Keebra Park SHS v Coombabah SHS in the Langer Trophy.

A slick Keebra Park team have taken on Coombabah SHS in the Langer Trophy after their Walters Cup team played Forest Lake. WATCH THE REPLAYS

Keebra Park SHS scored 50 points but it would have been just the six points conceded by his side which would have pleased Keebra coach Peter Norman most this afternoon.

Keebra Park finished with a flourish to rattle up a 50-6 victory, with 26 points coming in a hurry at the end of the match.

Prop Immanuel Kalekale had a huge match and behind his pack, halfback Jaxen Yow ran the show with skill and speed.

Both edges were lethal, with right centre Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki a powerhouse and fullback Karauria Stokes dangerous lottering around the ruck.

But it was surely Keebra Park’s defence which was most pleasing.

In round 1 Keebra Park slipped to a 24-nil deficit and try as they did, could not reel in Ipswich SHS.

But aside from one try, Keebra Park bit back hard to challenge Coombabah SHS ball runners.

Coombabah never gave up, they were just run off their feet late as Keebra halfback Yow moved the ball left and right to elite edge runners Jared Johnson, EJ Finau and multi-talented No.13 Arama Hau.

Hats off to Coombabah centre Kane Garland who underlined Coombabah’s effort by twice holding rampaging Kalekale and Finau up over the line when the game was lost.

Winger Izayah Petricevich also made a try saving tackle on his opposite in the same period of plan.

THE PREVIEW

“I’m just getting started.”

And with that bold declaration, Immanuel Kalekale announced his intention to guide his Keebra Park teammates to Langer Trophy glory.

With his family in New Zealand watching every move he makes on the field from afar, the Gold Coast Titans contracted prop has been fuelled to ensure his bold move across the ditch is not one made in vain.

The man mountain will be one of the key players to watch as Keebra Park face off against Coombabah in the Langer Trophy as part of a live stream double header on Tuesday afternoon.

WATCH THE MATCHES IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

Opportunity is what drew Kalekale from his home to the Glitter Strip, determined to make a name for himself and realise his dreams of cracking the NRL.

It was a sacrifice he said was already paying dividends, and he was constantly on the phone to his parents as a reminder of why he had taken such a giant leap of faith.

While his school side suffered a 24-16 defeat in their Langer Trophy campaign opener against Ipswich State High School, Kalekale was confident they had the means to overturn a slow start.

REPLAY: Keebra Park v Forest Lake in Walters Cup

“I moved over last year, I started at Keebra Park last year and it’s been good ever since. All my family is back in NZ, I just came over by myself to try and get an opportunity here,” Kalekale said.

“I’m just getting started, I have my family as my motivation. I call my family every night, especially my mum and dad.

“They just let me do my thing, always telling me that they’re proud of me and to just go and do my best.

“My prep is I don’t watch the other opposition, I just go about and do what I need to do. We need to bounce back, other teams are doubting us for this season and counting us off.

“The only way for us to prove the, wrong is to prove the wrong and come back harder.”

Throughout the pre-season, Kalekale trained alongside the Titans in what has proven to be the grandest challenge of his young career.

Standing next to the likes of Fifita and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and witnessing how they went about their business showcased to the developing forward just what it took to reach rugby league’s plateaus.

Ahead of Keebra Park’s cross-town clash with Coombabah State High School on Tuesday, Kalekale was also revelling in his selection for Queensland in the upcoming National Schoolboys Championships, joined by classmates Arama Hau and Seth Nikotemo.

Immanuel Kalekale. Picture by Richard Gosling

Kalekale said while he was taken aback by the call up, his time spent at Titans HQ had instilled in him the belief he could make an impact on the big stage.

Now he was eager to use the experiences he had gained to establish himself as a leader within the Keebra ranks.

“I was actually surprised because I couldn’t make the Queensland Schoolboys side because I was a New Zealand resident,” Kalekale said.

“I saw all the boys go up and I was happy for them and clapped them on, but then I soon as a I heard my name come up I was surprised and was just grateful for the opportunity.

“Straight after I called my mum and dad and mum was crying.

“We had one session with David and the NRL boys and David Fifita was a freak. People think I’m a big dude, but once they stand next to the likes of Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Dave I’m nothing.

“I just try and be a leader in any way I can, not getting my ego get the best of me but try and help the boys around.”