Raiders signed Ipswich SHS student Set for Langer Trophy decider after 2300km journey
A Raiders signed Ipswich SHS student will look to ice a 2300km journey from New Zealand in Wednesday’s Langer Trophy decider. We take a look at him, and Ipswich players one through 19 ready to go back-to-back.
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A Raiders signed Year 12 student from Ipswich State High School will look to complete a successful journey from New Zealand in this Wednesday’s Langer Trophy grand final.
From St Paul’s College in Auckland, centre Keisaia Su’A has travelled over 2300kms to Ipswich SHS who on Wednesday face Palm Beach Currumbin SHS in the schoolboy decider.
Of Kiwi descent, the Raiders-signed outside back will be a key player as Ipswich SHS look to go back-to-back – live streamed by www.couriermail.com.au
Su’A, who played both codes of rugby at St Paul’s, moved from Auckland for an opportunity to one day play in the NRL and was signed by the Canberra club after impressing in the Meninga Cup Under 18s for the Ipswich Jets.
Signed through 2025, Su’A now has a cherished opportunity to take knowledge learned from the Ipswich SHS and Jets coaches when he moves to Canberra in November for pre-season.
“I’ve learned the most of my coaches Shane Harris and Josh Bretherton,” Su’A said.
“Especially Harris, when I first came over from New Zealand he was my Jets coach. He built me as a player, leading into the Langer season.”
“I feel very stoked (about Ipswich making the final). It is my first time playing elite Australian football and there is no competition like this back in New Zealand.
“It is way more advanced than where I have played and it is just good to learn new things from especially the coaches, they have helped me out a lot and the boys as well.
“That’s what got us here.”
When asked if losses to Keebra Park SHS (round 1) and Marsden SHS (round 7) had made the team stronger, Su’A said: “We have more hunger (following those loses). We look back at it and they aren’t really losses, they are lessons.
“We build on them as a team.”
“I am kind of nervous but we try our best and we back each other up,” Su’A added ahead of the grand final.
To give Ipswich SHS supporters a look at the talent going to battle, we introduce players one through nineteen trying to write history for the second consecutive year.
PLAYERS WE CAN’T WAIT TO SEE ON GRAND FINAL DAY
RENOUF, HANCOCK, BBOB PLAYERS TO WATCH ON FINALS DAY
LATEST LANGER TROPHY PICTURE GALLERY
LANGER TROPHY FINALS KINGMAKERS
1. Dominique Sandow
From Cherbourg and via Marsden SHS, fullback Sandow has been a staple in this year’s side.
Along the way he earned Queensland Schoolboys honours and his chat from the back and organisation in defence will be crucial on Wednesday.
2. Xavier Kirk
Kirk has enjoyed Langer Trophy footy after helping Ipswich SHS to last year’s Langer Reserves premiership – which they are chasing again in this week’s grand final against Marsden SHS.
He scored one of Ipswich SHS’s best tries of the year against Palm Beach Currumbin earlier in the season and Ipswich supporters will be hoping for another screamer when they butt horns on Wednesday.
3. LJ Nonu
Nonu has been rock solid from start to finish this year and has been one of the Langer Trophy’s most consistent performers.
There are so many great attacking players in the team and Nonu is no less special.
4. Keisaia Su’A
Have Su’A and Nonu been the best centres of the season? They have certainly been the most reliable.
The pair set up tries, score tries and are brave defenders. And they do not miss games.
5. Anton Naiyep
How lucky Ipswich SHS are to have Naiyep running out for them in the final. The Queensland Schoolboys winger, like Su’A, earned a contract during the Meninga Cup season and has never looked back.
Will be chasing his second Langer Trophy championship ring.
6. Brandon Tikinau
Robin to Mafi’s Batman, five-eighth Tikinau is a cool customer who does not overplay his hand.
Has done a great job in place of James Frazer (class of 2022).
7. Izaiah Mafi
The Ipswich halfback has been masterful all season long with his kicking and on Wednesday he will be KEY.
He adds a massive boot, accurate cross-field kicking, and superb spiral passing.
15. Lesayne Tuiasau
He is on the smaller side for a prop but that makes him all the more deadly.
Quick, fearless and illusive, the versatile Tuiasau will help Tyler Peckham-Harris hone in on tired defenders.
9. Tyler Peckham-Harris
Peckham-Harris was a titan in last year’s decider and the Ipswich faithful will be hoping he can deliver again on the big stage.
A Dragons signee, hooker Peckham-Harris is one of the best players in the competition for the second successive year.
Don’t let his size fool you, he is a brutal defender.
10. David Leota
The powerful prop can at times be seen starting on the back fence and finishing close to halfway.
Out of the sporting rich Logan region and via Ipswich Grammar, the Canterbury signed forward powerhouse has had a stellar season helping Ipswich SHS back to the grand final.
11. Shaye Faa’aoga
Faa’aoga’s bleach blonde hair can be seen bending the defensive line with a mix of power, muscle and foot speed.
He has fit right in this season.
12. Oliva Iaulualo
The current Ipswich SHS Langer and school captain, Oliva Iaulualo has been a massive player on the edge for Ippy, with his imposing frame challenging opponents and his passing skills in contact coming to the fore.
Contracted by the Canterbury Bulldogs, Iaulualo was a Harold Matthews premiership winner with the Bulldogs earlier this season.
Footnote: David Leota was also in the Bulldogs team.
13. Jack Laing
A true homegrown hero, Laing will give his everything and more to give Ipswich their best chance on Wednesday.
He has great hands and is a leader.
14. Sam Martin
The Souths-Logan Connell Challenge hooker is relishing his first year at the school and after starting in the Reserves to begin the season, he has found a role which Gabriel Satrick shone in last year.
A darting No. 9, it is in Palm Beach’s best interest to tread carefully when he comes onto the field.
16. Maaro David
An unforgiving defender, hit-man David has been a trusted performer along with his Langer Reserves teammates (2022) Kirk, Tikinau, Mafi, Kolio and Self.
17. Cayleb Johnson
Johnson was a big-improver last season and this year he has been tremendous. A more than capable prop, Johnson has led from the front with his strong carries, scramble defence, and repeat efforts which do not go unnoticed.
19. Saifiti Junior Saifiti
Saifiti is not unlike winger Naiyep in that he bruises daring defenders with his hit-ups.
He is a great goalkicker but so is Brandon Tikinau, and there aren’t many better to find when pressure needs relieving.
Special mention to Iosefa Kolio, Kane Self, Mafiou Cherif, Mahonri Tiotala, Tom Parker, Tarell Indich and various others who have been a part of the team this season.
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