Langer Trophy livestream: Alex Leapai junior’s NRL dream for dad
Sydney Roosters signing Alex Leapai junior reveals his NRL dream is inspired by his dad – a former world heavyweight boxing contender – as the Year 10 student gears up for action in one of four Langer Trophy games to be livestreamed today.
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Former world heavyweight boxing contender Alex Leapai never played in the NRL, but his schoolboy son has ambitions to do just that in honour of his father.
Leapai junior is a boom rookie for the Langer Trophy minnows Mabel Park SHS who play big brother Marsden SHS in schoolboy league action to be livestreamed today at www.couriermail.com.au
A year 10 student, the 193cm tall, 118kg prop has been signed by the Sydney Roosters and hopes to one day play in the NRL - for himself but also for his father.
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WATCH ALL ROUND 2 REPLAYS HERE
Like dad, junior Leapai can box. “I love it (boxing) and I believe I could do it, but my dad’s dream was to be an NRL player and I want to live that dream as well - for my dad,’’ he said.
When Alex Leapai senior was a schoolboy at Woodridge SHS he signed a North Queensland scholarship, but he never got to first base with the Cowboys.
Playing a junior game for Wynnun Manly Seagulls, he was handed a long suspension for his role in a field brawl.
By his own admission, Leapai senior spun out of control before he turned his life - but only after six months in jail for grievous bodily harm following a fight with two hotel bouncers.
He rose to earn the nickname Lionheart in a decorated boxing career, and his road to redemption included visiting Logan City schools urging children to study and work hard, and not do what he once did.
He inspired Logan students on those visits and now he inspires his son.
“My dad had a really big impact in my life, physically and mentally, getting me up, training me every day,’’ Leapai junior said.
“He never misses a game and is always about the truth, not about lies.
“He is always up me if I have done something wrong which makes me a better player, a man, a better person.
“I used to be a really big kid but dad helped me out. He could see I was not confident in myself.
“So I guess he believed in me, just like Lee Addison (Mabel Park coach).
“It (dad’s confidence in him) has helped me through the years to get me to where I am.’’
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His training regimen includes morning and night sessions, including pad work in a home gym and road runs. “Dad drives in the car next to me,’’ Leapai junior said.
“He runs sometimes but mostly drives in the car.’’
Just as dad is an inspiration, so too is his father’s cousin, Queensland Origin great Josh Papalii.
“He is a big inspiration in my life. To see one of my uncles up there rev’s me up to be the same as him.
“I never trained with uncle Josh, but I remember dad training him and I remember hoping one day I could be like that.’’
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ROUND 4 REPLAY, WAVELL V MABEL PARK SHS
ROUND 4 REPLAY, IPSWICH V COOMBABAH SHS
WEDNESDAY
LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE
PBC SHS v Keebra Park SHS
3.30pm: Langer Res
4.30pm: Walters Cup
5.30: Langer Trophy
Wavell SHS v Ipswich SHS
3.30pm: Langer Res
4.30: Walters Cup
5.30: Langer Trophy
Marsden SHS v Mabel Park SHS
3pm: Langer Res
4pm” Walters Cup
5pm: Langer trophy
Coombabah v Forest Lake SHS
3.30pm: Walters Cup
Coombabah SHS v St Mary’s College
4.30pm: Langer Trophy
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