Walters Cup Team of the Season unveiled
The schoolboy Walters Cup Team of the Season features an overflowing bucket of rugby league boom boys - and a host of next generation NRL players. FULL SQUAD
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The Langer Trophy’s new generation have been highlighted in bold black pen after another bumper season of Year 10 Walters Cup schoolboy rugby league.
LANGER RESERVES TEAM OF THE SEASON
NRL clubs like Melbourne Storm, Brisbane Broncos, Gold Coast Titans and Dolphins have all recognised the schoolboy talent to make key signings.
The greatest selection dilemma came in the outside backs where we had three elite fullbacks -
Grayson Wharakura (Marsden SHS), Israel Lotaki (Keebra Park SHS) and Ira Yeatman (Ipswich SHS).
WATCH REPLAYS OF THE WALTERS CUP GRAND FINAL
There was even more debate around the centres where Simione Tauelangi (Keebra Park), Billo Wotton (Wavell SHS), Mairangiatea Walker (Marsden SHS), Tomo Cook (Ipswich SHS), Kyron Arthy (Redcliffe) and Queensland schoolboy Chris Vaimili Toalepai (Marsden SHS) all had claims.
Keebra Park SHS ace Cornelius Kelsall would have made the side, but did not play enough matches despite his starring role in the finals.
TEAM OF THE SEASON
1. Grayson Wharakura (Marsden SHS)
The tall, 16-year-old North Island enforcer has used his size advantage to move mountains for the Makos, in his exit carries and from close range where he was almost unstoppable at times.
Signed by the Melbourne Storm, he can also slide wider of the ruck and link with his mid field with deft passes before the line or in contact.
2. Israel Lotaki (Keebra Park SHS)
There is some x-factor about this game breaking talent with footwork and turn of speed you just dream of.
He started the season as a left side centre dynamo, but by wearing the No. 1 jersey he has more freedom in which to impact games with his powerful running and explosive acceleration.
Also a capable winger, Lotaki was a member of Keebra’s Renouf Shield premiership winning side two seasons ago.
3. Simione Tauelangi (Keebra Park SHS)
It says plenty about Tauelangi that he has arguably been Keebra Park’s best this season - and that is saying something given the quality of the Keebra Park outfit this season. Noted for his versatility - he can play anywhere - Tauelangi is an aggressive competitor who can crack a match apart.
4. Billo Wotton (Wavell SHS)
Wotton, signed by the Brisbane Broncos, was a player for the spectators.
An aggressive, prolific centre who had a thirst for contact, Wotton was an explosive dynamo in his first school season for Wavell after the Palm Island junior moved south from Charters Towers.
5. Mairangiatea Walker (Marsden SHS)
Kiwi livewire Walker played his way into a Gold Coast Titans contract after a whirlwind season, his first in the Sunshine State.
He started the year with a scoring tries for the Ipswich Jets Under-17s in the club football, then built his game through the school season. He offered the best of both worlds with his ability to put his head down and work and also produce magic here and there when games hung in the balance.
6. Jordy Hotere (Wavell SHS)
Wavell SHS’s five-eight was a defensive hardman whose leadership, unforgiving defence and organisation of his outside backs was paramount in a successful season for the side.
Someone who got better each week, Hotere was the mastermind behind Billo Wotton’s damaging campaign. Hotere was always turning up on both sides of the ball. He is signed by the Titans.
7. Harvey Smith (Keebra Park SHS)
Smith has been a multi-threat halfback with all the skills from a Keebra Park side brimming with talent. He is an elite touch football player and you can see those skills kick in with his sharp footwork, vision and quick reaction. He played Connell Cup for Tweed Seagulls.
8. Billy Mulheran (PBC SHS)
Mulheran is an x-factor prop because of his efficiency around his work rate. He can top the tackle count while impacting matches with his leg drive, mobility and handling skills. The kid is a top gun middle forward talent.
9. Tippessa Lee (Marsden SHS)
Lee has that core toughness as a starting point, but around that he has footy smarts you cannot coach. Quick off the mark if a marker is slow to rise or fatigued, the brother of Brenko Lee can also play as a running No. 13 when the heat has gone out of a match. He is signed by the Dolphins.
10. Lennox Whaiapu (Keebra Park SHS)
The best front rower on display in the semi-finals, Whaiapu played like he was one metre taller and 10kg heavier - he was that dominant. He is not signed by an NRL club yet - but he will be.
His older brothers Whailer and Anton have left their mark in Keebra Park SHS colours and it is now Lennox’s time to shine. He was man of the match in the Walters Cup grand final.
11. Siai Papani (Wavell SHS)
Papani was an edge powder keg, an explosive forward who seemed to pick up speed as he advanced to the defensive line. He tackled strongly and there were no free rides on his side of the field. The NRL talent scouts would have been watching him carefully.
12. Innocent Baruani (Ipswich SHS)
Ipswich SHS’s left edge battle ship, forward leader Baruani relished the tough stuff while having footy smarts, nice vision and catch and pass skills.
He was a well rounded performer this season who kept his boys level, ran telling lines and thwarted opposition attacking raids with his thumping defence.
13. Romarion Tuitama (Wavell SHS)
It was a toss of the coin between Tuitama and Marsden’s Zack Lotaki, with Lotaki the first interchange forward named below.
The fearless Tuitama had dynamic footwork, leg drive at the point of contact and stung in defence to often dominate the opposition runner.
14. Qubin Anderson (Keebra Park)
Livewire hooker Cubin Anderson put a down payment on the No. 14 jersey when he left his mark on the semi-finals at Kougari Oval a fortnight ago and cemented his spot in the team in a faultless showing in the grand final.
The premiership winning dummyhalf has that splash of x-factor that, if this team had an exhibition game, could change a game when he comes off the bench.
The kid has vision, pace and of course crisp service.
15. Max Fife (PBC)
Fife played both lock and halfback throughout the season and his competitive nature made him one of PBC’s best every week. Fife had a great pass selection and an excellent long kicking game, while his tackle technique and ruck control regularly saw him dominate much bigger opposition.
16. Kyron Arthy (Redcliffe SHS)
Arthy made a big impression in his first season in the east coast after moving from Western Australia. Strong through the hips, Arthy broke tackles for fun, chased kicks and tackled strongly - while also being able to get airborne. NRL talent scouts, take note.
17. Ira Yeatman (Ipswich SHS)
Whenever the ball bounced in the direction of Yeatman, onlookers leant forward on their seats in anticipation of the jinking 16-year-old’s next move.
The Pocket rocket from Innisfail was capable of producing a highlight at any given moment, and Ipswich SHS’s attack was ever so dangerous with the diminutive Yeatman lurking in the halves or at fullback.
18. Nik Wharakura (Marsden SHS)
No, you are not seeing double. Nik is the twin brother of Grayson whom we named as our fullback in the side, and has been super consistent across the season. A towering prop signed by the Melbourne Storm, his long stride is difficult to halt and he so often lands on his front.
19. Tomu Cook (Ipswich SHS)
Ipswich SHS’s prolific left centre was the type of player who, had he played in the semi-final, could have been the difference in getting his team into the final.
Cook was a marvel this year, a try scoring ace who shed tackles and made metres like he was too powerful to be playing against other Year 10 students.
20. Zack Lotaki (Marsden SHS)
You’d love to play alongside this fellow. Being tackled by him would be like being struck by a Mack Truck, while he runs like he is trying to burst through a brick wall. He’s a great bloke to have in the trenches of a grand final.
PLAYERS WE’D LOVE MOST TO HAVE FOUND ROOM FOR
TJ Sauaso (Ipswich SHS)
Calm and collected halfback TJ Sauaso had himself a season, a season full of deft grubbers and attacking kicks that left opposition defenders swarming on the ball as it rolled around the in-goal.
The crafty headgear wearing playmaker had it all worked out, where the ball needed to go and how to get it there and Ipswich SHS were at their complete, most potent selves with him steering the ship from No. 7
Max Wood (PBC SHS)
Wood was a damaging edge backrower who often caused opposition defenders trouble. His speed and footwork combined with good strength for his size made him hard to handle throughout the season.
Boston Nau (Wavell SHS)
Nau was enormous for Wavell and his absence from the actual 18 is due to the number of elite centres - not wingers - we just had to squeeze into the top squad. And it is no reflection on the outstanding season Nau, a Queensland schoolboy, had.
Viliami Vea (Mabel Park SHS)
His team’s captain and centre, Vea was a leading try scorer who had highlight reel moments against Ipswich SHS, PBC and Marsden SHS
Haki Kennedy (Marsden SHS)
The crowd favourite had schoolmates roaring when he’d barrel into the defence off a long run. He initially helped swing Marsden’s season around as an interchange forward, but has been just as effective starting. Importantly the big fellow’s handling has been sound given the collisions he generates.
Jaylan Naleba (Ipswich SHS)
Naleba was his team’s vice-captain who played every minute of the season, mostly at hooker, but sometimes at halfback. Gosh he gave his team value for money.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Cruz Hoit-Scott (Mabel Park SHS)
A prop, Cruz consistently led from the front, matching it with every pack he came across. As an added bonus he crashed over to score on a few occasions as well.
Cohen Cochrane (Redcliffe SHS)
A hooker or lock, he was the Eagles best forward because of his workload in defence and attack. He came out of the winning Redcliffe Dolphins Connell Cup system.
Chris Vaimili Toalepai (Marsden SHS)
The Queensland schoolboy had a strong season and was strongly considered for the top squad as a centre.
Cortez Kirkpatrick (Wavell SHS)
Representative utility back Kirkpatrick was a staple of consistency for Wavell, a player coach Ben Colley could rely on to do a job no matter what jersey he wore. A good talker, he played
halves and fullback and was noted for being able to carry out a game plan.
Cohen Aitken (PBC SHS)
Aitken was big, strong and mobile in the back row, someone with a high work rate both offensively and defensively.
Nathan Phelps (Marsden SHS)
Phelps was the brains behind the Marsden SHS’s brawn, a clever five-eight with an excellent kicking game and delivery to his backs. He was an unsung hero.
Dallas Davidson (Wavell SHS)
Davidson was a metre-eating prop who would work himself into the ground.
Peter Uilavai-Pita (Ipswich SHS)
A Queensland under-15 player, he threatened with the ball and constantly defended with urgency and aggression.
Onyx Poimafiti (Stretton State College)
Onyx Poimafiti was a thunderous front rower and the cornerstone of Stretton State College go forward. He is a forward who loves a challenge.
Isaac Tokam (Mabel Park SHS)
A promising centre or second rower, Tokam was solid on the right hand side of the field where he shut down plenty of opponents with bigger reputations.
Marquis Sando (Marsden SHS)
When the debris caved in all around Marsden after Wavell put the cleaners through them early in the season, only Sando left the field with his reputation intact. The all effort middle forward was a Queensland schoolboys representative.
Hayden Madders (Wavell SHS)
A Queensland schoolboys representative this season, dummy half Madders got the job done with distinction for the Warriors this season.
He was quick between the ears and knew when to go himself from the ruck.
Lexin Hill (Stretton SC)
An outstanding outside back who can find the tryline. He is a player we’s like to see more of in the future.
MOST IMPROVED
Harvey Longhurst (Redcliffe SHS)
A lock or five eight, Longhurst seemed to learn to pace his control of games this season.
He will be a great enhancement to the senior program in 2025.
PLAYERS WE’D LOVE TO HAVE SEEN MORE OF
Charlie Webb (Wavell SHS)
The boom Queensland schoolboys halfback missed term three football due to injury.
The Warriors were a different side when their fierce, highly competitive playmaker was out there running the show, kicking for corners and putting his body on the line in defence.
RAW TALENTS
Jonathan Alo and James Peni (Redcliffe SHS)
Both Queensland under-15 representative this season, Alo was a towering back who has plenty of up side to his game, while Peni played second row for Redcliffe - yet made the state side as a winger.
Both have plenty of talent.
MacGuiness Tiananga (Ipswich SHS)
The jinking five-eighth was small in stature but a big danger for Ipswich SHS.
Game on the defensive end and elusive in attack, Tiananga took control of matches well with his short kicking game, threatening running game and he is a player that can turn a match in the blink of an eye.
UNSUNG HEROES
Mark Anthony Ruming (Stretton State College): The Wynnum club player left nothing in the tank for his school playing prop this season.
Kanon Phillips (Wavell SHS): Phillips’ crisp service, gutsy defence, vision and running game regularly challenged opposition defences.
Amon Tu’aefe (Stretton State College): The wholehearted forward gave everything for his side.
Originally published as Walters Cup Team of the Season unveiled
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