Speed demons of the Langer Trophy revealed here

Langer Trophy’s speed demons revealed - hold onto your hats as these students whiz past you on Wednesday in the elite schoolboy rugby league competition.

David Bryenton of Keebra Park SHS.

Whoosh. What was that? More than likely it will be one of the Langer Trophy’s speed demons who will whiz up the sideline on Wednesday in round 3 of the elite schoolboy rugby league competition.

LANGER TROPHY PLAYERS FLYING UNDER THE RADAR

Ahead of News Corp’s continued live streaming of the competition named after Brisbane Broncos great Allan Langer, we present some of the competition’s quick players sure to set the fields alight.

FULL LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE, Wednesday

5pm, Ipswich SHS v Wavell SHS; Walters Cup 3.45pm

3.30pm: Redcliffe v Keebra Park SHS; Walters Cup 2.15pm

4.30pm: Marsden SHS v Caloundra SHS; Walters Cup 2pm

5.30pm: PBC SHS v Mabel Park SHS; 4.15pm

SPEED DEMONS

David Bryenton (Keebra Park SHS)

The Keebra Park fullback or centre is quick over a distance, but his blinding side step is as much a threat as anything else. Signed by the Broncos, he can change direction in the blink of an eye.

Mason Barber prior to playing for Meninga Cup premiers Tweed Seagulls. Picture: Bailey Sands Media/ Tweed Seagulls Media.

Mason Barber (Keebra Park SHS)

Barber is more your traditional Rolls Royce of backs who glides when he runs. Signed by the Cowboys, Barber has a long stride and once he is into space, he becomes this flowing, graceful athlete. Keebra Park SHS coach Peter Norman is not sure who was quicker - Barber or Bryenton. “That would be a great race to watch,’’ he said.

Ray Puru (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS)

Keebra Park may have Bryenton and Barber, but their Gold Coast rivals PBC SHS have plenty of fire power when at full strength as well. Fullback Ray Puru is a brilliant talent with a blistering turn of speed - along with his creative passing before the line or in contact.

PBC SHS Ray Puru is a match winner with his pace, but also his passing game in contact or before the line.. Picture: Matthew Elkerton

Not unlike Barber from Keebra, Queensland schoolboys centre Sam Stephenson is another long-legged athlete who reaches top speed quickly fopr PBC SHS, while centre Sunny Kama has speed to burn.

PBC SHS centre Sam Stephenson last season. Picture: Matthew Elkerton

Tayvius Peo (Mabel Park SHS)

If you see Mabel shift it to the wings, it is because they have this quicksilver winger lurking.

A Meninga Cup speedster for the Brisbane Tigers, Peo cannot be left unmarked.

Mabel Park SHS after scoring in round 1 against Caloundra SHS. Photo Steve Pohlner

Tawa-Dean Simpkins (Mabel Park SHS)

An impressive youngster, Simpkins lit the Connell Cup alight in 2023 before playing up an age in the Harold Matthews NSWJRL competition for Canterbury.

He glides from A to B, and is a broken play maestro. Also note that Mabel Park centre Jaycob Kingston-Francis is also electric when he gets going.

Ipswich SHS’s Tawa-Dean Simpkins playing Harold Matthews with the Bulldogs, Picture: Julian Andrews

Ruben Webb (Wavell SHS)

From the high achieving Webb clan, emerging Year 11 outside back Ruben has progressed from the premiership winning school’s Walters Cup side into this year’s First XIII.

The pacy utility, who scored a crucial try against Marsden SHS with a swan dive to the line, adds great depth to the side. His young brother is Charlie for the Wavell’s Walters Cup outfit while his dad Brent was an outstanding NRL player, mainly for the Warriors.

Ipswich SHS’s Xavier Kirk in action during last season’s grand final.Picture: Liam Kidston.

Xavier Kirk (Ipswich SHS)

Livewire utility back Xavier Kirk is set for another go-around after he and little man Tyler Peckham-Harris punched above their weight in last year’s competition.

Peckham-Harris was now with SG Ball premiers St George Illawarra and the North Ipswich Reserve will have a similar type in Kirk, a rapid hooker, fullback, winger or No.13, scooting up and down the field this season.

Kalan Beattie as a Track and Field Championships junior five years ago.

Kalan Beattie (Caloundra SHS)

A winger or centre, Beattie could be the quickest of all the players in the competition. A local junior who came to Caloundra SHS via Currimundi primary school, Beattie is a state and national 100m sprinter of some note who makes finals. Also a handy long jumper, Beattie can motor.

Jack O’Hagan (Redcliffe)

O’Hagan’s hard work in the gym impresses as much as his speed. “He has shown some very good resilience and just keeps working and getting better at footy,’’ said director of rugby league Jay Wilkinson. “He never misses a session, comes in for early morning gym all of time, and acts on feedback.’’

O’Hagan commitment is even more impressive given he lives in semi-rural Kurwongbah.

Redcliffe did have a speed demon ready to roll out prior to round 1, but centre Jett Doyle, who had come down from Darwin to play, was unfortunately injured.

Benson Tau (Marsden SHS)

Marsden SHS speed merchant for the moment would probably be impressive winger Benson Tau, a big bodied finisher who knows his way to the tryline.

But after the June-July break, keep an eye out for this fellow - Lui Lee, a recent Queensland schoolboys selection.

Lui Lee playing for the Sydney Roosters in the Harold Matthews Cup.

Queensland devotees of junior rugby league only see Lee in fits and starts because the Roosters-signed centre plays junior reps for the glamour NRL club teams in Sydney. But each year he returns to Queensland schoolboy football with another notch in his belt and he seems to be getting quicker and quicker. “He has a fair bit of pace and footwork to go with it,’’ said Marsden SHS coach Krys Freeman.