Langer Trophy Team of the Season revealed here
The Langer Trophy team of the season revealed following a high-octane campaign, plus we find out what the coaches think ahead of our Wednesday livestream of the state schoolboy rugby league grand final.
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Welcome to our grand final eve bumper edition where we unveil the Langer Trophy Team of the Season, while bringing you a Q and A with the coaches ahead of tomorrow’s Phil Hall Cup state schoolboy grand final.
Palm Beach Currumbin SHS and St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon, will meet in tomorrow’s grand final – all to be livestreamed www.couriermail.com.au, the Gold Coast Bulletin, Morning Bulletin and News Corp affiliates.
The main game will be one of three grade finals streamed by News – with the Karyn Murphy Cup schoolgirl final and the NRL Schoolboys Trophy grand final also featured.
RELATED LINKS
NRL CLUBS – WHO THEY HAVE SIGNED FROM THE LANGER TROPHY
SCHOOLBOY TEAM OF THE GRAND FINALS – BEST 20 PLAYERS HERE
To get to grand final eve, we first enjoyed a Langer Trophy season that was of such a high standard, Wavell SHS became arguably the most talented side ever in the competition not to play in a semi-final.
And in the semi-finals, Ipswich SHS almost unseated Langer Trophy champions Marsden SHS, while Keebra Park SHS gave eventual premiers PBC SHS a big fright.
From that marvellous competition we reveal our Team of the Season.
TEAM OF THE SEASON
Keano Kini (PBC SHS)
The joint Justin Hodges Medal winner, Kini arrived on the Gold Coast from New Zealand at the start of the season after deciding to test himself in the powerhouse Langer Trophy competition after signing with the Gold Coast Titans. Kini started the season as a running fullback, but now mixes that with ball-playing as an extra five-eight.
Elijah Lui (Keebra Park SHS)
Lui has pace and plenty of it. He was a member of a thrilling Keebra Park backline which became more dangerous the more the season progressed. A junior fullback, also had an acute ability to time his runs and read the play.
Deine Mariner (PBC SHS)
The best schoolboy centre in Queensland – don’t take our word for it – he was named player of the state schoolboy carnival in May.
Signed by the Broncos, Mariner can also play tough in defence and has worked hard on his one per cent plays.
Nathaniel Tangimataiti (Marsden SHS)
Like Kini, Tangimataiti moved from New Zealand to improve his rugby league skills within the Langer Trophy environment after being signed by the Brisbane Broncos. Primarily an edge backrower, he makes our team as a centre and was sorely missed by Marsden after sustaining a season-ending injury.
Michael Roberts (PBC SHS)
Roberts was the matchwinner of the NRL Schoolboys Cup grand final when he scored an 80m solo try. Roberts started the season on the wing but progressed to five-eight, and it was a late season master stroke by coach Tim Maccan to have Roberts on the ball.
Karl Oloapu (Wavell SHS)
Highly regarded by talent scouts across the country, the Broncos’ contracted Oloapu was a member of a Wavell SHS side which could not get going after the euphoria of its players winning the state championship playing under the Met North banner.
Tom Weaver (PBC SHS)
The puppeteer of the PBC SHS side, Weaver is a player with time on his hands. Signed by the Titans, he is a wonderful halfback whose option taking is first class.
Chris Faagutu (Marsden SHS)
Faagutu was the joint Justin Hodges medal player of the year, sharing the award with Keano (PBC SHS). Signed by the Tigers, Faagutu has something for everyone. He is a workhorse on and off the ball, but also a damaging ball runner who can play middle or on an edge. Tremendously mobile, Faagutu is also a great leader.
Ryan Foran (PBC SHS)
Foran was the best edge backrower in the competition. A young gun with a fierce determination, his leg drive in contact means the job is only half done when a defender first makes contact with him.
Ben Te Kura (Wavell SHS)
The towering 202cm tall Te Kura is a thrilling prospect who has been signed by the Brisbane Broncos. An edge backrower, he reminds us of Xavier Willison who we told you about long before he made his debut for the Broncos this season. Te Kura is one for the little black books, that is for sure.
Herman Tofaeono (Keebra Park SHS)
Herman the Sherman Tank was magnificent for Keebra Park SHS in the second half of the season and the Wests Tigers will be excited to have him on their books in 2022.
Blake Mozer (Keebra Park SHS)
A wonderful ball-playing dummy half with all the skills. He is a slightly polarising player in that some, like us, wax lyrical about, while others think he is very good, but No.2 or No.3 in the pecking order of young Queensland hookers coming through. But we think the Brisbane Broncos have a good one here.
Xavier Stowers (Marsden SHS)
The young giant is a great prospect. He is still a rugby league infant, having only started playing last season after a childhood playing rugby. Marsden SHS coach Matt Hartigan saw his potential, and so did the Gold Coast Titans, and we back him in to bubble to the surface and one day play NRL. His brute strength was also responsible for four or five remarkable close to the line tries, including a matchwinning effort three seconds from full-time to defeat Ipswich SHS in the semi-final.
WHERE TO WATCH THE REPLAYS
OLD BOYS CUP, RENOUF REPLAYS HERE
LANGER RESERVES GRAND FINAL REPLAY
HANCOCK, WALTERS CUP GRAND FINAL REPLAYS
RESERVES
14. Taelon Te-Whiu Hopa (Marsden SHS)
It is ridiculous to think year 10 student Te-Whiu Hopa will be a Langer Trophy for another two years. A big middle forward, he is so skillful he plays halfback or on an edge and it is little wonder the Gold Coast Titans moved early to sign him.
15. Jack Cullen (PBC SHS)
The PBC SHS forward leader was one tough mother in the Langer Trophy. He set the highest of standards as a middle forward and was a challenging figure for opponents with his leg drive and metre eating capacity.
16. Oskar Bryant (PBC SHS)
A hooker, Bryant is Tom Weaver’s partner in crime at PBC SHS. Bryant has a wonderful long passing game which opens up the field for Weaver, but he is quick out of dummy half when he darts and tenacious in defence.
17. Josiah Pahulu (Ipswich SHS)
A prime mover from Ipswich SHS, middle forward Pahulu is No.17 and last man named here, but was never, ever not going to make this side.
Emergencies:
18. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Ipswich SHS)
19. Jayden Wright (PBC SHS)
20. Teapo Stoltman (Marsden SHS)
21. Brock Prestly (PBC SHS)
Super Eight Rookies: Rene Bagon (Ipswich SHS), Will Semu (Marsden SHS), Alex Leapai (Mabel Park SHS), Caleb Gould-Waiariki (Coombabah SHS), Tanu Nona (PBC SHS) Wailer Whaiapu (Keebra Park SHS), Gabriel Satrick (Ipswich SHS), PJ Poutasi (Keebra Park SHS)
Blue collar working boys: Jay Blazek (Coombabah SHS)
Damascus Neemia (Wavell SHS)
Drew Timms (Wavell SHS)
Kienan Tempest (Marsden SHS)
Joseph Shannon (Coombabah SHS)
Harrison Schwenke (St Mary’s College)
Sean Howlett (Coombabah SHS)
Samson Sauaso and Damien Burrows (Ipswich SHS)
And don’t forget about ...
Don’t forget about Xavier Va’a. The St Mary’s College prop had another injury disrupted season but if he can get on a run without major injury, watch for this Roosters signed prop to progress. He was to have played this season with De La Salle Va’a, a Year 10 prop who is a top prospect for St Mary’s.
Who we’d like to have seen more of
Jordan Tut-Chapman and George Henry-Monaei. Both Wavell SHS wingers, George Henry was a big, go forward winger and Tut-Chapman an exciting finisher who is signed by the Roosters. Henry made an impact in his Langer Trophy debut, generating momentum with incursions. He also celebrated the end of the season by being a member of Wavell’s Langer Reserves premiership side.
WEDNESDAY’S GRAND FINAL
WHAT THE COACHES SAY
Scott Minto (St Brendan’s College)
Q. What has been the key to making your side tick this season:
A. Connection – From day 1 when we assembled for our annual 1st XIII camp, we have spoken about being connected as a group. Whether its on the field in Defence or Attack, filling soup bowls for SBC’s Eddies Van on Thursdays or leading the year 7’s through their war cry after a game the ‘Connection’ has been paramount to our success. This has transferred onto the field in all aspects in 2021 and the boys are playing more as a team with each passing week, which is really enjoyable to watch.
RELATED LINKS
JUSTIN HODGES MEDAL WINNER ANNOUNCE – AND IT'S A TIE
THE BEST 15 PLAYERS FROM GRAND FINAL DAY
REPLAY OF MICHAEL ROBERTS’ TRY
Q. Has the win over Kirwan SHS elevated confidence and self belief even more:
A. This has further solidified our belief in the team. At this year’s Confraternity Shield carnival a minor setback early in the tournament enabled us to take stock and look at where we were headed. The coaching staff spoke that night to the boys about how much belief there was in the boys and this has grown in the boys ever since with the team improving every game thereafter.
A.SBC last won the Aaron Payne Cup in 2013 where they defeated the Kirwan Bears in that Grand Final also. The school has not been able to go on and win the State Final to date however this is driving the team in 2021 to go one better.
Q. From your observations ref PBC, generally speaking, what have you been most impressed about that side:
A.I like the way they play footy. Tim’s got them humming. They play no nonsense, fair and tough football. They have a lot of talent throughout which is a great challenge for our boys to aim up against. The spine is pretty impressive and the rest of the boys work well off the back of these guys. We have our work cut out for us but we are really excited and can’t wait to meet them head on.
Tim Maccan (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS)
Q. Is that first half defence against Keebra the standard you are still seeking to repeat.
A.Absolutely. We did it tough last week by allowing Marsden easy metres out of their end and gave them too many opportunities. We need to be back at our best next week.
Q. Do you think it was a benefit to be challenged by Marsden in the final – is that type of match good prep – and having a week off as well to recover.
A. All games at this end of the competition are tough and present a new challenge. Last week’s game intensity will definitely remind the players what’s needed again to next week. I’m never a fan of the week off if it’s not necessary, however after such a brutal game my players could do with the week off to refresh.
Q. What has impressed you most about your opponents, St Brendan’s.
A.Their ability to keep showing up. Their defence has been great and they make few errors with the ball. They keep it simple but do it very well. They get the ball to their strike players during their sets and take their opportunities when they come. It will be another great challenge for us.
Q. Does losing last year’s state final in Townsville have a role to play in terms of the old saying “you have to lose one to win one’’.
A.I’m sure it will be in the back of the mind of the players that played in the state final last year. However, you can’t live in the past. This is a new team with a new challenge and for some of them their final chapter in the REDS jersey. They haven’t played their best game as a team yet. They now have 1 more chance to do that next week.
LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE
Wednesday (Redcliffe Dolphins)
Karyn Murphy Cup Final Series
9am – Ipswich SHS Vs Keebra Park SHS
9:30am – Shalom College Vs Kirwan SHS
10:30am – Ipswich SHS Vs Kirwan SHS
11:00am – Shalom College Vs Keebra Park SHS
12:00pm – Shalom College Vs Ipswich SHS
12:30pm – Kirwan SHS Vs Keebra Park SHS
NRL Schoolboy Trophy Qld Grand Final
1pm – St Augustines Vs Lockyer District
Karyn Murphy Cup Grand Final
2:30pm – Team A TBD Vs Team B TBD
NRL Schoolboy Phil Hall Cup Qld Grand Final
3:30pm – Palm Beach-Currumbin SHS Vs St Brendan’s College
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