Cronulla Sharks and Parramatta Eels sign two Qld school reps

Two Sydney-based NRL powerhouse have swooped to sign Queensland schoolboys ahead of tomorrow’s Langer Trophy semi-final blockbuster.

The Cronulla Sharks and Parramatta Eels have swooped to sign two Queensland schoolboy representatives who are preparing to play in tomorrow’s NRL Schoolboys Cup (Langer Trophy) semi-finals.

Ipswich SHS centre Tre Fotu (Cronulla) and Palm Beach Currumbin SHS half Joshua Lynn (Parramatta) have secured deals as their respective teams prepare for semi-final day on Wednesday - all to be live streamed by www.couriermail.com.au, the Gold Coast Bulletin and affiliates.

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A member of Ipswich SHS’s unbeaten Langer side this season, Fotu follows in the footsteps of esteemed Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo (2017) who attended Ipswich SHS between Year 9 and year 12.

Fotu, who has been a driving force in Ipswich’s seemingly unstoppable march into next weekend’s grand final, he has inked a two year deal for 2023 and 2024.

Ipswich SHS’s Tre Fotu, left, who will be up against Chris Faagutu, right, the Marsden captain. Both boys helped Souths Logan win the Meninga Cup premiership this season.

“I go down to Cronulla this November,’’ said Fotu. “I’m very excited but also very nervous. It’s a big step for me. Moving away from my mum.

“She’s been with me on this journey every step of the way. It’s a step I have to take and be independent.

“I look forward to making her and dad back home in Auckland proud.

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Fotu, who was a member of Karmichael Hunt’s crack Souths Logan Meninga Cup premiership winning side earlier in the year, said he learned his ferocious fend from his dad, who taught him how to play growing up.

QLD’s Tre Fotu. Picture: Liam Kidston

Fotu and his Ipswich SHS teammate Gabriel Satrick were two notable Queensland schoolboys who were unsigned after the young Maroons won the national championship in July.

Satrick, man of the match in the championship grand final, remains unsigned but it is known he has several options looming.

Lynn was originally affiliated with the Gold Coast Titans but the Eels have now secured his services full-time.

A member of the PBC SHS’s 2021 Phil Hall Cup championship winning side, the conscientious Lynn has a splash of Cooper Cronk about him in terms of getting his side around the paddock with a minimum of fuss.

He has a killer kicking game and is also an outstanding goal kicker.

Josh Lynn in action during the Langer Trophy game between Wavell SHS v PBC SHS at Wavell. Pics Adam Head

Lynn will be joined at the Eels by Coombabah SHS tough nut Kyen Murphy, an edge player who earned interest from the Eels during the cut and thrust of the season. Ironically Lynn originally attended school at Coombabah SHS before moving to PBC SHS.

QLD's Josh Lynn (PBC SHS).Picture: Zak Simmonds

Although Coombabah SHS finished the season with just one win this season, the school’s program has done well to help provide opportunities at the next level for Murphy,

Coombabah have K-ci Whare (Storm), Lewis Symonds (Broncos), Izayah Petricevich and Ryan McCann (both Titans).

In other signing news Wavell SHS centre Po Hotere-Papalii has impressed Penrith officials enough to sign a contract.

Keebra Park SHS also has Carlos Pauli (prop) signed to the New Zealand Warriors after he was previously unsigned.

Meanwhile, PBC SHS coach Tim Maccan said his side was aiming to build week on week as the season progressed.

“The big thing is improving, to keep improving every game and be at our best team at the end of the year,’’ said Maccan, who coached PBC SHS to last year’s Phil Hall Cup state championships.

PBC SHS Queensland halfback Joshua Lynn, with Will Taylor in the background.

Marsden SHS’s bid to upset unbeaten Ipswich SHS could receive a boost with hard working edge forward Jieye Mauai and prop VJ Semu close to full fitness for the match after missing matches. Semu has been named on the bench.

Marsden SHS will need all hands on deck to halt the Ipswich SHS road train which has knocked over all before them this season.

Marsden SHS went closest to beating them - indeed within seconds - in the round 7 home and away clash, but can they repeart that effort in the semi-final?

TEAMS

IPSWICH v MARSDEN

Marsden: Apa Twidle, 2. Haizyn Mellars, 3. Devonte Vaivela, 4. Will Semu, 5. Teapo Stoltman, 6. Cody Hamilton, 7. Coby Black, 8. Harry Durbin, 9. Jacob Tinsley, 10. Mou Taumaletlia-Mauolo, Braden Teulia, Jieye Mauai, Chris Faagutu, 14. Kylem Vunipola, 15. Mana Whakatau, 16.VJ Semu, 17. Te Anau Graham Papalii, 18. Bailey Trew, 19. Coiro Rangihuni-Rari, Sej Tauati

Ipswich: TBC: Ipswich: Ipswich SHS: 1. Tyler Peckham-Harris 2. Kulu Baruani 3. Caleb Jackson 4. Tre Fotu 5. Anton Naiyep, 6. James Frazer 7. Jalen Afamasaga 8. Ahmani Leilua 9. Tommy Luhrman 15. Josiah Pahulu, 11. Xavier Sofeni, 12. Oliva Iaulualo 13. Jack Laing 14. Gabriel Satrick 16. Rene Bagon 10. Loko Tonga 17. Joven Gyemore

PBC SHS v KEEBRA PARK

Keebra Park: Karauria Stokes, Munga Baruani, Dorian Lotaki, Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki, Jeremaiah Tamepo, Jodeci Letalu, Jaxen Yow, Jared Johnson, Tyrell Waaka Rhind, Eli Tuli, Seth Nikotemo, EJ Finau, Arama Hau (C), Xavier Asi, Lokea Motufoua, PJ Poutasi, Wailer Whaiapu, Carlos Pauli, Immanuel Kalekale, Ryder Williams

PBC: 1 Keano Kini, 2 Blake Forder, 3 Michael Roberts, 4 Cooper Cambey, 5 Jett Forbes, 6 Josh Lynn, 7 Zane Harrison, 8 Isaiah Scanlan, 9 Tanu Nona, 10 Jett Jackson, 11 Jac Finnigan, 12 Will Taylor, 13 Reico Ratana, 14 Bailey McConnell, 15 Barney Litidamu, 16 Jaylen Taewa, 17. Caleb Te Mono, 18. Jackson Le Pou, 19. Cooper Wolf, 20. Baylen Donald