Renouf Shield, Hancock Cup qualifiers: 20 players of the day from rain-soaked skirmish at Stafford on Tuesday
Renouf Shield, Hancock Cup school rugby league qualifiers: 20 players of the day from rain-soaked skirmishes which saw Redcliffe SHS, Mountain Creek SHS and Caloundra SHS progress.
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Caloundra SHS and Redcliffe SHS have qualified for the Renouf Shield while Mountain Creek SHS won through to the Hancock Cup after some gruelling wet weather schoolboy rugby league on Tuesday in Stafford.
In the Renouf Shield qualifiers, Caloundra SHS defeated Stretton State College 18-10 and Redcliffe beat Mountain Creek SHS 30-nil. Meanwhile, Mountain Creek’s Year 9 side came out on top in the match of the day, defeating Redcliffe 14-10 in a Hancock Cup thriller.
MENINGA CUP, CONNELL CUP’S LATEST TEAM OF THE WEEK
The Broncos-sponsored competitions were named in honour of Brisbane greats Steve Renouf and Mick Hancock.
The best match was the Redcliffe-Mountain Creek Hancock game.
Mountain Creek needed a herculean effort to repel a late finishing Redcliffe outfit who pounded the tryline in the final five minutes of the game.
For three successive sets, Redcliffe came hard at their rivals but Creek’s defensive line was never breached.
Redcliffe were actually over the line and set to score the equalising-blow but they were peeled backwards in dramatic fashion by Nathan Cusack and tenacious No. 6 Harrison Thompson - who clung for dear life.
Read on to see who stood tall for their school.
PLAYERS OF THE DAY AT BROTHERS STAFFORD
RENOUF SHIELD
Riley Coutts (Redcliffe SHS)
The powerful right centre was ready and raring to go for the big match - as evidenced in his two-try effort within the first 15 minutes.
When he got the ball alarm bells rang in the Creek defence because it took multiple defenders to bring him down.
Coutts at times sported a smile as he charged towards the Creek defenders, so happy was he to challenge his opposition.
Fullback Will Rolph and winger Birrin Warradoo were also effective with their carries in the Year 8 sudden-death match.
Coby Page (Mountain Creek SHS)
The Creek centre wore his heart on his sleeve and coach Jack Brock couldn’t ask for much more.
After his side fell to a 22-0 half time lead, Page took it upon himself to be more involved and go twice as hard in defence.
When the second half rolled around, Page was in everything and his defiant defence showed in the 4-0 second stanza score in favour of Redcliffe.
Tyee Raub (Stretton State College)
Stretton’s most dangerous player, his runs caused, leg drive and strength caused the opposition problems. When Stretton were pushing for victory, he was the man most likely to take down the opposition.
Leviticus Carlson and Riki Neale-Rowe (Redcliffe SHS)
The Redcliffe engine room put in a rip-roaring effort to power their side home.
It was their deeds rucking the ball up in the first half which did plenty of damage early and allowed the backs to flourish.
They had the size advantage and used it to ensure a victory for the Eagles and a place in the Renouf Shield competition.
Tyren de Thierry (Redcliffe SHS)
Redcliffe’s five-eighth had limited touches in the first stanza but it was his touch off the right boot which deserved plaudits.
The towering playmaker slotted the first three conversions which were all near the right touchline. It added extra scoreboard pressure and it was outright impressive.
A passionate playmaker, de Thierry was unhappy with himself late in the game when he ran the ball rather than kick on the last tackle of a set. He channelled that frustration and almost immediately he scored a stunning solo try where he danced around a few defenders before slamming the ball down and calling the game.
Braxton Dore and Christian Cusack (Mountain Creek SHS)
Dore and Cusack continuously asked questions with their crisp passing and productive kicking.
Five-eighth Dore was stationed on the left and the fancy-footed Cusack on the right side of the ruck. Together they organised the Creek attack admirably.
Cusack also made plenty of precious metres running the ball while Dore did his thing sending booming kicks down field for Redcliffe fullback Rolph to retrieve.
Ryan McPherson (Mountain Creek SHS)
The skill, finesse and vision is there in spades for Mountain Creek’s emerging dummyhalf McPherson.
He is lacking a bit of size but his time will come. Despite being one of the smallest out there, McPherson muscled up like he was the biggest and on the other side of the ball he was a composed customer in the face of rushing defence.
The little hooking wonder did not make an error in slippery conditions and gave both his halves and forwards sublime service.
Seth Waldock and Jack McLachlan (Mountain Creek SHS)
Against a big Eagles pack, forwards Waldock and McLachlan stood tall and worked tirelessly to repel Redcliffe attacking raids.
Redcliffe had a band of big forwards who brought it, including skipper Mahonri Folau and Jedi Schroeder. Returning serve for the Sunshine Coast side was lock Waldock and rangy prop McLachlan who matched motors with the Peninsula boys and gave 110 per cent.
Jamasien Anderson (Caloundra SHS)
Caloundra SHS’s little men division of fullback Anderson, hooker Hayden McKay and halves Fletcher Clark and Kodi Lambert all played a role in getting their side over the line.
Fullback Anderson looked the best out of the sodden crew. His defence and run threats around the ball or on the fringe kept you interested.
Hooker McKay was a defensive terror while halfback Clark did a good job running his side in the conditions, including kicking to the corners in the second half.
Calvin Doolan (Stretton State College)
Fierce fullback Doolan was a wildcard talent who looked likely all game.
Doolan, who was originally from Forest Lake SHS but is now with Stretton SC, tackled bravely and tried to inject himself into the match the more the game progressed.
Hooker Taj Edwards also stuck to his task well, while Daryius Elisara got more threatening with his runs and ball work the more the match progressed.
Kodi Lambert (Caloundra SHS)
Lambert’s short kicking game led to a crucial late try for Hunter Hayes.
It was a blindside run by Lambert which also created the try for Braxon Livsey after Lambert had backed himself on the blindside.
Chase Stanford (Caloundra SHS)
Stanford’s edge defence against a bigger Stretton SC side stood the test of time.
On a greasy pitch Stanford zeroed in on his rivals, hitting and sticking for the duration of the game. It was a performance which would have been cherished by the men inside and outside of him.
HANCOCK CUP
Nathan Cusack (Mountain Creek SHS)
The Cusack clan delivered in spades for the Creek on Tuesday.
After a sharp display from his younger brother Christian in the earlier game, fullback Nathan brought his best to help his team edge out Redcliffe SHS.
Nathan was a 60-minute performer in a frantic match and he found the energy to help prevent Redcliffe snatching a win in the dying moments when he was involved in a try-saving tackle.
Originally from Ireland, Cusack has been a high-achiever on the Sunshine Coast where he has performed with distinction for the Coolum Colts and for representative sides.
Tyler Wilson (Redcliffe SHS)
Wilson ramped up his game with a brutal second half defensive effort which helped get his side back in the match.
His intensity in defence had opponents peeking out the corner of his eye, with one tackle on gallant little hooker Chase Stewart forcing an error which almost led to the match winning try for his side.
Wilson hit from front on, but also covered an inside pass during the second half which could have resulted in a Mountain Creek break.
Kade McGuire (Mountain Creek SHS)
Creek prop Kade McGuire produced an old fashioned front rowers performance.
The raw-boned middle forward, his team’s biggest player, had a huge job on his hands against a physical Redcliffe side but he gave as good as he received.
He’d leave the ground as he launched defence to fell big bodies, until he could give no more. He was replaced 10 minutes from full time with his head held high.
It was a wholehearted effort which would have been appreciated by his teammates.
Cooper McLay (Mountain Creek SHS)
The No.13 was a big time glue player for his side who grappled and wrestled hard against the big Redcliffe pack.
McLay did it once, twice, three times - and he did it all game long in the wet, greasy conditions.
It was a good old fashioned workers’ knock which delivered the goods for the Coast side.
Eli Jennings (Mountain Creek SHS)
There wasn’t appropriate weather for the tall centre to shine but Jennings still threatened and you could see he will have plenty to offer across the school season.
The athletic left centre also defended strongly when the ball went to his side of the field.
Chase Stewart and Tanner Cavanagh (Mountain Creek SHS)
Mountain Creek’s mighty mite’s, hooker Chase Stewart and halfback Tanner Cavanagh, played stoic roles in a gruelling contest.
In the conditions and against a bigger side, they stood their ground in defence and had the courage to take the line on.
WEDNESDAY’S LANGER, WALTERS QUALIFYING GAMES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
WALTERS CUP
Logan Ahau (Caloundra SHS)
An exciting prospect who can easily create havoc from any position in the back line, Ahau’s game awareness and ability to put his body in the correct position makes him hard to handle defensively.
Darius Birve (Caloundra SHS)
His deep understanding of the game and physical attributes add a tremendous amount to Caloundra’s team.
Birve, who recently signed with the Bulldogs, originally hails from Cairns and has the skill to play various positions.
However he is an awfully impressive hooker.
Malekai Towney (Caloundra SHS)
A well organised and calm half, Towney’s ability to correctly sum up situations and move the team around the park provides clear direction for his teammates.
Mitchel Van Dyke (Caloundra SHS)
With his strength and speed, Van Dyke is a genuine threat on the edge.
He is the kind of player that everyone wants to have standing beside them on a football field.
WALTERS CUP
Kye Hill (Stretton State College)
Hill is a fast twitch halfback who will look to take the game, Hill has quick feet and an ability to find the right pass.
Isaac Vaka (Stretton State College)
The team’s MVP in 2024, Vaka is a strong line running centre with a strong defensive game to back it up.
Lutalo Petusa (Stretton State College)
Petusa is a dynamic lock who will bring a lot of energy through the middle. His late footwork at the line makes him a tough man to take down
BELLBIRD PARK SHS
Tavrius Noon is a crafty half who is always looking to take advantage of lazy or tired defenders.
Gordon Maukeni will play lock where the shifty ballplayerwho can create plenty of opportunities for his outside men.
Treyden Koroheke will fill the utility player role and offer a spark around the ruck.
He is capable of breaking a game open.
LANGER TROPHY
Lexin Hill (Stretton State College)
A dynamic fullback who has been plying his trade with the Souths Logan Cyril Connell team, Hill has the ability to take over a game with his quick feet and silky ball playing skills.
He is in fine form.
Monte Betham (Stretton State College)
Betham is a hard-nosed edge forward who will look to influence the game with his carries and at times rib-crunching tackles.
The Brisbane Tigers’ players player at the weekend, Betham bends the line in his sleep.
Bailey Vang (Stretton State College)
The crafty hooker is no stranger to Stafford qualifiers.
He has been a class act when Stretton have had to strut their stuff in the sudden-death clashes and he will be eager to make an impact from the ruck base on Wednesday.
He has a big boot and uses it well to get his teammates where they need to be.
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Originally published as Renouf Shield, Hancock Cup qualifiers: 20 players of the day from rain-soaked skirmish at Stafford on Tuesday
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