Meninga, Connell and Harvey Norman R1 Wynnum-Tweed, Magpies-Bears, Tigers-Dolphins
Broncos schoolboy shines as the Meninga and Connell Cups, plus the Harvey Norman under-17s and under-19s girls rugby league competitions, start with a bang. Stories here, including what happened at Kayo Stadium on Sunday between the Dolphins and Tigers.
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The junior representative competitions returned with a bang and we were on hand to bring all the highlights to you.
On Saturday we saw the Bears take on the Magpies and Wynnum Manly battle it out with Tweed. More on how those matches unfolded below, but first here were the highlights from Sunday’s games at Kayo Stadium played between the Dolphins and Tigers.
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JUNIOR REPS: FULL ROUND ONE PICTURE GALLERY
HARVEY NORMAN UNDER-17 GIRLS PREVIEW, PLAYERS TO WATCH
MENINGA CUP U19 MEN’S SEASON PREVIEW, PLAYERS TO WATCH
CYRIL CONNELL U17 BOYS SEASON PREVIEW, PLAYERS TO WATCH
Harvey Norman under-17s Tigers v Dolphins
Another quality under-17s clash unfolded on the Sunday, with the Dolphins hosting a well-drilled Tigers team who were led by their barnstorming forward pack.
Prop Porche John, and her fellow forwards Sky-yvette Faimale, Orianna Clark and Lishainah Ulugia had the Dolphins back peddling with their ferocious ball-carrying and were everything in the Tiger’s 20-0 victory.
With that, the Tigers backs were able to cross for two first half tries, the first through Carleigh Pio and the second through fast-thinking hooker Enah Desic who was tireless.
Redliffe showed incredible fight to withstand a ton of pressure in the first half, its defence a real positive in match No. 1 of the season.
Redcliffe five-eighth Kaia Skeen made an incredible front on tackle to prevent a try, and her toughness was hard to miss again when watching her run a close range hit-up into the teeth of the Tigers defence.
TACKLE OF THE DAY
Layla Satui, the Redcliffe centre, had the tackle of the game two minutes into the second half when she read the defence like a book and put on a huge shot.
Satui, who was busy the entire game, came in off her left edge and unloaded into her opposition to dislodge the ball and take the air out of her rival. It was a thumping hit which was taken like a champion.
Porche John also had tackle which would have challenged Satui for the best of the game.
WORKHORSES
Redcliffe lost fair and square, but their effort was incredible.
Every player defended their hearts out, because that’s what it took to keep out the likes of Riley-Jay Henry-Purcell and dangerous halfback Kameryn Bray.
Kaia Skeen was excellent for Redcliffe, as was hooker utility Raewyn Olomalii and props Luisa Olomalii Harmony Harris.
WILDCARD WATCH
Expect more good things to come from Tigers rake Enah Desic. She did a bit of everything in the win, directing traffic, running herself and making countless tackles in the same set.
There is also a lot to like about Dolphin’s fullback Shar-Lene Nati, a natural talent who showed great acceleration and power when bringing the ball up.
Harvey Norman under-19s Dolphins v Tigers
The intensity went up a notch in a gruelling under-19s clash won 26-18 by the Tigers over the Dolphins.
It was a tremendous game played under scorching hot conditions at Kayo Stadium, Tigers prop Alice Shannon the difference between the two sides.
Shannon sealed the deal with a 56th minute try where she bulldozed her way to the try line.
But credit to Redcliffe, the Dolphins never dropped their heads and whenever their opponents scored, they quickly got one back to stay in the game.
Their attitude was highlighted when hooker Diantae Savage scored in the final minute and Amy Bird before that in response to a stellar try from Tigers winger Lily Neill.
SHANNON FIREPOWER
As mentioned above, Shannon’s try in the 56th minute was the dagger. But prior to that the Mabel Park SHS student was destructive, breaking down the Redcliffe defences and giving the Tigers backs space to attack.
Her opposite Reegan Hicks, an Australian Schoolgirls select last year, also worked herself to a standstill.
There weren’t many more deserving of a drinks break on the sidelines than prop Hicks.
HATRICK FOR HOSEA
Tigers outside centre Relna Hosea got off to a flying start, beginning the season with three tries.
The Ipswich Girls’ Grammar old girl is a speed demon, and her halfback India Seeto did a great job putting her into gaps.
For her first try, Seeto threw a superb pop pass to Hosea and immediately it was game over for the chasing Dolphins defenders.
GOALKICKING ACE
Leilani Tuqiri, the daughter of dual-international Lote, may be an early pick for best goal kicker in the competition.
Despite going two-from-four off the tee, Tuqiri impressed with her ability to slot from the near touchline.
On all four conversion attempts Tuqiri’s kicks went the distance, the tallish five-eighth capable of sending it over from out wide and in close.
FINAL SAY
It was a game played in great spirits and it was of the highest quality. India Seeto and Leilani Tuqiri partnered very well in the halves for the visitors, while Shannon and Shaylee Jospeph, Hunny Taingahue led the way in the forward pack.
For Redcliffe, it was a terrific team effort which saw them take it to the Tigers. Aspen Nakao, Hicks, Armani-lea Auvae, Mya Sautia, and hooker Diantae Savage playing well.
Connell Cup under-17s Tigers v Redcliffe
This one was a thriller.
The Tigers jumped out to a 14-0 lead, then the Dolphins tracked them down to draw level at 14-all with 20 minutes left.
Both teams then had their chances in the final 20 to go ahead but handling errors and crunching tackles meant it came down to an Elijah Breen (Tigers) penalty goal on the hooter.
Breen’s kick hit the right upright and rebounded back into the Tigers possession however terrific scramble defence from the Dolphins prevented them from landing one final blow.
A 14-all draw would have to do.
FLYSTART
The visiting Tigers pounced quickly to score three tries in the first 15 minutes, two by Keoki Koraba and one by cooper McInnerney.
The Tigers did a super job making the most of their one-man advantage while Mereki Warradoo was in the sin bin, with hooker Max Blanch providing quick ball to his halfback Elijah Breen.
Breen engineered the scoring plays, with Koraba taking advantage of the right edge overlap.
The hard work of Cooper Benvenuti, Kobi Floro, Dominic Ierome and VJ Vialau kept the Dolphins on ice during this time.
COMEBACK
Once Warradoo returned to the field the tide changed and Redcliffe drew level at 14 apiece.
Centre Nate Berrigan scored a double and Charlie Dickson used his leg drive to muscle over countless Tigers defenders and score.
The home side worked their way back into the game as halves pairing Carter Welfare and Noah Fien found their groove. All the while the mobile Brian Pouniu was getting his metres up.
Meninga Cup under-19s Dolphins v Tigers
The Redcliffe Dolphins notched their first win of the day in this contest with several of the club’s signees stepping up in the 30-14 victory.
The Tigers, under new head coach Ben Weston, were relentless despite finding it hard to score.
Tigers interchange Diezel Brunker ran hard, headgeared five-eighth Braiden Driscoll was dangerous with his carries, forwards Xyon Purcell, Ayrton Holmes and Jack Mccosker were brave, and Xavier Hellyer threatened with his deft kicking game.
However, the Dolphins had firepower and plenty of it. Even with Lachlan Buchbach and Lewis Symonds not playing at their best, the reigning premiers were still dominant.
Zac Herdegan, John-Paul Donevski, Elijah Rassmussen, Zac Garton and Larry Siala all performed strongly for Redcliffe, whose 24-0 first half was good enough to win them the game.
3P TAG STAR SHINES
Wavell SHS playmaker Zac Herdegan, a special 3P Tag player to watch in action, was at the peak of his abilities on Sunday in the wet.
He was full of confidence, when ball-playing and when going himself. He scored his team’s first with a run of his own and set up another after wriggling out of a tackle and getting away an offload.
The Year 12 student was arguably the best on ground.
BLUE COLLAR WORKER
St Laurence’s College old boy Jack Tuite worked overtime for the Tigers, both in attack and defence.
He had produced a whole game’s worth of footy by the half, such was his work rate.
He and Ipswich SHS old boy Rene Bagon were quality upfront.
WHAT A PASS
Mabel Park SHS student Lachlan Buchbach reminded us why he was one of the best five-eighths in the Langer Trophy last year with a single pass on Sunday.
Late in the first half, with the rain coming down and the ball slippery, Buchbach threw a glorious cut out pass across his body which landed right in the breadbasket of try scorer Tevita Naufahu.
DOLPHINS FORWARDS
The Dolphins had a boost up the middle because their forwards were giant.
Larry Siala, Elijah Rasmussen, Zac Garton and the skilful Baylen Donald – these were the boys toiling to gain Redcliffe an advantage.
They did just that.
TAKE A BOW TEVITA
Redcliffe centre Tevita Naufahu had himself a stellar game with two tries. His first was thanks to Buchbach but his second was all him and it was magnificent.
After dancing around the defenders on the right touchline, Naufahu pinned his ears back and went aerial to plant the ball in the field of play.
It was an impossible feat that’s why it was so good. His whole body was over the line, but somehow he managed to plant it.
It was the type of acrobatics you see in the NRL or NFL.
SATURDAY’S COVERAGE
Tweed Seagulls prop Saskia Croyston was superb and interchange forward Lourdes Vainikolo saved a certain try as the visitors turned a narrow halftime deficit into a thrilling 14-10 win over Wynnum Manly at Kougari Oval.
And Broncos schoolboy signing Jared Horne (Wynnum) was elite playing No. 13 in his team’s Connell Challenge win, with the Wavell SHS student looking to have taken his game up a gear this year. More later on that match.
■ Ultimate guide to Meninga, Connell Cups: Key dates and how it works
In a Harvey 17s match featuring outstanding defence from both teams, Croyston scored a sensational 25m try against quality opposition to tilt the match her team’s way in a rousing season opening clash.
She was mighty early as well, and it is obvious Tweed have a winner in their ranks in Croyston.
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Tweed forward Vainikolo also played her part with a magnificent tackle on an opponent who looked certain to score off an inside ball by Wynnum No. 7 Tameka Barnes. It was a tackle which saved the match.
Wynnum fullback Leevi Williams and hooker Emily Whittaker were also tremendous in a game which could have gone either way.
In addition the ballplayers from both teams – Barnes, Ballinger (Wynnum) and Booth and Hickling – also played their part behind courageous forward packs playing in humid conditions.
It was a deft left footed grubber kick from Tweed five-eight Nikita Ballinger which led to the try by Aurora Maiden which helped Tweed to a eight points lead late in the game, only for Wynnum’s Whittaker to score, cutting the margin to just four again.
There was great spirit between the two teams before the historic first match in the Harvey Norman under-17s started when squad members from both teams lined up to clap both teams onto the ground.
The Tweed Seagulls had the better of the opening exchanges, with prop Saskia Croyston and No. 13 Mackenzie Croyston prominent early.
The competition’s first try was scored by dummy half Diamond Graham who simply dived over from the ruck after the Tweed forwards had rolled their opponents backwards.
However, Wynnum Manly settled nicely into the clash, defending the Tweed forwards – tackling terror Emily Whittaker led the way in that department – while building pressure with the ball.
It was a restart ball generated by a Tameka Barnes’ attack kick which gave Wynnum its double chance to score, and the side took its chance when Tupoutua King plunged over for a converted try. Wynnum led 6-4 after Whittaker’s conversion.
Tweed would have scored a second time late in the first half, but a pass drifted forward after fullback Torah Luadaka had impacted the match on the other side of the field.
Tweed also had a try disallowed 15 minutes full-time when they were leading 10-6.
Scores: Tweed Seagulls 14 (D Graham, S Croyston, A Maiden tries; T Luadaka 2 conv) def Wynnum Manly 10 (T King, E Whittaker tries; E Whittaker conv)
Harvey Norman under-19s, Wynnum Manly v Tweed Seagulls
All encompassing defence, rather than a 16 point scoring burst, were responsible for Tweed Seagulls surviving a Wynnum revival and winning 16-10.
The Tweed Seagulls lead 16-4 but Wynnum Manly’s recovery from a slow start meant it was anyone’s match entering the second half.
After Wynnum had scored first courtesy of Emma Williams, the Tweed side scored 16 points unopposed before the home side gathered itself and finished strongly.
Tweed were on fire as Phoenix-Raine Hippi, Raimee Wright and Savannah Roberts-Hickling raced in tries, with Roberts-Hickling superbly put away by her centre Hippi.
But Wynnum fought back, and enterprising play saw Bears pair Gabrielle To’o and Hippi have to scramble in defence on one side of the field, and winger Wright on the other side of the field. They all made telling tackles.
The Bears second half defence was even better as Wynnum’s forwards challenged their rivals off Caitlin Tanner and Kylah Edmonds.
Time and again Wynnum challenged the line, only to be turned away.
Wynnum second rower Gloria Seumalii could have had three tries herself, and the game was even closer than the scores indicated.
Seumalii finally crossed in the final minute, but it was too late.
Scores: Tweed 16 (Phoenix-Raine Hippi, R Wright, S Roberts-Hickling tries; Hickling 2 convs) def Wynnum 10 (E Williams try)
Connell Cup, Wynnum Manly v Tweed
It was a glum day down by the bayside this afternoon but Wynnum No. 13 Jared Horne shine brightly as his side worked itself to a 28-12 win over Tweed.
Wynnum were in pole position by halftime with an impressive first half surge, with the Horne-led forwards running strongly and doing the basics well.
Around them hooker Ezekiel Jones and halves Tyler Pereira and Jordan Hotere were able to position the side well against opponents who defended with great spirit.
It was appropriate Jones scored, and that Pereira also set Hotere up for a late try. They deserved milestones.
No. 13 Horne looks to have taken his game up a notch this season which is a bonus for Wynnum, while Pereira’s organisation was just what the doctor ordered.
He was already man of the match long before his leg pumping, strongman individual try when he refused to die. That put Wynnum ahead 22-6.
Tweed’s prop Tavake Tau’a’alo did his best to impersonate Horne’s try scoring burst, scoring a powerhouse individual try which reduced the deficit to 22-12 with eight minutes remaining.
Tweed worked hard, and Wynnum really earned their tries by Jones, Tristan MacDonald and Franck Iraguha the hard way.
Tweed had opened the scoring through Harvey Smith.
Scores: Wynnum Manly 16 (E Jones, T MacDonald, F Iraguha, T Hotere tries; D Bryerton 3 convs) v Tweed 6 (H Smith try, T Tau’a’alo tries; H Smith 2 goals).
Meninga Cup, Tweed v Wynnum Manly
In the Meninga Cup, Tweed Seagulls did exactly how we thought they would do – win -against Wynnum.
Tweed out a lacklustre first half behind them to score four tries in just eight minutes and snare two early premiership points. Tweed won 32-6.
When you have a halves pairing of Zane Harrison and Ryder Williams, you have a head start on most opponents, and that pair contributed to Tweed’s success.
Winger Tyson Ploegsma, Brock Lennox, Billy Tonkin and Mason Barber all crossed to turn a close match – it was 10-6 at halftime – into a comfortable win.
But it was not always pretty, believe me.
Indeed the match was the most underwhelming of the four junior games today.
Both Meninga Cup teams exchanged early tries, with Seagulls releasing the handbrake and freeing themselves down the right hand side, allowing PBC SHS product Ploegsma a chance to finish off a long range movement.
Wynnum scored next courtesy of prop Zane Ford. Wynnum back rower Cayleb Johnson had won a quick ruck, giving Ford scope to charge ahead against a fatigued defensive line. It was 6-all.
Then, after a series of dropped balls, Tweed captain Zane Harrison stamped his class on the match.
He straightened the attack from 30m out, sprinted into the clear and put his five-eight Ryder Williams over beneath the posts.
Scores: Tweed 32 (Ploegsma 2, R Williams 2; R Lennox, B Tonkin, M Barber tries; Z Harrison 4 conv) def Wynnum 6 (Z Ford try).
■ Ultimate guide to Meninga, Connell, Harvey Norman Cups: Key dates and how it works
Harvey Norman under-17s, Burleigh v Logan
Lock Amanii Misa announced herself as one of the competition’s most damaging forwards in the Souths Logan Magpies stunning 30-12 home victory over a brave Burleigh Bears outfit.
Misa was one and a half players with her rampaging carries getting the Magpies out of their half and well into the Bear’s. Fullback Janique Mili scored the dagger for Souths Logan, leaping into the air to catch a perfect cross field kick, and planting it down to move ahead 30-12 halfway through the second half.
It was a high-quality clash, one where Mili, winger Ebony Tziros, centre Bella Alo, halfback Lilianah Lewis, prop Bella Foai and Misa made it impossible for Burleigh to recapture their early 4-0 lead.
For Burleigh, five-eighth Campbell Phillips was a strong communicator, while winger Nikola MacDonald and prop Sylvia Tangeria were tireless.
HALFBACK HERO
Magpies’ halfback Liliana Lewis was entertainment plus at Logan Metro on Saturday afternoon.
The young No. 7 scored one in the first half and set up another with her fancy footwork producing the try of the game after she broke the line, speared away and passed back inside to Janique Mili who snatched up loose ball and found tryscorer Bella Alo.
Lewis’ line break was impressive but the way she evaded two more defenders on her way to setting up the Magpies third try of the first half was just special.
A BACK IN DISGUISE
Magpies lock Amanii Misa resembled the footwork of a fullback when she broke away for her team’s fourth first half try.
Misa, who did the hard yards for Souths Logan with her hit-ups, fended off her defender and stormed downfield – beating her opposition to the try line to score a fantastic four pointer.
CHIP-KICK-MAGIC
Burleigh halfback Yamun Gunda Kelly gave opposition half Lewis a run for her money for the play of the game when she channelled a young Benji Marshall close to the Magpies try line.
Just five metres out from the line, Kelly put in a deft chip kick over the Souths Logan defence and there Lacey McLaren was to reel it in.
McLaren then unloaded to winger Grace Jacobsen who dotted it down.
Connell Cup, Burleigh v Logan
The Magpies escaped a late-game barrage by the Bears to secure a thrilling 24-20 victory, courtesy of fullback Tom Parker whose 100 per cent goal kicking ensured the round one result.
Parker nailed four-from-four off the tee, while a double from Kilarney Lavender highlighted Burleigh’s strong showing.
For home side Souths Logan, centre Tomu Cook was fearless with his carries, hooker Sam Martin decisive and fullback Addaquix Luke steady, the Marsden SHS schoolboy scoring a beauty in the second half where he stepped back on his inside to evade the last line of defence.
In the forwards props Fa’apale Feaunati and Mace Andrew as well as lock Te ara Tamepo-Habib were tireless, bruising Burleigh’s defences.
Lock Tupou Francis, fullback Seth Gundry, centre Lavender, and halfback Dallas Ingram were excellent for the visitors.
SETH GUNDRY
It was apparent from his first touch that Seth Gundry, despite being very good last year, had taken his game up a notch.
The son of Burleigh head coach Ryan Gundry, Seth is a roving fullback talent who threatened with every touch of the ball.
Gundry showed pace, a terrific step, power and of course he was safe under the high ball.
He is dangerous returning the ball from the back.
HIT MAN LAVENDER
While the counterattacking of his fullback Gundry stood out, Kilarney Lavender also raised eyebrows with his defensive brutality.
Lavender, a TSS schoolboy who represented the Queensland Reds under-16s last season, dislodged the ball from his opponents grasp once with his shoulder and another time flattened his attacker with another belting tackle.
He also scored a try in the first half to complement his strong defensive game.
PROP POWERHOUSES
The Magpies only just scraped past the Bears and that was because of the output of props Mace Andrew and Fa’apale Feaunati.
Andrew started the contest with force, rucking it up twice in the same set.
He kept the same energy.
Feaunati was at the fore for the Magpies in the second half, the headgeared prop showing his mobility with his carries.
Harvey Norman under-19s Burleigh v Logan
In the under-19s clash the Bears were brilliant when winning won 30-6 under rainy conditions.
Souths Logan showed plenty of fight, but suffered a huge blow when they lost their star hooker Shannon Symon to an ankle injury in the first half.
Play was halted for quite some time before an Ambulance arrived on the scene to care for Symon, a second year under-19s player.
The Magpie’s effort was on show when winger Angel Austin put her body on the line when making a superb trysaving tackle on her team’s tryline. Left winger Rebeka Lee also made a thumping tackle on her edge to prevent a certain try.
Late in the second half Burleigh’s supreme playmaker Zali Bettridge left the field with an ankle injury.
The wet weather took no prisoners.
With the rain bucketing down, Bears prop Rina Francis continued to run at full throttle, while winger Maia Ngauamo’s footwork remained dangerous down the left edge.
Bears fullback Bella Thompson made a terrific trysaving tackle of her own with her team ahead 30-6 with just two minutes left on the clock.
■ Ultimate guide to Meninga, Connell, Harvey Norman Cups: Key dates and how it works
Magpies’ halfback Kiarah Siauane looked in for all money until Thompson came charging in from the middle of the field to make a cracking cover tackle.
For Burleigh, Neleana Talakai, Mhia Mackey-Taylor (two tries), Sienna Norris, Dallas Flasza-Taupau and Thompson scored the points.
For the Magpies, Siauane was the lone tryscorer but could have had two had Thompson not entered sixth gear.
Meninga Cup, Burleigh v Logan
The Souths Logan Magpies checked off a huge rival in defeating the Burleigh Bears today and they did it with key centre Bailey Trew out, as well as powerhouse forward Braden Teuila.
But depth isn’t a problem at the Magpies it seems after their spirited 22-10 win over the visiting Bears, who scored the first try of the day through back rower Jett Bryce.
It was a gruelling contest played under soaking wet conditions, and the Ben Trim coached Magpies mustered just enough to topple a Bears side riddled with Queensland schoolboy champions from Palm Beach Currumbin SHS.
Creedence Kelly Donovan scored, and when Bryce scored it was because of the footwork of Bailey Mcconnell, another PBC alumni.
It was a game of two halves, with the Bears the better team in the first half and the home side Souths Logan clinical in the second.
Lachlan Offley scored the dagger for Souths Logan, after a double from centre Alofaifo Sula and a lucky try from halfback Jackson Howe had given Logan the lead after an early 10-0 deficit had the Magpies startled.
FIVE-EIGHTH BATTLE
The No. 6’s from both teams were stellar.
Starting with Javon Andrews for the Magpies, the Titans signed playmaker showed patience, a tactical kicking game and silky-smooth passing which put Sula in for his second.
On the other edge of the fence was speedy No. 6 Mcconnell, the headgear wearing PBC old boy who set up his team’s first try with his infamous dummy-and-go.
Both players were quality.
■ Ultimate guide to Meninga, Connell, Harvey Norman Cups: Key dates and how it works
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