Ipswich SHS captain Josiah Pahulu likened to Cowboys Origin star (NRL Schoolboys season-long deal (inc Langer Trophy, Payne Cup & Dolphins Cup finals) )
Will we be seeing the next Reuben Cotter in Wednesday’s NRL Schoolboys Cup rugby league grand final Ipswich SHS and NSW’s best, Patrician Brothers Fairfield? Story here.
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He is the schoolboys league talent who has led Ipswich State High into the NRL Schoolboys Cup national final, but it is not just on the field where Josiah Pahulu has been turning heads.
Those in the know around Ipswich have likened the powerful young forward to a current Queensland State or Origin workhorse.
It isn’t so much the talent and explosive running of Pahulu - which has been evident this season - but more so the extra things he does off the ball.
The mobile middle forward and his band of brothers will play NSW schoolboy champions Patrician Brothers Fairfield in a grand final blockbuster on Wednesday at Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe. The match will be live streamed by your home of schoolboy rugby league, KommunityTV, from 3.30pm, Wednesday.
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The Courier Mail, Gold Coast Bulletin, The Daily Telegraph and News Corp affiliates will live stream a bumper day of grand final action all kicking off with the Karyn Murphy Cup pool games from 9am.
11.30am: Schoolboy Trophy Final: Lockyer District SHS v Trinity Bay SHS
1pm: Karyn Murphy CupFinal
1.45pm: Queensland Schoolgirl Cup: Marsden SHS v Kirwan SHS
3.30pm: Schoolboys Cup Final: Ipswich SHS v Patrician Brothers Fairfield
The www.couriermail.com.au will also live stream Karyn Murphy Cup grand final qualifying games on Wednesday morning leading up to the 1pm grand final. They will involve Stretton State College, Isis District SHS and Cairns SHS.
While not being identical, the resemblance of Ipswich SHS skipper Pahulu with Cowboys No. 13 superstar Reuben Cotter is remarkable on a several fronts.
“Absolutely, there is a likeness (to Cotter),’’ Ipswich SHS head coach Joshua Bretherton said.
“Obviously there is a slight difference in body shape and they are not the exact same style of player, but they certainly have traits that cross cover.
“I can still remember Reuben playing for Capricornia at state under 18 championships years ago and he was running around in the lock position with high energy, all effort plays and showing his team leadership that way.
“And Josiah is exactly the same. He plays high energy, he concentrates on all the little effort areas which are important and try to maximise his involvement in the game - just like Cotter.
“They have big engines and do lots of work.
“They take every single bit they have inside them and they put that into the next impact, whether it is them carrying the ball or defending. They are not using some of their potential, they are using every bit of it.’’
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Like Cotter, Pahulu also uses his body height to hit hard around the ball and can turn ball over with his impact.
And like Cotter, Pahulu is fit.
At one stage during the Langer Trophy grand final against Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Pahulu made a tackle on his line, then did a wind sprint to cover a potential opening for the opposition 10m away. It was an extraordinary display of his fitness and pace.
Which is again Cotter-like.
“He is super fit,’’ Bretherton said.
According to the young leader, it is not so much about fitness but having a certain mentality.
“I also think it is more attitude, just doing it for your mates.,” he said.
Pahulu, who has made the www.couriermail.com.auLanger Trophy Team of the Year for three successive years, has evolved his game from being a dynamic, tight powerful prop into a high involvement No.13 with a late unload in his game.
“He always had good power through Year 9 and 10, an explosive ball runner. But he would always drift in and out of games,’’ Bretherton explained.
“He might have a little sleep on the short side and then get involved and be spectacular.
“But he has always been a very hard worker with his training and by doing that he has obviously increased his engine and the amount of work he can get through, while learning how to have a more regular involvement in the game.’’
Pahulu, now an Australian schoolboy representative, added: “From last year I have added more ball playing and offloading, and those little one percent plays.
“For me I am just trying to create my own foundation and hopefully the younger boys follow me through.’’
Originally published as Ipswich SHS captain Josiah Pahulu likened to Cowboys Origin star (NRL Schoolboys season-long deal (inc Langer Trophy, Payne Cup & Dolphins Cup finals) )
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