Top 60 schoolboys from GPS, AIC rugby, Langer league
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Our top 60 schoolboy players from the magnificent nurseries of GPS, AIC First XV rugby and Langer Trophy league can be revealed here.
Today we add No.1-20 (see below) after earlier presenting No.21-60.
It is a group so strong that Langer Trophy young bucks like Alex Leapai junior, (Mabel Park SHS), Rene Bagon (Ipswich SHS), Harrison Schwenke and De La Salle (both St Mary’s) and Padua’s Andrew De Jager missed out this year, but their time is coming, along with rugby rookies Lolo Sekona (BSHS), Thomas Parker-Ryan (St Laurence’s), Villanova’s Cameron Bukowski, Marist Ashgrove forward workhorses Jack Condon and Will Andreas and Zac Lamont (Churchie).
Some old favourites narrowly missed the top 60 as well, like Padua hooker Dan Healy, BBC fullback Blake Davis, tackling machines Drew Timms (Wavell SHS) and Jay Blazek (Coombabah SHS), Marsden SHS’s Leon Te Hau, Prinston Esera (Wavell SHS) and lanky Churchie No. 8 Jock MacPherson, while we would love to have found room for three Langer Trophy front rowers Lance Fualema (Marsden SHS), Joseph Shannon (Coombabah SHS) and Felix Faatili (Wavell SHS).
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The list is restricted to the Langer Trophy, GPS, AIC First rugby competitions, but take note of Gee Cup talent Jack Cameron (Redcliffe SHS), Jacob Taulani (Redcliffe SHS), Zyroam Herlihy (Alexandra Hills SHS), Sefo Faotuono (Redcliffe SHS), Matthew Bennett (Redcliffe SHS), Denzel Samoa (Forest Lake SHS) and Te Anau Graham-Papali’i (Alexandra Hills SHS), along with backrow dynamo Corey Nassif (Souths Logan).
Earlier in the year we also presented the top 10 schoolgirl league players following the completion of the Titans Cup, a group which feature sensational talents like Chantay Ratu, Skyla Adams (both Keebra Park SHS), Lilli Lewis, Janique Milli (both Marsden SHS), Malaela Su’a (Mabel Park SHS) and Riley Jorgensen (Ipswich SHS).
So here is the top 60, including the inclusion overmight of our top 20.
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TOP SCHOOLBOYS, No. 60-21.
60. Dwayne Ludwick (Marist College Ashgrove)
Thrilling outside back prospect with a splash of x-factor about him who played three seasons in the college First XV.
59. Prinston Esera (Wavell SHS)
“Prince’’ is a three year Langer Trophy talent who started the season on fire by helping Met North win the Queensland schools championships. He was named on the wing in the state merit side but did not recapture that form for Wavell SHS in the Langer Trophy, which resulted in him sliding down to No.59 this season. But you don’t lose class and this kid has it in spades.
58. Blake Ruaporo (TSS)
Powerhouse centre with the subtle skills to take on his man or put his winger away – all the while craving contact. Appears to have untapped potential and no milestone would surprise in future years.
57. Tom Twaddell (Villanova College)
Ball winning mobile lock who stood out in the crowd across the AIC season. Also noted by Queensland schoolboy selectors who ushered him into the state merit team.
56. Junior Taungatua (Wavell SHS)
Note this name. He comes in at No. 57 but only because his Langer Trophy season was ruined when he was injured helping Met North win the Queensland schools state title in May. He is a promising mobile middle forward who is on the Wests Tigers’ radar.
55. Gus Godwin (Villanova College)
Godwin is a sporting natural who along with his First XV rugby team mate Cameron Bukowski helped Villanova to the First VI premiership. A person who backs himself, Godwin has lightning footwork which is suited to fullback or as a running fly half.
54. Harry Holt (St Laurence’s College)
Holt maintained a proud tradition of robust No. 8s in leading St Laurence’s to a cherished AIC premiership. The likes of Brendan Cannon, Mark Connors and John Bryant have gone before him as No. 8 leaders of note and he did himself and the rich traditional proud.
53. Will Sullivan (IGS)
A backrow warrior who left nothing in the tank in his matches for the Ipswich Grammar School First XV. Tough as teak, he had a great work ethic on and off the field.
52. Tanu Nona (PBC SHS)
First season rookie Nona is a rich rugby league talent who ensured his Phil Hall Cup winning squad never lost stride when starting dummy half Oskar Bryant was interchanged. Displayed flair and a great passing game from the ruck, while he also filled in at halfback for the injured Tom Weaver.
51. Brayden O’Sullivan (IGS)
If Sullivan was IGS’s best forward (see above), then O’Sullivan stood out as their best back. Highly skilled No. 9 with every trick in the book, O’Sullivan’s organisational skills – as much as his ability – almost directed IGS to a last round upset win of the unbeaten Nudgee College.
50. Xavier Stiles
The son of Queensland champion and ex-Test prop Nick, Stiles was a chip off the old block.
No giant, Stiles mixed with the best of them at scrum time but his crowning glory was his work rate, energy and ball skill around the park.
49. Byron Smith (Nudgee)
Every champion team needs a champion No. 10 and Smith delivered the goods in spades for Nudgee College. He had a magnificent tactical kicking game but could unlock his backline by working either a wide blindside or open side. Was an easy choice on the Team of the Year reserves bench.
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48. Oska Boyd (Nudgee College)
Boyd evoked memories of former Queensland and Wallaby wing champion Paul Carozza with his exploits this season. Built low to the ground, Boyd was an elite finisher who flourished on the end of Nudgee’s high class backline. He also seemed to cherish every moment in the famous Nudgee jersey.
47. Elijah Lui (Keebra Park SHS)
A Langer Trophy Team of the Year selection, winger Lui’s finishing was top notch for Keebra. But he also displayed plenty of football smarts around his natural asset – speed.
46. Max Craig (Churchie)
Craig was a wonderful leader in a rejuvenated Churchie squad who kicked plenty of goals during a brief season. His line out throws found their mark and his mauling skills gave the Churchie attacking lineout plenty of gusto.
45. Charlie Wigan (Toowoomba Grammar School)
Wigan pipped Craig as the reserve hooker in the GPS Team of the Season. Not unlike Craig, Wigan he led by example, did the hard yards and the simple things right in a revamped Toowoomba Grammar School which gave plenty of cheek in their matches.
44. Tony Fuimaono (Nudgee College)
The Nudgee captain and inside centre, Fuimaono missed the Team of the Year squad by a whisker, Fuimaono was the firing pin which so often set his outside centre Rob Toia alight. He was also the team’s spiritual leader who relished post-match interaction with the war cry chanting Nudgee College faithful.
43. Campbell Watchirs: (Brisbane Grammar School)
Watchirs achieved the First XV-First XI double with distinction. He was the complete inside centre with both skill and toughness in crash ball confrontation, but he was also a wonderful leader who gave confidence to those around him.
42. Ryan Jackson (St Laurence’s)
Jackson was a tight five prime mover who carried the ball strongly, a key driving force in both pick and drive and maul situation. He was without doubt a key to Laurie’s march to AIC premiership.
41. Joe Liddy (Terrace)
In a season which saw Churchie, Terrace, Toowoomba Grammar and Brisbane Grammar rise from the embers, Liddy was Terrace’s captain courageous. With a tremendous work ethic, Liddy led by example in every aspect and must have given the dressing room confidence ahead of battle.
40. PJ Poutasi (Keebra Park SHS)
Poutasi got better and better the more miles he got into his legs. He was a powerhouse in the middle, displaying great leg drive in contact but also ball skills which created second phase opportunities for his side.
39. Brock Prestly (PBC SHS)
Along with Kade Somerville, Prestly was slightly in the shadow of middle forward and edge backrow mates Foran, Wright and Cullen. But he hit hard in defence and with the ball his gangly frame was difficult to collapse in a hurry.
38. Caleb Gould-Waiariki (Coombabah SHS)
This kid has got class. A halfback, Gould-Waiariki was the spark in Coombabah SHS’s return season in the Langer Trophy. His performance is even more meritorious given he never had the advantage of working with a full strength side until the second half of the season.
37. Michael Roberts (PBC SHS)
The semi-final matchwinner against Langer Trophy champions Marsden SHS, one senses the best is yet to come from Roberts. The brother of NRL speedster James, Roberts started the season as a winger but in a masterstroke was moved to right side five-eight by coach Tim Maccan where he was likely to resume in 2022.
36. PJ Su’a (Terrace)
Su’a was a No. 8 battleship who thundered Terrace onto the back foot either from the back of the scrum or wide of the ruck. He gave a hard working pack plenty of reward with his grunt and go forward.
35. Stuart Tualima (BSHS)
Mark this fellow down in your little black books. Tualima was one of several eye-catching BSHS forward prospect – Ahmani, Magautai and Sekona were the others, A Queensland schoolboy selection and in our GPS Team of the Year, Tualimi impressed with his mobility and skill around the paddock once the set piece confrontations had dissolved.
34. Natiana Winikerei (Nudgee)
One of Nudgee’s front row three amigos who as a unit were unbeatable in GPS First XV rugby. He was a scrummaging powerhouse who also thumped Nudgee onto the front foot with strong carries – all the while adding a powder keg to the team’s mauling.
33. Xavier Va’a (St Mary’s College)
Don’t let his ranking at No. 33 fool you. Xavier Va’a is one of the most promising young forwards in Queensland whose past two Langer Trophy seasons have been utterly ruined by injury. He has been basically unseen for two season at schoolboy level, so making it to No. 34 is some effort. The Sydney Roosters have signed him after watching him in club football and good judges rate the big, mobile prop forward.
32. Tim Ryan (St Patrick’s College)
Ryan was the surprise pack of the three competitions – GPS, AIC and Langer Trophy. Better known as a touch football player before the season, Ryan exploded onto the scene and was the best back in the AIC competition by some margin. An outside centre, he had a winter of dreams, the likes of which no one saw coming.
31. Joe Nadenic (St Laurence’s College)
Nadenic was one of the discovery players of the AIC rugby, a highly skilled, mobile loose forward who had good judges nodding in approval. And the good news for St Laurence’s supporters is that 2021 was merely a warm-up performance ahead of the 2022 season.
30. Jayden Wright (PBC SHS)
Right edge backrower Wright started the season like a house on fire in the Meninga Cup and for South Coast in the state championships, and never lost stride. After making the Queensland schoolboys merit team squad, Wright then added right side cut and thrust to the PBC armoury in Langer Trophy land.
29. Kaleb Ngamanu (TSS)
The younger brother of former Reds fullback Jayden Ngamanu, Kaleb was a class act for TSS. He was the complete inside centre who relished TSS’s ability to generate phase football. If he was not threatening with his own running game or punching kicks into space, then he was running a headcount across the defenders ahead of him before offering his outside men a chance to run.
28. Mikael Ibrahim (St Laurence’s College)
Ibrahim was an AIC backline top gun whose aggressive running from inside centre gave St Laurence’s a platform from which to attack. The Easts Tigers Cyril Connel Cup player of the year, Ibrahim was also the best defensive midfield player in the competition who set a robust standard off the ruck.
27. Teapo Stoltman (Marsden SHS)
Stoltman rose to the occasion to be one of Marsden SHS’s most potent backs. A Walters Cup (Year 10 star) in 2019, his debut season in the Langer Trophy (2020) was subdued, but the young centre-winger was back to the type of form in 2021 which impressed the Canberra Raiders enough to sign him.
26. Will Semu (Marsden SHS)
The Gold Coast signed Semu is a thrilling prospect who lapped up his debut season in the Langer Trophy before a bad head knock ruled him out of the finals. A centre, he is tough and rough and full of skill – and the good news for Marsden SHS is he has another two seasons to come in the Langer Trophy.
25. Oahu Davey-Phillips (Nudgee College)
The Nudgee set piece was a rock in 2021 and much of its success had to do with hooker Davey-Phillips. But away from the scrum the hooker was a defensive powerhouse who stole maul ball, and an accurate lineout thrower who ensured Nudgee retained their own ball.
24. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Ipswich SHS)
The Ipswich SHS edge forward got going in the second half of the season and it was worth the wait. Signed by the North Queensland Cowboys his rollicking edge running and aggressive defence inspired Ipswich to a late season rally that was three seconds from making the NRL Schoolboys final.
23. Josiah Pahulu (Ipswich SHS)
Pahulu was Ipswich’s SHS forward leader from start to finish, a middle forward powerhouse who got better and better the more the season progressed. Pahulu made our Langer Trophy Team of the Season.
22. Xavier Stowers (Marsden SHS)
Stowers was one of the top first season players in the Langer Trophy and it is little surprise the Gold Coast Titans have snapped him up. From a rugby background, Stowers made giant strides in rugby league, iced by four or five tries from impossible positions. Without the ball he also held his own in defence despite being a target.
21. Jack Cullen (PBC SHS)
Cullen could easily be a top 15 selection but his entry at No. 22 reflects the class of out 2021 selections. A front rower built low to the ground, Cullen gave PBC SHS go forward and quick play the balls all season – and then turned into a ball playing prop just for good measure on grand final day against St Brendan’s.
20. Syris Schmidt (TSS)
A high class No. 10 with a killer kicking game, Schmidt has all the skills. Heaven help the opposition if he is being fed front foot ball because if Schmidt doesn’t do the damage on his own, he will make sure those around him do.
19. Herman Tofaeono (Keebra Park SHS)
Big Herman is like a Sherman tank, a force to be reckoned with during the middle forward exchanges. Mobile for a big unit, the Wests Tigers recruit ramped up his form the deeper Keebra Park SHS went in the competition.
18. Nathaniel Tangimataiti (Marsden SHS)
One of the discovery players of the Langer Trophy whose season was unfortunately cut short by injury. A Brisbane Broncos-signed New Zealander, Tangimataiti is a tall edge backrower or centre who also made the Queensland schools merit team prior to making his Langer debut.
17. Karl Oloapu (Wavell SHS)
The rich in talent Oloapu has tongues wagging about his potential. He played five-eight for Wavell SHS where his running and passing game triggered red lights flashing and sirens whaling in opposition defensive lines.
16. Ryan Foran (PBC SHS)
Foran was Palm Beach Currumbin SHS’s left edge battering ram. He was relentless in working over right edge defensive formations - like the incoming tide, he just kept coming until he eventually overwhelmed all in front of him.
15. Oskar Bryant (PBC SHS)
Bryant is the brother of Queensland cricket batting spearhead Max, but soon Max might be known as the brother of Oskar. Signed by the Gold Coast Titans, Bryant was a brilliant performer for state champions PBS SHS, serving his long time friend and halfback Tom Weaver with slick, long passes - all the while being an effective runner of the ball. He missed Australian schoolboys merit team selection because of the presence of a Sydneysider - who must be one hell of a player considering Bryant ability.
14. Macarius Pereira (Nudgee College)
Broad shouldered Pereira was a prime mover on legs, giving Nudgee an added dimension to their attack with his powerful runs and passing game to link with outside supports. He was also a wonderful mauler who added to Nudgee’s potency and with Pereira as a leader of the pack, it is little wonder Nudgee went through the shortened season unbeaten.
13. Massimo De Lutiis (TSS)
Talk about T for talent. The TSS prop pairing of De Lutiis (No.14) and Carson Patu (No.13) were star power. They are a mirror image of each other - big, mobile men who carry the ball with the gusto of a No.8, then look to unload either with one hand or two. And the earth moves when they hit an attacking maul from a lineout. These are two seriously gifted players.
12. Carson Patu (TSS)
Cut and paste the above description of Massimo De Lutiis because they are a dynamic duo who mirror one and another.
11. Taelon Te-Whiu Hopa (Marsden SHS)
Here is one for your little black book. A Gold Coast Titans signing, Te-Whiu Hopa is a middle forward with the skill of a halfback. This bloke is a serious talent who Langer Trophy followers will get to know well over the next couple of years because he is only in Year 10.
10. Jye Grey (TSS)
Grey is a thrilling fullback talent with speed and more speed. But the kid is also a footballer - not just a speed merchant. He was named in the Queensland schoolboy league merit team on the strength of his halfback play, but as a rugby No.15 he was an inspired choice because of his ability to inject himself into the game.
9. Ben Te Kura (Wavell SHS)
We told you first about T C Robati (2019) and Xavier Willison (2020) - both of whom made their debuts for the Brisbane Broncos this season. And now we are telling you about this towering 202cm tall edge backrower who has also been secured by the Broncos. Te Kura is one of the hottest schoolboy talents around and like Willison, once he grows into his body, look out.
8. Chris Faagutu (Marsden SHS)
Faagutu was the joint Justin Hodges Medal winner alongside Keano Kini (see below) as Langer Trophy player of the year. Signed by the Wests Tigers, Faagutu is a coach’s dream who plays as a middle forward, all the while possessing the mobility of an edge backrower which adds a dimension to the attack. He is also a great leader that never stops.
7. Keano Kini (PBC SHS)
Kini was the discovery player of the Langer Trophy. The year 11 student arrived from New Zealand at the start of the season where he initially played as a fullback, but evolved into a ball playing fullback who worked the left hand side of the field. He has been signed by the Gold Coast Titans.
HOW KINI BECAUSE A GOLD COAST TITANS SIGNING.
6. Blake Mozer (Keebra Park SHS)
The Australian schoolboys selection is a tremendous dummy half prospect who has been signed by the Brisbane Broncos. Mozer is a wonderful tactician who can work a team over in the ruck with variation plays across a six tackle set. He has been signed by the Broncos and would have been an automatic inclusion in the Australian schoolboys squad.
5. Zac Hough (BBC)
Hough is a high class opener side flanker in the true tradition of champion Queensland breakaways like Jeff Miller, David Wilson and David Croft. Hough is here, there and everyone on the field - and makes his presence count at the breakdown. He is an elite young gun.
4. Daniel Maiava (Nudgee)
Maiava is a modern day lock forward marvel. This kid is a tight forward with a great vertical leap who gets around the field with the mobility of a backrower. He is really two players in one, a pretty special talent.
3. Tom Weaver (PBC SHS)
Meet the engineer of PBC SHS’s Phil Hall Cup state grand final win. A halfback, Weaver hails from the far north coast of NSW where he learned his craft playing at Cudgen Hornets alongside our No.17 selection, hooker Oskar Bryant. An Australian schoolboy selection, Weaver is the complete No.7 with all the tools in the shed.
2. Rob Toia (Nudgee)
In 1982 at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games Allan Wells and Mike McFarlane deadheaded in the 200m final. Well deciding between Rob Toia and Deine Mariner as No.1 is as close as you can get to a dead heat in terms of stories. Outside centre Toia was simply superb for Nudgee, at times looking like a man playing against boys. The Sydney Roosters will be very happy with their investment.
1. Deine Mariner (PBC SHS)
When Deine Mariner completed his first half demolition job of St Brendan’s College in last week’s Phil Hall Cup grand final, the St Brendan’s coaching staff were gobsmacked by his ability. The Brisbane Broncos signing is a Rolls Royce of centres who earlier this year was named play of the tournament at the state schoolboy titles.
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