Meninga, Connell Cups and Harvey girls player selection highlights
With the Meninga Cup, Connell Cup and Harvey Norman girls competitions starting Saturday, we feature selection highlights and full teams.
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The teams were in for round 1 of the Meninga Cup, Connell boys under-17s and the two Harvey Norman girls competitions, and here we present some key selection highlights ahead of our continuing coverage this weekend.
It is a split round which will see only six clubs launching the season - Redcliffe v Brisbane Tigers, Souths Logan v Burleigh Bears, and Tweed Seagulls v Wynnum-Manly.
ULTIMATE GUIDE TO MENINGA, CONNELL AND HARVEY TEAMS
EMERGING MAROONS SQUAD - INSIGHT INTO EVERY PLAYER
All other clubs will have to cool their heels until the weekend of February 17 when all the country clubs, along with Ipswich Jets and Norths Devils, start their seasons.
FOOTNOTE: Watch for our www.couriermail.com.au coverage every Saturday and Sunday across the season.
Jump to:Mal Meninga Cup team lists | Cyril Connell Cup team lists | Harvey Norman under-19 team lists | Harvey Norman under-17 team lists
Meninga Cup
Wynnum-Manly v Tweed Seagulls (Kougari Oval)
Tweed Seagulls
Mason Barber
Mr Electric himself, Barber is a dynamic ball runner who will have middle forwards on red alert when he comes pouring down the middle.
Sam Stephenson
The tall, long striding centre is a boom boy of schoolboy and junior league. He will be a handful with his power and pace, and his long reach which can put his winger away.
Ryder Williams and Zane Harrison
The peaches and cream of halves, the boys create a perfect blend - Williams with his attacking flair and Harrison with his game management. This pair were capable of taking the Seagulls to the finals, for sure.
Cory Pearse
One of the most improved players in the Langer Trophy schoolboy competition with Marsden SHS last season, this Logan Brothers junior is street tough - but clever. He has a happy knack of picking our tired forwards and getting his team forward. He will come off the bench.
Billy Wellard
Wellard is another interchange ace who, with his big body and speed, can give his side a lift - and then some.
Wynnum Manly
Kylem Vunipola
Vunipola has wanted to play fullback after bursting into the competition last season as a centre, and now the kid has his chance. He is a thorough professional who nails down his preparation and who is coming off an off-season at the Broncos.
Harry Armstrong
The Wide Bay talent lost nothing in comparison with his edge forward rivals in 2023, and such is his progression, Armstrong has been named captain of the Wynnum side. It is an inspired choice.
Beni Allen
Allen has a big job on his hands against rival props Jack Schmidt and Zac Kumbamong, but he is the type of mobile middle who will rise to the occasion.
Caden Frame
We like the look of his Alexandra Hills SHS product who has come through the Seagulls system and is now ready for the big boys in Meninga Cup.
THE TEAMS:
Wynnum Manly
1 Charlie Johnstone
2 Topaz Mohi
3 Kylem Vunipola
4 Tariq Tanner
5 Jaycob Kingston-Francis
6 Campbell Rolfe
7 Preston Cassidy
8 Beni Allen
9 Caden Frame
10 Zane Ford
11 Harry Armstrong
12 William Allen
13 Cayleb Johnson
14 Xavier Kirk
15 Cooper Day
16 Isopo Taunuu
17 Dempsey Taylor
Tweed Seagulls
1 Mason Barber
2 Joshua Donovan
3 Brock Lennox
4 Sam Stephenson
5 Tyson Ploegsma
6 Ryder Williams
7 Zane Harrison
8 Jack Schmidt
9 Jack Hudson
10 Zac Kumbamong
11 Junior Filimaua
12 Jac Finigan
13 Isaac Harrison
14 Cory Pearse
15 Hiawe King
16 Billy Wellard
17 Billy Tonkin
Souths Logan v Burleigh Bears
Souths Logan
Xavier Atoa
A jack-in-the-box talent who will whiz around from fullback causing no end of headaches to opposition teams this season.
Ryan McCann
McCann will play wing where he will be a real speed merchant. Give him an inch and he will take the length of the field.
Javon Andrews and Jackson Howe
Watch for highly skilled Titans recruit Andrews, a big body for a five-eight, to continue to ramp up his career next to a hard working, blue collar No. 7 in Howe.
Dirhys Sefo and Mou Taumaletila-Maulolo
Watch for these bookends to lay a platform upfront for the Magpies - starting against an imposing Bears pack.
Burleigh Bears
Jett Bryce
The Eveready batteries just never run out when it comes to this bloke. He was the best forward in the Langer Trophy last season who runs with gusto, cover defends like champion locks of the past and is just a ball of energy. We rate him very, very highlighly.
Cooper Bai
Cooper Bai is just what the doctor order. An uncompromising No. 13 from Marymount College is the type of kids you build finals’ football around.
Bailey McConnell
The Justin Hodges Medallist for Langer Trophy player of the year last season, five-eight McConnell will captain the Bears. He is a great runner of the ball who is at the height of his game.
Saxon Innes and Creedence Donovan
Two lightning quick wingers who will have alarm bells ringing in heat affected forwards when they bring the ball forward from the back field. You can’t coach the type of attacking skills they have. You either have it, or you don’t, and both these boys have it in spades.
Phillip Coates
If you walk into Kougari you’d be forgiven for thinking Xavier Coates of Queensland Maroons fame is on the field. But it will be his look-alike brother Phillip, no mug himself. It is great to see the Marymount product get a chance in his company.
THE TEAMS:
Magpies:
1 Xavier Atoa
2 Ryan Mccann
3 Lachlan Offley
4 Alofaifo SULA
5 Kohen Briggs
6 Javon Andrews
7 Jackson Howe
8 Dirhys Sefo
9 Kruz Taputoa
10 Mou Taumaletila-Maulolo
11 Corey Nassif
12 Braden Teuila
13 Jayden SOLIEN
14 Lesayne Tuiasau
15 Korrbin AHU-SKELTON
16 Harlem Tata-Paki
17 Kylan Dicinoski
Bears:
1 Raymond Puru
2 Saxon Innes
3 Sunny Kama
4 Phillip Coates
5 Creedence Kelly Donovan
6 Bailey Mcconnell
7 Tama Te Ahorangi DARLINGTON
8 Brady Turner
9 Klay TANCRED
10 Talas ABELL
11 Jett Bryce
12 Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu
13 Cooper Bai
14 Austin MARSTERS
15 Kanititeiti SIKAHELE
16 Amare MILFORD
17 Oscar Laffranchi
Redcliffe v Brisbane Tigers
Redcliffe
Lachlan Buchbach and Zac Herdegen
We said earlier how Tweed had halves made for finals, well so do the Dolphins. Buchbach was snapped up by the Dolphins academy after the Logan Brothers junior from Mabel Park SHS was the discovery player of the Langer Trophy.
Herdegen was another first class Langer Trophy performer (for Wavell SHS), a Bribie Island product who loses absolutely nothing in comparison to the best in the league.
Elijah Rasmussen
Look out, he’s back. After helping Redcliffe all the way to the Meninga Cup premiership last season, Kiwi product Rasmussen is back as a leader of the pack.
Zac Garton
He’s a kid on the rise. A rough and tumble edge back rower who is just made for NRL off-season, Garton will captain Redcliffe from the second row. While we can’t wait to see him go around again, opponents will be dreading his presence.
Lewis Symonds
A boom off-season recruit for the Dolphins NRL academy from Marsden SHS, Symonds’ ability and personality makes him taylormade for the NRL-type environment which surrounds these squad.
Noah Law
Interchange forward Law comes from the school of hard knocks where he fought valiantly for a hard working, but struggling Wide Bay Bulls outfit. He will relish the chance in the Redcliffe squad.
LJ Nonu
Redcliffe supporters should look forward to seeing Nona in their squad. He hails from Ipswich SHS and was one of the best players - both in defence and attack - on Langer Trophy grand final day last season. He is a winger or a centre.
Brisbane Tigers
Jack Mccosker
The Stretton State College edge forward will captain the Tigers. McCosker is as good as any second rower in the competition and will lead from the front.
Xavier Hellyer
In a rebuilding season for the Tigers, Hellyer is the perfect man to guide them around the park from No.7. A player with Meninga Cup grand final experience - he played for the Blackhawks against Redcliffe in last year’s decider - Hellyer’s kicking game and option taking is just what the squad needs.
Jack Tuite
Tuite is a proven performer who helped St Laurence’s College win another AIC First XV rugby competition last season. He will play on the edge.
Braxton Wilson-Clune
From Mabel Park SHS’s stable, Wilson-Clune is an exciting wing finisher, a fleet-a-foot type who was also a representative touch football player.
THE TEAMS:
Dolphins:
1 John-Paul Donevski
2 Siosifa Kava
3 Prestyn Laine-Sietu
4 Tevita NAUFAHU
5 Lj Nonu
6 Lachlan Buchbach
7 Zac Herdegen
8 Elijah Rasmussen
9 Mathias SANTO-HERO
10 Patrick Kailahi
11 Zac Garton
12 Baylen DONALD
13 Lewis Symonds
14 Oliver Jones
15 Larry Siala
16 Jayden Butt
17 Noah Law
Tigers:
1 William Quinn
2 Vantayvius PEO
3 Braxton WILSON-CLUNE
4 Joshua Lee
5 Maila SETU
6 Braiden DRISCOLL
7 Xavier HELLYER
8 Connor SIMPSON
9 Tommy Green
10 Elijah KEUNG
11 Jack Tuite
12 Jack Mccosker
13
14 Xyon Purcell
15 Diezel BRUNKER
16 Ayrton Holmes
17 Jacob Sa
CONNELL CUP
Wynnum Manly v Tweed Seagulls
Wynnum Manly
David Bryenton
The Wynnum supporters will love this bloke. He is a dynamic, sidestepping No. 1 who flashed onto the club and school scene last year like a comet blazing across the sky.
Ezekiel Jones
Local junior Jones was one of the big movers across the Connell season last year, playing his way into a Broncos academy contract. He will look to build on that performance when he steps up in class this season.
Majah-Jose Peachey, Taylan To’a
Right here, right now, we are talking about two of the best untapped raw talents around who will play second row. Peachey will look to ramp up his power running game and work hard off the ball after bursting onto the scene last season having come from farawar Perth.
The long striding, athletic To’a was a real stunner in his school age group last season at Marsden SHS and is an exciting prospect who tasted Langer Trophy football as a Year 10 student last season.
Throw in No. 13 Jared Horne and Wynnum have a young back row which would be the envy of the competition.
Tweed Seagulls
Boston Hubbard
Hubbard was electric at fullback across last season’s Connell Cup and will look to maintain the rage in 2024 playing in the older age group. Whenever he suits up in the No. 1 jersey he is pure excitement.
Taj Lateo
A well trained, polished and skilled half from out of the Palm Beach Currumbin SHS community, Lateo is just the man to steer Tweed around.
Nelson Makaafi
Makaafi is an ace in the pack. A powerhouse edge forward, stopping the surging Makaafi is like trying to hold back the tide. He will go as strong in the first minute as he will in the last.
Viliami Fifita
The dynamic prop from The Southport School played Queensland schoolboys 15 last season and will lap up the week to week challenge of Connell Cup footy.
THE TEAMS:
Wynnum Manly
1 David BRYENTON
2 Devine TIMU
3 Dean TAUAA
4 Antonio OKUSITINO
5 Tristan MACDONALD
6 Tyler PEREIRA
7 JORDAN HOTERE
8 Cooper Young
9 Ezekiel JONES
10 Franck Iraguha
11 Majah-Jose Peachey
12 Taylan To’a
13 Jared HORNE
14 Nate WALLIN
15 Marino Rimene
16 Koby MCGARRITY
17 Tamai BAKER
Tweed
1 Boston HUBBARD
2 Callum DALTON
3 Santino Pekepo-Tevaga
4 Beau Hartmann
5 Dylan WATKINS
6 Grange WOMAL
7 Taj LATEO
8 Ethan JACKSON
9 Jahkayis MABBETT
10 Torino JACKSON
11 Devin BATES-WELLINGTON
12 Nelson MAKAAFI
13 Benjamin QUINLAN
14 Jack WHITE
15 Jyah WHITE
16 Viliami FIFITA
17 Tavake TAU’A’ALO
Redcliffe v Brisbane Tigers
Redcliffe
Mereki Warradoo
A local junior, Warradoo can play fullback or hooker and is an off-the-whim player who can make opposition defences pay in the blink of an eye.
He played for Wavell SHS’s Langer Trophy side in 2023.
Brian Pouniu
Pouniu was the best forward in the Connell Cup last season and now he is in the centres.
Watch this space. He has desire and ability and loves the Dolphins jersey.
Sons of guns trio
Noah Fien
Noah Fien’s dad Nathan played Origin, Test football for New Zealand and is a Dragons premiership winner currently on Dolphins coaching staff.
Watch for Fien in the halves.
Kaden Civoniceva
Kaden is the son of the great Petero Civoniceva and will lead the reigning premiers out of the prop position.
Cody Starr
The exciting second rower or prop from the Sunshine Coast district has been named in the pack. His dad Adam played NRL.
Nate Berrigan
The Queensland schoolboy selection in 2022 is a promising lock who is the son of Barry, an NRL player.
He is also the nephew of Sean Berrigan who played Origin footy.
Jairus Halahala
We have been waiting to see this young gun play and the time is now for the injury free second rower from Nudgee who was a Queensland schoolboy selection in 2022.
Brisbane Tigers
Kobi Floro
Wavell SHS’s man mountain Kobi Floro will be a man among boys in this age group.
A prop signed to the Melbourne Storm, Floro was the Langer Trophy’s best rookie in 2023.
Dominic Ierome
We love this Year 11 Mabel Park SHS lock whose afro makes him a head taller.
Ierome runs hard and fast and has silky smooth skills which creates for his teammates.
Max Blanch
The Churchie First XV centre will be the Tigers captain and hooker after representing the Queensland Reds under-16s side at the back end of last year.
Also selected at halfback was Elijah Breen, the Brisbane Grammar School First XV playmaker.
THE TEAMS:
Redcliffe:
1 Mereki WARRADOO
2 Dustin APPO
3 Jake CARSBURG
4 Brian Pouniu
5 Logan HUDSON
6 Carter Welfare
7 Noah FIEN
8 Tylah AKAI
9 Amare WYNYARD
10 Kaden CIVONICEVA
11 Cody STARR
12 Jairus HALAHALA
13 Charlie Dickson
14 Marley BAKER
15 Lincoln KEMP
16 Taufa TAULANI
17 Nate BERRIGAN
Tigers:
1 Grayson Wharakura
2 Cooper MCINNERNEY
3 Jahzayis PERENARA-LIVAPULU
4 Keoki Koraba
5 Julius MATISENI
6 Vaughn PAHIVA
7 Elijah BREEN
8 Kobi Floro
9 Max Blanch
10 Cooper Benvenuti
11 VJ VIALAU
12 Palehehau LATU
13 Dominic IEROME
14 Jonah WILDE
15 Trent PICOT
16 Nikorima Wharakura
17 Hone SKINNER
Magpies v Burleigh Bears
Magpies
Adaquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke
He is a promising young fullback who has been on and off the field over the last 12 months due to injury and will be looking for a clean run at the season.
Sam Martin
A Broncos signed hooker who had a taste of Langer Trophy last season with Ipswich SHS.
Now in Year 12, hooker Martin is going to be a handful for defenders with his darts out of dummy-half.
Joseph Tupuse
He is a powerful Broncos signed representative centre who hails from Keebra Park SHS. He will be a challenge on the edge.
Mace Andrew and Fa’apala Feaunati
Marsden SHS’s Mace Andrew is a mobile middle forward with size and the ability to play on the edge.
Meanwhile, captain Feaunati is a tall, athletic middle forward who represented the Queensland Schoolboys in the under-15s age group.
Burleigh
Seth Gundry
A top-notch talent who will score tries and create tries from fullback. He is a quick, side stepping character who can light up a match.
Kilarney Lavender
A powerful centre from The Southport School, Lavender will bust up his defenders and give the Bears great go forward.
He represented the Queensland Reds under-16s side last year.
Marley McLaren
McLaren will be jumping out of his skin to play competitive footy again after sustained a knee injury at school. He has been named in the halves and will impact this competition, for sure.
Marley Igasan
A Coast kid who works hard at his game and who is eager to improve. Marley Igasan will play prop.
THE TEAMS:
Magpies:
1 Adaquix-Jeramiah WATTS-LUKE
2 Benson Tau
3 Tomu COOK
4 Joseph Tupuse
5 Siosaia POESE
6 Quentin TEUILA
7 Justus LOWNDES
8 Fa’apale Feaunati
9 Sam MARTIN
10 Mace ANDREW
11 Bostyn TAUFOOU
12 Te ara TAMEPO-HABIB
13 Fatumalosi NELU
14 Tayshaarn TONGA
15 Cain EGGERLING
16 Emmanuel ASOMUA
17 Jose ITO
Burleigh Bears:
1 Seth GUNDRY
2 Kingston SEVE
3 Kilarney LAVENDER
4 Hudson PRATT
5 Levi HANDYSIDE
6 Marley MCLAREN
7 Dallas INGRAM
8 Marley IGASAN
9 Hayden WATSON
10 Zephanaiah Takitaki
11 Te Ira RUDOLPH-MOKARAKA
12 Treleque Boyce-Silimaka
13 Tupou FRANCIS
14 Gabriel SALELE’A
15 Daniel RAKENA
16 Brodie SAUNDERS
17 Malakai MOSAATI
Harvey Norman under-19 girls
Wynnum-Manly v Tweed Seagulls
Wynnum-Manly
Sienna Lofipo
Wynnum have a flystart on opponents with Lofipo in the side. She has been named five-eight and is a class act.
Aylissa McCarthy
McCarthy is a real “just get the job done’’ type who will lead the way as an edge forward.
Tweed
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala will be missing from the opening round but don’t worry, they have Savannah Roberts-Hickling who will run and kick the opposition around.
Phoenix Raine-Hippi
Every side needs an x-factor and this is what Raine-Hippi will bring to the side from centre.
Redcliffe v Brisbane Tigers
Tigers
Alice Shannon
The Australian schoolgirls prop will give her side plenty of forward thrust.
India Seeto
Another off-season recruit, the Australian schoolgirl half is a trump addition for the Tigers. She has been named at No.7.
Leilani Tuqiri
From the famous Tuqiri family, Tuqiri will bring some flair and creative play to the Tigers ball-play. She will play five-eight.
Relna Hosea
The powerhouse Queensland schoolgirls centre will complement the team’s forward play and creative halves with damaging edge running. She will play centre.
Magpies v Bears
Magpies
Shannon Symon
Symon is a coachable pocket rocket who last year played for Easts in the premier women's competition.
Now playing rugby league, Symon will fit right in with her defensive ability.
Makayla Howarth
A grand final winner with the Waterford Demons and Mabel Park SHS, Howarth will be a handful at centre.
Bears
Zali Bettridge
Bettridge is super-fast and a clinical finisher who will feature heavily for the Bears on the wing.
Nadia Windleborn
Robina Raptors junior Nadia Windleborn was the Queensland Schoolgirls hooker who is in the Titans NRLW Academy.
Harvey Norman under-17 girls
Souths Logan v Burleigh Bears
Souths Logan
Lili Lewis and Janique Mili
Watch for the organising half Lewis to use the running game of fullback Mili. Amani and Mele MisaThe sister will be aces in the pack, types who lift standards on game day.
Burleigh Bears
Lacey McLaren
The Magpies may have Mili but the Bears have Lacey McLaren who will bring her dangerous running into the match from fullback.
Tamun-Ginda Kelly
The Bears were in safe hands with Tamun-Ginda Kelly handling the side from halfback.
THE TEAMS:
Magpies:
1 Bella FOAI
2 Janique MILI
3 Tiahna KANAWI
4 Prayer Playle
5 Ebony Tziros
6 Danielle-Elizabeth TUTAKANGAHAU
7 Lilianah LEWIS
8 Bella ALO
9 Shelby BOCHOW
10 Sharlene VAILI
11 Mamele MISA
12 Sienna TREW
13 Amanii MISA
14 Lara KEELING
15 Hawke KAHU
16 Aatahua LAWRENCE-LEMON
17 Benae Toloa
Bears:
1 Lacey MCLAREN
2 Taliah Anderson
3 Kaelyn PASSI
4 Genesis TUPA’I
5 Grace Jacobsen
6 Campbell Phillips
7 Yamun-Ginda KELLY-BUCHANAN
8 Sylvia TANGERIA
9 Nivea Te Hokowhitu-Wynne
10 Eta Sikahele
11 Seneisha Hepi
12 Aaliayah-May MACKENZIE
13 Tiggi Groves
14 Mikayla Robinson
15 Isabella Brown
16 Olivia MCALLISTER
17 Nikola MacDonald
Redcliffe v Brisbane Tigers
Redcliffe
Harlem Walker and Deleni Paitai
Second rower Walker and centre Paitai will be edge players giving the Dolphins thrust.
Raewyn Olomali’i
At halfback or hooker, Oloamali’i will handle the ball often and Redcliffe could be in better hands with her guiding the side around.
Tigers
We like the look of the Tigers back row, Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell, Orianna Clark and Lishainah Ulugai while prop Porche John has been named captain.
THE TEAMS:
Redcliffe:
1 Shar-Lene NATI
2 Layla Satui
3 DELENI Paitai
4 Lenore GEORGETOWN
5 Tia Molo
6 Kaia Skeen
7 Ellicyr TIGHE
8 Luisa OLOMALII
9 Raewyn Olomalii
10 Harmony HARRIS
11 Harlem WALKER
12 Mya TRONC
13 Keira RANGI
14 Tiarnee Condon
15 Sitara English
16 Letia ALEFAIO
17 Esme Hearsum
Tigers:
1 Imrana Pasese
2 Rosa-Millan LEFONO
3 Namoe GESA
4 Carleigh PIO
5 Aganoa Pasese
6 Charlotte KEKI
7 Kameryn BRAY
8 Porche JOHN
9 Enah DESIC
10 Sky-yvette FAIMALIE
11 Lishainah ULUGIA
12 Orianna CLARK
13 Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell
14 Lily SUMNER
15 Sasha WILLEMSE
16 Namileeyah PIO
17 Shantai CORA
Wynnum Manly v Tweed Seagulls
Tweed
Kaylee Booth
An ideal utility to carry through the season, the creative Booth has an innate ability to run a side.
Ayla Peters
Peters has been handed the responsibility of leading the side around.
Wynnum-Manly
Tupoutua King
King will give Wynnum plenty of strength through the middle.
Tameka Barnes
Barnes is a Miss Natural who is a football from her boot laces to the top of head.
London Pakura
Pakura is another natural talent.
THE TEAMS:
Wynnum Manly:
1 Leevi Williams
2 Breanna Gault
3 Lauryn MARTIN
4 Jada Waerea
5 Jayla ANDREW
6 Nikita BALLINGER
7 Tameka BARNES
8 Summer THORNE
9 Emily WHITTAKER
10 Tupoutua KING
11 Amber JAMES
12 Taleigha Kingston-Francis
13 London PAKURA
14 Kc CAMPBELL
15 Blaze THORNELL-HEI HEI
16 Lily Webby
17 Taya SOLOMON
Tweed:
1 Torah LUADAKA
2 Alyce Togo
3 Lacey Pedlow
4 Jordan WILDMAN
5 Brianna Dance
6 Kaylee BOOTH
7 Ayla Peters
8 Tedashii Cora
9 Diamond Graham
10 Saskia Croyston
11 Eden Velegrinis
12 Chelsea Coleman
13 Mackenzie Croyston
14 Lourdes Vainikolo
15 Aurora MAIDEN
16 Molly Benjamin
17 Natalia Hickling
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