Langer Trophy Players to Watch 2025 – the young stars ready to come out to play
This is your ultimate guide to the 36 must-watch players as Queensland’s elite rugby league schoolboys battle it out for Langer Trophy glory.
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The Langer Trophy competition is just around the corner, with round one scheduled for June 3-4.
This publication and all News Corp Australia digital mastheads will again be your home of NRL National Schoolboy and Schoolgirl Cup rugby league competitions.
All games will be exclusively livestreamed via Kommunity TV.
ROUND 1
Tuesday, June 3
Wavell SHS v Ipswich SHS
Wednesday, June 4
Stretton State College v Marsden SHS
Mabel Park SHS v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS
Langer Trophy: Keebra Park SHS v Redcliffe SHS
So who are the elite Players to Watch in the Brisbane Broncos-sponsored competition?
LANGER TROPHY PLAYERS TO WATCH
PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN SHS
Taj Lateo
As a halve money can’t buy experience, and Lateo has been gathering knowledge, snowballing and banking up things learnt from watch past PBC SHS aces Zane Harrison, Zane Harrison and Josh Lynn – all the while playing beside current half ace Marley McLaren who is unfortunately injured.
Lateo was the senior half when McLaren went down injured during the 2023 Walters Cup season, and he will be the senior half again where his calming influence, straightening of the attack and organisation will be key to the Reds defence of its title.
Antonio Verhoeven
A naturally gifted athlete, you get the impression Verhoeven would be just as comfortable in track and field competition.
The tall centre is explosive and can slip through the slimmest of gaps to find open space.
Signed by the Broncos from the South Island of New Zealand, the Bede College original could be one of the next big things.
Marley Igasan and Torino Jackson
Broncos-signed until 2026, Igasan was a 2025 premiership squad member who advanced his game further this season by being the Rock of Gibraltar of the Burleigh Bears grand final winning pack.
Fortified by headgear, in many ways Igasan is the model PBC SHS forward who works hard and does the little things so well in the middle.
Similar to Igasan is fellow front row bookend Torino Jackson, who this week made the Queensland schoolboys side.
Signed by the Gold Coast Titans from New Zealand, Jackson will be PBC SHS’s forward leader this season.
Wildcard watch: Kobi Hauraki
They make them tough at Whangarei Boys High. That is where this hardened No.13 did his schooling prior to relocating to PBC SHS following his recruitment to the Gold Coast Titans. He will own the middle – while also providing nice variation with his passes. Also put a watch on prop Josiah Fa’aoso.
MARSDEN SHS
Tupou Francis
An elite Brisbane Broncos signing, No.13 Francis has had one wild ride this season – let’s hope the kid has a damn good rest between now and Langer Trophy round one – because he needs it.
Supreme as a young leader in last year’s undermanned Marsden SHS side, Francis had a booming 2025 Connell Cup campaign for Burleigh – and then was immediately pitched into his club’s successful finals’ campaign in the Meninga Cup.
Then this week Francis played his way into the Queensland schoolboys side.
He needs some good nights of sleep between now and June 4.
Hayden Watson
Watson has been atop the wave of success for several season’s now and is showing no signs of falling off.
The Player of the Championships at the QRSS state titles this week, Watson has been slaying opponents as either a half or hooker across school and club competitions.
Off the back of momentum, he can take a game by the scruff of the neck and shake the living daylights out of it.
When Watson runs the ball, you can see he was once an elite touch football player.
Oh, did we mention he was also a deadeye when it came to goal kicking?
Adaquix-Jeremiah Watts-Luke
An explosive fullback talent, the Dolphins signed Watts-Luke could be anything. The son of New Zealand Test great and South Sydney champion Issac Luke, Watts-Luke has that electric, dynamic movement similar to the 2024 Australian schoolboys fullback Mason Barber (Keebra Park) or former Canberra Raiders ace Brett Mullins. He is a special athlete.
Taylan To’a
Signed by the Titans, second rower To’a missed chunks of last season with injury. But if he can string the season together, watch for him to add a dimension to the Marsden SHS attack.
Importantly he is match conditioned after a strong season with Tweed Seagulls.
To’a was named in the Queensland schoolboys this season.
Wildcard watch: Grayson or Nikorima Wharakura
Fullback Grayson will plough through the middle like an extra front row forward, while prop Nik will be a big, tall and athletic body who will specialise down the middle of the field.
KEEBRA PARK SHS
David Bryenton
The wonder boy himself is fresh from being named in the Queensland schoolboys side this week.
With a killer step, withering speed and the balance of a ballerina, the New Zealand born rookie bound for the Broncos has it all.
Importantly for a kid so skilled and highly touted, he has a down to earth demeanour.
Joseph Tupuse
A left centre ace, Tupuse can beat an opponent with strength or pace, and makes his presence felt in defence. Signed by the Broncos, Tupuse is a high class prospect who can impact matches without or without his side going forward.
Siosaia Poese
Fast and raw, this nimble outside back is a supreme athlete. Importantly, he has been toughened up by the recent Meninga Cup season when he would run the ball into the teeth of the competition’s most grizzly opponents playing for Souths Logan.
He stood up to that rigorous season, and will be match hardened entering the season.
He will also have sky high morale after making the Queensland schoolboys side.
Israel Lotaki
Lotaki’s game breaking footwork and speed has helped catapult him into the Queensland Schoolboys side as a Year 11 student. A Renouf Shield and Walters Cup premiership winner, he was unlocked as a fullback in last year’s Year 10 competition but will likely play centre given David Bryenton’s presence.
Wildcard watch: Cornelius Kelsall
A freakish talent from Melbourne, the Dolphins signed fullback or five-eight can smash a game open with his explosive attack.
IPSWICH SHS
Xzavier Timoteo
Ipswich’s SHS battleship, this explosive front rower will leave nothing in the tank. Is there anyone in the competition who runs harder or with more venom than Timoteo, the proud Ipswich SHS captain who has been signed by the judicious Roosters.
Do you know the saying “he’d run through a brick wall’’? That saying was made with Timoteo in mind.
Ipswich SHS would not swap the recent Queensland schoolboys selection for anyone.
Tom Parker (Ipswich SHS)
Mr Versatile himself, the fullback, five-eight, centre or winger takes on the role of a senior player in the Ipswich side this season.
A clever creator, he also has the razzle and the dazzle to threaten teams when he runs the ball.
Tomu Cook (Ipswich SHS)
The centre powerhouse is Dynamic with a capital D. Recently upgraded by the Broncos, the kid was Souths Logan’s best player during the Connell Cup and will charge into the season as one of Ipswich SHS’s prime movers from either the defensive or attacking ends of the field.
Wildcard watch Tiger Campbell
Halfback Campbell has arrived at Ipswich SHS from St Edmund’s College where he will test himself in the No.1 schoolboy competition in the nation. The goal kicking No.7 is an Ipswich Jets junior who is street smart. Also put a watch on Innocent Baruani, an under age Ipswich second rower with the silky skills of a five-eight. Baruani also runs telling lines with the ball and quells opposition attacking raids with his thumping defence.
MABEL PARK SHS
Dean Tauaa
Attention Mabel Park fans – you are entitled to get excited.
Mabel Park has one of the very, very elite players in the competition in this fast emerging left centre.
Signed by the Broncos, Tauaa was explosive for Wynnum Manly during the recent Meninga Cup.
There were times when he looked like a man among boys, having obviously benefited from off season conditioning under the watch of the Broncos’ staff.
Big and strong, he has explosive power and acceleration and really did look a class above when he played in the Connell Cup.
Ezra Leota
Leota is a lightning dummy half who can swing momentum his team’s way given the slightest opportunity around the ruck.
This week he was named in the Queensland schoolboys side, a huge honour given the quality of No.9s at the QRSS championships.
Leota is also a person of character. In 2023-24, he made the hard season to leave his comfort zone and his family, training and playing with Parramatta on the off chance of playing junior reps. He is an old fashioned Logan kid with a competitive spirit – no doubt fertilised by playing backyard matches with his twin brother Natu.
Duquan Talaepa
Mabel Park SHS’s spiritual leader, second rower Talaepa is a smashing edge talent who is a physical presence on both sides of the ball. A Queensland schoolboy selection earlier this week, Talaepa is an extraordinary character in that he grew up around the Redcliffe Peninsula, but who moved schools to Logan’s Mabel Park SHS for the benefit of his rugby league.
He is Mabel Park SHS to the core and will lead by example.
Majah-Jose Peachey
Peachey will be at the peak of his powers after a bumper off-season and then club campaign (Connell Cup) with Wynnum Manly.
A power edge forward, his strength, footwork and agility around the ruck make him a genuine impact player.
He played Langer last season, but Peachey will be ready to up the ante in 2025. He doesn’t have to do anything special – just play to his ability and that will be good enough.
Wildcard watch: Quinn Timperon
The Meninga Cup Try of the Season recipient, the flying winger enters the season full of confidence and knowing his coach Ben Weston trusts and believes in him. There isn’t a better feeling for a player than that.
WAVELL SHS
Jared Horne
This week selected in the Queensland schoolboys side, Horne is someone the Broncos supporters should be well pleased about having in the club’s academy system.
A back row forwards in the Langer Trophy since Year 10, Horne’s defence and smart decision making, along with his leadership and personality, make him the full package. He’s the type of kid the Broncos need in their NRL squad later this decade.
Sangstar-Saulala Figota
Originally from Auckland and once signed by the Roosters, the Dolphins junior recruit is elusive as a fullback.
He will simply be fun to watch this season.
Injured for much of last season’s school season, Figota is as fit as a fiddle and is coming off Queensland schoolboy selection.
Watch for his fancy feet and power.
Charlie Webb
Passionate and fiercely competitive, Webb has all the skills a halfback needs to possess. Just ask the Sydney Roosters who have signed him.
He has a sprinkle of x-factor and is as tough as an old boot in defence.
When Webb spots a chance, he has the speed to take advantage of tired bodies.
Webb has an old footy head on young shoulders who would have benefited from the summer season playing Harold Matthews Cup (NSWRL U17s).
Wildcard watch: Timahna Tandy
Watch for this halfback whiz kid to be even better in his second season. Last year’s Langer competition was a huge step up in class for the southern Darling Downs junior, but he handled expertly and once kicked a thrilling sideline conversion after the siren to win a match.
That being said, you sense he has even more in the tank for 2025.
REDCLIFFE SHS
Cody Starr
Starr is the best big man in the business who thoroughly deserved his selection this week in the Queensland schoolboys side. He rumbles forward, using his 2m frame and reach to advantage. The big bloke can also land on his stomach and give his little forwards like Nate Berrigan and Amare Wynyard a chance to attack.
Starr will be looking to make up for lost time after missing most of last season’s Langer Trophy campaign.
Nate Berrigan
Another ace who missed too many 2024 Langer games to mention, Berrigan is back, baby.
He is a dynamic No.13 best used down the middle where his explosive acceleration tips momentum in his team’s favour.
But the x-factor forward can also play second rower and hooker at a pinch, although Redcliffe were well served in the No.9 department courtesy of Amare Wynyard and Cohen Cochran.
The son of former NRL hooker Barry and uncle of Broncos’ champion Shaun is very good and adds speed to an imposing pack.
Jairus Suliasi
Formerly known as Jairus Halahala, the long serving Dolphins junior will be one of the competition’s x-factor players.
As a middle forward, his footwork, dynamic strength in contact and speed is next level.
Put him in the same pack as Cody Starr, Nate Berrigan, Kaleb Teu and Taufa Tualani, and Redcliffe SHS will be cooking with gas.
James Grey
While Redcliffe SHS has assembled a forward pack to match it with the competition’s best, they also have a joker in the pack, or should we say the backs, ready to be unleashed for the first time in the competition – centre James Grey.
Grey will be the quickest player in the competition who can go from first to fifth gear within metres. The countdown is on – five, four, three, two, one – Grey is ready for take off.
Wildcard watch: Grady Payne
Quality No.7s are in short supply and this bloke is quality. Payne is no Flash Dan, but he knows how to get his team around the park and run his forwards. He’s a glue player who arrived on the Peninsula last year all the way from Logan City, Payne will be crucial to Redcliffe SHS’s campaign. Also put a watch on middle forward Taufa Taulani who loses little in comparison to the dynamic Jairus Suliasi.
STRETTON STATE COLLEGE
Lexin Hill (Stretton State College)
He’s a good kid, this one. A stylish fullback who tends to have time on his side, Hill is a true-blue Stretton junior who has played a huge part in the school’s junior team success in recent season. Hill deserves to finally test himself week to week in this elite competition.
Bailey Vang (Stretton SC)
Vang will be the firing pin of his side. A heart and soul player, the dummy half ace played a blinder to help get Stretton past the qualifying games and into the competition.
He has a bumper kicking game, terrific long pass from the ruck and has a scheming running game.
He is a polished hooker who will hold up his end of the bargain.
Onyx Poimafiti (Stretton SC)
The young prop has been central to Stretton’s success this decade, and so it will be the case again when he leads the forward pack against the best of the best in the Langer competition.
The big fella can make a difference with his big runs and tackles, and is someone who loves a challenge.
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