Meet Dre Pakeho, Churchies’ red hot Kiwi talent who resisted the lure of NRL for a shot with the Queensland Reds
A GPS First XV schoolboy rugby star was glimpsed in the Queensland Reds v New South Wales Waratahs U18 clash at GPS Rugby Club on Saturday. MEET THE STARS AND SEE WHAT WE LEARNED.
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Dre Pakeho is the New Zealand talent that rugby league couldn’t woo and the pay-off will be a Queensland Reds debut when the time comes.
The Bray Park 17-year-old with the build of a centre is in Grade 12 at Anglican Church Grammar School (Churchie) and the hopes of one day pulling on the Reds jersey is the reason the highly sought after rugby league talent decided to pursue his dreams in union last year.
Before Churchie snapped up the exciting Year 11 prospect to shine in their First XV team, Pakeho was lighting up the league pitch for Redcliffe.
His final season for the Dolphins was in 2021 where he starred in the Cyril Connell Challenge alongside Wavell State High School Langer Trophy star Karl Oloapu— a young gun signed with the Broncos.
With guidance from his father Luke, “the opportunity from Churchie” and his childhood dream of becoming an All Black, Pakeho passed up plenty of interest from the Dolphins who were more than eager to groom him for their NRL showcase beginning in 2023.
“I just started leaning towards union,” Pakeho said.
Pakeho’s family and Maori culture is always with him— his tribal tattoo which he got at 16, has patterns connecting his family members together.
Pakeho’s brothers and sisters, Oakley, Thomas, Mihi, Ariana and parents Luke and Ariana were at GPS Rugby Club on Saturday afternoon as Pakeho laced up for the Queensland Reds Under 18 team who clashed with New South Wales Waratahs.
He said: “To be selected in this Reds side was very special. There were heaps of boys that could’ve made the team.”
Pakeho will be in action for Churchie when they begin their 2022 First XV rugby campaign against Gregory Terrace on July 16.
Spearheaded by their St Joseph’s College cavalry in the backline, New South Wales had the spark and finesse to deliver a brilliant 32-13 victory over the Queensland Reds at GPS Rugby Club on Saturday.
Family, friends and punters watched on at Yoku road as the boys in blue turned it on. Their standouts of course, bred at the same grounds as 57 Wallabies—St Joseph’s College, Sydney.
The fancy footwork from the fullback and vice captain Max Jorgensen, crisp playmaking from flyhalf Joey Fowler and powerful ball-carrying from Centre Ronan Leahy made for a dazzling display of trio treachery.
“It was a good experience. It’s great to get around boys we’ve never played with before. We gelled well throughout the week.”
“It gives us Joey’s boys confidence going into the season.”
Fowler said he looks up to Kurtley Beale, “He’s the God at Joeys. Hopefully I can carve up like him and we can go win a premiership.”
The Joey’s connection ignited the first try of the day with Fowler finding Jorgensen bursting through the backline.
Hardworking Reds hooker Aidan Taylor hit back to draw closer at 10-8, but that just fed NSW’s hunger as they piled on four more tries.
Prop Jack Barrett went over, followed by centre Ronan Leahy, one of three Joey’s boys in the backline, and one of five in the team. Wing Archer Saunders and the No.18 earned themselves a five-pointer before Reds shining light, Dre Pakeho had the last say on the siren.
Although Queensland didn’t get the result, GPS Colts 1 youngster Stuart Tualima had a great game on his home turf.
St Peters Lutheran College’s Kadin Pritchard and St Edmund’s College Ipswich’s Tafito Falaniko Ah-Ki were able to wear Red following cracking AIC First XV rugby seasons.
3 things we learned:
1) Remember the name: Dre Pakeho
He scored a try and wreaked havoc up the middle with his forceful ball-carrying. He was a standout, and is an exciting young prospect the Reds should capitalise on.
2) The Joeys connection
St Joseph’s College Sydney has no shortage of young rugby talent. NSW’ convincing win was all thanks to the beautiful playmaking ability of Joey Fowler.
Fullback Max Jorgensen added flaire to his team’s attack and beat the first defender without fail. It was a sight to see.
3) Easts have a gem in Joe Liddy
The Easts Tigers Colts 1 team are lucky to have flanker Joe Liddy.
His leadership and encouragement remained the same even after NSW went on a scoring spree. As captain, he was vocal and led by example with his pick-and-drives, tackles and pilfers.
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