North Queensland Cowboys invite Keyarn Pene into its new U20 squad; Meninga Cup round 8 Team of the Week

The Cowboys were circling arguably the best Brisbane-based Meninga Cup player unsigned by an NRL club. Who is he? Revealed here, along with the round 8 Team of the Week.

Keyarn Pene of the Norths Devils - he will play for Cowboys in the new U20 competition starting soon. Picture: Max Ellis.

The North Queensland Cowboys were circling Norths edge player Keyarn Pene as the Meninga Cup competition steams toward the finals.

Pene, Wavell State High’s 2024 school captain, has been outstanding for the Devils as either a centre or second rower this season.

The fast-footed utility remains an unsigned talent, but it can be revealed he will play with the Cowboys Under-20 side in the new round-robin competition starting soon that also involves the Broncos, Dolphins and Titans.

Pene’s presence in that squad will place him right under the nose of the Cowboys’ talent scouts.

Pene is one member of the round 8 Elite Eight after his team’s 42-10 win over the Mackay Cutters on Saturday.

Bruce Baudu is an extra effort player from the wing. He is an Elite Eight player this week. Picture: Michaela Harlow

Despite Norths’ 32-point win, which saw Pene score twice, it was the Tweed Seagulls who lead the way from the southern conference, while the Mackay Cutters were still well placed to qualify for the semi-finals when they should have key forward Tavita Penaia Te’o and hooker Ryan John back.

MENINGA CUP, round 8 results

Bears 38 beat Ipswich 12

Redcliffe 46 beat Clydesdales 10

Devils 42 beat Cutters 10

Souths Logan 30 beat Blackhawks 20

Tweed 48 defeated Pride 4

Wynnum Manly 38 defeated Capras 12

Tigers 38 defeated Falcons 16

NIFTY NINE

KEYARN PENE (Norths)

Wavell player Keyarn Pene is grabbed to ground in a 2023 Langer Trophy match against Keebra Park. Photo Steve Pohlner

Keyarn Pene was deservedly one of the first players picked in the round 8 Meninga Cup Team of the Week.

A centre or second rower, Pene has been consistently one of the Devils’ top performers this season and a pillar in defence in either position. Two years ago he was in the halves as captain of the club’s Connell Cup team.

Although he was named in News Corp’s Langer Trophy Team of the Season last year, Pene is largely an unheralded kid who at the moment remains unsigned by an NRL club.

But he has been invited into the Cowboys Under-20 squad for the new four-team competition which could lead to higher honours.

JAVON ANDREWS (Tweed)

Javon Andrews prepares to drill a kick. Picture: Glenn Campbell

The Gold Coast Titans were building from the ground up, ushering elite Queensland and northern NSW juniors into their system and one of the best is playmaker Javon Andrews.

Tall for a five-eighth, the Souths junior is a wonderful vision player with tremendous passing and an effective running game himself.

Being a big body, the Marsden SHS product also holds the line in defence. He did just that in a big win over the Pride at the weekend.

BRUCE BAUDU (Blackhawks)

Bruce Baudu. Picture:Michaela Harlow

Up there with the best finishers in the competition, Baudu saves just as many tries as he scores.

A great bloke to have around the dressing room or on training night, Baudu’s positive attitude reverberates across the squad.

Don’t be surprised if he finishes the season playing A grade in Townsville or even starts to attract interest from the Cowboys.

He was a two-try customer in the a 30-20 loss against the Magpies on Saturday. The week before he scored twice in a win over Wynnum Manly.

FLYNN BATTAIA (Cutters)

Flynn Battaia as a 2021 premiership winner with Brothers. He is now a powerful, dynamic centre.

The Cutters back five have been outstanding with their work ethic and carries this season, and leader of the pack has been centre Flynn Battaia who has dynamic leg power.

A Mackay boy to the core, he looks like a kid who is growing in confidence, who has faith in his ability and his body.

In attack Battaia was a handful whenever he took the ball and to cap off a great performance against quality opposition (Norths), he scored a great try.

TYLER PEREIRA (Wynnum Manly)

Iona College ace Tyler Pereira was razor sharp when injecting himself from fullback where his explosive footwork and speed caused trouble angling toward the centres, or up the middle where he supported his big forwards.

Having played in the halves where he gathered footy intelligence, you sensed he could see every trick in the book unfolding before his eyes.

Was key in Wynnum Manly’s bounce-back win over the Capras.

ROBERTSON TUSI-TOFU (Norths)

Robertson Tusi Tofu. Meninga Cup round 1 action between the Devils and Tigers on Saturday February 15, 2025. Picture: Max Ellis.

The productive outside back is having a big season for the Devils.

Always a hard worker in defence and taking tough runs from the defensive end, Tusi-Tofu looked a threat with the ball every time he injected himself.

A mobile left edge customer, Tosi-Tofu has played three seasons of Meninga Cup footy so he knows how to maintain the rage across a long, gruelling campaign.

JAIA POPPI (Blackhawks)

Jaia Poppi. Picture: Evan Morgan

Poppi is making up for lost time after missing some of the season through injury.

Against a strong Norths forward pack, he lost nothing in comparison to the other middle forwards and was strong in defence.

A kid with a big motor, he is a player who has not fulfilled his potential - of which he has plenty of.

Playing A grade in the Townsville competition later this year should advance his career.

Jackson Connor (Tigers)

Jackson Connor playing for Villanova in rugby - he has been outstanding for the Tigers.

The towering Connor has been outstanding for the Tigers over the last month.

From the heart of Tigerland, the Villanova College old boy has been a force playing second row where his penetrating ball carrying has created opportunities for this revamped Tigers side.

He is a tremendous athlete who would walk into any rugby side as a No.8, lock or centre, or be a key position player or ruckman in Australian football.

The Tigers Meninga Cup staff are delighted to have him.

Xzavier Timoteo (Magpies)

Xzavier Timoteo came storming off the bench at a rate of knots and had a huge impact for his team.

A rip-and-tear prop returning from suspention, his run metres were outstanding and, as a bonus, he scored a couple of tries.

The powerhouse Ipswich SHS product has been signed by the Roosters and is the type of kid who can push hard for NRL honours later this season.

ROUND 8 TEAM OF THE WEEK

1. Tyler Pereira (Wynnum Manly)

2. Bruce Baudu (Blackhawks)

3. Sam Stephenson (Tweed)

4. Robertson Tusi-Tofu (Devils)

5. Rylan Misztela (Cutters)

6. Javon Andrews (Tweed)

7. Marley McLaren (Bears)

8. Patrick Kailahi (Dolphins)

9. Lachlan McCall (Devils)

10. Jaia Poppi (Blackhawks)

11. Keyarn Pene (Devils)

12. Jackson Connor (Tigers)

13. Carter Ford (Dolphins)

14. Carter Welfare (Devils)

15. Braithen Scott (Wynnum Manly)

16. Flynn Battaia (Cutters)

17. Xzavier Timoteo (SOuths Logan)

18. Phillip Coates (Bears)

19. Preston Cassidy (Wynnum Manly)

20. Levi Rusin (Tigers)

21. Cooper Bai (Tweed)

Mountain Creek player Jackson Koina last season - he never fails to deliver for the Falcons either. Picture, John Gass

Special mentions: Jackson Koina (Falcons), Charlie Dickson (Norths), Loranzo Fono (Blackhawks), Anton Whaiapu (Bears), Cooper Day (Wynnum Manly), Taylan To’a (Tweed), Jakyea Tehuia (Tigers), Nate Thompson (Falcons), Harrison Bath (Wynnum Manly), Zane Elletson (Cutters), Reeco Kirk (Dolphins), Dirhys Sefo (Souths Logan) and Taj Lateo (Tweed).