Named: The greatest rugby league players from Bundaberg and the Burnett revealed

From Cherbourg to Bundaberg, these regional powerhouses have defied expectations by consistently producing some of Australia's greatest rugby league talents across generations.

The greats of the game down through the years across the Bundaberg and Burnett regions.

The Burnett and Bundaberg regions have produced some of Queensland’s finest rugby league talent, ranging from early pioneers of the game to modern NRL legends.

Here are the best players in the history of the Bundaberg and Burnett Rugby Leagues, based on their official “Team of the Century” selections and historical achievements.

Bundaberg Rugby League Team of the Century (1907–2008)

This team was selected to celebrate the centenary of the league and features players who dominated the local competition and represented the region with distinction.

Fullback: Mick Bolewski

Wingers: Bill Heidke (Australian captain), Les Kiss

Centres: Don Nixon, Noel Hazzard (Australian representative)

Five-Eighth: Rex McGlynn

Halfback: Stan Norris

Lock: Noel Cavanagh

Second Row: Bill Pearson, Noel Gallagher

Mick Bolewski

Props: Col Weiss, Vic Armbruster

Hooker: Bill Richards

Reserves: Snowy Spencer, Dougall McGregor, Bernie Drew, Les ‘Monty’ Heidke

Coach: Bill Pearson

Notable Mentions:

Mal Meninga: Born in Bundaberg, he is an Immortal of the game and one of the greatest players in history. While his senior career flourished in Brisbane and Canberra, he is the region’s most famous son.

Antonio Kaufusi: A dual international (Australia and Tonga) and Queensland representative who played his junior football in the region.

South Burnett and Wide Bay Legends

Selwyn Cobbo (South Burnett) Junior Club: Cherbourg Hornets. Achievements: State of Origin (Queensland), Australian Representative. The Connection: The modern pride of Cherbourg. Cobbo was the first Indigenous school captain of Murgon State High School and a direct product of the famous Cherbourg Hornets. His rise from the Burnett to the Kangaroos jersey happened in meteoric time. Picture Brisbane Broncos

The South Burnett region, particularly Cherbourg, has been a powerhouse of talent.

Frank Fisher: Named in the Indigenous Team of the Century, Fisher is widely regarded as one of the best Aboriginal players to ever play the game. He was a mercurial talent who played for Cherbourg and Wide Bay.

Bryan Niebling: The “Horse,” a Murgon junior, went on to become a relentless forward for the Brisbane Broncos, Queensland, and Australia.

Ian Pearce: A Blackbutt junior who became a legendary fullback.

Dave Brown: A Test player who is often cited in South Burnett’s greatest lineups.

Since 2008, the Bundaberg and Burnett regions have continued their incredible legacy of producing elite rugby league talent.

The region has transitioned from the days of Mal Meninga to producing modern State of Origin stars and international representatives.

Here are the best rugby league products from the Bundaberg, South Burnett, and North Burnett regions who have made their mark since 2008.

The Superstars (NRL and Representative)

1. Felise Kaufusi (Bundaberg) Junior Club: Bundaberg Brothers; Achievements: 2x NRL Premiership Winner (Storm), State of Origin (Queensland), Australian & Tongan Representative.

The Connection: Born in New Zealand, Kaufusi moved to Bundaberg at age six. He learned his craft at Bundaberg Brothers before becoming one of the most feared back-rowers in the NRL. He is the region’s most successful product of the modern era.

2. Coen Hess (Bundaberg )Junior Club: Across The Waves (Bundaberg) Achievements: State of Origin (Queensland), NRL Grand Finalist (Cowboys).

The Connection: Born in Bundaberg, “Hessy” played his first footy for the Tigers (Across The Waves) before moving north. He exploded onto the NRL scene as a teenage prodigy, playing Origin at just 20 years old.

3. Selwyn Cobbo (South Burnett) Junior Club: Cherbourg Hornets. Achievements: State of Origin (Queensland), Australian Representative. The Connection: The modern pride of Cherbourg. Cobbo was the first Indigenous school captain of Murgon State High School and a direct product of the famous Cherbourg Hornets. His rise from the Burnett to the Kangaroos jersey happened in meteoric time.

Mal Meninga: Born in Bundaberg, he is an Immortal of the game and one of the greatest players in history. While his senior career flourished in Brisbane and Canberra, he is the region’s most famous son. Now the Perth Bears coach Mal ispictured pouring beers at Gage Roads Brewery, Fremantle.Pic Colin Murty

4. Gavin Cooper (South Burnett) Junior Club: Murgon Mustangs. Achievements: NRL Premiership Winner (Cowboys), State of Origin (Queensland).

The Connection: While his career started before 2008, his peak years—including his premiership win and Origin debut—occurred well into this era. A Murgon Mustang through and through, he was the ultimate professional for over a decade.

5. Matt Ballin (South Burnett) Junior Club: Kingaroy Red Ants. Achievements: 2x NRL Premiership Winner (Manly), State of Origin (Queensland).

The Connection: A Kingaroy Red Ant junior, Ballin was the unsung hero of Manly’s dominant era. He famously played the 2008 Grand Final 40-0 victory just as this era began.

6. Chris Sandow (South Burnett) Junior Club: Cherbourg Hornets. Achievements: Dally M Rookie of the Year (2008), Indigenous All Stars.The Connection: “The little master” from Cherbourg burst onto the scene in 2008. He was one of the most exciting and unpredictable talents the game has seen, known for his chip-and-chase plays and shoulder charges on much bigger men.Rising Stars & Cult Heroes.

Trai Fuller (North Burnett): A product of the Eidsvold Eagles. Fuller became an overnight sensation for the Dolphins in 2023/24 with his electric speed, proving that talent from small towns like Eidsvold can still make the big stage.

Reds coach Les Kiss after the tour match between Queensland Reds and British & Irish Lions at Suncorp Stadium on July 02, 2025 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Kyle and Zac Laybutt (Bundaberg): Both brothers came through Western Suburbs Panthers (Bundaberg) and Bundaberg State High. Kyle has captained Papua New Guinea, while Zac is currently emerging as a star centre for the North Queensland Cowboys.

Patrick Kaufusi (Bundaberg): Felise’s younger brother who also played for Bundaberg Brothers. He played over 30 NRL games for the Cowboys, Storm, and Dragons. The “Local Legends” (Bundaberg Rugby League)While they didn’t all play NRL, these players dominated the local BRL competition during this era and are considered modern local icons.

Mat Templeman: A try-scoring machine for Past Brothers who was central to their “Team of the Decade” dominance.

Clinton Horne: A legendary halfback for the Waves Tigers and Hervey Bay, known for racking up massive points tallies season after season.

Jake and Anthony Bonus: The Bonus family name is synonymous with Bundaberg rugby league, consistently performing at the top level for Wests and Brothers.

Trai Fuller of the Dolphins breaks away from the defence during the round 27 NRL match between Dolphins and Canberra Raiders at Kayo Stadium, on September 07, 2025, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Best “Burnett and Bundaberg” Team (2008–Present):

Position Player Junior Club Region

Fullback Trai Fuller Eidsvold Eagles North Burnett

Winger Selwyn Cobbo Cherbourg Hornets South Burnett

Centre Zac Laybutt Wests Panthers Bundaberg

Centre Antonio Kaufusi* Bundaberg Brothers Bundaberg

Winger Christian Welch Gladstone/Biloela(Regional Neighbour)

Five-Eighth Kyle Laybutt Wests Panthers Bundaberg

Halfback Chris Sandow Cherbourg Hornets South Burnett

Lock Matt Ballin Kingaroy Red Ants South Burnett

Second Row Gavin Cooper Murgon Mustangs South Burnett

Second Row Felise Kaufusi Bundaberg Brothers Bundaberg

Prop Coen Hess Across The Waves Bundaberg

Hooker Jayden Nikorima(Played schools in region)

Prop Dave Taylor (Blackwater/CQ) (Honourable Mention)

*Antonio played his last NRL years in this era. Welch is often claimed by Central Qld (Gladstone) but is the closest elite prop neighbour.

This article was written with the help of AI

Originally published as Named: The greatest rugby league players from Bundaberg and the Burnett revealed