KEEBRA PARK

Thrust him into a line up of young men and Arama Hau would not be picked as a teenager.

Despite his tender years, the powerful and versatile edge forward has caught the eye of the Gold Coast Titans, and according to Keebra Park head of rugby league Peter Norman has undergone a rapid transformation.

At just 17, Hau has become an integral member of the Burleigh Bears’ Colts side, taking on the under-21s competition as if he had been there forever.

Blessed with the size to run over the top of his rivals and a ballplaying ability that defies his stature, the emerging talent has been given the Keebra captaincy mantle, having taken on the same role for Burleigh in the Mal Meninga Cup.

It has been that additional responsibility that Norman believes has evolved Hau.

“He played open as all of last year and he’s a big aggressive thing, but what’s impressed me this year is he’s calmed down and his attitude is really switched on,” Norman said.

“His head is in the game, he used to have some blow ups when he was a hothead last year but he’s settled.

“He’s Titans contracted, so I’m sure it would’ve helped, but he’s been with them for multiple years now. But he got named captain of Burleigh’s Mal Menigna side this year and then he’s captain for us so I think being in that leadership role has helped him out.

“He definitely doesn’t lack size in competing with the boys in the 21s, but the thing that impresses me is his versatility with his skills.

“He’s a big human, but a really intelligent footballer.”

Hau as one of three Keebra Park products selected in the Queensland Under-18s side to take on the national championships in July, joined by fellow forwards Seth Nikotemo and Immanuel Kalekale.

When it comes to Kalekale, Norman said he has to refrain from likening him to any NRL player. But as for the type of player he was, he said he was a young man every title contender needed.

“I don’t like likening our young players to other NRL players, but all successful NRL teams have one front rower who is a big, physical, intimidating threat. There’s Penrith with James Fisher-Harris, at the Roosters there’s Jared Waerea-Hargreaves,” Norman said.

“That’s his role for us, he’s a big, physical, aggressive human. I guess the best thing is his leg drive, he makes post-contact metres every time and even if not he’s finding a quick play the ball.

“He’s had a bit of a terrible run with injuries … but as long as he stays on the field he will be a big threat.”

With Hau likely to play at lock for Keebra, Nikotemo looms as the side’s biggest threat on the edge.

Already he has produced moments that have caught the eye, namely a fend on a rival player Norman compared to a similar play produced by the great Greg Inglis on St George-Illawarra premiership winner Jamie Soward.

“I can’t remember who it was against, but their poor halfback nearly went outside the footy park. That’s what we know Seth is capable of. ” Norman recalled of Nikotemo’s powerful play.

“He’s always been a switched on kid, but I guess being an 18-year-old this year knowing it’s his final year of school he’s making the most of (it).

“He’s Titans contracted, and the thing I like most about Seth is his football IQ and defence. “He’s got the ability as a backrower to run over halfbacks and be an intimidating threat, but he’s really smart.”

COOMBABAH STATE HIGH SCHOOL

When it comes to Lewis Symonds he is no one trick pony. According to coach Sam Meskell, he is the “king of the gym”.

The Coombabah edge forward will come into the Langer Trophy fresh off his triumphant showing at the Youth Oceania Weightlifting Championships.

Lining up in the 81kg category, Symonds lifted 106kg in the Snatch and 130kg in the Clean and Jerk, cementing a reputation as one of the strongest players in schoolboys rugby league.

On the field, the Brisbane Broncos contracted youngster featured in the Souths Logan Magpies’ triumphant Mal Meninga Cup campaign, playing five games which included a try in Round 5 against Brisbane Tigers.

Meskell said such was the workload the young man took on, he and the school’s coaching staff were wary of overloading him knowing full well that outside of the Coombabah sessions he would not be taking any shortcuts.

He said after watching him perform for the Magpies, he was surprised at how quickly he had gone from playing junior football to appearing destined for a stint in the senior ranks.

“He’s a big, strong all round player … and he’s only in Year 11. It’s his first crack at opens footy, but he’s also a weightlifting champion so he’s quite strong and physically he’s an impressive young man,” Meskell said.

“He’s as good as they come; he’s a respectful kid, he trains hard, he’s got an excellent work ethic, and he’s a leader with his talk but also his actions.

“At training he’s more of an example through his actions, but on game day he’s quite vocal and tries to lift the mood in the warm up.

“And then when you get to the game, he doesn’t hold back and he rips in from the first minute. He’s exactly what you want from a player in a team.”

Symonds will feature in what looms as an impressive Coombabah forward pack when the Langer Trophy gets underway on Wednesday, one which features a Melbourne Storm contracted rising star.

K-Ci Whare has made a rapid rise up the ranks, impressing in Burleigh’s Mal Meninga Cup side and epitomising what it means to be a determined, hard working middle forward.

That was evident to Meskell in last year’s schoolboys campaign, when after making one particularly bruising tackle that raised the coach’s eyebrows he backed it up with a desperate covering tackle on the back of a rival linebreak.

Those are the efforts Meskell said would make him the perfect fit at the Storm, even under the watchful eye of master mentor Craig Bellamy.

“He’s going down there at the end of the year to do six weeks pre-season. Honestly I think it’s perfect for him, I’m happy he’s ended up there because he’s the type of guy they’ll like with his work ethic,” he said.

“We had some big boys last year who gave us good short stints. But K-Ci was one we could leave out there and he would scramble to make tackles out wide, save tries on the line and be the first to put his hand up for a carry.

“There was one I remember, he put a great shot on in the middle of the field so that sort of got my attention.

“About two tackles later . they made a break and K-Ci made the tackle near the sideline. He wasn’t happy with the big hit and have a break, he backed up and made the cover tackle.

“He’s just invaluable to us.”

While the aforementioned players have secured chances with NRL clubs, fellow Coombabah forward prospect Kyen Murphy is still on the hunt for a future in rugby league.

And Meskell has backed his adaptable youngster to make his presence felt when the Langer Trophy gets underway.

While Murphy began in the outside backs, lining up as a talented winger or centre, Meskill moved him into the second row in a bid to get him closer to the action.

It speaks to what can happen when the teenager gets his hands on the ball more often, and Meskell said that is largely what fuelled the transition.

“He’s an unsung player in teams. He’s just a natural footballer; he can take a high ball, he can offload, he can pass and break the line and he’s got a kick to his game,” he said.

“He’s a bit of a late bloomer with his physique. He’s always been tall, but now he’s starting to fill out.

“I just like having him closer to the action because I know what he can do. When he’s wider the game may not get to him so having him a bit closer the more touches and action he gets the better.”

PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN

His brother has made a name for himself as one of the fastest men in rugby league, but Michael Roberts will be seeking to forge his own identity on the field.

With his brother, former New South Wales State of Origin representative James, plying his trade at Wests Tigers, Roberts has entered rare territory at Palm Beach Currumbin, according to coach Tim Maccan.

Having debuted for the Reds as a winger in 2020, this will be the now five-eighth’s third Langer Trophy campaign, after making his maiden appearance as a Year 10 student.

Maccan said typically the school’s athletes would make their mark from Year 11, however such is the calibre of Roberts he was thrust into the limelight ahead of schedule.

Throughout their triumphant Phil Hall Cup campaign he proved near unstoppable at times, culminating in a semi-final effort of two tries and three try assists.

And he will continue making history beyond his graduation, having been signed by the Dolphins for their inaugural season as an NRL club.

“He’s very good with his instincts, he can just sniff out a try on a short side, he’s a very good edge defender and he can hold his own on the edge whether he’s five-eight, centre or wing,” Maccan said.

“He’s got that speed to burn as well, he’s really fast; he basically scored the match wining try in the state semi against Marsden last year.

“He’s played five-eighth, centre as well, and he could also play fullback I think; anywhere he’s able to roam and link up wherever.”

Where PBC’s Gold Coast-based rivals have called on their respective forward packs to set the standard, Maccan appears to have leaned into his playmaking stocks to make an impact.

With Roberts set to take the number six jumper, he will have ample opportunities to link in with fullback Keano Kini — the Auckland product brought to the Glitter Strip by the Gold Coast Titans.

In the past two Mal Meninga Cup campaigns for Tweed, the talented custodian was forced to the sidelines after three rounds due to knee injuries, however he has been declared ready to take the field once again.

In last year’s Phil Hall Cup, Maccan considered Kini a focal point of his side’s victorious charge to the title, likening him to a former NRL premiership winner.

“There was a game against Marsden where he carried the ball really strong off his kick returns to the point where they were like Karmichael Hunt kamikaze (carries)," he said.

“He showed no fear, and everything he did was with speed and high intensity. I thought ‘wow we’ve got someone here’.

“The Titans signed him over when he was in New Zealand, they brought him over here and put him at PBC to further develop him as a fullback or five-eighth.

“He’s really found a home at fullback with us, and I think he’s someone they’re looking to sign for the long term.”

Roberts and Kini will form a formidable spine, according to Maccan, with dynamic hooker and skipper Tanu Nona.

Playing off the bench in last year’s season behind current Tweed Colts number nine Oskar Bryant, Nona will now be tasked with spearheaded PBC’s pursuit of back-to-back titles with his speed out of dummy-half.

Capable of playing lock and on an edge if needed, the Titans-contracted rake was lauded by Maccan for his ability to inspire his teammates and ensure they were all kept to high standards.

Maccan said the esteem in which he was held extended off the field, as shown by his standing as the PBC school captain.

“He just competes at every play, he’s not afraid of the tough stuff which is what we love most about Tanu.,” he said.

“He’s very vocal at training and he’s very good with his preparation. He’s had an injury on his ankle and been working extra in the background just to try and get it right to be ready to go.

“Just showing that dedication to his training and preparation, all the boys really look up to him.”

nick.wright@news.com.au