Full squad breakdown: The NRL futures bolstering South Coast’s 16-18 years boys rugby league bid at QLD Championships
Fifteen NRL futures headline the South Coast 16-18 years Boys Rugby League team that is gearing up for the 2024 Queensland School Sport Championships. Find out who they are, where they’re going, and why South Coast is tipped to take out the tournament.
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Fifteen NRL futures headline the South Coast 16-18 years Boys Rugby League team, who are gearing up for the 2024 Queensland School Sport Championships from May 18-21.
The roster includes future Titans half Zane Harrison, up-and-coming younger brother Isaac, and son of Storm sensation Marcus Bai.
Staffed by coach Peter Norman of Keebra Park, Trainer Tim Maccan of PBC and manager Darren Hart of Keebra Park the boys will be in good hands and have been preparing well over the last 6 weeks.
“Most boys are members of the successful Burleigh and Tweed Mal Meninga Cup squads who will face off in a State final,” Hart said.
“In two weeks , there have been a couple of injuries that have resulted in players being called into the squad at the last minute but (Peter) Norman is happy with where they are at.
“We have a wealth of talent on the Coast and these boys are all part of either the Broncos or Titans systems so I am confident that whoever wears the South Coast jersey will do the job expected of them” He said.
“This weekend we are united in representing the Gold Coast and defending our title.
“The boys will come together with a common cause with the aim to clinch back to back State Championship titles.”
The action kicks off at CBUS on Saturday with the Opening ceremony at 8AM followed by the first game at 9:30.
Find a profile breakdown of every player, where they’re going, and why South Coast is tipped to take out the tournament.
Meet the team
Mason Barber (Cowboys)
School: Keebra Park/ Tweed Mal Meninga
Position/s: Full Back / outside back & halves
Selected in 2023 and again this year.
Barber is a great runner of the ball who finds his way through tackles. He is graceful, fast and athletic. Good under high ball and equally skilled in defence.
Benji Strutt
School: Keebra Park
Position/s: Wing / outside back & general utility
A versatile outside back/ utility, Strutt is a great team member who will play in any position and do his job for the team - the epitome of a quiet achiever.
Sam Stephenson (Titans)
School: PBC/ Tweed Mal Meninga
Position/s: Wing/ centre
A PNG schoolboy representative, Stephenson was selected in 2023 and now again this year. He offers a solid carry out of his own end and is hard to stop dues to size and strength. He additionally hits hard in defence.
Phillip Coates (Broncos)
School: Marymount College/Burleigh Mal Meninga
Position/s: Wing outside back
Boasts a solid carry and is good under the highball and in broken play. Coastes is a current member of the Burleigh Mal Meninga squad and is the younger brother of NRL star Xavier Coates.
Sunny Kama (Titans)
School: PBC/Burleigh Mal Meninga
Position/s: Wing outside back
Selected in 2023 and again this year.
Another strong runner of the ball, Kama is not afraid to do the hard yards for his team when the going gets tough. He is competitive for the entire game and is always alert and switched on.
Daniel Feki
School: Keebra Park/ Burleigh Bears Mal Meninga
Position/s: Half
A playmaker who prides himself on executing good shape and creating opportunities for his outside players, Feki will run once he has established a good platform.
Zane Harrison (Titans)
School: PBC/Tweed Mal Meninga
Position/s: Half
Harrison was selected last year but did not compete due to being injured.
He is a solid process-driven half who guides and kicks his team around the field. Harrison is mature and a real game-winner.
Isaac Harrison
School: PBC/Tweed Mal Meninga
Position/s: Prop
The brother of Zane, Harrison is a solid prop in the mould of Paul Gallen. A straight up and down player with a low centre of gravity, he is very hard to stop and wins most tackles.
Kaleb Smith (Titans)
School: PBC/Tweed Mal Meninga
Position/s: Hooker
A no-nonsense service player, Smith boasts a great pass both off ground and in open play. He will scoot and pass and is unpredictable in that regard.
Zac Kumbamong (Titans)
School: Keebra Park/ Tweed Mal Meninga
Position/s: Prop
Selected in 2023 and again this year.
Kumbamong is currently the best prop in the Mal Meninga competition. With PNG heritage, he’s an incredible runner - making him a handful when close to the line. He is also solid in defence.
Jac Finigan (Dolphins)
School: PBC/ Tweed Mal Meninga
Position/s: Second rower
Selected in 2023 and again this year.
Finigan is a solidly built backrower who runs a great line and prides himself on being able to find the line. He can play most positions and is an asset as far as versatility goes.
Anton Whaiapu (Titans)
School: Keebra Park/ Tweed Mal Meninga
Position/s: Second rower
Whaiapu is the captain of Keebra Park for 2024. A no-nonsense backrower, he is a strong and powerful leader who keeps the opposition honest.
Cooper Bai (Titans)
School: Marymount/ Burleigh Mal Meninga
Position/s: Second rower/ lock
Bai was selected in the squad in 2023 but was injured and unable to play.
He is the son of the Melbourne Storm’s Marcus Bai. He is a solidly built backrower who is a handful for any defence, with athleticism and professionalism making him one to watch at the championships.
Jai Bilish (Titans)
School: PBC/ Tweed Cyril Connell
Position/s: Hooker/ utility
A grade 11 student who adds great coverage in playmaking positions and is the incumbent hooker.
Jack Schmidt (Titans)
School: PBC/ Tweed Mal Meninga
Position/s: Prop
Selected in 2023 and again this year, Schmidt is originally from Mackay.
He is a powerful prop who will bring strength from the bench. With strength and physique reminiscent of former-Titan Dave Taylor, Schmidt runs a great line.
Tom Summer
School: Keebra Park/ Tweed Mal Meninga
Position/s: Prop
Summer spent the off season with the Warriors in New Zealand and has come back focussed. He poses a real threat to tired defensive lines, offering a spark from the bench and is a good carnival player
Nelson Makaafi (Titans)
School: PBC/ Tweed Cyril Connell
Position/s: Prop
A grade 11 prospect who is tall and powerful, Makaafi is a solid team member and one to look out for in the future.
Isopo Taunu’u (Bulldogs)
School: Keebra Park
Position/s: Prop
Taunu’u is a powerful, hard running forward who finds his front and wins his tackles. Technically, he is extremely skilled and safe with regard to giving away penalties. Tanuu can be trusted to compete for an entire game.
David Bryenton (Broncos)
School: Keebra Park/ Wynnum Manly Cyril Connell
Position/s: Fullback/outside back
Bryenton is another grade 11 student and is already Broncos contracted. He is a young and enthusiastic next generation player, with electric speed and great footwork in and around traffic. He cannot be caught once in the clear.
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