach Currumbin SHS in the Final, Ignatius Park SHS in the Phill Hall Cup State Final, and Patrician Brothers Fairfield to claim the coveted NRL Schoolboys Cup final, at Redcliffe.

The signing of three-year Langer Trophy veteran hooker Tommy Luhrman and try-scoring centre Caleb Jackson is a just reward for the youngsters who wrote history with their Cinderella season.

between Ipswich SHS (white shirt) National Schoolboys Cup rugby league grand final against Patrician Brothers Fairfield on September 14. Picture: David Clark

They have picked up two good ones in Luhrman and Jackson. Luhrman just finished his three-year scholarship deal with the Sydney Roosters, while Jackson was a destructive ball carrier all year, crossing the chalk for ‘Ippy’ almost a done deal whenever he had the ball in hand.

It’s ironic the pair of them have signed with Redcliffe, given the dazzling show they put on against Redcliffe SHS in round three of the Langer Trophy season.

It was on their new home ground at Moreton Daily Stadium where Jackson’s mix of speed and strength and Luhrman’s tireless support play earned competition stalwarts a superb 46-6 victory.

The hooker came away with a double, and Jackson a four-pointer also.

Ipswich SHS’s Tre Fotu, Josiah Pahulu and Tom Luhrman after the National Schoolboys Cup rugby league grand final against Patrician Brothers Fairfield on September 14. Picture: David Clark

Luhrman said after the Langer Final against Palm Beach Currumbin that his manager came over and said the Dolphins had offered him a two-year deal. That was when he got “very emotional, after Ippy’ won their first Langer Trophy”.

“Once I saw my partner and my mum I got really emotional,” he said.

“It was really rewarding because the whole year we put in a lot of work and I was trying to get a contract by the end of the year and I was lucky enough they offered me a two-year deal.”

Luhrman hopes to have a good year at the Colts level and put his best foot forward.

“Hopefully I can move into the Q-Cup or even earn a preseason with the NRL club. I’d love that,” he said.

“I’m still extremely grateful for what the Roosters did for me. I learned a lot from the scout Dan Anderson. He took me to Sydney a few times and I got to see Victor Radley, Joey Manu and all the stars. Watching the way Radley spoke on the field taught me how much communication matters.

“It was really cool to watch and learn as much as I could.”

Luhrman learned even more from his superstar support network at Ipswich.

“I’ve been at Ipswich (SHS) since Year 7 and Josh Bretherton, Shane Harris and Don Dore, had all helped with the little things. Dore would always watch my training and give me tips after on how to keep a cool head. Bretho would always be the first person to ask if I’m alright and the first person to teach me new things at training. He did a lot for me.”

Ipswich SHS after the National Schoolboys Cup rugby league grand final against Patrician Brothers Fairfield. Picture: David Clark

Luhrman’s dad John was also signed with the Roosters and played representative league for Queensland.

“He’s been through what I’m going through. He helps me a lot, lets me do it myself and gives me advice when I need,” he said.

Luhrman said Jackson was always looking up on the blindside, counting numbers and communicating down the blind side.

“He’s a smart footy player who counts the splits and makes everyone’s job easier,” he said.

Jackson can play centre or fullback and is one to watch over the coming years.