Langer Trophy: Superbowl winner, 6 things we learned
Langer Trophy: Six Things We Learned from round 6, including what Superbowl winner Jesse Williams’ told the Marsden SHS players - and will Wavell SHS be the best side not to be a top 4 side?
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The Langer Trophy top four - Marsden SHS, PBC SHS, Keebra Park SHS and Ipswich SHS - is much clearer, but we still learned plenty from round 6 of the elite, Brisbane Broncos-sponsored schoolboy competition.
WAVELL SHS - THE BEST TEAM NOT TO BE A TOP 4 SIDE?
Will Wavell SHS be the best team not to be a top four side in Langer Trophy history when the home and away season finishes?
Marsden SHS and Keebra Park SHS players may agree after both those title contenders were stretched by Wavell this season - including Keebra Park last night.
Wavell lost 18-14, but even after trailing 18-nil into the first half the scoreboard was not reflecting how competitive Keebra Park were.
The Glen Campbell coach Keebra were the better side, but they scored an unlikely try from the kick after a Wavell dropped, snared another from an intercept.
They were the better side, but in the end the 18-14 scoreline did reflect Wavell’s effort.
With Junior Taungatua finally back from injury, Damascus Neemia’s leg drive, Tahrell Feaveai and Ben Te Kura shining and skipper Tyrelll Waaka-Rhind getting his team moving, this is a good Wavell team good enough to be in the finals - but they won’t be.
Wavell will play finals, but will finish 5-8.
RELATED LINKS
KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY - RELATIVES OF NRL PROFILE PLAYERS IN LANGER
JESSE WILLIAMS - AND HIS ADVICE TO MARSDEN SHS
Super bowl winner Jesse Williams was a special guest of Marsden SHS on match eve, addressing players from the rugby league program and a winder cohort as well.
For all the kids hoping to make a living out of sport, his advice was sound.
“The main message is about their efficiency in the way they use their skill sets and how that correlates into the rest of their lives, how they prepare for what is coming after (sport),’’ said Williams, first Australian to win a Super Bowl ring as a member of Seattle’s 2013 team.
“For me, football was a small amount of time, but allowed me to do a multitude of things which allows me to do what I want to do now, and allows me to give back the way I want to give back.
KEEBRA PARK SHS - DEFENCE WILL WIN IT.
Having praised Wavell SHS (see above) for their resilience, Keebra Park SHS did win the game because of the team’s impressive defence.
Keebra Park has its attacking mojo working well, with its halves serving strike centres and pace on the wing - Elijah Lui scored three tries - and powerful running forwards.
But try as Wavell SHS did, they found it difficult to get around or go through Keebra Park.
There were plenty of anxious moments, don’t worry, for the Keebra Park camp, but the bottom line is they kept Wavell to one try until late in the game.
Keebra Park’s physical defence and their numbers in the tackle did control the ruck for long period.
BEN TE KURA IS GOOD
It is no wonder the Brisbane Broncos have signed him.
Tall, long riding Wavell SHS right edge backrower Ben Te Kura was very, very good for his team against an imposing Keebra Park defence.
He crossed the line in the first half to score, and again in the second half but lost the ball in contact as he was about to ground it.
When he handled, he drew Keebra Park defenders to him and was a handful. He is a very nice prospect who will no doubt grow into his frame.
RELATED LINKS
KULIKEFU - HE’S INFORM
Speaking of good edge backrowers, Ipswich SHS captain Kulikefu Finefeuiaki was at his best to help Ipswich SHS to three successive wins - and a likely finals’ berth.
Earlier this year the North Queensland Cowboys signed him to a three-year contract and last night he stood out in the crowd - highlighting what the Cowboys saw in him.
RELATED LINKS
IPSWICH V ST MARY’S MATCH REPORT here https://bit.ly/3yd9Wez
SPEED DEMON’S GALORE
The Langer Trophy is blessed with speed merchants.
Michael Roberts (Palm Beach Currumbin), the brother of NRL quick silver centre James, is quick, while Marsden SHS flyer Tea Rani Woodman-Tuhoro could be on the track in the 100m heats at the Olympics.
But another real mover is Keebra Park’s Elijah Lui.
He scored three tries yesterday and once he pokes his nose ahead of rivals in a foot race, good luck reeling him in.
Originally published as Langer Trophy: Superbowl winner, 6 things we learned
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