Future NRL stars take to the field at 42nd Confraternity Carnival in Mackay
The Confraternity Carnival schoolboy carnival has featured some of the game’s greats in the past so we have revealed some of the top talents to watch at this year’s event in Mackay. SEE WHO MADE IT
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Some future NRL and State of Origin stars will be on show at the 42nd Confraternity Carnival schoolboy rugby league competition in Mackay next week so we have revealed the top talents to watch.
A total of 48 boys teams and nine girls teams from Catholic and independent schools around Queensland will be hosted by St Patrick’s College, Mackay and Mercy College from June 27 to July 1.
Eight Confraternity Carnival graduates are in the Queensland Maroons squad for game two of Origin, including Cameron Munster, Valentine Homes, Ben Hunt, Harry Grant, Corey Oats, Felise Kaufusi, Lindsay Collins and the injured Xavier Coats.
Confraternity Carnival graduate and Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans came from the host school of St Patrick’s College, Mackay.
So who are some of the young guns taking part in this year’s boys carnival?
We will also have some top talents to watch from the girls competition next week.
TOP 15 PLAYERS TO WATCH
Henry Teutau (Ignatius Park College)
Weighing in at about 115kg, Teutau is a prop with the speed of an outside back. The New Zealand product, who is contracted to the Cowboys, showed his skill when he steamrolled through Kirwan in the final minutes for a try that drew an Aaron Payne Cup match this month.
Lachlan Coburn (St Peter Claver College)
Lachlan Coburn is the youngest son of Danny Coburn – the most capped Ipswich Jet. His older brother, Tyler Coburn, is also a Claver Old Boy who has been playing really well for the Jets in cup the last few years.
Lachlan played Cyril Connel for the Jets this year at lock and hooker and was great in that competition.
Lachlan Stuart (St Peter Claver College)
Lachlan Stuart is a young halfback who is a a cracking rugby league player.
Stuart is competitive and cheeky with a great show and go and short kicking game.
The Mal Meninga preseason has helped him mature and has another year of Mal to come.
He is definitely one to watch at this year’s Carnival.
Nacollie Papua ( St Peter Claver College)
Nacollie Papua is a big, mobile middle or edge back rower.
He plays union for his club footy but is a powerful force in league as well. He is one of Claver’s captains and will lead by example with his uncompromising defence and dynamic ball running.
Matt Hill (St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon)
An electric fullback who scored one of the best tries of Confro last year. Hill is contracted to the Melbourne Storm and already features in the Capras’ impressive Under 21s team in the statewide competition, playing well against players several years older.
Henry Thorpe (St Patrick’s College, Mackay)
A utility player who has already linked with the Canberra Raiders for next year. The versatile Thorpe can play hooker or other positions that makes him vital for St Pat’s on-field chemistry. His brother Harry, a half, will also link with the Raiders next year.
Mitch Rogers (Padua College, Kedron)
An outstanding prospect who showed his skill on the rugby union field with perhaps the best individual try of the AIC season, producing two chip-and-chases in the one movement. A dangerous No. 9 who follows on the best traditions of Padua’s proud league history.
Tana Martin (The Cathedral College, Rockhampton)
The son of former Melbourne Storm premiership player Tony, Tana is a highly promising halfback who will be key to TCC’s hopes to going one better than their 2019 grand final loss. Martin is fast and a smart thinker on the field. His father is coaching TCC at Confro.
Jamal Shibasaki (Ignatius Park College)
A damaging backrower whose brother Gehamat played NRL for the Broncos and Knights. Shibasaki is also on a Broncos contract, showing his form for the Townsville Blackhawks Under 18 team. Shibasaki has speed and size.
Will Shears (St Patrick’s College, Mackay)
A quality fullback who has caught the eye in his various forms of junior representative football. Shears captained the Mackay Cutters’ Under 18 team this year. He can play centres and has even spent time at lock. Already contracted to North Queensland Cowboys.
Callan Campbell (St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon)
Regarded as one of the most underrated players in the Mal Meninga Cup competition in the halves for the Capras. Campbell will captain the St Brendan’s team in Confro and he will bring excellent knowledge of some rival players from his Meninga performances.
Bailey Nash (St Mary’s College, Toowoomba)
The strong-running centre will captain St Mary’s when he returns for his second Confraternity Carnival. Nash was impressive on the left side for the Western Clydesdales in the Mal Meninga Cup, showing skill in attack and defence.
Jet Daly (St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe)
The Shorncliffe skipper is back for his second Confraternity Carnival after showing his promise last season. A tireless backrower with some of the quickest feet among all forwards in the competition. He will be central to St Pat’s hopes of another big tournament.
Regan Payne (St Edmund’s College, Ipswich)
One of the finds of the recent Mal Meninga Cup for Ipswich Jets. A strong-running utility with a real appetite for defence. Payne is returning for his second Confraternity Carnival after excelling this season in St Edmund’s outstanding AIC rugby union season.
Ayden Hoad (Iona College, Lindum)
Another player who caught the eye in the Mal Meninga Cup Under 18 season. Playing for Wynnum Manly, Hoad did the job at hooker, lock, wing and centre such is his versatility. Growing in confidence and handed the co-captaincy for Iona in his second Confro appearance.
Darcy Carswell (St Mary’s College, Toowoomba)
Carswell was named in The Courier-Mail’s Mal Meninga Cup team of the season for his efforts for the Western Clydesdales. A prop with a serious work ethic, Carswell returns for his second Confro with the excellent preparation of a tough Meninga Cup campaign.
Xavier Kerrisk (St Patrick’s College, Mackay)
Named on the bench in The Courier-Mail’s Mal Meninga Cup team of the season, Kerrisk also featured in the Queensland Under 18 emerging Origin squad. Signed to the North Queensland Cowboys on a development contract, Kerrisk is another asset for a strong St Pat’s team.
Lachlan Magill (St Augustine’s College, Cairns)
The player-of-the-match as St Augustine’s took out last year’s NRL Schoolboy Trophy decider to give the Cairns school its first state league title in almost 30 years. Magill is a backrower with speed, size and good ball-handling skills. Also a hard worker in defence.
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