NSW CIS players to watch at Australian secondary schools rugby league champs, team to beat

They boast teens on the radar of league and union, a youngster ‘like Cam Murray’ and big impact players. The CIS 15s team also has high hopes of success at the ASSRL champs. Players to watch

NSW CIS's Ashton Large is tackled during the under 15 ASSRL schoolboy rugby league championship grand final between NSW CHS v NSW CIS.

They boast teens on the radar of league and union, a youngster likened to South Sydney captain Cameron Murray and players with impact, footy IQ and x-factor.

NSW CIS 15s boys coach Yoni Charlupski has high hopes for his young charges at the upcoming Australian secondary schools rugby league championships but has still handed favouritism to a rival.

The NSW CIS team are the defending champions and have three players from last year’s winning side returning for the Port Macquarie championships next month.

But Charlupski, a teacher at Knox College and a Harold Matthews coach with South Sydney, believes Queensland will field one of the top teams n the championship this year.

“I’ve done my own homework and looked at what players are around and watched the footage,” Charlupski said.

GIRLS CIS PLAYERS TO WATCH

Talen Risati is tackled in a recent rugby battle. Picture: Julian Andrews

“Having coached at Harold Matts level I know most of the NSW teams and players. With the Queensland ones it’s about watching their trial videos.

“They will be stronger than last year. I think the Queensland Maroons will be the favourites for the title.”

Charlupski has identified a number of players to watch at the championships from his team.

There are twins from the Central Coast in Joshua and Caleb Fesolai a young gun, returning from injury and a trio returning from last season among players he believes will be standouts.

“We have a large contingent of crossovers, players who do both rugby and league,“ he said.

NSW CIS's Ashton Large is tackled during the under 15 ASSRL schoolboy rugby league championship grand final last year.

OUTSTANDING: NSW CCC girls to watch

STARS: NSW girls, boys CHS trials

And we have several boys backing up from last year, the team that beat CHS in the finals.

We have Keone (Anitelea-TsioussisNewington College, Stanmore), Talen (Risati, The Kings School, Parramatta) and Ashton Large (The Scots College, Bellevue Hill) and that’s a huge advantage.

“Ashton is a hooker and he’s bigger and stronger than a year ago and has great footy IQ.

“He also has crisp passing game and makes the right choices and has great leadership.’’

Cameron Murray of the Rabbitohs.

Charlupski said Cyrus Bloomfield (Oakhill College, Castle Hill) who also plays rugby union, is another to watch.

“Cyrus is one of those X-factor players. He can do things on the footy field older players can’t do. He has talent to his ears.

“We also have Sam Polley from Oakhill who has just come back from being a runner up at the Australian touch championships and is in the Gen Blues pathway and was victorious with Parramatta at the NSW rugby championships.

“He’s also with the Parramatta Eels development and very handy. A great mobile and agile. He’s like Cam Murray.

“We also have great straight power with our twins (Joshua and Caleb Fesolai,Central Coast Sports College, Kariong). They are identical. They will look after our edge.

“To be honest, we have a strong team, I can’t see a weakness.’’

Another player to watch is Darcy Feltham (Oakhill College, Castle Hill) who is coming back from a stress fracture.

“His speed and footwork is electric,’’ he said.

“If we play to our strength we will be hard to beat.’’

The forward pack will be lead by football talents Isaiah Sheck (Newington College, Stanmore and Paula Teisina (Waverley College, Waverley).

“Then there’s Ofa Latu (Newington College, Stanmore) who has played a bit of league and will bring impact. He’s quite dynamic with leg drive and good technique.

“Hunter Wiki-Sullivan (Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga) is a big lad. he’s a big impact, power player who plays hard and tough and is still finding his groove in rugby league. he will also make an impact.’’

NSW's Ethan Ferguson celebrates after scoring during the under 18 ASSRL schoolboy rugby league championship grand final last year.

2023 NSW CIS 15s BOYS RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM

1 Darcy Feltham Oakhill College, Castle Hill, 2 Jarryd King Newington College, Stanmore, 3 Cyrus Bloomfield Oakhill College, Castle Hill, 4 Joshua Fesolai Central Coast Sports College, Kariong, 5 Denzel Amone Cedars Christian College, Farmborough Heights, 6 Talen Risati The Kings School, Parramatta, 7 Keone Anitelea-Tsioussis Newington College, Stanmore, 8 Paula Teisina Waverley College, Waverley, 9 Ashton Large The Scots College, Bellevue Hill, 10 Isaiah Sheck Newington College, Stanmore, 11 Caleb Fesolai Central Coast Sports College, Kariong, 12 Khyanu Mahon Central Coast Sports College, Kariong, 13 Sam Polley Oakhill College, Castle Hill, 14 Payton Tarau Waverley College, Waverley, 15 Erastus Roberts Tyndale Christian School Blacktown, 16 Lachlan Quigley Scone Grammar School, Scone, 17 Cameron Makey Central Coast Sports College, Kariong, 18 Ofa Latu Newington College, Stanmore, 19 Hunter Wiki-Sullivan Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga, 20 Joshua Wakefield (Oakhill College).

Coach: Mr Yoni Charlupski Knox Grammar School, Wahroonga. Manager Mr Ben Allen Arndell Anglican College, Oakville. Head Trainer Mr Darrin Bollard. Trainer Mr Patrick Connors Macquarie Anglican Grammar School, Dubbo. Trainer Mr Eddie Paea

The ASSRL Nationals U15s boys and U16s Girls nationals at Port Macquarie will be exclusively live streamed on KommunityTV from September 23-29.

Read more from AMANDA LULHAM HERE

Originally published as NSW CIS players to watch at Australian secondary schools rugby league champs, team to beat