Langer Trophy semi-final live stream: Marsden SHS v Palm Beach Currumbin, Ipswich v Wavell
Get ready for another chapter in the battle between two of Queensland’s best performing rugby league schools after their masterful semi-final performances. Relive all the day’s action.
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Ipswich State High School will face Palm Beach Currumbin SHS in the Langer Trophy grand final after a clinical 18-6 victory over a fierce Wavell SHS on Tuesday at Kougari Oval.
The Langer trophy final will be a rematch of last year’s clash which Ipswich only just won 16-12.
The reigning champs solidified their spot in the big dance with 16 minutes left when Sam Martin scooped the ball from the back of the scrum and found Tyler Peckham-Harris.
Peckham-Harris, who has played various positions this season, drew his man and found Xavier Kirk who strolled in.
This try, straight out of coach Josh Bretherton’s handbook, gave Ipswich a decisive advantage.
Ipswich fly half Izaiah Mafi had his radar on kicking three-from-three at goal, while unsung forward Cayleb Johnson was a tremendous defender.
Johnson had made countless crucial tackles just before Ipswich scored their second try by Alton Naiyep, the headgeared prop denying Wavell from close range with gutsy scramble defence.
Wavell were always in it, but looked most capable of an upset when tied 6-all shortly after half time. Ipswich were clinical when scoring two tries in the time Kobi Floro (Wavell forward) was in the sin bin for back chat.
When Floro returned to the field, he had a highlight reel run when he bumped off a game Ipswich defender.
It was a great battle in the first half with Maaro David scoring for Ipswich and centre Keyarn Pene scoring a beauty for Wavell when he chased a deft grubber kick by Zac Herdegan.
Speaking of Herdegan, the year 11 halfback was impressive with his general play kicking – which threatened Ipswich‘s edge defence with cross-field kicks.
It was apparent Wavell were really starting to find their feet. Hookers Jai Camilleri and Harrison Hill were a strong combination confronting opposites Tyler Peckham-Harris and Sam Martin.
Acting as a playmaker for Wavell was Queensland Schoolboy Lauloto Salei, who made a handful of line breaks in a sizzling showing from the versatile second rower.
Ipswich centres LJ Nonu and Keisaia Su‘a were powerful, with Nonu’s acceleration and Sua’s fend providing their wingers Anton Naiyep and Xavier Kirk half-chances.
Ipswich SHS fullback Dom Sandow was also safe as houses returning the ball.
PBC DEFENSIVE PRESSURE PROVES DIFFERENCE
Palm Beach Currumbin SHS today encircled Marsden SHS, suffocated them and then struck fatal blows to win a place in the Langer Trophy grand final next week.
PBC SHS won 16-4, writing another chapter into the school‘s proud tradition of making grand finals.
They claimed victory by playing the long game, executing simple football, using their speed around the rucks and kicking to the corners in attack.
PBC led 4-0 after breaking a 27-minute deadlock, then took advantage of two Marsden SHS fumbles in the second half – one an in goal blunder, the other a bombed try – to twice score.
And that was the match.
Marsden SHS were dangerous challengers, but couldn’t cross the line.
REPLAY: Langer Trophy semi-finals – Marsden SHS v PBC
With his forwards building a formidable shield, PBC SHS halfback Zane Harrison steered his team around, while dummy half Will Saunders and Ray Puru creeping around the ruck was dangerous.
Centre Sam Stephenson’s aerial and running threat was also a handful.
But PBC SHS’s defence was their best attack.
Marsden SHS had the skill and the desire – they just lacked that finals precision.
It was a battle worthy of a final, with both teams sparring at each other throughout the first half, refusing to drop their guard or blink.
Marsden SHS looked marginally more likely, but the two looming chances – one at the start and the other near halftime – were stifled by lost possession.
In the end it was Palm Beach Currumbin SHS which nosed in front, 4-0, three minutes before halftime courtesy of edge forward Baylen Donald’s burst onto a Bailey McConnell pass.
The move led to centre Sam Stephenson being given the try by Donald.
PBC SHS: 1. Jake Lateo, 2 Sunny Kama, 3 Sam Stephenson, 4 Tyson Ploegsma, 5 Creedence Donovan, 6 Bailey McConnell, 7 Zane Harrison, 8 Brady Turner, 9 Will Saunders, 18 Jaylen Taewa, 11 Baylen Donald, 12 Jac Finigan, 13 Isaac Harrison, 14 Ray Puru, 10 Jett Jackson, 16 Jace Williams, 17 Ethan Schultz. Emergencies 15 Cameron Bevan, 14 Ray Puru, 20 Barney Litidamu, 21 Bailey Simpson.
Marsden SHS: TBC 1. Kylem Vunipola, 2. Saxon Innes, 3. Mark Nosa, 4. Will Semu, 5, Lui Lee, 6. Javon Andrews, 7. Coby Black, 8. Sione Siulua, 14. Cory Pearse, 10. Patrick Kailahi, 11. Cairo Ruri, 12. Braden Teuila, 13. Lewis Symonds, 14. Jacob Tinsley, 15. Izayah Petricevich, 16. Tyron Fanueli, 17. Dylan Gallagher, 18, Jury Taewa, 19. Xavier Atoa, 20, Mace Andrews, 21. Adaquix Luke.
PREVIEW
The four coaches involved in Tuesday’s Langer Trophy semi-final blockbusters have revealed the players they were most concerned about.
And in a twist to the Marsden SHS v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS derby, twins Jaylen (PBC SHS) and Jury Taewa (Marsden SHS) will oppose each other.
Watch the two Langer finals LIVE and EXCLUSIVE, plus the two Walters Cup semi-finals, from 2pm on KommunityTV.
Check the full Queensland Schoolboys LIVE STREAM schedule below for details.
WALTERS CUP SEMI-FINALS’ PLAYERS TO WATCH
TITANS SCHOOLS CUP TEAM OF THE SEASON REVEALED
Brotherly love between the Taewa siblings will be cast aside when the boys confront each other in the first game.
Jaylen said, after playing juniors together for the Bilambil Jets, and alongside each other for the PBC SHS Walters Cup and Langer reserve teams, they did oppose each other for one season when Jury played for Nerang Roosters.
And earlier in this Langer season they were on opposing sides, but Jury was on the opposite side of the field to his brother and they did not really come together.
“I have not played against him properly. It will be a bit odd,’’ Jaylen said.
Jury added: “He deserves the spot he’s in and it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to play against my twin in a semi-final.
“He’s a hard worker. It will be good going up against another prop with the same skillset and mindset as me. I am keen to see what little tricks he’s got.’’
Jaylen said it would be a tough night for their mum, Renee and father Jury senior, because they won’t know who to cheer for.
WATCH ALL THE LANGER QUARTER FINAL REPLAYS HERE
LANGER TROPHY BEST MOMENTS OF THE DECADE
In an insight into the four camps, the respective coaches have revealed who will be on top of their danger man tip sheets discussed by their players in the lead-up to the match.
COACHES TOP DANGERMEN PICKS
Tim Maccan (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS)
Coby Black and Javon Andrews
The Marsden SHS halves pair have been in great form this season, Black having taken his game up a level from 2022 and Andrews having made a successful return from a serious neck injury.
Maccan said: “Leading up to last week I hadn’t watched much of Marsden since we played them in the first round. But I know Javon and Coby are the ones steering the ship.
“When they are playing well, when they are on fire, their team goes really well.’’
Matthew Hartigan (Marsden SHS)
Will Saunders and Baylen Donald
Hartigan had tremendous respect for old foes PBC SHS and could name multiple players, but he has really admired the work of hooker Will Saunders:
Saunders ability to play off a quick player the ball, advance on the defence himself or engage defenders before passing has caught the eye of Hartigan.
The name Saunders is very well known on the Gold Coast and across the border town, Tweed Heads, where Don played for both the Gold Coast Seagulls.
Hartigan also has big wraps on flame-haired edge back rower Baylen Donald who has been a force all year long in both the Tweed Seagulls Meninga Cup and PBC Langer Trophy teams.
Paul Stanley (Wavell SHS)
Oliva Iaulualo, David Leota and Anton Naiyep
Ipswich SHS captain Oliva Iaulualo will return from a week’s lay off and reunite with his childhood mate David Leota in the middle of the field for the defending champions.
Wavell SHS coach Paul Stanley will have his side ready for their impact.
“They have a very strong pack, but Oliva Iaulualo and David Leota are very powerful. And they have Naiyep out wide as well. He is a dangerous player.’’
Joshua Bretherton (Ipswich SHS)
Loto Salei and Zac Herdegen
Wavell SHS’s captain Loto Salei has been elite all season long playing a Pat Carrigan type of role for the Broncos.
He is a great link between the backs and forwards and can both run hard and create chances – as can halfback Herdegen.
Bretherton said Loto Salei was very damaging while Herdegen controls a lot of things and kicks really well.
“If we don’t do a good job of controlling him (Herdegen) he will kick us to death.”
HOME GROWN HEROES
Meet the students who have been at the four finals’ schools since Years 7-8
Marsden SHS
Cory Pearse, Will Semu, Lui Lee, Javon Andrews, Taylon To’a, Braden Teuila, Mace Andrew, Elijah Leatigaga, Tyron Fanueli, and Thomas Taunagita
Cory Pearse said: “I have loved all the community things that Marsden has done. Not just in their sport, but academically for the students and their parents. It is like one big family.
“We have thousands of kids at school and we are all there for one and other.
Manager Thomas Taunagita started in his role as manager last year after damaging his ACL playing. “I thought it was the end of my rugby league journey,’’ he said.
“I was devastated but my teachers gave me a chance to be a manager. In year 10 I was the Titans Cup manager and that followed on through to Mr Hartigan asking me to be the Langer manager.
“I have loved being involved in the rugby league program.’’
Wavell SHS
Jai Camilleri, Riley Jenkins, Robertson Tusi-Tofu, Keyarn Pene, Carlos Ka, George Taualai, 7. Kobi Floro, Christian Taula, Peter Ben Uini, Joey Filipe, Mason Phillips, Lucas Miller
Jai Camilleri said: “I came to Wavell in Year 8 and I was impressed with the culture, not only in the footy program, but how we enjoy our footy, school work. That is reflected in what we do on and off the field.
“This year did not start well, but the way we stuck to our program, focused on what Mr Stanley told us, we knew what we had to do to improve. There is a bond.’’
PBC SHS
Tyson Ploegsma, Zane Harrison, Sunny Kama, Jake Lateo, Jac Finigan, Cameron Bevan,
Will Saunders, Baylen Donald, Isaac Harrison, Bailey Simpson, Ray Puru
Zane Harrison said: “I started in Year 7 and the school has always accepted the footy program. You see teachers at the game supporting us. There is a great culture at the school between the teachers and the students and I have really enjoyed my time here.’’
IPSWICH SHS
Jack Laing, David Leota, Oliva Iaulualo, Brandon Tikinau, Izaiah Mafi and Anton Naiyep.
Coach Joshua Bretherton said Laing had been at Ipswich SHS since the very start from Year 7.
“He’s got brothers and sisters at the school, he played his club football four minutes over the hill from school at the closest club, he went to primary school across the road.
“He’s born and bred within 300 metres of the school sort of thing and after helping us win the national title last year he has done a great job again this year.
“He’s worked hard and grown into a really high level footballer which is awesome.”
Another star of last year’s national championship team was winger Anton Naiyep who is originally from Papua New Guinea, and came to Ipswich via Cairns.
“He’s lived in Ipswich since he was 10 and has been with us the whole way through … He played his local football within a stones throw from the school (Norths Tigers) and is a local kid.”
TEAMS
Ipswich SHS v Wavell:
Ipswich SHS: 1. Dominique Sandow, 2. Xavier Kirk, 3. LJ Nonu, 4. Keisaia Su’A, 5. Anton Naiyep, 6. Brandon Tikinau, 7. Izaiah Mafi, 15. Lesayne Tuiasau, 9. Tyler Peckham-Harris, 10. David Leota. 11. Shaye Faa’aoga, 12. Oliva Iaulualo, 13. Jack Laing, Lesayne Tuiasau, 14. Sam Martin, 15. Maaro David, 17. 19. Emergencies: 24. Tarell Indich
Wavell SHS: 1. Mereki Warradoo, 2. Riley Jenkins, 3. Robertson Tusi-Tofu, 4. Keyarn Pene, 5. Carlos Ka, 6. George Taualai, 7. Zac Herdegen, 8. Kobi Floro, 9. Jai Camilleri, 10. Beau Lucien, 11. Naz Taua, 12. Lauloto Salei ©, 13. Jayden Butt, 15. Christian Taula, 14. Peter Ben Uini, 16. Joey Filipe, 17. Harrison Hill, 18. Mason Phillips, 19. Keoki Koraba, 20. Lucas Miller
PBC SHS v Marsden
PBC SHS: 1. Jake Lateo, 2 Sunny Kama, 3 Sam Stephenson, 4 Tyson Ploegsma, 5 Creedence Donovan, 6 Bailey McConnell, 7 Zane Harrison, 8 Brady Turner, 9 Will Saunders, 18 Jaylen Taewa, 11 Baylen Donald, 12 Jac Finigan, 13 Isaac Harrison, 14 Bailey Simpson, 10 Jett Jackson, 16 Jace Williams, 17 Ethan Schultz. Emergencies 15 Cameron Bevan, 19 Ray Puru, 20 Barney Litidamu
Marsden SHS: TBC 1. Kylem Vunipola, 2. Saxon Innes, 3. Mark Nosa, 4. Will Semu, 5, Lui Lee, 6. Javon Andrews, 7. Coby Black, 8. Sione Siulua, 14. Cory Pearse, 10. Patrick Kailahi, 11. Cairo Ruri, 12. Braden Teuila, 13. Lewis Symonds, 14. Jacob Tinsley, 15. Izayah Petricevich, 16. Tyron Fanueli, 17. Dylan Gallagher, 18, Jury Taewa, 19. Xavier Atoa, 20, Mace Andrews, 21. Adaquix Luke.
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