Langer Trophy: NRL clubs pounce on one of Australia’s finest schoolboy league programs in Ipswich SHS
Six NRL clubs have swept through one of Australia’s finest schoolboy rugby league nurseries, signing a whopping 13 players.
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NRL clubs have pounced to sign schoolboy rugby league talent from the reigning Langer Trophy, Phill Hall Cup and National Schoolboys Cup champions.
Rugby league nursery Ipswich SHS which schooled arguably the Brisbane Broncos’ greatest player Allan Langer, has 13 players signed to six NRL clubs - the Bulldogs, Titans, Manly, Raiders, Knights and Rabbitohs.
The current Ipswich SHS students affiliated with NRL clubs are: Oliva Iaulualo (Bulldogs), Tayshon Foley (Bulldogs), Jeriah Vagana (Titans), David Leota (Bulldogs), Anton Naiyep (Manly), Kesaia Su’a (Raiders), Cooper Cracknell (Rabbitohs), LJ Nonu (Rabbitohs), Shaye Faa’aoga (Bulldogs), Zac Stephenson (Bulldogs), Kane Self (Knights), Tiotala Mahonri (raiders) and Xavier Timoteo (Bulldogs).
And from last year’s unbeaten 17-man squad, 13 were off to NRL clubs.
The Old Boys making inroads include: Caleb Jackson (Redcliffe), Tommy Luhrman (Redcliffe), Tre Fotu, (Sharks), Gabriel Satrick (Melbourne), Josiah Pahulu (Titans), Rene Bagon (Manly), Xavier Sofeni (Manly), Loko Tonga (Dragons), Joven Gyemore (Dragons), James Frazer (Dragons), Ahmani Leilua (Penrith), Jalen Afamasaga (Raiders) and Anton Naiyep (Manly), who is back for another stint in the Langer Trophy.
Jack Laing, Tyler Peckham-Harris, Cayleb Johnson, Oliva Iaulaualo, Izaiah Mafi and Maaro David join Naiyep as the seven students returning for Ipswich SHS’ Langer Trophy side.
Footnote: After guiding Ipswich to a historic season last year, captain Josiah Pahulu has since graduated to the Titans NRL squad and resigned until the end of 2025. And in the NRL’s Magic Round on Sunday, Ipswich SHS Old Boy Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will make his debut for the Cowboys against the Roosters.
Ipswich SHS Langer Trophy head coach Josh Bretherton said it was always exciting at this time of year.
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“It’s always exciting at the start of the year because there’s a group of boys with opportunities ahead of them and we’re trying to encourage them to improve throughout the year to ensure they are ready to make the most out of the opportunity they’ve been given.
“But we also know we always have a couple other really talented players... it’s within their reach to potentially get themselves signed by the end of the year.
“We just want to help create the best environment and opportunities for them to do that.
“There’s a couple like Laing and Peckham-Harris who are outstanding footballers, who have built a name and reputation for themselves so this year is another chance for them to get a post school opportunity.
Bretherton also said he was looking forward to seeing Ipswich Jets Meninga Cup halves pairing Izaiah Mafi and Brandon Tikinau in the mix, as well as Burnett product Dominique Sandow, who had just been named in the Queensland Under-18 Emerging Origin Squad.
“He’ll play fullback for us (Dom, nephew of Chris). He’s another kid who could add the last little topping he needs to hopefully get a contract.
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“He has an incredible football IQ, he reads the game really well. Someone who barely talks off the field but on the field he understands the value of talking and the role his positions plays so he understands the game and feedback very well.
“That adds great value and a calm head at fullback.
“We need someone with a good football IQ like Tyler (who will shift from No.1 to No.9) and Dom is definitely like that.
Joining Sandow for their first year in Ipswich SHS colours is David Leota, who has come across from Ipswich Grammar.
“We’re really excited to have him. He’s a high level prop who has been in the area for a long time and he’s a really really lovely young man.
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“He’s come in and bought entirely into the culture of being a good kid, putting your head down and working hard. And we have seen some good improvements already.”
Footnote: Leota (Bulldogs) was in Sydney with schoolmates Self (Knights) and Iaulualo (Bulldogs) on Saturday April 29 playing in the Harold Matthews Cup grand final which Canterbury won 32-6.
We had the chance to chat with some of Ipswich SHS’ NRL signed students at their rugby league season launch and here’s what they had to say about their opportunities.
WHAT THE BOYS THINK
JERIAH VAGANA (TITANS)
What do you think about the opportunity?
I just want to keep developing on and off the field, working towards resigning.
It’s also an inspiration because my cousins Tino and Isaac Fa’asuamaleaui are there so they help me a lot.
100 per cent I’d love to resign at the Titans. They’ve done a lot for me, not just on the field but mental health and everything. They really look after you.
Which team are you most excited to verse in this year’s Langer Trophy?
Marsden because of the rivalry.
What teammate are you most excited to see in action?
Tyler Peckham-Harris. After last year’s season playing at fullback and moving to hooker where he’s been doing well.
Who’s your role model?
My uncle Nigel Vagana, an ex-NRL player (163 caps for Bulldogs, Sharks and Rabbitohs). He’s just been messaging here and there to see how I am going. It’s pushing me, definitely.
ANTON NAIYEP (MANLY)
What do you think about the opportunity?
It’s a bit unbelievable to be honest. I didn’t expect it. In my last year for school and in the Meninga Cup I just wanted to empty the gas tank and go all out. It’s a three-year-deal, and I am doing a six week preseason with them next season. It’s exciting but it’s nerve racking.
Which team are you most excited to verse in this year’s Langer Trophy?
Marsden SHS. The rivalry is there when we go against each other. The atmosphere is different.
What teammate are you most excited to see in action?
Mafiou Cherif.
He puts his head down and does the hard work and runs hard. Forwards do run hard but he does it consistently.
And Tyler Peckham-Harris. When we have him around, the ruck changes. He slows it down and he communicates so well.
Who’s your role model?
My older brother Mamakumai. He could have been a star. It makes me do it for him at the same time as for me. He went to Ipswich.
KESAIA SU’A (RAIDERS)
What do you think about the opportunity?
I’m just grateful and thankful. I moved from New Zealand (Auckland and St Paul’s College) last year and it’s a huge bonus I got this. It’s the reason I came over.
My manager got me over and I got to Ipswich and I am so thankful for how much they’ve helped me.
At first it was nerve racking but now it is pushing me not just to be a better league player but a better person.
Which team are you most excited to verse in this year’s Langer Trophy?
Marsden. They are a good team every year and they are good on paper. I’m keen.
What teammate are you most excited to see in action?
Anton Naiyep. First game with the Jets he shocked me. Also, I am keen to see Dominique Sandow at fullback.
He injects himself into the line well.
Who’s your role model?
My grandparents Nia (grandma) and Pana (grandad).
They live in New Zealand. I felt sad making the move away from them. They have always been there so I have the thought in my head to do my best for them.
LJ NONU (RABBITOHS)
What do you think about the opportunity?
It’s a scholarship with the Rabbitohs. They’ll see how I go this year so resigning depends on how I go this year.
That’s motivating me to do well but not just that. After seeing how the boys went last year it’s really motivating me, you know Ipswich can achieve great things when you work hard and have the drive.
Which team are you most excited to verse in this year’s Langer Trophy?
Palm Beach. They are the benchmark of the competition and they are always a tough side so I’m looking forward to that.
What teammate are you most excited to see in action?
After watching his Meninga form, Anton. He did really well.
Who’s your role model?
My dad. Waking up early so I am able to be here and also helping me so I was able to make the move from Melbourne a couple years ago (2021).
His work ethic really motivates me to be better.
My time at Ipswich since arriving has been amazing. The boys, the coaches, the environment, it’s just like no other.
TAYSHON FOLEY (BULLDOGS)
What do you think about the opportunity?
Hopefully I can have a good year and they want me back at the end of the year. Hopefully I can get a couple games in the Langer this year.
Which team are you most excited to verse in this year’s Langer Trophy?
Palm Beach Currumbin SHS or Marsden SHS because they have really strong programs. They’ll be good games.
What teammate are you most excited to see in action?
Really excited to see Oliva Iaulualo. He played last year so this year I think he will come and put on a really good season. Him and a few of the new boys who have come over like Kesaia Su’a (see above).
Who’s your role model?
My NRL idol is Sonny Bill Williams because of what he has done for the game. He’s a great bloke. Outside of Sonny Bill I look up to my dad. He guides me.
The Walters Cup and Langer Trophy live streaming begins June 1 with round 1 of the season kicking off. News Corp were again negotiating to stream the schoolboy competitions.
Originally published as Langer Trophy: NRL clubs pounce on one of Australia’s finest schoolboy league programs in Ipswich SHS
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