2025 Langer Trophy live stream: Ipswich SHS v Marsden SHS, Round 2
An inexperienced Ipswich line-up at Langer Trophy level has dug deep to deny a fast-finishing Marsden. Watch the triple header between the two schools in full REPLAYS.
Rugby League Live Stream
Don't miss out on the headlines from Rugby League Live Stream. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Ipswich State High escaped a fast-finishing Marsden, which threatened to score the match-winner in the final two minutes of an 18-16 Langer Trophy nailbiter at the North Ipswich Reserve.
Ipswich could not have opened its account in more frantic style as a crucial 18-10 buffer turned into an 18-16 pressure cooker after miraculous Marsden fullback Adaquix Luke sprinted 80m downfield before creating a Hayden Watson try with a nice pass on his inside.
WATCH THE LANGER TROPHY REPLAY ABOVE, SCROLL DOWN FOR THE SCHOOLGIRLS CUP AND WALTERS CUP
The home side had to call upon 16-year-old Year 10 Baxter Best, the brother Knights weapon Bradman, to fill in at right centre midway through the first half after Tomu Cook left the field with a concussion.
With just his second touch in the Langer Cup, makeshift centre Best - usually a fullback - created a stunning try.
Best gobbled up a pass flying past his shoulder in the Ipswich half, dummied and dashed away 40m before finding goal kicking fullback Tom Parker on his inside.
That was Parker’s second try on a night where, importantly, he kicked all three of his conversions to ensure Ipswich never trailed.
Marsden, with the ball 10m out and down two points, threw it forward on fifth tackle and that was game.
Ipswich was home, only just, under a nippy 12 degree climate which felt even colder.
It took a 36-18 false start against Wavell SHS in round 1 to light the fire beneath a young but daring Ipswich side which defended incredibly to deny a big, well-gelled Marsden outfit with weapons here, there and everywhere.
NRL SCHOOLGIRLS CUP
The Marsden girls repaid the favour to Ipswich in the second round of the Schoolgirls Cup.
The visitors won 26-12 after a titanic try by Dakotah Brady - off the back of a snappy dummy-half pass following a Janique Mili break - sealed the deal.
Marsden led 16-12 before Mili pounced on a dropped ball and scurried forward, leading to Brady’s telling try just five minutes from time.
It capped off a fine effort from the masterful Mili.
To create a try to right centre Namoe Gesa just shy of half time, Mili’s stutter-step and weighted pass was the perfect combination.
Two minutes from full time, the ‘Jinking Janique’ created another try, this time on the left edge.
Leilani Taofinuu was the beneficiary after she had earlier sent a tremor through the grandstand with a jolting hit on an Ipswich rival.
That was just one of countless tackles that echoed across The Reserve. Twice gutsy Ipswich halfback Monica Tuala-Leaunoa was first in line to stop two middle forwards in their tracks from the back fence.
The brave five-eighth hit the deck both times but jumped straight to her feet with a grin.
Her fierce front-on defence typified what was a stoic performance from the Ipswich girls.
They never led but were also never out of the game. The forward trio of Charity Faalogo, Emalini Waqairatu and Easter Taualai ensured this, along with fearless fullback Geraldine Lomas and many other daring Ipswich players.
PREVIEW
A whopping 14 of a possible 17 Ipswich State High players made their Langer Trophy debuts in last week’s season opener against Wavell State High — and one more is set to join the club on Wednesday.
The school will welcome Marsden SHS to the North Ipswich Reserve for Round 2, where Year 11 dummyhalf Peter Uilavai-Pita will look to provide a boost for the hosts.
That clash will be live streamed exclusively on KommunityTV from 5.30pm as part of a triple header also featuring the Walters Cup and Schoolgirls Cup matches.
A high-class performer for the Ipswich Jets earlier this year in the Cyril Connell Cup, the young defensive dynamo will join a long list of new Langer Cup combatants for the school this season.
The honour roll also includes Mel Nonu, Tevita Pomale, Tomu Cook, Lleyton Alofa-Fotu, TJ Sauaso, Tiger Campbell, Jaylen Naleba, Elyjah Suavai-Laumatia, Neyon Taito, Cooper Young, Ceasar Yeatman, Eddie Fa’amausili, Kolby Munro and Jed Leafa.
That extensive list, comprising a promising crop of Year 11s, typifies the faith coach Josh Bretherton has in his young troops to spearhead Ipswich SHS into a new chapter against quality opposition.
“We’re a little bit younger this year which is exciting for the next year or two,” said Bretherton.
Exciting is a word that best describes Ipswich’s halves pairing of Sauaso and Campbell, who will line up against Kiwi five-eighth Jordan Hotere and Queensland Schoolboys selection Hayden Watson from 5.30pm.
TJ Sauaso – whose last name is familiar in Ipswich rugby league given accomplished dual-code sister Shalom and former Redbank Plains premiership-winning brother Samson – is Skilled with a capital S.
“The thing that has always impressed me about TJ is his excellent control of the game,” Bretherton said.
“He has been with us since Year 7 so he understands exactly how we want to play, where we want things to go. He’s highly skilled on his passing and kicking game.
“He adds so much value.”
Sauaso’s halves partner Campbell, an Ipswich Jet and Rugby League Ipswich junior from the Norths Tigers, had been playing school rugby for St Edmund’s College prior to moving schools midway through last year.
“He’s just a really lovely kid who has come in with a skill set already loaded with plenty of weapons,” Bretherton said.
“He’s a quality young man who has wanted to learn and get up to speed on how we do things.”
The crafty pair of playmakers both had disjointed pre-seasons rehabilitating injuries so it might take a little while longer for Ipswich SHS to find its groove.
Bretherton is hoping the North Ipswich Reserve can be the fortress they open their account in.
“It (The Reserve) certainly has been (our fortress) in the past. The desire is to put on a good performance,” Bretherton said.
“We have been lucky enough the last few years that it has been a difficult place for people to come.
“Whether this year it will be or not, that’s in our hands.
“We have to show up and put in a performance that is worthy of making it a difficult place to come and play at.”
Marsden SHS also had a number of debut boys in its round 1 win over Stretton.
Winger Jeremiah Toko, centre Madden Falaniko, five-eighth Hotere, props Ethan Jackson and Koby McGarrity, pacy forward Tamai Baker, and interchange players Brandon Lemalu, Zack Lotaki and Kaharau Reti each got their first taste.
Match-hardended prop Levi Rusin comes into the lineup for round 2, with power-forward Lotaki nursing an ankle injury which will keep him out until the second round of games after the holidays.
Watch replay: Endeavour steers the ship to top of pool
A defensive shutout has led Endeavour Sports High to a second straight Peter Mulholland Cup victory – and a commanding position heading into finals. Watch the full match REPLAY here.
Watch replays: Bass secures double delight with Schoolgirls comeback
It was two games, two wins for Bass High as they took down opponents in the Peter Mulholland Cup and NSW Schoolgirls Cup on Friday. Watch full REPLAYS of both games here.