Live stream: Saifiti Junior Saifiti, Cody Starr, Lui Lee among the Super 8 of the Langer Trophy

How’s this for a Langer Trophy Super 8? It includes a son of a gun, the brother of a Maroon and a young gun who left his family behind in quest of an NRL dream. LIVE action kicks off Wednesday.

A Samoan born winger from Ipswich SHS who has arrived in round 1 of the Langer Trophy via Sydney, Forest Lake SHS and the Langer reserves, will be one of the most exciting players in this season’s elite schoolboy rugby league competition.

LANGER TROPHY PLAYERS TO WATCH

Saifiti Junior Saifiti, who has NRL clubs circling him following a bumper Meninga Cup club season with the Ipswich Jets, left much of his family behind in Samoa in pursuit of a NRL dream.

Saifiti Junior Saifiti on his way to scoring in the Meninga Cup.

You can watch Saifiti and his teammates as part of an eight-game Walters Cup, Langer Trophy spectacular on Wednesday.

This season 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.

Saifiti Junior Saifiti on his way to scoring.

Junior Saifiti, who arrived in Sydney from Samoa as a Year 7 student, said seeing his cousin play rugby league got him interested and he has loved it ever since.

“I love it” said Junior Saifiti, who earlier this month made News Corp’s Meninga Cup Team of the Season.

“I enjoy it, last year was a big year for me trying to improve. This year I am looking to improve myself more and more.”

The expert right wing finisher said he idolised Sonny Bill Williams and the way he hit hard in defence, but Penrith star Brian To’o was his idol with ball in hand and scoring tries.

While similar to To’o in stature, Saifiti loves to celebrate like him as well when scoring tries, although his thumping dummy half and kick return runs from defence were just as important.

OTHER SUPER 8 PLAYERS

Cody Starr (Redcliffe SHS)

The son of former NSWRL and NRL prop Adam Starr (Roosters and Tigers), Cody was a tall, rangy prop who will take his team forward.

For a big bloke he often wins the play-the-ball contest, allowing fluency for the remaining rucks.

Signed by the Dolphins, Starr is part of a squadron of local juniors now remaining with Redcliffe SHS following the school’s elevation into the Langer Trophy in 2022.

Starr, Jairus Halahala, Nate Berrigan, Logan Hudson, for example, were all Dolphins academy signed.

Redcliffe SHS player Cody Starr will play prop.. Picture: Liam Kidston

Mason Barber (Keebra Park SHS)

Once a utility who drifted between fullback, wing, centre and even No. 13, Barber has found his home at No.1.

Tall and athletic, when Barber comes prancing down the middle, his long stride can carry him away from defenders in the blink of an eye. Signed by the Cowboys, he is a real handful. Last week he was named in the Queensland schoolboys team.

Lui Lee about to score for the Roosters in Matthews Cup. Picture: Adam Wrightson

Lui Lee (Marsden SHS)

The brother of former Origin series winning centre Brenko, Lee has been learning his trade playing with the Roosters in its SG Ball and Harold Matthews Cup systems over the last two seasons.

Only in Year 11, he is the type of player who could turn a match late on a cold winter’s night in this competition. Last week he was named in the Queensland schoolboys team, although at the championships he sustained a knee injury which will see him miss the opening month of Langer matches.

Duquan Talaepa. Picture, John Gass

Duquan Talaepa (Mabel Park SHS)

Duquan Talaepa will be the team’s captain and edge forward prime mover. Signed to the Dolphins NRL academy, Talaepa had a dynamic end to the season for the Redcliffe Connell Cup premiership winning side.

He was a dynamic type of edge runner who also packed a punch in defence, a booming prospect who has rediscovered his love for the game after a flat period in his career.

Zac Garton (Caloundra SHS)

The Caloundra SHS captain would be one of the most respected players in the competition. Originally a Redcliffe junior before settling in Gympie, the now Caloundra-based Garton is a coastal surfie who hits the waves most afternoons after school.

He is an elite left edge second rower contracted to the Dolphins. Last week he was named in the Queensland schoolboys team.

Zac Herdegen (Wavell State High School)

Coming off an excellent Meninga Cup campaign with Redcliffe, this Newcastle Knights-signed No. 7 was set for another big season. Wavell SHS coach Paul Stanley would not swap him for another Langer Trophy halfback in the competition.

Zac Herdegen from Wavell SHS was named as a Queensland schoolboys representative. Picture, John Gass

Named last week in the Queensland schoolboys team, his game could go to another level in the Langer competition this season behind a fast developing forward pack at Wavell SHS which has valuable experience under its belt after learning on the job in 2023.

Zane Harrison (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS)

The best organising, game managing halfback in the competition, the Gold Coast Titans-signed Harrison will again be a puppeteer. No one corrals teammates better while knowing himself when to take the line on.

Harrison was also an astute tactical kicker whose attacking cross kick to his outside men was also a threat. Last week he was named in the Queensland schoolboys team.