Meet the big boppers of the Langer, Walters Cup
Grand final countdown: We name 35 big boppers who have broken through in the Langer and Walters Cup this season – including the big players set to impact Wednesday’s Langer Trophy, Langer Reserves and Walters Cup finals.
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Meet the big boppers set to influence Wednesday’s three schoolboy rugby league grand finals in the Langer Trophy, Langer Reserves and Walters Cup competitions.
The www.couriermail.com.au, the Gold Coast Bulletin and News Corp affiliates will live stream the three premiership deciders:
12.30pm: Langer Reserves: Marsden SHS v PBC SHS
1.45pm: Walters Cup: Marsden SHS v Keebra Park SHS
3pm: Langer Trophy: Ipswich SHS v PBC SHS
WATCH THE SEMI-FINAL REPLAYS HERE
Here we name the big boppers set to impact the three premiership deciders – while also recognising the Best of the Rest big men from teams which did not make it to the grand final day.
LANGER TROPHY
Loko Tonga (Ipswich SHS)
Ipswich has a pack straight out of the Land of the Giants and they don’t come any bigger than the towering 197cm tall Tonga. He comes off the bench and seriously, when he stands up off the bench to prepare to warm up, he casts a shadow as long as the light towers at Kourgari Oval.
Josiah Pahulu (Ipswich)
He is not the biggest, but is there a stronger, fitter big man in the competition than the Ipswich SHS front rower? Absolutely not. The Queensland and Australian schoolboy middle forward is a mobile modern marvel who uses his height to get his shoulder in and around the ball to disrupt the ball carrier.
RELATED LINKS
LANGER, WALTERS CUP’S MOST IMPROVED PLAYERS THIS SEASON
SPEED DEMONS OF THE LANGER TROPHY
OUR BEST 40 FROM THE LANGER, WALTERS AND TITANS FINALS
Isaiah Scanlan, Jett Jackson, Will Taylor and Reico Ratana (PBC SHS)
The Palm Beach Currumbin SHS trio are the smallest big men on the list. But they were mobile, effective, fit and all have high work rates. Scanlan and Ratana are both robust types, hardened by two seasons in the Langer while Jackson is more of a lanky, bony front rower.
One of the reasons PBC SHS find themselves in yet another grand final is because of how effective this trio is. Taylor is not big, big, but played above his weight on the edge. He may as well be 190cm and 110kg., such is his impact.
Oliva Iaulualo
Did anyone see the round 7 match between Marsden SHS and Ipswich when Oliva reached over the top of Marsden shs defenders to score. That long body, and long arms, won the game for Ipswich. Iaulualo is one big bopper, and so is his mate Rene Bagon.
Tre Fotu (Ipswich SHS)
He’s a big unit who recently Cronulla Sharks’ signed Fotu. Fotu is in the prime of his career, playing the house down for Souths Logan in the Meninga Cup earlier in the year, earning Queensland schoolboys selection and helping Ipswich into its first Langer grand final.
LANGER RESERVES
Jury Taewa (PBC SHS)
The PBC SHS will be a danger man on grand final day if his performance in the semi-finals is anything to do by.
Isaac Harrison (PBC SHS)
Not the biggest of big men, but in the true tradition of PBC SHS back rowers he impacts above his weight.
Taelon Te Whiu Hopa (Marsden SHS)
The most skilled big man in the competition, Te Whiu Hopa is being used as an edge forward where, one-on-one, his running game threatens along with his arsenal of ball skills.
Bailey Trew (Marsden SHS)
The towering Trew back plays fullback, wing or centre, and from kick returns or ruck runs from his own territory, Trew makes an impact every time.
Kaleb Akaroa (Marsden SHS)
The Marsden SHS prop takes plenty of holding when he gets up a head of steam. HIs go-forward will be important on grand final day.
WALTERS CUP
Dahnte Te Whiu-Hopa (Marsden SHS)
The sky-scrapping Te Whiu-Hopa comes off the bench and gives his team plenty of punch with his long stride and second phase play.
Anthony Solomon (Marsden SHS)
The tall, athletic Marsden SHS No. 13 impressed with his fitness, footwork and desire to support the ball carrier in Marsden’s win.
Emmanuel Asomau (Marsden SHS)
Not for the first time this season the broad shouldered, granite like Asomau influenced the match with powder keg charges. His semi-final efforts included scoring the match winning try.
Mace Andrew (Marsden SHS)
Of all the big men playing on grand final day, Andrew would be in the top three for potential. A No. 13, he has the power, leg drive and agility to impact the middle or the edge.
Isopo Taunuu (Keebra Park SHS)
Keebra Park SHS prop Isopo Taunuu scored a match sealing individual try against Mabel Park SHS with a steal in a tackle that put his side into the grand final, 18-12. Around that spotlight moment he displayed a big motor for a big man.
Tyrel Laban (Keebra Park SHS)
When prop Isopo Taunuu and his second rower Tyrel Laban defended togethe on the left side, no one was getting past them, they covered that much turf. They were big, wide, strong kids who must be a nightmare to defend against.
Kahi Millerd (Keebra Park SHS)
For the Keebra Park in the Walters Cup grand final, watch for winger Kahi Millerd. He is huge for a flanker, tall and thickly set with a long stride on him.
BEST OF THE REST BIG MEN
Arama Hau (Keebra Park SHS)
Hau was the best big man in the competition. A No. 13, Hau’s career best form saw him play for the Queensland schoolboys, make the Aussie schoolboys and play the house down for Keebra Park in its losing semi-final. The Titans-signed forward relished the responsibility of being named captain of Keebra Park SHS.
Immanuel Kalekale (Keebra Park)
Sadly Keebra Park SHS they lost their Queensland schoolboys forward leader for the second of the season which was a pity. But he matched strides with Hau as the big man with the biggest impact on the competition.
Alex Leapai (Leapai)
The Mabel Park SHS young giant had a huge season for Mabel Park, leading the side to three wins in its second season in the Langer. His power runs were unmatched in the competition, and he could unload both at waste level or use his height to pop a ball up and over his shoulder. He also scored six or seven tries.
K-ci Whare (Coombabah SHS)
Whare was again outstanding for Coombabah SHS, showing his team the way forward and surely inspiring them with his deeds. He was one of the best players this season, not only one of the best big men.
Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki (Keebra Park)
He may play in the backline but they don’t come bigger or stronger or more dynamic than right centre Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki. He is Chris “Choppy’’ Close (Queensland Origin legend) or Konrad Hurrell (ex-Titans, Warriors) reincarnated with his aggressive running.
Damascus Neemia (Wavell SHS)
Neemia stood like a pillar in the ruck, a real Mr Consistency. A Queensland schoolboys forward, Neemia did his job week in, week out to the same high standard. The season was also a great learning experience for Ben Uini.
Aholoka Toia (Redcliffe SHS)
The mobile Toia was one of the most improved forwards across the season and looked well suited to the premier schoolboy competition. Jacob Taulani was another good big man for Redcliffe.
John Fineanganofo (Redcliffe)
Not a towering figure but more of a nuggety big man, Fineanganofo was arguably Redcliffe’s best player in the early rounds before suffering a shoulder injury.
Amos Tuialli, Po Hotere-Papalii (Wavell SHS)
Wavell SHS had a couple of powerhouse centres in these boys who must have had a ball playing outside of Karl Oloapu.
PJ Poutasi, Eli Tuli (Keebra Park)
He is big and strong and mobile, built like an old brick outhouse. He gave Keebra great impact off the bench and was an easy choice in the big boppers story. Starting the match, prop Eli Tuli also had a big season dispaying the agility of an edge forward and the power of a middle man.
Chris Faagutu (Marsden SHS)
Off the field he blends into the crowd but on it Faagutu turns into the incredible hulk. He looks 10kg bigger with his rampaging midfield runs that earned him Queensland and Australian schoolboy selection.
RELATED LINKS
SONS (and brothers, daughters) OF SPORTING GUNS
Chaev Kolone (Mabel Park)
He stands out wearing his Pink skins under his footy shorts, but seriously you’d never miss him if you passed him in the street. He is one big front rower, a mobile lad who gave his all against a gigantic Keebra Park pack in the semi-final.
Kaleb Smith (PBC SHS)
The Walters Cup middle forward was a throwback to the 70s and 80s with his old-fashioned runs, one of which landed him a crucial try for his side.
Callum Bowles (PBC SHS)
Good luck beating Bowles for a high ball. The PBC Walters Cup fullback is a big kid, powerful with a long reach.
LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE, Wednesday
12.30pm: Langer Reserves: Marsden SHS v PBC SHS
1.45pm: Walters Cup: Marsden SHS v Keebra Park SHS
3pm: Langer Trophy: Ipswich SHS v PBC SHS
FOOTNOTE: The www.couriermail will cover Tuesday’s Brisbane Broncos Old Boys Trophy (Year 7) grand final between Wavell SHS and Keebra Park SHS, and the Steve Renouf Shield (Year 8) between Ipswich SHS and Keebra Park SHS.
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