Emerging Reds Cup: The top performers from day three along with the award winners honouring the best of the best
Here’s 50+ schoolboy rugby players from all eight U14s years and U16s years teams honoured in various awards following the Emerging Reds Cup at Ballymore. All is revealed here, including the top pictures from day three.
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The Southeast Queensland Barbarians are still basking in the glory of their Under-16s side claiming the Buildcorp Emerging Reds Cup title at Ballymore Stadium on Thursday.
Wing Dylan Terblanche and No.8 Agapetos Lote-Felo, key players in the Barbarians team, were crowned the best back and forward respectively while in the Under-14s, flanker Hugh Stanbury (Brisbane Junior Rugby Union) was the crowned best forward.
The best back in the Under-14s was scrumhalf Tom Gibb who left his mark in the champion Brisbane White side that trumped all before them.
Gibb, Stanbury, Lote-Felo and Terblanche were among the top performers across the three day rugby bonanza at Ballymore.
Some of the others are honoured below in various awards, along with the players of the day who shone bright in Thursday’s blockbuster bouts.
EMERGING REDS CUP COVERAGE FROM DAY ONE AND TWO
EMERGING REDS CUP AWARD WINNERS
BEST TRY
It has to be Matt Johnston’s (Queensland Country Under-14s) day two effort when he sprung down the right touchline and dashed away 50m.
He then sent an incredible spiral pass back inside to Luke Sparke who took a good catch and planted the ball down.
It was magic but equally as impressive was Isaac Fidock’s 75m stunner against Queensland Country.
The SEQ fullback evaded two defenders with his footwork, kicked away and linked with Hemi Rakuita who put him in.
KICK OF THE TOURNAMENT
Luke Spark’s epic 50m boot downfield on day two that was regathered and scored by Jai Komene had to be the best.
It was a perfectly weighted kick, and the saying is a kick is only as good as the chase.
Country outside back Komene lived by that, reeleing the ball in and scoring under the sticks.
BEST CENTRE AWARD
Coming into the tournament there were whispers of a new Digby Ioane in town, and he made the most of his chances when they came.
The Brisbane White Under-14s centre scored three tries across the first two games and in the Under-16s Southeast Queensland outside centre Leo Fanuatanu could not have played any better.
With more opportunity, Tyler Lama (Country Under-14) had the potential to be very influential.
The very best of all was inside centre Pierre Poluleuligaga (Brisbane Grey Under-16s).
He was in everything across all three matches and as the week went on he got more and more involved.
THE BEST FLYING UNDER THE RADAR PLAYERS
Finn Bourne (Queensland Country Under-16s)
With a more than capable backline, goal kicking flyhalf Bourne was the perfect pass-first type that complimented the likes of Roldan Waike, Magnus Van Deventer, Noah Wright, Matt Johnston and Luke Sparke.
Zeki Langi (Brisbane White Under-16s)
The Brisbane State High lock was an excellent lineout operator and he played his role to perfection.
Finau Tafa (SEQ Under-14s)
The stoic Mabel Park State High student had a wonderful tournament pounding the line for the Barbarians and gaining parity with his strong runs forward.
He was one of the hardest hitting defenders as well, the No.8 a defensive workhorse in the Barbarians’ final match on Thursday.
Tai Henare (Country Under-14s)
The athletic blindside flanker did plenty of grunt work against big rivals and his defensive efforts did not go unnoticed.
He scored two tries on Monday and was a threat on both sides of the ball. On Thursday he made a cracking trysaver on Barbarians left wing Will Jessiman.
Tane’ Crampton (Brisbane White Under-14s)
What a pleasure it must have been for the White coaching staff to know they had a versatile, big bodied outside back that could kick goals up their sleeve.
The Nudgee College youngster was a selfless customer but you had a sense he could create something out of nothing.
MOST EXPLOSIVE
Rohan Nichol (SEQ Under-16s)
When Sunshine Coast Grammar flyhalf Rohan Nichol started to make his move towards the defence, alarm bells would have been ringing left, right and centre.
He is a two pronged threat capable of being a hard running midfielder or flyhalf who can challenge with his explosive carries.
Cezar-Mayn Leota (BJRU Under-14s)
No.8 Leota was one of the top players in the Under-14 pool. No one would have been shocked at his ability – he is the younger brother of Racing 92 bound prop Hopo Leota.
Young Cezar-Mayn impacted games as a dependable metre-eater.
Matei Otonuku (BJRU)
Explosive is the word that best describes the playstyle of Keebra Park SHS midfielder Matei Otonuku.
He ran hard and fast into the defence and his vicious ball carrying translated to the defensive end where he was one of the hardest hitters.
BEST MOBILE BIG MEN
Murrie Herrman and Elijah Nosa (Brisbane White Under-14s)
The mobile No.8 and utility respectively used their agility and speed to hustle forward around the breakdown, while using their body height to attack the ball when the young giants of their opposition marched forward.
They were top notch.
Malachi Figota (SEQ Under-16s)
The imposing flanker moved mountains with his carries and never went to ground without a fight.
He was a defensive brute as well.
Nelson Takai (Brisbane White Under-14s)
A highlight of Nelson Takai’s campaign was an incredible 20m surge towards the stripe to score on the final day, one of the tries of the tournament.
The powerful hooker left his mark on the hallowed Ballymore turf, that is for sure.
Craig Thaggard (SEQ Barbarians Under-16s)
A rough-and-tumble No.8, Thaggard used his big stature and power to bundle players into touch and pound the defensive line as an agile ball runner.
The Proserpine powerhouse scored a telling try on the cusp of half time for the Barbarians in their must win match against Country on Thursday when he was at his destructive best.
Agapetos Lote-Felo (SEQ Under-16s)
He was in the best team and consistently turned up at No.8, earning him the best forward of the tournament honours.
A hard worker, Lote-Felo was a quiet achiever that added an extra dimension to the SEQ side.
The long striding TSS student has pace too, Lote-Felo streaking away for a 60m special to put the exclamation mark on Thursday’s triumph.
BEST PLAYERS KEPT ON ICE
Bond Bradley (Brisbane White Under-16s)
The Brisbane White flyhalf saw less ball than usual given his side were often defending and it just wasn’t a big opportunity week for the White backs.
Franck Iraguha (Brisbane White Under-16s)
A powerhouse midfielder, Iraguha didn’t get too many opportunities to shine but he had a few nice moments in Wednesday’s match.
Malakaih Beals (Brisbane Grey Under-16s)
The Brisbane State High utility seemed to be a moment or two away from breaking free and had opposition defences not been so switched on, it would have been a different story.
He was steady.
THE BEST CATS OUT OF THE BAG
Tom Gibb (Brisbane White Under-14s)
Two sideline conversions (in the final game), crisp service and correct decision making.
What other traits could you possibly want out of a scrumhalf?
The Nudgee College youngster was top notch in his one half of action on Thursday and subsequently he was named the best back of the tournament.
Isaac Fidock (SEQ Barbarians Under-16s)
A fleet-footed fullback, Fidock was Dangerous with a Capital D.
The Somerset College student relished room to rove and few were more influential than the elusive Fidock.
Jack Calleja (SEQ Barbarians Under-16s)
The emergence of Jack Calleja continued at breakneck speed and he must be an automatic inclusion for the Queensland side.
His powerful runs and rugged defence complimented his lineout work well, the mountainous Calleja a complete second rower.
DISCOVER PLAYERS
Angus McLaughlin (SEQ Barbarians Under-14s)
The Gregory Terrace outside centre had a squeaky clean display across the three matches, influencing proceedings with his no-nonsense crash runs through the midfield.
There is something to work with there, McLaughlin a tough, uncompromising centre who not once went backwards in contact and always got SEQ over the gain line.
Keegan Cook (SEQ Barbarians Under-16s)
He won lineouts. He won the ball at the breakdown. He could create for others. What couldn’t he do?
The sprightly Toowoomba Grammar School openside flanker was very impressive.
Koby Kelland (Queensland Country Under 16s)
If you can’t grab him, he is away.
The Battery Hill halfback supremo knew when to go himself or when to feed his hungry teammates and he found that brilliant balance immediately.
Roldan Waike (Queensland Country Under-16s)
In all three matches, the Townsville Grammar winger did something good. He was small, but packed a real punch when he kept his body moving forward in contact.
A real dynamo.
ROOKIES ON THE RISE
Dylan Terblanche (SEQ Barbarians Under-16s)
The Barbarians winger or fullback would fit under any of these categories, especially hard yakka, because he works incredibly hard in the backfield.
A walk-in to the Reds Under-16s by the end of the tournament, the speedy Terblanche enhanced his reputation more and more each game by involving himself more than any ordinary wing would.
He was crowned the best back of the tournament.
Daniel De Swart (SEQ Barbarians Under-14s)
The SEQ right wing was hungry to get involved and when the ball shifted his way, Swardt ran the ball hard and fast.
He challenged defences with his speed as well and you could tell he knew rugby’s ins and outs.
Zaine Gurney (SEQ Barbarians Under-14s)
Out of productive rugby 7s school Miami State High, crafty flyhalf Zaine Gurney steered his side around and could pass well in both directions.
He sat back deep in the pocket and did a good job shifting the ball to each edge in the face of harassing defenders.
Will Heaton (BJRU)
The silky-smooth utility back played just like his older brother Ryan, one of the Norths Eagles best in Colts 1 this season.
He was a game defender and when he got his shot on the field, Heaton was a key man in BJRU’s backline plays.
He clearly has a high IQ and against champions Brisbane White he scored a try in a neat showing.
Neru Neueli (SEQ Barbarians Under-16s)
He has spiders on him this kid.
A right wing from Ipswich Grammar, Neueli was small in stature, a pocket rocket raring out wide.
Light on his feet, Neueli didn’t get much ball but when he did, especially on Thursday, he was lightning.
His schoolmate Remi Rakuita, who played fullback, was also an exciting customer.
Aiden Luke (Brisbane Grey Under-16s)
He scored four tries in 35 minutes of football in one game and in the others he was a rock-solid presence at hooker.
Nudgee College has churned out some elite hookers this decade and the tradition is not going to stop anytime soon with emerging No.2 Luke a strong performer throughout the week.
RAW TALENT AWARD
Hugh Stanbury (BJRU)
Stanbury had the most impact of any forward and the to-it-all Villanova College flanker could not have done more for his team if he tried.
He even kicked for touch and it was no surprise to see him honoured as the best forward of the tournament.
HARD YAKKA AWARD WINNERS
Connor Glen (BJRU)
The tall Ipswich Grammar lock was no flash dan but he did all the tough stuff and knew his role back to front.
He reeled in lineouts, took the ball forward and rarely made a mistake.
Danny Soloai (Brisbane White Under-14s)
Balmoral State High brute Danny Soloai was, as predicted, one of the hardest to stop from in close.
Quick off the mark and strong through the hips, Soloai and his Riverside teammate Joseph Keke were key cogs in the White pack.
Josh Claridge (Queensland Country Under-16s)
The team captain, Claridge led by example with his work rate while possessing the speed, handling skills and awareness to be an ever-present attacking threat.
He scored a cracker in Thursday’s must-win clash against SEQ when he caught the ball at his boot laces and stepped left to right before scoring.
Lane Edmonds (SEQ Barbarians Under-16s)
The Barbarians prop was just an inspiration with his work ethic.
An Ipswich Grammar student, Edmonds is part of an exciting young brigade coming through the ranks at the school and he got better and better across the week as a tall and tough loosehead.
Tom Wood (Brisbane White Under-16s)
The flame-haired flanker from Churchie was an all-or-nothing performer that had his best game on the final day.
He pulled off a spectacular trysaving tackle, was a threat at the breakdown and never stopped toiling.
22 OF THE TOP PERFORMERS FROM DAY THREE
QLD COUNTRY 36 def SEQ UNDER-14S 17
Toby Bretherton (Qld Country)
The pilfering Country lock maintained the rage across the week after being player of the match in the first game.
He scored the first try in this game and was busy, his carries getting the boys in blue onto the front foot.
The dashing second rower was arguably the best on ground, Bretherton’s lineout dependability a highlight.
Will Caro (SEQ Barbarians)
The tough lock was a handful from close range, a prime mover across all three of SEQ’s matches.
He had a knack for scoring and was a great team man.
He scored two tries in this one and was involved in everything.
Tyler Lama (Qld Country)
Coomera Crushers utility back Tyler Lama finished the ERC with a bang, scoring a try on the cusp of half time to hand Country a 12-10 lead.
Earlier on Lama made a 30m dash down the right edge and he threatened with his jinking footwork across the game.
Zac Zeremes (Qld Country)
The ever-present fullback finished a superb campaign in style with a dozen of halfbreaks, a handful of good kicks and a telling support line that drew defenders away from Bradley Ramsay-Cameron who dummied left towards Zeremes to score.
Zeremes was a handy goalkicker as well which added to his bag of tricks that also features a damaging running game.
In this 21-point victory he slotted two sideline conversions and dabbed in a perfect cross field kick that put Coby Hill in for a try.
Tai Henare (Qld Country)
He was Mr Hard work and was awarded the man of the match award because of it.
He was a gutsy defender, someone his teammates could rely on and in attack he offered plenty with his agility, physicality and ability to play the ball back quickly a great starting point for the Country attack.
Patrick Fanning (SEQ Barbarians)
Fanning made a mistake or two but despite this he was still very impressive.
He was dangerous, a versatile type who got on the outside of his opponents with his turn of foot and could see, and pounce on, where the space was from fullback.
He made the dash that led Kaiya Tafea’s try on the cusp of time and when he had room to move, he made the most of it.
BRISBANE WHITE 38 def BJRU UNDER-14S 12
Nelson Takai (Brisbane White)
The mobile big man flexed his muscles scoring a fabulous individual try in the second half after he shrugged off defenders and powered towards the stripe.
Before this, the Brisbane State High hooker was a force to be reckoned with on both sides of the ball.
Kobe Te Kiri (BJRU)
His speed and quality of service was to be admired.
The scrumhalf played the entire match and his standards never dropped, Te Kiri giving his ball runners superb service.
Kolby Walters (Brisbane White)
There’s little wonder Walters was awarded man of the match.
His finesse, vision and passing skills created Brisbane White’s backline success.
In the first half watching fullback Walters, flyhalf Billy Gough and inside centre Josh Andrews connect was mesmerising and Walters upped the ante in the second half when he implemented his running game.
Elijah Nosa (Brisbane White)
He just had to be mentioned here. After all, his prime positioning and strength saw him snare two early tries.
He then shifted into the centres where he defended astutely.
His buddy Manamo’ui Toia was damaging as well with limited touches.
Chris Manu (BJRU)
He epitomised BJRU’s epic effort that tested Brisbane White from start to finish.
A big bopper from the Magpies, Manu moved mountains in close quarter battle with his pick-and-drives and his tireless efforts were rewarded when he muscled his way over in the second half for a try.
SOUTHEAST QUEENSLAND 45 def QUEENSLAND COUNTRY UNDER-16S 26
Luke Sparke (QLD Country)
Sparks flew again on Thursday when Country fullback Luke Sparke dazzled in the first half.
In the second stanza he was well contained but his darts from fullback and incursions from the backfield were everything in his team’s effort.
Hemi Rakuita (SEQ Barbarians)
He was relatively quiet on Monday and Wednesday but Thursday he had a positive impact with every touch.
A classy customer, Rakuita was always in support, loomed a big counter attacking threat and he was always looking for an offload.
He is promising.
Isaac Fidock (SEQ Barbarians)
Fidock was the most feared outside back at this tournament.
A real game-changer, Fidock saw space and took it – more often than not crossing himself or putting a teammate over for a try.
He isn’t big but he used that to his advantage to weasel through little gaps, Fidock scoring one try and setting up another in this contest.
Craig Thaggard (SEQ Barbarians)
The Barbarians backrower was an absolute handful. He scored two tries and was involved in the lead up of the another try.
You could tell by the grimace on his face and the dirtiness of his jersey at full-time that he’d done everything in his power to ensure SEQ were crowned champions.
Kobi Nouanrasy (SEQ Barbarians)
The King’s Christian College flanker turned scrumhalf had a genuine impact when he came on for the second half.
He challenged the Country defence around the breakdown with his scheming runs, his passing was of a high standard and he even snared a breakdown penalty with a timely pilfer in the second half.
Rupeni Baravilala (SEQ Barbarians)
Hats off to whoever has to clean Baravilala’s jersey.
The tireless lock worked his backside off on both sides of the ball and did the tough stuff that allowed his backs to flourish.
The Toowoomba Grammar enforcer was named player of the match.
BRISBANE GREY 50 def BRISBANE WHITE 7
Tyler Riddell (Brisbane Grey)
The Brisbane Grey hooker held up his end of the bargain, and more, in an enterprising first half of footy by Brisbane Grey.
He touched the ball more in one half than he usually would in a full game with his pick-and-drives, offloads and tough carries around the halfway mark getting his side rolling forward.
Tyrece Herniman (Brisbane Grey)
Before being subbed off for a rest midway through the second half, the boundless loosehead prop was in everything.
Indeed the prolific Brisbane State High Year 11 scored a beauty after making a break down the left edge.
Alfie Bowman (Brisbane White)
He didn’t get a chance to show his running game but he demanded praise for that box kick of his.
Alfie Bowman’s passing was spot on as well.
Pierre Poluleuligaga (Brisbane Grey)
The revered inside centre was one of the best in open space and whenever he had the ball you sensed he was going to make something of it.
A Nudgee College Year 10 student, Poluleuligaga was a more polished ball playing and crash running inside centre this time around after a solid display at the 2023 tournament.
Angus Underwood (Brisbane Grey)
The Churchie fullback or flyhalf finished the ERC on a high note with a very impressive showing.
Playing as a flyhalf and sporting bright pink headgear, Underwood’s short kicking game, passing game, awareness of space and goalkicking paved the way for a big scoreline.
His moment of magic came when he and Taj Cook exchanged passes before a fantastic flick by Underwood, with defenders draped over him, put Chaz Nicoll in for a stunning try.
He was man of the match, of course.
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