Live stream: Wavell face Marsden, Keebra Park take on Ipswich in Walters Cup semi-finals

With wet weather forecast, Wavell will ‘back their defence’ to wear down the threat of Marsden. Meanwhile, Keebra Park face off against a familiar foe. See both games LIVE on Tuesday.

The Walters Cup grand finalists have been decided after two thrilling semi-finals.

Players had to fight their way through heavy deluge and sloggish conditions at BMD kougari Oval in Brisbane.

In the end it was several standout moments whoch turned the game in the favour of Keebra Park and Marsden State High, who have progressed to next week’s grand final showdown.

Find out how each semi-final was decided and watch the replays below.

Walters Cup semi-final - Keebra Park SHS v Ipswich SHS

Keebra Park SHS fullback Israel Lotaki and his front row mate Lennox Whaiapu rose to lofty heights to drag their side from a deficit to 24-16 victory in semi-final No.2 against Ipswich SHS.

No.1 Lotaki scored two tries, one an incredible 75m solo try, and created two others, while prop Whaiapu was enormous in the middle with his leg drive and power.

Keebra Park v Ipswich SHS - Walters Cup semi finals

Keebra needed someone to do something special after trailing 12-nil and 16-10, and both Gold Coast boys delivered the goods in spades.

Lotaki was immense late in the first half to snare the first of his four pointers as he drove and fought and wriggled his way 15m to the line despite Ipswich defenders grappling with him all the way. It was an x-factor play.

A few minutes earlier, Lotaki smashed down the barn door with a midfield run that created a 30m sprint to the line for his centre Simione Tauelangi. This was after Ipswich had led 12-nil.

Early in the match, with astute tactical kicking by fullback Ira Yeatman, Ipswich scored two close to the line tries courtesy of hooker Quben Anderson and prop Tyrel Schwenke.

Ipswich recaptured scoreboard ascendancy late in the first half when a slick backline move from a scrum saw fullback Yeatman put winger Taape Tuu’u over, putting Ipswich ahead 16-10. Ippy had earned possession after a smart kick off by five-eight Jaylan Naleba.

But back Keebra came back, scoring first in the second half when that man Lotaki ushered his centre Tauelangi ahead, enabling him to put winger Arjay Sharrock over in the corner.

Then came Harvey Smith’s try off a Anderson break and for the first time in the match Keebra were in front, 20-16.

Walters Cup semi-final - Marsden SHS v Wavell SHS

Marsden State High's Chris Vaimili Toalepai, Zack Lotaki and Nathan Phelps after their semi-final win. Picture: Andrew Dawson

Marsden State High churned best through a big wet to be the first team through to the Walters Cup grand final after securing a 10-0 win over Wavell State High.

Thunderous forward clashes were contentious in a battle royale, with a try in each half enough to lift Marsden to a narrow win.

There was little between the teams, but a clever kicking game by Marsden SHS five-eight Nathan Phelps contributed to his side having the better of field position in the second half.

Wavell v Marsden - Walters Cup semi final

Scoring opportunities were few and far between around bash up derby between the likes of Romarion Tuitama, Siai Papani, Dallas Davidson (Wavell) and Haki Kennedy, Zack Lotaki, Storm Kennedy and co (Marsden).

In the second half Marsden fullback Grayson Wharakura used his bulk, and then his reach, to ground the ball over the line after yet another heavy collison. Marsden led 10-nil with 13 minutes remaining.

Marsden State High's Chris Vaimili Toalepai, Zack Lotaki and Nathan Phelps after their semi-final win. Picture: Andrew Dawson

The best of the conditions were early, and it was in that period that Marsden was able to win the field position battle and score.

From the high ground at the attacking end of the field, Marsden No.13 Zack Lotaki displayed brute strength to power to the line from close range. It was a special effort in a final, and with Nathan Phelps’ conversion, Marsden led 6-nil.

Around that both teams were at times brutal in defence despite driving rain dousing the fire power on both sides.

The match was a milestone for Marsden who swung around a home-and-away season drubbing to claim the sudden death final.

Handling became a lottery as both packs zeroed in on the target area around the ball trying to turn over possession.

PREVIEW

They may have been pipped for top spot but Wavell are bringing some serious defensive momentum into their Walters Cup semifinal against Marsden on Tuesday.

It’s been a shaky end to the season for Wavell but coach Ben Colley can take confidence from their ability to keep their line intact. They have conceded just two tries in their past two matches.

“I’ve been really proud of the players that have stepped up and the team’s courage and commitment to the jersey,” he said.

Keebra Park, who claimed first place on points differential, face fourth place Ipswich SHS in a 2023 grand final rematch and both games can be seen LIVE and EXCLUSIVE on KommunityTV from Kougari Oval.

Check the full LIVE STREAM schedule below.

Wavell’s depth has been tested this season with up to six players from their starting 17 squad unavailable at various times.

“I’m sure with the majority of sporting teams if they had six players out they would struggle in some ways,” Colly said.

“It’s looking like it’ll be a wet game and a bit of a slog on Tuesday and I know it’s going to be a physical battle against Marsden.

“They’ll produce plenty of offloads and look to play up temp early, so we need to start strong, match them in the middle and back our defence, which I’ve been pretty proud of in our last few games.”

Marsdens Ryder Nathan smashed by Keebras Treleque Silimaka. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

While preaching a team ethic, Colley said he had been impressed by a number of individual players this season.

“Two of our middles, Dallas Davidson and Romarion Tuitama, have led and locked down our pack,” he said.

“It’s been a breakout year for Dallas who has never made a high level representative team, but I genuinely feel he’s been in the conversation as one of our best every week, which has been quite pleasing to see.

“Some other players would be Billo Wotton, he’s been really strong at centre, and same with Boston Nau who’s slotted in at fullback and at centre and has thrived in both spots.”