REPLAY: Coombabah v Marsden in Langer Trophy and Walters Cup

Coombabah State High took on Marsden in Wednesday’s Langer Trophy and Walters Cup action, Watch all the replays here!

Mudgeeraba Redbacks v Runaway Bay Seagulls. Under-18 Division 1. K-Ci Newton-Whare scoring a try. 9 May 2021 Mudgeeraba Picture by Richard Gosling

FOR a school that has suffered the sting of young players jumping ship to bigger programs for years, the impact of having a super talent choose Coombabah over all others cannot be overstated.

Year 11 prop K-Ci Whare (pronounced Casey Fa-Ray) chose Coombabah to be closer to family after making the move from Christchurch, New Zealand to pursue a career in rugby league.

His individual heroics throughout the course of the season, moving infield from his preferred centre position to add starch to Coombabah’s pack after early injuries, are inspiring the school’s top team to dream big.

Mudgeeraba Redbacks v Runaway Bay Seagulls. Under-18 Division 1. K-Ci Newton-Whare scoring a try. 9 May 2021 Mudgeeraba Picture by Richard Gosling

After coming within 10 minutes of toppling previously undefeated PBC before the semester break Whare produced a man of the match effort to trample St Mary’s in Coombabah’s first game back.

On Wednesday the school will fight for its first back-to-back Langer Trophy win in five years when Coombabah hosts Marsden State High at Runaway Bay.

• Every Gold Coast Langer Trophy replay

• Langer Trophy 2021: Season Draw

Whare’s fingerprints will be all over an upset win if Coombabah can prevail against the odds.

“He’s played a very inspirational role this year,” coach Sam Meskell said.

“It can get disheartening for boys when you lose not only one of your best players but four and five of them (to rival schools).

Mudgeeraba Redbacks v Runaway Bay Seagulls. Under-18 Division 1. K-Ci Newton-Whare scoring a try. 9 May 2021 Mudgeeraba Picture by Richard Gosling

“They think we’re not going to be as good next year, but to have a player like K-Ci come in who has added that strike and quality, the boys are grateful.

“For a Year 11 student to go out and do what he does, the boys get around that and that gives us a lot of energy.

“I’ve been super impressed with him so far with his work rate and work ethic off the field.

“He’s gone above and beyond with his extras in the gym and on the field. He’s got an attitude where we wants to learn and that’s been his recipe for success.”

Powerhouse Marsden were co-favourites for the Langer Trophy in pre-season but suffered their first loss to PBC in Round Four, 28-22.

The Makos pose threats on both edges and through the middle so Coombabah must play the perfect match in attack and defence to secure the win.

Their own near-miss against PBC before the break built the confidence to know the competition’s minnows can mix it with the sharks.

LANGER TROPHY - COOMBABAH SHS V MARSDEN SHS

WALTERS CUP - COOMBABAH SHS V MARSDEN SHS

Originally published as REPLAY: Coombabah v Marsden in Langer Trophy and Walters Cup