School of Origin: Keebra Park and PBC’s NRL Dream Teams
They count some of the NRL’s brightest stars among their former pupils, but which Gold Coast rugby league powerhouse would win in a State of Origin style school tussle in 2020? READ THE FULL TEAM LISTS
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They count some of the NRL’s brightest stars among their former pupils, but which Gold Coast rugby league powerhouse would win in a State of Origin style school tussle in 2020?
Former Origin guns Ben Hannant and Ben Ikin would walk into PBC’s all-time team but their NRL careers are long-finished now.
Only current NRL players were considered for selection, which rules out Super League-based players like Robert Lui, Sam Moa and Rangi Chase for Keebra.
Palm Beach Currumbin 2020 NRL Dream Team
1. Jahrome Hughes, 2011 (Melbourne Storm)
The Melbourne Storm halfback returns to the PBC Dream Team in the position he starred in as an Australian-representative schoolboy in 2011.
2. Darius Boyd, 2005 (Brisbane Broncos)
The Broncos skipper will go down as one of Origin’s greatest ever wingers. He’s scored 17 tries in 28 games for Queensland, the second-most of all time.
3. Luke Garner, 2013 (West Tigers)
In strong form for the Tigers, Garner is primarily an edge forward but would slot comfortably into the centres. He’s played 30 NRL games and scored 10 tries.
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4. Jed Cartwright, 2014 (Penrith Panthers)
The son of former Titans coach John Cartwright and cousin of ex-Titans backrower Bryce. Cartwright made his NRL debut last year off the bench for the Panthers.
5. Jordan Rapana, 2007 (Canberra Raiders)
One of the NRL’s most thrilling attacking weapons on his day, Rapana has taken over the Raiders No.1 jersey for the injured Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. The Kiwi international has scored 75 tries in 127 NRL games at a 59 per cent strike rate.
6. Cody Walker, 2008 (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
The Bunnies five-eighth was a late bloomer but is now one of the game’s biggest stars. He led his position in tryscoring in 2019 with 16.
7. Jamal Fogarty, 2011 (Gold Coast Titans)
A winding path to the NRL has landed Fogarty in the starting No.7 jersey for the Titans. He’s blossomed into a valued contributor and leader at Gold Coast this year.
8. Ryan James, 2009 (Gold Coast Titans)
One of the Titans greatest ever forwards and a prolific tryscorers. Fans will be sad to see him leave for the Canberra Raiders after 144 games in Titans colours.
9. Karl Lawton, 2013 (NZ Warriors)
The former Titans rake has reclaimed the Warriors starting jersey and been a handy contributor since joining the club in 2018.
10. Lloyd Perrett, 2011 (Manly Sea Eagles)
The younger brother of 256-game winger Sam Perrett. Lloyd has played 56 games at the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles.
11. Shane Wright, 2013 (North Queensland Cowboys)
The Cowboys signed Wright in 2017 after 26 games for the Titans Under-20s. He’s played 25 NRL games and scored two tries.
12. Kevin Proctor, 2006 (Gold Coast Titans)
The acting-Titans skipper is a rock defensively. He’ll provide a stiff backbone to the PBC Dream Team defensive line alongside Keegan Hipgrave.
13. Keegan Hipgrave, 2014 (Gold Coast Titans)
Raw aggression, physicality and toughness are appealing traits for a lock forward.
Keebra Park 2020 NRL Dream Team
1. AJ Brimson, 2015 (Gold Coast Titans)
Justin Holbrook labelled Brimson the best player at the Titans this week. Brimson has played 39 games and scored 13 tries.
2. Jordan Kahu, 2009 (Brisbane Broncos)
The only thing standing between Keebra Park’s 2016 team being crowned the school’s best ever outfit is Jordan Kahu’s 2009 team. The Kiwi test international skippered Keebra to a national title in 2009 - one better than the 2016 crew - before playing 114 NRL games.
3. Marion Seve, 2013 (Melbourne Storm)
The 2013 Keebra Park skipper has recovered from testicular cancer to fight for his place on the Melbourne roster as a replacement for Will Chambers.
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4. Connelly Lemuelu, 2016 (North Queensland Cowboys)
Lemuelu played fullback in the legendary 2016 Keebra Park team, kicking the winning field goal to claim the State title that season. He broke into the NRL this season with four games on the Cowboys wing and centre.
5. Jaxson Paulo, 2016 (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Released by the Titans last year, Paulo has locked down a starting wing position at the Rabbitohs this year. The 192 cm, 101kg winger has all the physical attributes.
6. Corey Norman, 2008 (St George Illawarra Dragons)
The Broncos hoped Norman would be their heir to Darren Lockyer. Instead he’s tearing it up for the Dragons as they battle for a once-unlikely Top Eight berth.
7. Benji Marshall, 2003 (Wests Tigers)
The kid who started it all for Keebra. Benji made his NRL debut on a Sunday and returned early to make it back for maths class on Monday. The 35-year-old would captain Keebra’s School of Origin side.
8. Payne Haas, 2016 (Brisbane Broncos)
The Broncos were ridiculed for making Haas the highest paid teenager in rugby league history in 2018 but they’re the ones laughing now. Haas is still the best prop in the game despite playing in an awful Broncos side.
9. Tanah Boyd, 2017 (Gold Coast Titans)
Justin Holbrook’s experiment in converting the Queensland Under-20s halfback into a hooker is progressing nicely.
10. Moeaki Fotauika, 2016 (Gold Coast Titans)
The most underrated prop in the game but that’s nothing new for Moe Fotuaika. In 2016 he played off the bench for a stacked Keebra Park front row that included Haas and Tigers Tom Mikaele.
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11. David Fifita, 2017 (Brisbane Broncos)
The Gold Coast have made Fifita the richest forward in the NRL from 2021 for good reason. Fifita will form the cornerstone of the club going forward.
12. Briton Nikora, 2014 (Cronulla Sharks)
A rare miss by the Keebra coaching staff, Nikora played in the school’s B team in his senior year before going on to the Cronulla Sharks. He’s one of the game’s most exciting edge forwards on his day.
13. Jai Arrow, 2012 (Gold Coast Titans)
The Origin forward’s incredible talent is only more noticeable now he has the NRL’s very worst haircut. Titans fans will cross their fingers he hasn’t played his last game in blue and gold.
Originally published as School of Origin: Keebra Park and PBC’s NRL Dream Teams