Langer Trophy, Walters Cup’s semi-finals heroes after schoolboy rugby league bonanza
Who were the top performing schoolboy rugby league top guns from the Langer Trophy and Walters Cup semi-final bouts?Among them was a Broncos signed ace, a Storm marvel and a Titans young gun. FULL LIST
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A Broncos-signed schoolboy has spearheaded Marsden SHS’s remarkable recovery which will culminate in the Logan school facing off against perennial finalists Palm Beach Currumbin SHS in next week’s Langer Trophy decider.
Brisbane-signed No.13 Tupou Francis led Marsden’s revival which reached new, giddy heights yesterday after they defeated previously unbeaten Ipswich SHS 18-12.
PBC SHS won through to its fifth successive decider by beating Gold Coast rivals Keebra Park SHS 21-12 setting the stage of another absorbing chapter against Marsden in what is a great rivalry between the two schools.
“We had a tough, grinding out win today,’’ said PBC coach Tim Maccan.
“We play Marsden. The finals is a new beast and I know they have been building and have a solid team.
“If you look at the last three weeks I think the best two teams are in the final.’’
A month ago Marsden were long odds to make the grand final, but when 16-year-old Francis was installed as captain, the side swung its season around.
“Under Mr Freeman (coach), he has given me an understanding of what I have to do and that is being aggressive and controlling what I can do,‘’ Francis said.
“It (captaincy) came naturally to me because I was put in the leadership group at the start of the season and I had coaching staff around me saying to me ‘lead the boys, lead the pack’.‘’
“I was then given the captaincy (five weeks ago) and I had a job to do.‘’
Marsden’s recovery was built around the aggressive Francis and his crew of unsung forwards like Emmanuel Asomau, Benji Quinlan, Cody Goulter and Levi Rusin.
Ipswich SHS fought to the death, twice narrowing the margin with a brilliant individual try from Lesayne Tuisau and a grand dummy half effort from Sam Martin.
Marsden SHS Year 11 Francis was one of the top performing players who shone on a rain soaked Kougari Oval turf in Tuesday’s blockbuster bouts.
Another standout was PBC SHS halfback Zane Harrison who knew how to get the job done in a big match.
The Queensland schoolboys halfback will be playing in his 12th grand final next week - one more than his twin brother Isaac.
Another performance of the day came from electric Keebra Park Walters Cup fullback Israel Lotaki whose effort spearheaded his team to a 24-16 Walters Cup win over Ipswich SHS.
Keebra will play Marsden SHS who completed a remarkable turnaround by beating Wavell 10-nil - after losing easily to them in round 2.
Two Melbourne Storm signed fullbacks shone brightly - Marsden’s Grayson Wharakura and Keebra Park’s Israel Lotaki.
“Israel was a centre to start with at the start of the season and then we sort of tried him at the back after a couple of injuries and he has just killed it ever since we have put him there,” Keebra Park Walters Cup coach William Pei said.
“What he offers in those kick return carries is something that we have been really pleased about and he sets the tone with our sets with his exit carries.”
PLAYERS OF THE DAY, Walters Cup
MARSDEN SHS 10 DEF WAVELL SHS NIL
Zack Lotaki (Marsden SHS)
We are looking at the player of the match in this tense, wet weather skirmish.
Arguably the difference between the two sides, this tireless No.13 had his hand in everything, on both sides of the ball.
With the ball in hand, Lotaki was damaging and on defence, he often made two tackles in a set and could be seen bringing down Wavell’s biggest in Israel Faialaga, Dallas Davidson, Teao Teao and Saia Papani.
His performance was captivating.
Grayson Wharakura (Marsden SHS)
The long striding extra forward in a fullback jersey was excellent, rucking up the ball and scoring a telling try 12 minutes from time to give the Makos a 10-nil buffer.
Wharakura, a young enforcer from Hamilton in New Zealand’s North Island, provided extra energy and effort after his twin brother Nik, Marsden’s middle forward marvel, left the field early.
Mairangiatea Walker (Marsden SHS)
Another Kiwi talent who impacted Tuesday’s semi-final for Marsden, Walker began the match with a flurry of line breaks and was responsible for a pair of terrific 30m dashes down the left touchline.
The headgear wearing Ipswich Jets junior representative was superb from start to finish.
Saia Papani (Wavell SHS)
Wavell SHS’s left edge battleship was to the fore across the entire 60 minutes.
In the first half the big and powerful second rower accelerated into contact and showed no mercy for the shoulders of his opposition.
Jordy Hotere (Wavell SHS)
Wavell SHS’s five-eighth was his usual crafty self and under the poorest of conditions, Hotere did not make a single mistake.
His kicking for touch was top notch, running game hard to handle and he took the right options in the wet.
Nathan Phelps and Haki Kennedy (Marsden SHS)
They had entirely different jobs but both played their core role perfectly and in the end it was enough to power Marsden into the big dance.
Phelps, a grand final specialist, was faultless at five-eighth and not once overplayed his hand.
It was his intelligent high kicks that caused the most trouble for Wavell’s back three players while Kiwi enforcer Kennedy was a powerhouse in spurts off the bench.
Kennedy made a crucial tackle on a barnstorming Billo Wotton who was charging towards the tryline late in the game and before that his carries off the back fence got the Makos on a roll.
Romarion Tuitama (Wavell SHS)
The Wavell SHS lock was an all or nothing performer. He was thumped, but he thumped hard in defence as well. He was fearless and offered great go forward.
SPECIAL MENTION
Chris Vaimili Toalepai (Marsden SHS)
The young gun produced a first rate performance in the outside backs, earning applause from his teammates in the dressing room after the game.
Billo Wotton and Dallas Davidson (Wavell SHS)
While both may not have been at the peak of their powers, they deserve a special for their effort which was without question. Both boys did a good job.
KEEBRA PARK SHS 24 DEF IPSWICH SHS 16, Walters Cup
Israel Lotaki (Keebra Park SHS)
Ipswich SHS jumped out to a 12-nil lead and with their thumping defence, gave Keebra Park limited opportunities in their half.
Israel Lotaki’s game breaking footwork and turn of speed was just what the doctor ordered for Keebra, the exciting fullback bursting through a gap to put Simione Tauelangi in for a try and before long he went over himself.
That try late in the first half was magic and it was essential for Keebra in order to stay within arms reach of Ipswich SHS.
Then, in reply to Ipswich SHS’s try early in the second stanza, he created a four-pointer for winger Arjay Sharrock and scored an epic 80m solo try to take a 24-16 lead.
Lennox Whaiapu (Keebra Park SHS)
Keebra Park’s workaholic middle forward made the telling tackle that forced an error by Ipswich SHS six minutes from time.
Before this, Whaiapu set the tone with his carries that got Keebra onto the front foot and in Ipswich SHS’s half.
The inspiring 16-year-old prop was everywhere for Keebra and twice his runs early in the laid a platform for his backs to score.
Brendon Bruce and Peter Uilavai-Pita (Ipswich SHS)
Ipswich SHS’s lock Brendon Bruce was a wrecking ball that acted as a prop forward with his carries.
The powerful 115-year-old hit hard and made them stick in defence and in attack shed tackles for breakfast.
He was a powerhouse and hooker Uilavai-Pita took full advantage of the inroads made by his forwards with his quick service.
Uilavai-Pita also followed suit on the defensive end where he was tireless.
Cordell Kirk and Lincoln Natapu (Ipswich SHS)
Ipswich SHS had plenty of punch through the middle third of the field and in charge were these two imposing props, Kirk and Natapu.
The pair of them were unforgiving in defence and with the ball in hand challenged Keebra with a ferocity beyond their years.
Harvey Smith (Keebra Park SHS)
Keebra Park SHS’s halfback was clobbered in a tackle early and played through it to be one of his team’s more influential players in a stunning second half ambush.
Smith was illusive in all meanings of the word, and his short kicking game was precise.
He scored the momentum shifting try, created by Qubin Anderson, that really clicked Keebra into gear.
Zavier Holdorf (Ipswich SHS)
Ipswich SHS’s defence was something to behold and rangy soon to be birthday boy Holdorf had a few presents for his rivals.
With immense tackling technique and a thirst for contact, Holdorf forced a dropped ball and stopped countless attackers in their tracks in what was a thwarting defensive display.
SPECIAL MENTION
Innocent Baruani (Ipswich SHS)
Ipswich SHS’s prime moving edge forward maintained the rage after a stellar home-and-away season to deliver the goods once more for his side.
His hard hitting defence, offloads in contact and general awareness for a big man was to be admired.
Qubin Anderson (Keebra Park SHS)
The scheming rake did make a mistake or two, but his eyes up vision created a try scored by Harvey Smith, a four pointer of importance in the context of the game.
The little pocket rocket has boundless energy out of dummy half which added a dimension to Keebra Park’s attack.
Cornelius Kelsall (Keebra Park SHS)
A highly talented half, the youngster made a remarkable return from injury. You’d never know he had a long lay off as he produced a typical high class performance.
MARSDEN SHS 18 DEF IPSWICH SHS 12, Langer Trophy
Tupou Francis (Marsden SHS)
What a season the Year 11 weapon has had in the top flight Langer Trophy competition.
In last week’s stunning quarterfinal win over Wavell SHS, lock Francis was marvellous and again in a must win semi-final he was everywhere.
The younger brother of Titans winger Tony Francis, Tupou was carving out a name for himself for the Makos following another brilliant showing in trying conditions.
Cody Goulter and Levi Rusin (Marsden SHS)
Marsden SHS pair are really bruise brothers who seem to love contact. They hit hard in defence, carry even harder with the ball and absolutely give it to themselves - and then they do it all over again.
Benji Quinlan (Marsden SHS)
The unheralded Marsden SHS prop Quinlan thrived in the wet conditions with his no nonsense hit ups that sent a ripple through Ipswich SHS’s defensive line.
With plenty of horsepower, legs made of granite and plenty of ticker, Quinlan and his band of forwards Goulter, Francis, Asomua, Cooper Young and Levi Rusin made a monstrous impact.
Emmanuel Asomua (Marsden SHS)
When he had the ball, it was panic stations for Ipswich SHS’s defensive line.
A player with a bit of fear factor, Asomua was a barnstorming middle forward who delivered a telling try and slammed down the barn door on numerous other occasions with his power and leg drive.
Oh and he is a man mountain too.
Saifiti Junior Saifiti (Ipswich SHS)
Samoan sniper Saifiti was game in a losing effort and finished his school career the way he started it by running rampant with his hit ups.
While the ace goalkicker did fumble twice, his yardage was a highlight for Ipswich SHS as he worked hard to straighten their attack. He was a tremendous effort player - as usual.
Sam Martin (Marsden SHS)
Ipswich SHS’s captain was a steady soldier, faultless in wet conditions, vicious on defence and elite with his service.
Just when Marsden looked to run away with it, Martin’s scoot to score out of dummy half was everything for his team.
It blew the door wide open with Ipswich trailing 12-18 with 15 minutes to play. He has a class act.
Xzavier Timoteo (Ipswich SHS)
In a losing effort, you couldn’t fault Ipswich SHS’s powerhouse middle forward Timoteo who ran hard and fast in close quarter battle.
Arguably Ipswich SHS’s most potent all season, Timoteo matched the physicality and aggression of the Makos with his unrelenting charges.
Adaquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke and Hayden Watson
In shocking conditions the young fullback Watts-Luke stood up well. The wet took his running game largely out of play, but he still managed a try from a Hayden Watson grubber and was tidy at the back. Watson has been a big reason for his team’s revival in the last month, and although his running game was curtailed by the wet, he handled well and guided his team around. He also threaded a kick for a try.
PBC SHS 21 DEF KEEBRA PARK SHS 12, Langer Trophy
Zane Harrison (PBC SHS)
Would PBC SHS have won without Zane Harrison? We say no. Harrison’s poise, experience and class cannot be undermined in soaking wet conditions and in the biggest game of the season. The crafty Queensland Schoolboys playmaker organised his backline tremendously and cooly converted a drop goal three minutes from time to sink his opposition.
Daniel Feki (Keebra Park SHS)
Keebra Park SHS’s halfback played 70 minutes, touched the ball more than anyone in his team and made just one mistake across the contest.
Feki also nailed two all-important conversions and fronted up on defence when PBC SHS’s big men Torino Jackson, Jack Schmidt and Jac Finigan charged towards him.
Ray Puru (PBC SHS)
PBC SHS’s livewire fullback has reached new heights, somehow, in PBC SHS’s finals campaign.
Playing like he has a chip on his shoulder, Puru found his front, made post contact metres and was a ball of energy, especially in PBC SHS’s clinical first half performance.
Isaac Harrison and Jac Finigan (PBC SHS)
The PBC SHS mop up man, Harrison was in his element with his foot work and hit and spin in traffic. On a heavy traffic he got down and dirty, and once got his body under the ball when Keebra Park were driving hard toward levelling the game late in the second half. Finigan tackled strongly on his edge and ran with gusto.
David Bryenton (Keebra Park SHS)
He was bound to make an error or two given the wetness of the ball and his position, but Keebra Park SHS’s fullback Bryenton still offered plenty returning the ball.
His team’s most threatening player, Bryenton made half a handful of halfbeaks and a dash or two that showed why his footwork has caused so many problems this season – and why he will be a real jack-in-the-box next season.
Sunny Kama (PBC SHS)
PBC SHS’s right wing was full of energy and effort and it gave his side an edge when his forwards were tired.
Kama took a bucket load of return carries and was eyebrow raising in the air under the high ball.
Special mentions:
Isopo Taunuu and Zac Kumbamong (Keebra Park SHS)
The two big boppers left nothing in the tank and tried desperately to win the middle third battle on a day made for mud larks. Neither boy let their school down.
Josn Donovan (PBC SHS)
It was right place right time on two occasions for PBC SHS’s prolific left centre.
On one occasion he pounced on a deft Harrison grubber to score and before that he stormed through an invisible gap to score his first try of the game.
Jack Schmidt (PBC SHS)
As one of PBC’s bigger bodies, Schmidt aimed up and carried hard against an aggressive, advancing Keebra Park defence.
Mason Barber (Keebra Park)
It was not a day for flash, but Barber still managed a magic moment when he created a try late to give his side a chance of drawing the game.
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