Australian Schoolboys thrash France under-19’s 56-6 as Halangahu, Stephenson and Barber shine

A Greg Inglis clone who needs to ‘work out the talent he’s got’ and a Dragons wrecking ball were at the fore of the Australian Schoolboys 50-point demolition job. Discover every standout performer.

The Australian Schoolboys flexed their muscle ahead of the upcoming Papua New Guinea tour to annihilate France’s under-19 side on the Gold Coast.

Outside backs and Coast locals Sam Stephenson and Mason Barber were at the fore of the 56-6 trouncing at UAA Park in Burleigh, as was boom forward Jacob Halangahu.

Front-rower Alex Challenor forced his way over stripe 70 seconds into the clash, and by the fourth minute Stephenson and Barber had combined streaming down the left edge to send fullback Jack Attard over and double the Australian’s advantage.

The home side never looked back as it piled on the points, taking a 32-0 lead into halftime before cruising to a 50-point win.

“We were really good through the middle third, I was really proud of our forward pack,” said Australian coach Tim White.

“Our edge and our outside backs were a little clunky, a couple of them were a bit sick and had a bit of a flu.”

White noted that the French opponents were depleted, with four of their best forwards left at home for a match that would be won in the middle.

Australian Schoolboys captain Jacob Halangahu won the SG Ball Cup with the Dragons earlier this year. Picture: Dragons

Halangahu, who is signed to the Dragons, was the pick of the forwards and burst over for two tries in the second half. The Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown product is a workhorse in the David Fifita mould and his post-contact work is exceptional, he could well be donning the ‘Red V’ at NRL level in the near future.

“Everything he does, if he doesn’t run over blokes he brings three or four in and then we can play off the back of it,” White said.

“He’s the captain. His leadership is really important, he doesn’t say much until it’s his turn and then his leadership comes to the fore. I was really impressed with his leadership and what he did today.”

Stephenson, who was elevated to the Titans NRL squad after winning the NRL national schoolboys final with Palm Beach Currumbin, excelled at centre.

The Queensland under-19 representative willed and swivelled his way to two tries, but it’s his defensive work that underpins his game and caught White’s eye. So much so that White suggested Titans coach Des Hasler should consider him for NRL action.

“He’s one of the best defensive centres I’ve ever coached,” White said.

“If I’m a coach like Des, and I know Des is very defence-minded, I’d be looking at him, because defensively he is astute, really good.”

Sam Stephenson in action for the Australian Schoolboys against France under-19s. Picture: Gold Coast Titans Facebook.

Barber, who played outside Stephenson on the left edge, crossed for one try and assisted another with a perfect pass inside. At the ASSRL national championships earlier in the year, the Keebra Park product broke eight tackles in a single run.

“He reminded me of Greg Inglis at the same age,” White said of Barber, who is signed with the North Queensland Cowboys.

“He’s just got to work on a few other things and I reckon he could be a real player of the future.”

White said that his shape was very similar to that of Inglis.

“He’s that tall string bean, and once he puts a bit of weight on, he’s very elusive, big fend, he’s one of those blokes that’s just natural.

“He’s a bit like Kalyn Ponga in that he doesn’t know where the talent is, but once he works out the talent he’s got he could be anything.”

“He’s got to want to take the game, once he learns to take the game, no one will stop him.”

Mason Barber. Picture: Tweed Seagulls Facebook.

Forwards Cody Hopwood and Simione Laiafi also impressed. Hopwood is tied to the Knights, while Laiafi has a deal with the Sea Eagles.

“I’ve got a good forward rotation, I’ve got four really good middles, they all do a really good job and add something a little bit different,” White said.

Parramatta Eels talent Lincoln Fletcher and Wests Tigers’ Jared Haywood also provided some great “flair” off the bench.

Haywood threw a looping floater from the middle of the park that hit winger Luke Tuialii on the chest and allowed him to score, while Fletcher crossed for a try himself and was involved in a second-half breakaway.

The pair also combined for a brilliant defensive effort in the corner to prevent what appeared to be a certain second try for France.

Both the Australian Schoolboys and Schoolgirls will now jet off to take on junior Papua New Guinea sides on Sunday.

Australian Schoolboys’ tryscorers: Alex Challenor, Jack Attard, Zac Garton, Mason Barber, Sam Stephenson (2), Luke Tuialii, Lincoln Fletcher, Jacob Halangahu (2).