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Langer Cup: Potential star of the elite schoolboy competition – and it’s not a flashy back

This time last year the searchlights landed on Kirwan SHS speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and two years prior Marsden SHS’s Tesi Niu was on everyone’s lips? But this year one of the elite schoolboy competition’s potential stars is not a flashy back.

This time last year the searchlights landed on Kirwan SHS past student Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and two years prior Marsden SHS’s Tesi Niu was on everyone’s lips.

So who is one of the players to watch in this afternoon’s Langer Cup grand final? Well actually it is a prop forward and not a flashy back.

Xavier Willison, who will play front row for Palm Beach Currumbin SHS against Keebra Park SHS in the decider at Langlands Park, is one of the very fine prospects coming out of the Langer Cup/Payne Cup system this season.

Today’s four grand finals will be livestreamed at www.couriermail.com.au, the Gold Coast Bulletin and News affiliates.

RELATED LINKS

LANGER CUP TEAM OF THE YEAR

PLAYERS TO WATCH IN ALL FOUR GRAND FINALS

KLESE HAAS – ELIGIBLE FOR QUEENSLAND

WATCH THE SEMI-FINAL REPLAYS

When you think prop forwards and schoolboys, you think of a powerhouse unit dominating the ruck.

Defending champions Palm Beach Currumbin have Xavier Willison. Picture: Jerad Williams
Defending champions Palm Beach Currumbin have Xavier Willison. Picture: Jerad Williams

Willison is physically imposing because of his height as well as strength, but his athleticism out weights this brawn.

He is a ballplayer but in the defensive line his agility enables him to cover the inside or outside runner around the ruck.

Palm Beach Currumbin's Xavier Willison. Picture: Jerad Williams
Palm Beach Currumbin's Xavier Willison. Picture: Jerad Williams

From Hamilton in the Waikato region of New Zealand, WillIson moved to the Gold Coast in 2018 to attend PBC.

And one of his most valuable traits is seen away from game day.

RELATED LINKS

TITANS, MANLY SWOOP ON FOREST LAKE SHS

WAVELL SHS’S CAPTAIN HARD WORK

FIFITA MAGIC RUBS OFF ON MARSDEN TRIO BOUND FOR TITANS

MARSDEN SHS IN FOUR GRAND FINALS

“Xavier is really coachable and highly dedicated but the thing that is most noticeable with him is just how much he loves training,’’ said PBC SHS coach Brad Davis.

“He brings tonnes of energy to our training sessions and that rubs off on the players and also the coaches.’’

When he tore an ACL last season, his training ethic also came to the fore and his form this season was reward for his diligence in rehabilitation.

TODAY’S GRAND FINALS

1.30pm: DeVere Cup

Forest Lake SHS v Alexandra Hills SHS

2.45pm: Gee Cup

Coombabah SHS v Mabel Park SHS

4pm: Walters Cup

Marsden SHS v PBC SHS

5.15pm: Langer Cup

PBC SHS v Keebra Park SHS

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/questnews/sport/langer-cup-potential-star-of-the-elite-schoolboy-competition-and-its-not-a-flashy-back/news-story/3a27064704551a540c69f4feb45ebf20