Schoolboy league’s top 60: Player form guide ahead of the Langer Trophy 2025 season
Langer Trophy’s top 60 sneak peak form guide: How key players from your school side were looking entering the elite schoolboy rugby league competition.
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The Langer Trophy competition is just around the corner, with round one scheduled for June 3-4.
This publication and all News Corp Australia digital mastheads will again be your home of NRL National Schoolboy and Schoolgirl Cup rugby league competitions.
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So who will be the players leading the charge for their respective school’s this season in the Brisbane Broncos-sponsored Langer Trophy?
Following the finish of the Meninga Cup junior representative competition last Saturday when Burleigh beat Redcliffe in extra time, here’s a form guide of who’s in hot form entering the schoolboy season.
FOOTNOTE: The list is inclusive of schoolboys who played in either the Connell or Meninga Cups and excludes elite youth talent who played in the NSW-based SG Ball and Harold Matthews Cup competitions like Charlie Webb (Roosters, Wavell SHS), Billy Mulheran (Canterbury, PBC SHS) and Mace Andrew (Canterbury, Marsden SHS).
LANGER TROPHY FORM GUIDE
THE TOP 23 RUNNERS IN MINT CONDITION
Tupou Francis (Marsden SHS)
Here’s a secret we’ll let you in on. Francis was third in line for the 2024 Justin Hodges Medal recognising the Langer Trophy’s best player.
His leadership and aggression with and without the ball as a Year 11 student in 2024 ensured he was next in line behind Charlie Dickson (ex-Wavell) and Zane Harrison (ex-PBC SHS) who deservedly shared the medal.
He is coming off a tremendous club season with Burleigh’s Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga Cup outfits.
David Bryenton (Keebra Park SHS)
The sidestepping David Bryenton was simply elite for the Souths Logan’s Meninga Cup side.
A livewire with the fanciest feet, Bryenton was moved closer to the ruck to play five-eighth where his dazzling running game generated chances from anywhere on the field.
Dean Tauaa (Mabel Park SHS)
Tauaa played Langer Trophy last year as an under aged Year 11 student.
In 2025 the elite centre will enter the season full of confidence after some stunning contributions for Wynnum Manly in the Connell Cup under-17 competition.
After an off-season of training at the Broncos, he returned a bigger, stronger, faster and even more imposing player.
He will take some holding.
Xzavier Timoteo (Ipswich SHS)
Xzavier Timoteo, who is coming off a strong club season with Souths, returns to the gold where he will captain Ipswich by example.
The courageous front row forward will run through a brick wall for his side if he has to, and his inspiring charges around the ruck will be important to the Ipswich SHS campaign.
Watch for his quick feet before contact at the line to add variety to his fierce ruck runs.
Hayden Watson (Marsden SHS)
Although the hooker or halfback missed three home-and-away games for Burleigh, Watson made up for lost time with a stunning finish to the Meninga Cup season.
His performance during the first weekend of finals, against Tweed, was something to behold.
The 2024 Queensland Schoolboys dummyhalf will kick the goals for the Makos in 2025.
Marley McLaren (PBC SHS)
With the responsibility of being Burleigh’s primary playmaker, halfback McLaren rose to the occasion this season to run the premiership-winning outfit with aplomb.
This decade the Dragons-aligned half has learned from the best at school level — Zane Harrison and Tom Weaver — and is set to put his stamp on the side after being a part of Walters Cup (Year 10) and Langer Trophy premiership teams over the past two years.
Adaquix-Jeremiah Watts-Luke (Marsden SHS)
Luke could be one of the Langer Trophy’s most exciting attacking players.
The fullback has explosive acceleration and is a threat down the centre of the field or from attacking ball on the edges.
He is also sound in defusing bombs.
Majah-Jose Peachey (Mabel Park SHS)
Peachey had his third Connell Cup season with Wynnum Manly and was monumental.
The dynamic left edge runner entered the season fitter and stronger than ever before and showed plenty of speed for a forward.
His imposing running game, quick feet and strength were a showcase.
Antonio Verhoeven (PBC SHS)
Meet the new boy on the block.
An electrifying centre from the South Island of New Zealand, centre Verhoeven played his way into the Meninga Cup Team of the Season squad from eventual premiers Burleigh.
He is a lethal edge talent who will give the PBC Reds strike out wide following the graduation of two-season Langer Trophy centre Sam Stephenson.
Harvey Smith (Keebra Park SHS)
A class act with a classier passing game, he was the Walters Cup Year 10s premier playmaker last year.
The Runaway Bay junior ace had a big season for Connell Cup premiers Burleigh in a superb summer which featured his astute goalkicking and dogged defence.
Tom Parker (Ipswich SHS)
The crafty Parker returns as an experienced hand, someone who will be a calming presence on the field.
An outstanding five-eight or fullback, Parker is a class act who knows how to get the job done at this level.
Kalani Patu (Keebra Park SHS)
Tweed terror Kalani Patu was a forward colossus on the edge of the ruck where he was near impossible to contain across 70 minutes.
The Titans Academy rookie is sure to be full of beans during the Langer Trophy campaign.
Cody Starr (Redcliffe SHS)
The towering Redcliffe Meninga Cup prop lost some traction this season because of suspension, but will enter the competition one of the top schoolboy props in South East Queensland.
Injury free and fit, just wind him up and watch him go.
Tomasi Vaitai (Keebra Park SHS)
In an Ipswich Jets side which had a so-so season, prop forward Vaitai was outstanding.
He featured quick feet at the line, explosive power and strength — while being aggressive in defence.
He enters the season as the full package.
Cornelius Kelsall (Keebra Park SHS)
Hold onto your hats.
Fullback Kelsall is an x-factor player who has the skill to break matches open on his own.
An under age player in the under-17s Connell Cup, Kelsall was recruited from Melbourne by the Dolphins and he adds even more excitement to an already potent Keebra backline.
Taylan To’a (Marsden SHS)
The athletic second rower was a handful on the left edge for Tweed when his halves were able to deliver him with some attacking ball.
Defensively he was also strong and was an easy selection in the Team of the Season given his threatening presence, telling line running and genuine strike power.
Tomu Cook (Ipswich SHS)
Watch for the emergence of rookie centre Tomu Cook in Ipswich this season after a magnificent club season for Souths Logan.
He was consistently one of his team’s best each Saturday across the Connell Cup season and despite being in Year 11, we predict the bustling centre will be a prominent player in his school’s Langer Trophy effort.
Innocent Baruani (Ipswich SHS)
Baruani was outstanding for the Ipswich Jets during the club season, with his soft hands a real point of difference.
His vision and catch and pass skills completed his considerable running game on the right edge and could be another who is asked to step up to the top team as a Year 11 student.
Jai Bilish (PBC SHS)
Hooker Jai Bilish is sure to be a key figure in the Reds’ campaign.
He had a strong club season playing dummyhalf with distinction for Tweed and can confidently take the keys to the ruck during the 2025 school season after making an impact off the bench as a Year 11 last year.
Fa’apale Feaunati (Keebra Park SHS)
It has been a long time coming, but this Broncos-signed prop will make his Langer Trophy debut as a Year 12 student next month.
A middle forward with a high work rate and mobility in defence, Feaunati spent Years 8-10 in private school (Gregory Terrace) and switched to Keebra Park SHS during the first term of 2024 — too late to be eligible for Langer selection.
Was elite in the middle for the Magpies in Meninga Cup footy earlier this year.
Hayden Polson (Wavell SHS)
Polson will be very, very handy in the forwards for the Wavell State High Warriors.
A rock for the all-star Norths under-17 Connell Cup side, Polson had a high work rate and was arguably his team’s most reliable in a demanding position.
Kobi Hauraki (PBC SHS)
Kobi who?
From Whangarei Boys High school in New Zealand, No.13 Hauraki was one of the finds of the Connell Cup season when he played with Tweed.
Signed by the Gold Coast Titans last year, he has fallen into the lap of PBC SHS and will give the Reds steel in the middle — and variety with his nice passing game.
Joseph Tupuse (Keebra Park SHS)
Tupuse was very good for Souths Logan in its Meninga Cup campaign.
He had a couple of injuries which took a little of the gloss off his season, but he has runs on the board and is a powerhouse on the edge.
PROVEN WINNERS IN ALL CONDITIONS
Amare Wynyard (Redcliffe SHS)
Cohen Cochrane’s Connell Cup form at No.9 for the Dolphins will give Redcliffe SHS the option to play their captain Wynyard as both a running No.13 and a hooker.
Wynyard had an excellent school season in 2024 as captain and will be full of motivation for his final year.
Timahna Tandy (Wavell SHS)
The little bloke with razor sharp skills will have an influence — and that includes his outstanding goal kicking.
A rookie from the southern Darling Downs, young half Tandy would have learnt plenty during the demanding Connell Cup competition when he pulled the strings nicely in a strong Norths side.
That team featured fellow Wavell boys Boston Nau (fullback), Hayden Madders (five-eighth), Polson (prop), Dallas Davidson (prop), Lisi Fa’aoso (hooker) and Romarian Tuitama (prop).
Israel Lotaki and Lennox Whaiapu (Keebra Park SHS)
Both Israel (centre or fullback) and Lennox (prop) played big roles in Keebra’s 2024 Walters Cup and 2023 Renouf Shield premiership campaigns. It would not surprise seeing them in the Langer Trophy arena this season.
From the Burleigh club, they have winning form.
Grayson and Nikorima Wharakura (Marsden SHS)
The 2024 Walters Cup grand final players had grand club seasons but the form guard can be tossed out the window when it comes to schoolboy footy because the twins have what it takes.
Grayson plays fullback or wing and contributes like an extra forward, while Nik is a specialist prop who took on a defensive henchman role off the bench for the mighty Tigers.
Bailey Vang (Stretton SC)
A polished dummyhalf with plenty of strings to his bow.
Vang and his Stretton Storm teammates have been itching to make the Langer Trophy and this year they get their chance in the big league after winning the Andrew Gee Shield in 2024.
Vang’s effective kicking, accurate passing and scheming runs were key component of the Stretton attack.
Dom Ierome (Mabel Park SHS)
Ierome caught the eye during the 2023 season with his afro-hair and aggressive play.
Now in Year 12, the forward utility looks primed to make a telling impact for Mabel, likely as a No.13.
Grady Payne (Redcliffe SHS)
Payne has come on in leaps and bounds after making his Langer debut last season.
He spent the summer training and playing for the Tigers in the Meninga Cup and is sure to be at the peak of his powers during the school season where his short passing game and right boot will be to the fore.
Billo Wotton (Wavell SHS)
Wotton remains an exciting centre prospect after benefiting from a season under experienced senior coach Jon Buchanan at Wynnum Manly (Connell Cup).
The unrelenting Wotton, a Palm Island product, will be unleashed on the opposition at some point in this year’s Langer Trophy — despite being in Year 11.
A Charters Towers Miners junior rugby league phenom, Wotton’s match fitness and strength has grown significantly over the off-season.
Treleque Boyce-Silimaka (Keebra Park SHS)
Left edge second rower is a tremendous athlete with great footwork at the line and power in contact.
He had a fine club season and looks in fine fettle entering the Langer Trophy season.
FORM GUIDE — STRONG EACH WAY BETS
Josiah Fa’aoso (PBC SHS)
Fa’aoso had a ripper club season with Tweed, holding down the middle and making the Queensland Country under-17s as a result.
It was a just reward for Tweed’s Players Player award.
Barry Taukolo (Wavell SHS)
The young fullback was tireless in the Connell Cup playing for Wynnum Manly, at the peak of his powers when returning the ball.
Whether he was sniping down the middle or injecting himself into the backline, Taukolo had opposition defences swarming to ensure he couldn’t wesel out of confined spaces — his specialty.
Hayden Madders (Wavell SHS)
Coming from the Norths Devils, he will be full of knowledge after taking plenty of learnings and experience from the club competition where he played in the halves with Tandy.
The crafty and quick Wavell senior would have fine tuned his skills in the confines of his home with older brother Fynn, a notable past student who plays dummyhalf for Norths.
Lexin Hill (Stretton State College)
A fine fullback, Hill played wing and five-eighth for a misfiring Souths Logan side during the Connell Cup and will be better for the experience.
Was tremendous in Stretton’s frantic, last-gasp win over Caloundra SHS which got them into the competition for the first ever.
Devine Timu (Wavell SHS)
Light on his feet, Year 12 student Timu played well for Wynnum Manly’s impressive Connell Cup squad.
The outside back can add the finishing touches on the edge for Wavell this year.
Saia Papani (Wavell SHS)
The 2024 Walters Cup team of the season second rower spent the summer playing for Redcliffe in the Connell Cup.
Papani, who had boundless energy as a starter or bench forward, would have learned plenty in a season of adversity.
Tippessa Lee (Marsden SHS)
An outstanding hooker or running No.13, Lee had a quality season with Souths Logan’s under-17s and is another customer who is proven in schoolboy footy.
Jordan Hotere (Wavell SHS)
Wynnum Manly playmaker Jordan Hotere was the 2024 Walters Cup five-eighth of the season and has the runs on the board.
He is a crafty type, originally from Auckland, who is learning how to unlock his backs and playing a fast, up-tempo game.
Cooper Cracknell (Ipswich SHS)
Cooper Cracknell gives the Ipswich forward division depth and considerable experience. The skilled prop, a Brothers Ipswich junior, has been around the block and back again during his career at Ipswich SHS and knows how to handle the middle of the ruck.
Onyx Poimafiti (Stretton)
Onyx Poimafiti was a thunderous front rower and the cornerstone of Stretton State College’s go forward during the recent Langer qualifying trial matches.
He is a forward who loves a challenge.
Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu (Mabel Park SHS)
Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu is a promising centre talent who trained and played with the Tigers in the Connell Cup.
He’s worth a second and third look for sure.
STAYING SPECIALISTS — WORTH A DECENT PUNT
Cohen Cochran (Redcliffe SHS)
Cochran was a revelation at the ruck base this season in a battling Redcliffe side.
He was regularly on point with his passing, displayed tenacity in defence and could sniff out a try.
He was the glue of the Dolphins’ Connell Cup outfit.
Boston Nau (Wavell SHS)
A slippery outside back who spent the summer training and playing for Norths’ Connell Cup side, Nau also played representative footy for the Queensland schoolboys last season.
The Year 11 student has got plenty of backers.
Jonathan Alo (Redcliffe SHS)
The talented project player has been gathering a bank of knowledge representing Queensland schoolboys, playing club footy at Redcliffe and attending Redcliffe SHS.
This is a season where the tall winger could contribute plenty to the top side. Also watch for young outside back Kyron Arthy to contribute at some stage this season.
Montgomery Betham (Stretton SC)
The prime piston of the Stretton pack.
Betham will be a focal point for the Storm, their engine room middle forward with ferocious leg drive and power.
Simione Tauelangi (Keebra Park SHS)
An addition to the Broncos Academy over the summer, Tauelangi will be a right edge threat as either a centre or a second rower for Keebra Park after an outstanding club season for U17 premiers Burleigh.
The Year 11 student, originally from Melbourne, had a huge 2024 school season so watch this space in 2025.
Taufa Taulani (Redcliffe SHS)
The big fellow should be underrated no more. When two of the Eagles’ three forward spearheads (Cody Starr and Nate Berrigan) were unavailable last season, Taulani grew a leg in support of Jarius Halahala. He continued that form in the 2025 Meninga Cup season for Redcliffe.
Kaleb Teu (Redcliffe SHS)
Returning to the peninsula from New Zealand after first attending Redcliffe SHS as a Year 7 student, Teu was a fixture in the Dolphins Meninga Cup side.
He came off the bench to add vim and vigour to the middle forward effort.
Benjamin McGregor (Keebra Park SHS)
A power forward from the Bears, McGregor gave Burleigh plenty of thrust and energy when he surged off the bench during the club season.
Could do the same for Keebra, with Year 11 prop Lennox Whaiapu also lurking ominously in the shadows.
Cohen Aitken (PBC SHS)
A big, strong and mobile second rower, he was a member of the Bears premiership winning squad in the Connell Cup.
He has a high work rate on both sides of the ball.
Max Fife (PBC SHS)
Watch for utility Fife to play a busy role around the ruck in PBC SHS’s Langer campaign - just as he did for the premiership winning Burleigh U17s when he’d roar off the bench.
UNDERDONE YOUNG GUNS WITH PROVEN TRACK RECORDS
Jairus Halahala (Redcliffe SHS)
Halahala only played two matches early in the club season after taking a break for personal reasons, but his return game last month in the Langer Trophy qualifying clash was immense.
The quick-footed, explosive middle forward will play a big role in Redcliffe’s premiership bid.
Nate Berrigan (Redcliffe SHS)
Like Redcliffe SHS and Dolphins teammate Halahala, Berrigan missed most of the Meninga Cup season — and has a limited form line, although he did give his all in typical fashion in last Saturday’s Meninga Cup grand final.
The No.13 is the real deal and will play the role of a small, speedy and explosive middle forward who can generate momentum shifts.
Ruben Webb (Wavell SHS)
Webb missed games here and there during the club season with Norths but he is fit, firing and gee whiz is he exciting.
A makeshift winger capable of playing fullback or as a playmaker, Webb is set to play alongside with his younger brother Charlie, a first during their time at Wavell.
TJ Sauaso (Ipswich SHS)
A fractured wrist curtailed his Connell Cup season with the Jets, but the clever half is a proven campaigner.
He has footy smarts, with his deft grubbers and attacking kicks one feature of his play.
Ipswich SHS coach Josh Bretherton won’t rush him into the side but he could do a job if needed.
Ira Yeatman (Ipswich SHS)
A boom boy from rugby league crazy Innisfail, Yeatman is jinking fullback talent who had spectators at the North Ipswich Reserve creeping forward on their seats in anticipation of his next move last year.
He can create in the blink of an eye through the middle, out wide or as a first receiver.
NEW FACES OF NOTE
Saia Poese (Keebra Park SHS)
Poese followed Feaunati from Gregory Terrace to Keebra Park where he can add another dimension to an already potent backline featuring Bryenton, Tupuse, Kelsall, Smith, Justus Lowndes (playmaker) and VJ Letalu (outside back).
Wow.
Keebra will have plenty of strike power and Poese has the speed and light feet to turn nothing into something.
James Grey (Redcliffe SHS)
A pacy customer, Grey was a speed demon on the track coming through the ranks at Ipswich Grammar.
The blistering outside back has moved to Redcliffe State High.
Azariah Toki-Mautairi (Redcliffe SHS)
Toki-Mautairi is also a new face at Redcliffe SHS. He was a Wavell SHS boy who tried his hand at rugby last year at Toowoomba Grammar.
Now he is back in town, brimming with confidence after an SG Ball campaign with Canterbury.
Tiger Campbell (Ipswich SHS)
A rugby league Ipswich junior from Norths Tigers, Campbell switched the St Edmund’s College uniform for Ipswich State High’s midway through last year to try his hand in the elite Langer Trophy for his final year of schooling.
You may recall David Leota (originally Ipswich Grammar) doing the same thing in 2023. However Campbell won’t be running off the back fence, he will be in the halves.
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