Titans Schoolgirls Rugby League Grand Final: Meet players one through 19 from Ipswich SHS and Marsden SHS

Ipswich State High School and Marsden State High School will butt horns in the Titans Schoolgirls Rugby League Year 9/10 Division 1 Grand Final on Wednesday. Meet girls one through 19 from each team here.

Nick Tucker

4 min read

August 17, 2022 - 2:02PM

Ipswich SHS' Shalom Sauaso scores the semi-final match winner against Keebra Park to move onto the Grand Final

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Ipswich State High School five-eighth hero Shalom Sauaso will have to pack her cape as the Year 9/10 division 1 team journey to Southport to take on Marsden State High School in the Titans Schoolgirls Rugby League Grand Final.

Ipswich, with their tails up, will look to replicate familiar fantastic finishing in this Wednesday’s final, following a breathtaking 22-20 victory over Keebra Park in the semi final.

In what is Ipswich’s first grand final appearance at this level, they face a Marsden side in red hot form.

Marsden State High School's Year 9/10 division 1 team.

Ipswich’s coach Veronica White said: “We have to stick to our structures and watch their left side attack as they have dangerously quick backs out there. We have to mark them up and make sure they don’t run around us.”

“They (Ipswich, after their nail biting win over Keebra) just like to leave it to the last minute. Hopefully that won’t be the case tomorrow. It’s too nerve wracking for me.”

So what young women will be lacing up their boots for this year’s Grand Final?

The Ipswich State High School Year 9/10 division 1 team.

HERE’S THE TEAMS

Fullback:

Mercedes Taulelei-siala (Marsden)

Titans Schools League at Burleigh Bears Junior Rugby League. .Year 9/10 Division 1 girls: - Marymount v Marsden. Marsdens Mercedes Taulelei-siala breaks through. Picture Glenn Hampson

Taulelei-siala is Marsden’s captain. She is electric in attack and will lead from the front.

Pauline Moliga (Ipswich)

Ipswich State High School: Pauline Moliga.

Moliga, normally a centre, has been moved to fullback due to her strength in defence.

If Marsden makes any line breaks, She’ll be there making the cover tackles.

She’s a really powerful runner and a great finisher.

One of the key players for Ipswich.

Wing:

Rosa-Millian Fefono (Marsden)

Fefono is a strong defender always committed to achieving. Expect her to hold down the right edge.

Eloise Gill (Ipswich)

Ipswich State High School: Eloise Gill.

Gill has an AFL background, so you can trust her under the high ball. She’s been working hard on her defence as she is still new to the game.

Centres:

Leilani Taofinuu (Marsden)

Titans Cup rugby league preview. Leilani Taofinuu, 13 (Marsden) at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina. Picture: Jerad Williams

With a mix of strength and pace Taofinuu will be a weapon in the No.3 jersey.

She’s powerful in defence and elusive in attack.

Sissy Bekue (Ipswich)

Ipswich State High School: Sissy Bekue.

Bekue, usually in the No.6 jersey, will add another dimension in attack from the centres.

She uses her speed and stature to look after the bigger girls and is super illusive with ball in hand.

Maia Pakaru (Marsden)

Expect a few big hits from Pakaru. She’s a brutal defender.

Pania Powhira (Ipswich)

Ipswich State High School: Pania Powhira.

Powhira, a second-rower at heart, is a great ball runner. Defensively, she’s very strong.

She will shut up that right side defence.

Wing:

Roimata Tukaokao (Marsden)

Marsden State High School Year 9/10 division 1 schoolgirls in action during the season.

Tukaokao has speed to burn. Ipswich have to mark their wingers or else it is game over.

Tamika Brennan-Rowe (Ipswich)

Ipswich State High School: Tamike Brennan-Rowe.

Brennan-Rowe is the effort player. She works tirelessly and will be the loudest on the field.

Five-eighth:

Hawke Kahu (Marsden)

Kahu loves to take the line on. Watch her create opportunities out wide.

Shalom Sauaso (Ipswich)

Ipswich State High School: Shalom Sauaso.

The x-factor. The player to watch. If Sauaso shows up then Ipswich can run away with it.

The semi-final against Keebra Park is all the evidence you need.

White said “If you watch her before she got the ball, she was targeting that left side. Because of how powerful she is, it’s really hard to stop her when she gets going.”

Halfback:

Kylah Edmonds (Marsden)

Edmonds has unbelievable ball skills. In her locker—a great cut out pass.

Lishainah Ulugia (Ipswich)

Ipswich State High School: Lishainah Ulugia.

Ulugia returns to the line up for the big dance, having been out with a shoulder injury.

Ulugia and halves partner Shalom Sauaso play together at club level so they are familiar with each other’s games.

“They work hard and communicate well,” White said.

Prop:

Rina Francis (Marsden)

Marsden State High School Year 9/10 division 1 schoolgirls in action during the season.

Francis’ defensive presence is priceless. She is always there fronting up.

On the other side of the ball, expect her to march Marsden upfield with strong carries.

Lina Tanielu (Ipswich)

Ipswich State High School: Lina Tanielu.

Ipswich are lucky to have powerful prop Lina Tanielu. There’s no doubt she will rumble her team upfield. How far depends on whether Marsden is up to the challenge.

Hooker:

Chloe Rowe (Marsden)

Zhian Duley-Quinn and Chloe Rowe of u16 team Tonga Touch football cultural competition at Marsden SHS. Saturday November 20, 2021. Picture, John Gass

Rowe is all heart. She never gives up and that’s invaluable on stages like this.

Emily Pintegne (Ipswich)

Ipswich State High School: Emily Pintegne.

Pintegne is Ipswich’s big improver this year. She’s a great listener, always willing to learn and most importantly not afraid to tackle the bigger girls.

She’s going to be really important distributing the ball to the forward pack.