Keano Kini and Karl Oloapu share Justin Hodges Medal for Langer Player of the Year

Queensland’s two hottest NRL schoolboy league talents have shared the 2022 Langer Trophy Justin Hodges Player of the Year award. Revealed here.

Joint Justin Hodges Medal winners - Karl Oloapu of Wavell SHS, left, and Keano Kini.

Queensland’s two hottest NRL schoolboy talents have shared the 2022 Langer Trophy Justin Hodges Medal Player of the Year award.

Palm Beach Currumbin SHS fullback Keano Kini and Wavell SHS halve Karl Oloapu shared the award which is named in honour of champion ex-Brisbane Broncos and Queensland centre Justin Hodges.

It is the second successive year Kini has received the award after sharing it last season with Marsden SHS captain Chris Faagutu.

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“I’m very humbled by the award and it’s a credit to my team and coaching staff at Palm Beach Currumbin SHS,’’ Kini said.

“It all doesn’t happen without the support and guidance from them. Also, making my family proud is the most important thing to me.’’

PBC SHS’s Keano Kini scores a try. Picture: Liam Kidston

Kini, a fullback, is such a good player that the Gold Coast Titans have ushered him straight into the club’s top 30 NRL squad, a rare promotion for a Year 12 school leaver.

Oloapu, a five-eighth, is so impressive he actually pipped Kini to win the Player of the Tournament at the national schoolboy championships during July.

Wavell SHS's Karl Oloapu with his Justin Hodges Medal.

“I am extremely grateful and blessed to have been given this award’’, Oloapu said.

“I couldn’t have done it without this amazing school.’’

Kini won Queensland’s best player but Oloapu the best player overall.

Both boys were named in the Australian schoolboys side.

Karl Oloapu playing for the Queensland schoolboys this year. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Kini said it was an honour to share the award with Oloapu

‘Karl is a special player whom everyone in and out of the comp has respect for,’’ Kini said.

“He’s humble off the field and on which shows what type of person he is.

“His skill for his size and defence is crazy and to play with him for schoolboys was awesome. He’s definitely deserving of the award also.’’

PBC SHS Keano Kini on the move this year.. Picture: Liam Kidston

Although he is a halve, Oloapu showed an extra string to his bow by playing out of position at No.13 where he excelled with his involvement, including scoring a magnificent try in the grand final.

Kini was signed by the Titans after being spotted playing touch football in Auckland in 2020, and he spent the last two seasons under Tim Maccan at PBC SHS.

QLD's Keano Kini playing this year.

An explosive runner on either side of the ruck or down the middle, Kini can also ball play like an extra half.

He took his game to another level this season after spending the off-season training with the Titans and receiving personal sprint coaching.

“Being in the PBC SHS system has given me an introduction to how far I can take my football,’’ he said.

“The culture is awesome and the coaches really drive high standards on and off the field.

“The coaching staff have been fantastic for me ou’re the past a years and Mr Maccan, Mr Patison, Mr Don and Mr Johnstone have all been a huge help in my rugby league journey. They have also taught me some great life skills along the way.’’

Karl Oloapu playing for the Broncos feeder side, Norths Devils, this is against his old club, Redcliffe Dolphins in Meninga Cup. Picture, John Gass

Oloapu is a Redcliffe Dolphins junior who received expert tutoring at Wavell SHS where he was coached by Dolphins champion, 250 game veteran Mick Roberts.

Although he is contracted to the Brisbane Broncos as a development player and will be a top 30 squad member by 2024, Oloapu was seeking a release to be put back on the open market.

Oloapu has a smattering of Benji Marshall about him, the way he attacks with his pace and footwork, and creates chances for his teammates.

Wavell SHS coach Mick Roberts with Karl Oloapu. Picture: Liam Kidston

With short or long balls he can peel open the oppositions defence, all the while having an ability to take the line on with pace, a step and power.

He scored a powerhouse try for the Queensland Schoolboys which was the mirror image of something Wally Lewis would do, and during the season scored an extraordinary 30m try from a standing start after fumbling a pass behind him, picking up the ball and then putting on the after burners.

It was a mini version of the try scored by St George champion Ted Goodwin in the 1977 grand final.

A sight for sore eyes - Karl Oloapu as a Redcliffe Dolphins player. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Hodges, who retired in 2015 after the Broncos’ grand final loss to the Cowboys, played 254 NRL games, 24 State of Origins and 13 Tests.

Meanwhile, the Gold Coast Titans continued to give opportunities to local talent by signing PBC SHS prop Isaiah Scanlan.

Scanlan was a teammate of Kini for the last two seasons at PBC SHS.

The Titans already have Coast kids Kini (PBC SHS), Arama Hau (Keebra Park, Qld, Aust schoolboys), Wailer Whaiapu (Keebra Park), Zane Harrison (PBC SHS), Seth Nikotemo (Keebra Park SHS, Qld schoolboys lock), Immanuel Kalekale (Keebra Park SHS, Qld schoolboys prop), EJ Finau (Keebra Park), Tyrell Waaka-Rhind (Keebra Park, hooker), Jeremaiah Tamepo (Keebra Park SHS winger), Izayah Petricevich (Coombabah SHS), Ryan McCann (Coombabah SHS, centre) and Tanu Nona (PBC SHS, hooker) on their books.

They also have the best prop in the Langer Trophy, Josiah Pahulu (Ipswich SHS) and Taelon Te Whiu Hopa (Marsden SHS, utility forward), Will Semu (Marsden SHS, centre).

QLD player Karl Oloapu looks to pop a pass. Picture: Liam Kidston