Langer Trophy live stream: Mabel Park SHS take on Caloundra SHS in competition opener

It was the ultimate Goliath v Goliath battle up front as the two best props in the state went hammer and tong at each other. But only one could get his Langer Trophy off to a resounding start. Watch the REPLAYS.

Mabel Park SHS prop Elijah Keung producing a pile-driving performance in his Langer Trophy debut as his side laid out a textbook start to the season to win 26-12.

It was the battle of props played out between two recently selected Queensland schoolboys, Mabel’s Keung and Cooper Clarke (Caloundra), with both boys earning A markings after passing their Langer examination with flying colours.

Clarke, the cousin of injured Caloundra SHS captain Zac Garton, displayed a big motor and passing skills in contact, while Keung was a “run off the back fence’’ type of middle forward performer.

WATCH THE LANGER TROPHY REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE, SCROLL DOWN FOR THE WALTERS CUP REPLAY

Mabel Park will be well pleased with their performance against well organised opposition.

Outside the middle third, Mabel Park also displayed plenty of edge potency.

Mabel Park SHS’s right side was particularly dangerous, especially in the first half.

Once second rower and captain captain DJ Talaepa burst over, and another time fullback impressive fullback Tawa Simpkins assisted his winger Ryan McCann in squeezing over in the right hand corner. It was 10-nil to Mabel Park SHS.

But Caloundra proved resilience. An effort run by fullback Tristan Roselt under extreme pressure denied Mabel Park SHS from winning a tryline restart nearing halftime.

And it was in that set of six that Caloundra centre Keagan Zanchetta gapped the defence near halfway to put his second rower Malakye Blow over to score. That try narrow Mabel’s lead to just 10-6.

Mabel Park players Dean Tauaa, Jaycob Kingston-Francis, Ryan McCann and Cooper Day after their Round 1 win over Caloundra State High.

But on the stroke of halftime Mabel Park SHS prop Keung restored order for his side with a try on his Langer debut, thundering onto the ball from close range to ground the ball despite a wall of three Caloundra players in front of him.

It was an inspiring performance by big Keung.

Just as Keung had provided the brawn, Mabel Park SHS fullback Simpkins provided sleight of hand early in the second half with a beautiful pass in a tackle to put his centre Dean Tauaa streaming over to score.

Big Keung was even involved in that, having been used as a decoy runner.

Appropriately Caloundra scored last courtesy of prop Cooke, with the Sunny Coast side showing their will be no pushover this season.

Replay: Mabel Park v Stretton (Walters Cup)

It was a double delight for the Brisbane school after Walters Cup five-eighth Tarell Pati-Sialapae broke the opening match open with a try creating run early in the second half to help send his side on its way to a 22-nil over over Stretton State College.

The match was in the balance into the second half when Pati-Sialapae burst through the line to put replacement hooker Sire Drinnan hurtling over to score a long distance try, making it 14-nil.

Stretton tried hard, but a terrific cut back try from Mabel’s Cruz Hoit-Scott then ensured there would be no Stretton comeback. Earlier Mabel forward Justice Heta and fullback Levi Howard scored.

Check out the round one LIVE STREAM schedule below.

PREVIEW

Mabel Park SHS and Caloundra SHS have drawn the honour of kicking off the new season of Langer Trophy action - and Queensland Schoolboys star Zac Garton, for one, can’t wait.

All four first round games will play on Wednesday, with Mabel Park and Caloundra facing off at Totally Workwear Stadium from 3.50pm.

All eight rounds and finals from the Langer Trophy and the Year 10 Walters Cup will be LIVE STREAMED on KommunityTV in a deal with the NRL and Queensland Secondary Schools Rugby League. The Brisbane Broncos-sponsored competitions were named after Broncos’ greats Allan Langer and Kevin Walters respectively.

Both schools are relatively new to the competition, with Caloundra only coming into the Langer Trophy last season, while Mabel Park first earned promotion in 2021.

MEET THE PLAYERS SET TO TAKE LANGER TROPHY BY STORM

As expected, Caloundra SHS started 2023 slowly but worked their way into season, eventually claiming a historic first win when downing Redcliffe 26-16 on the back of two early tries from hooker Teina Maoate, who will again be a key player this year.

They eventually went out in the quarter finals to Marsden.

Skipper Garton, who is contracted to the Dolphins, said while 2023 was a step in the right direction, there was more to do.

“As a group we have a point to prove,’’ said Garton.

“Last year we won a game which was awesome, but I thought we could have done a bit more.

“This year in our second year we can put more of a stamp on it.’’

Natu Leota, coach Ben Weston and Duquan Talaepa of Mabel Park SHS. Picture, John Gass

Mabel Park players were also hungry to build on a good campaign last season, which saw them finish second in the home-and-away season, only to lose against Wavell in the quarter finals.

They did beat eventual champions Palm Beach Currumbin 28-22 as well as Keebra Park 18-4 - and there is plenty to work with again in 2024.

“I feel all the boys have got that point to prove,’’ said Mabel Park captain Duquan Talaepa.

Utility Natu Leota agreed, adding: “Getting that close has encouraged all the boys to get even further than last year.’’