Gold Coast Titans sign gun schoolboy via 7900km journey
A Logan schoolboy likened to a mini David Fifita has completed an amazing 7900km journey with a contract for the Gold Coast Titans. We take a look at him, plus 30 of the club’s top junior signings.
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The Gold Coast Titans have signed a boom Wynnum Manly Seagulls under-16 player as the club continues to build from within by scooping up elite local teenage talent.
Hot on the heels of the Titans snaring boom Logan Brothers junior Alex Leapai from the Sydney Roosters, Majah-Jose Peachey has been snared by the Coast club after impressing as a left edge rugby league runaway in this season’s Connell Challenge under-16s.
Peachey, who also attends the same school as Leapai – Logan-based school Mabel Park SHS – has burst onto the local scene after arriving in Logan last spring year from Western Australia where he played in the local under 15 competition.
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Peachey is originally from the small New Zealand country town of Dannevirke, 200km north of Wellington on New Zealand’s North Island.
It has taken 7900km from Dannevirke to Wellington to Perth and onto Logan City, but 15-year-old Peachey now has a cherished opportunity to further his rugby league career.
Peachey is a little like a young David Fifita, the type of player that will have spectators scrambling for their program to check who he is, such is his impact in either attack or defence.
Peachey’s development is sure to be enhanced over the next three years when he plays in the powerful Broncos-sponsored schoolboy competitions, whether it is within his age group (Walters Cup) or in the senior competition (Langer Trophy).
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Peachey’s signing continues the Coast’s impressive recruitment of exciting teenage talent from the Gold Coast, Logan City, Ipswich and northern NSW catchments.
Such is the build-up of local talent flooding the Titans ranks, it is not an outrageous to suggest the club, which currently enjoys top eight billing in the NRL, could field an all-Queensland (and Northern Rivers) NRL team later this decade.
Already the current Titans NRL squad includes Queensland talent: AJ Brimson, Alofiana Khan-Pereira, Phil Sami, Jojo Fifita, Tanah Boyd, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Beau Fermor, Jayden Campbell, Moeaki Fotuaika, Toby Sexton, Klese Haas, Treymain Spry, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Tony Francis plus 2022 Australian schoolboys Josiah Pahulu and Keano Kini.
Also in the NRL top squad were ex-Palm Beach Currumbin SHS champion halfback Tom Weaver (Cudgen) and Northern Rivers talent Brian Kelly (Ballina).
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To give supporters a taste of talent coming the way of Titans’ fans, below we name a Future’s Dream Squad made up of Queensland or northern NSW talent currently on the club’s books.
Ray Puru
Invited to attend the QRL’s positional skills training camps this month, PBC SHS talent Puru is the type of excitement machine who has league spectators inching forward on their seats when the ball heads in his direction.
Matthew Barrow
A Titans contracted Jimboomba local who has a great work ethic, Barrow is always there to take the tough carries early in the sets. He plays wing, but he plays it tough.
Sam Stephenson
A big, bustling, bumping runner on the edge, Stephenson has been recognised by the QRL as a player of the future by being included in the positional skills training camps being staged this month.
Sunny Kama
A schoolboy prodigy from Keebra Park SHS, Kama is a powerful running outside back who isn’t afraid of doing the tough stuff coming out of trouble. He had a good season for Burleigh and frequently broke tackles
Izayah Petricevich
The quicksilver Izayah Petricevich will be that much older and wiser during the 2023 Langer Trophy school season with Marsden SHS after gaining valuable experience playing with Coombabah SHS in last season’s competition.
Ryder Williams (Keebra Park SHS)
Williams is a classy, a big framed halfback who can beat defenders by running or passing. He was so highly thought of at Keebra Park SHS last year, he was included in the school’s extended senior squad for the semi-finals. He is the son of ex-NRL player Jason Williams.
Zane Harrison (PBC SHS)
We were all mesmerised last season by PBC SHS’s left side when Queensland schoolboys halve Joshua Lynn teamed with the brilliant Keano Kini. But on the right side was this rookie half who controlled play with passing, deft kicks or runs – despite being a junior member (Year 11) of the side.
Viliame Fifita
The brother of current Titans NRL player Jo Jo, Fifita is a front row dynamo making his way through The Southport School.
Dahnte Te Whiu-Hopa
A tall, mobile middle forward or edge forward who attends Marsden SHS. There is a lot of water to go under the bridge, but this kid is one of the more promising rookies on the Titans junior list. His brother Taelon is also a fair talent once he gets his focus on footy.
Seth Nikotemo
Nikotemo was a member of last season’s crack Queensland schoolboys side and a leader of Keebra Park SHS’s largely successful Langer Trophy campaign. His personality also dovetails with the type of people the Titans like to bring into their club.
Arama Hau
Hau is a real wildcard and it would not surprise to see him playing NRL within 18 months. He is a big unit with all the skills, an aggressive wide runner or mobile No. 13 who was also a member of the championship winning Queensland schoolboys last season.
Immanuel Kalekale
A big, powerful bearded prop. Kalekale was to the forefront of Queensland’s success at last season’s ARSSL championships. He was a ruthless go forward prop who was intimidated by no one.
Tanu Nona
Nona is a fleet-a-foot dummy half who originally hails from the Torres Straits but who has spent his formative years enjoying life – and learning rugby league – at Palm Beach Currumbin SHS.
Joseph Shannon
Shannon is a match-hardened middle forward who has been on the Titans’ radar all through the junior ranks.
Nelson Makaafi
A boom Gold Coast schoolboy talent last season made the Queensland under 15 schoolboy No. 1 side. He is a big, mobile forward who can play edge or middle.
Cooper Bai
The son of former Melbourne Storm premiership winner Marcus Bai, Cooper is a real rip and tear No. 13 or edge talent from Marymount College. He is coming off an excellent season for Burleigh’s Meninga Cup side.
Kaleb Smith
The Queensland under 15 schoolboys represented is ball playing middle forward who is tough and tenacious.
Wailer Whaiapu
Whaiapu made his Langer Trophy debut as a Year 10 student in 2021 and will be one of his school team’s elder statesmen this year with Keebra Park. Initially a defensive work horse, he has developed his running game which complements his silky ball skills in attack.
Isaiah Scanlan
What you see is what you get from Scanlan, a no-frills, hard working middle. He is a schoolboys championship winner with Palm Beach Currumbin who does plenty of overtime on the field without ever seeking a bonus.
Blake Forder
Tall and lean, watch for Forder to light up the school season playing with PBC SHS this season. He has pace to burn and is prepared to work hard for his team with scurrying runs at the defensive end of the field.
Will Semu
Semu has been in Titans programs since Year 9 at Marsden SHS. He is a centre or edge forward who, when his confidence is up, can really make an impact on matches.
Nick Hilton
A big, powerful mobile middle forward who spent three seasons in The Southport School’s First XV rugby side. There were times when he looked like a man among boys in his age group
Other extremely promising rookies include hooker Nayte Saaga, hard working prop Jack Schmidt, the impressive Jack Finigan, edge forward Taylan To’a, the high achieving Burleigh Bears’ Zac Kumbamong, the dependable Riley Buchanan, Marymount forward product Oscar Laffranchi (son of Anthony), plus Beau Hartmann, Ryan Johnson and Jimmy McCombie.
Then there is the likes of winger Jeremaiah Tempo, exciting centre Antioch Faitala-Mariner, the shrewd half Max Liles, Burleigh Bears’ back rower Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu and Jeriah Vagana, the cousin of ex-NRL star Nigel.
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