Terrific 14 reasons why there’s life after Cobbo at the Broncos
Young, athletic, hungry for their chance. Here’s 14 reasons why there will be life after Selwyn Cobbo if he leaves the Broncos.
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While Broncos supporters digest the possible exit of crowd favourite Selwyn Cobbo, fans can be comforted there were a dozen crack teenage outside backs already embedded in the club’s academy.
Brisbane fans would hate to see the back of Cobbo, someone recruited to the club from the Cherbourg Hornets. But Brisbane’s junior recruitment staff have fortified the club with at least a dozen top flight outside back juniors - even despite the impending loss of Keebra Park wonder boy David Brytenton to the Canterbury Bulldogs.
So who were the terrific 14 rookies who highlight there is life after Cobbo if he leaves the club?
Saxon Innes (Burleigh Bears)
A Meninga Cup premiership-winning fullback with the Burleigh Bears, Innes has explosive speed through the ruck or on the edges.
The Marsden SHS past student has breathtaking acceleration which he also uses to nullify opponents clearing kicks.
He can cover the wing positions but fullback is where he comes alive.
Antonio Verhoeven (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS)
Recruited from deep on New Zealand’s faraway South Island, this ex-St Bede’s, Christchurch schoolboy sensation was an athletic marvel who has been named in the Queensland schoolboys side.
In the short time he has been in the Sunshine State, Verhoeven has been a driving force in the Meninga Cup premiership outfit at Burleigh and is aiming high with reigning Langer Trophy champions Palm Beach Currumbin SHS.
Joseph Tupuse (Keebra Park SHS)
Specialist centre Tupuse can make a thud against any opposition.
He has been a long-term investment and is contributing to Keebra Park SHS’s status as the team to beat in the Langer Trophy schoolboy competition.
The homegrown Keebra Park schoolboy is strong, athletic and loves an offload.
Dean Tauaa (Mabel Park SHS)
An explosive centre, Tauaa had a bumper off-season with the Broncos Academy and it showed in his club form for Wynnum Manly in the Connell Cup competition.
This kid is a particularly promising player who has come through the ranks at Mabel Park and been a showstopper at times.
Tom Morcom (Wynnum Manly)
A Shalom College alumni from the Bundaberg region, Morcom is made of the right stuff.
As a specialist centre he is strong, runs good lines and has that country Queensland work ethic.
Morcom, 19, is a smart, polished performer who came to the surface as a Wide Bay Bulls prodigy and has been in the Broncos Academy since he was 15.
Philip Coates (Burleigh Bears)
His older brother Xavier once donned the Broncos colours and young Philip is being groomed for a Broncos career having been a part of the mighty Under-19s Origin side and its academy.
Coates, like Xavier, is just a big boy. He is tough and skilled too and the Marymount product knows it.
He delivered a jolting tackle in the game against the Blues last week and is a specialist centre with upsize.
Siosaia Poese (Keebra Park SHS)
A speedy wing talent named in the hotly-contested Queensland schoolboys side, Poese has that x-factor play about his game.
The youngster is benefiting from his first season in the elite Langer Trophy schoolboy competition for title front runners Keebra Park SHS.
He is light on his feet and like Cobbo, plays wing and also fullback.
Tomu Cook (Ipswich SHS)
Originally from the Otahuhu club in New Zealand, Cook has made every post a winner since arriving in Australia for the 2024 season.
A well respected Ipswich SHS student, Cook is coming off a ripper Connell Cup campaign where he was Souths Logan’s Best Back awardee.
Baxter Best (Ipswich SHS)
Best’s progress and development has been fast tracked this year with his family, Broncos coaches and Ipswich SHS coaches mutually agreeing the Year 10 student is better off training and playing in the Langer Trophy than in the Walters Cup.
It makes total sense because the 16-year-old will grow considerably in a more challenging environment, playing against bigger and older opponents.
Best, the brother of Newcastle henchman Bradman, is quick, strong and skilful.
He has been a fullback coming through but is learning to cover No. 1, centre and wing so he’s across it all when push comes to shove.
Barry Taukolo (Nudgee College)
The young outside back is the wildcard in the pack.
Playing fullback this season for Wynnum Manly, his sniping darts down the middle sounded alarm bells in defensive lines.
He was recruited from New Zealand by the club and is in the prolific Nudgee College rugby program where he will have access to some of the finest facilities and coaching in the land.
He is impressive on and off the field. On it, he is never out of the action for long and is a busy type.
Billo Wotton (Wavell SHS)
Originally from Palm Island off the coast of Townsville, Wotton has played all Langer Trophy matches this season at right centre.
He is in Year 11.
As a junior Wotton was simply too good and he has put on considerable size and muscle since moving to Wavell SHS.
He is a big, barnstorming type and a raw talent worth backing.
Adam McSherry (St Patrick’s)
Mr Utility Adam McSherry is a Brothers Mackay junior who can play fullback, five-eight or lock with ease.
Although he only has the No. 1 position in common with Cobbo, McSherry was simply too good to leave off the list.
He has been elite during successive Connell Cup campaigns with Mackay and his selection in the Queensland Country Under-17s representative side was the proof.
He was outstanding when they beat Queensland City at Langlands Park earlier this year.
Joey Salafia (Met West)
Salafia is the youngest player on the list, he is a Year 10 Ipswich SHS student who turned 15 this year.
He is a dangerous runner with good habits away from the ball, and has flair.
Salafia created one of the best tries of the Walters Cup season a fortnight ago and has the ability to create something from nothing while also being top notch at his core role at fullback.
Finn Kendall (Ipswich Grammar)
The elite Ipswich Grammar senior is a terrific centre in both codes.
The Broncos Academy ace will be in action for IGS in less than a month, after a standout Meninga Cup campaign for the Magpies.
Kendall can also cover fullback with distinction.
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