Both the Burleigh Bears and Tweed Seagulls’ Cyril Connell Challenge squads have been assembled, working until they are out of breath ahead of the under-16 Queensland competition’s opening round on February 17.

We have sat down with Burleigh coach Ryan Gundry and Seagulls mentor Neil Richards to breakdown each squad in full, and the players fans need to keep an eye on for the future.

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TWEED SEAGULLS

Tweed Seagulls coach Neil Richards has praised the introduction of the six-again ruck infringement rule into the under-16s pathway, adamant it will instil greater discipline in the game’s next generation of stars.

The club’s Cyril Connell Challenge mentor is fresh off witnessing his squad in action for the first time in 2023; a 24-0 trial defeat to the Souths Logan Magpies.

It was the age group’s first taste of the laws introduced to first-grade in 2020, which awards a fresh set when defences are caught holding down in the ruck.

While in turn the changes have created greater defensive fatigue, particularly when repeated infringements occur, Richards said it would accelerate the best talent towards higher honours.

“I think the interesting thing with the 16 age group is that possession is everything; if you’re not completing your sets and turning the footy over all the time it hurts you,” he said.

“It does in any game, but in this group you can see scores blow out if the possession is too much. I think it will teach kids to be more disciplined, and possession will be even more important.

“For these young men it’s the first step of their journeys to NRL players if that’s what they want to do. We’re trying to make good humans first, but I think it’s a good opportunity for them to start.

“It’s another change from club football. They excelled at club, worked hard and it’s experiencing something different.”

Outside Backs — Boston Hubbard, Dante Driscoll, Dylan Watkins, Fuifui Taitoa, Lincoln Gibbons, Madden Falaniko, Malcolm McCulloch, Ryder Abell, Ryder Bodley

They came somewhat out of the blue, but such was the way in which they trialled Richards felt compelled to reward Dante Driscoll and Malcolm McCulloch with a chance.

The Southport Tigers juniors are on course to take their club combination into the representative arena, having forged a palpable bond on the field.

With Driscoll and Fijian product McCulloch in the centres, Richards said the duo brought plenty of aggression and finishing class to the Seagulls backline as well as an understanding of each other’s games that often cannot be taught.

That in-built knowledge appears to be a theme for Richards’ outside men, with Madden Falaniko and Fuifui Taitoa coming into the Tweed fold with similar experiences.

Hailing from Beaudesert, the pair have taken up spots in the Marsden State High School rugby league program, and Richards believes that continued capacity to play alongside each other could reap huge rewards in the long run.

“(Falaniko) is one of those kids you like to have in a team; he’s loud with banter, a bit cheeky, but fun to have around,” Richards said.

“He’ll play in the centres for us and he’s a decent size body for a kid with a good combination with Fui, so they could team up for us.”

Meanwhile the battle for the fullback spot seems up for grabs, with the likes of Boston Hubbard, Dylan Watkins and Ryder Abell just some of the contenders.

Richards described Hubbard as a very clear Ryan Papenhuyzen fan — both for his haircut and the “electric” nature he brought to the field.

But while he said every time Hubbard touched the football sparks seemed to fly, someone of Burleigh convert Abell’s calibre could prove the smokie coming back from a minor injury.

Halves — Caleb Creswell, Harrison Doherty, Taj Lateo

He may be the “smallest player in the squad” but Harrison Doherty could soon find himself in a tug-o-war between sporting codes.

The young halfback has come up through the ranks at Palm Beach Currumbin and for the Eagles in club football, however has also announced himself as a future cricket prospect via New South Wales representative honours.

Richards described Doherty as “a ball of energy” who had the makings of a game changing half.

“He’s a really good communicator, really buys into what we’re trying go do and understands the game really well,” Richards said.

“He’s a good game manager who punches above his weight defensively; he’s the smallest player on the field but he has a great attitude and mindset.”

However Doherty’s path to the scrumbase is not locked in, with Caleb Creswell and Taj Lateo looming as worthy rivals for the job.

Richards praised Creswell’s competitive nature, a typical trait of the country fighters out at Beaudesert.

Meanwhile Lateo comes out of the Currumbin and PBC pathways having watched his brother, Jake, lift the RLGC under-18s division one premiership trophy last year, and his Tweed mentor was adamant he possessed the same instincts for the game.

“He’s a really good communicator, a really skilful football player. He’s not the quickest or loudest but really good between the ears and understands his role,” Richards said.

“He’s very calm as a player and composed. They’re hard to find, you spend a lot of time with them and I’ve noticed with Taj that when he’s been under pressure he doesn’t get flustered and he’s still very clear with his communication.

“He’s really good halfback who I think will turn out to be quality in the coupe of years.”

Middle Forwards — Benji Quinlan, Brodie Saunders, Ethan Jackson, Jonah Rangiwait, Malakai Mosaati, Patrick Knight, Tavake Tau’a’alo

Where the Burleigh Bears have gone for mobility in their forward pack, Tweed have assembled a group of some of the biggest teenagers in the region to take on the competition.

And according to Richards, one young man in particular will stand out too much to ignore.

Jonah Rangiwait appears to have the potential to be anything in rugby league. According to Richards, the youngster “has to be 6ft2 and 135kg”.

However despite the 16-year-old’s obvious strengths on the field, yet another battle for his services could unfold in the future.

A product of esteemed rugby union nursery, The Southport School, Rangiwait could one day be forced to settle on which code could take him further.

For now, however, he has positioned himself to be the enforcer of Richards’ young Seagulls contingent.

“As fierce as he is he’s quite skilful for a big guy. We’re not throwing the footy a lot in the middle, but he’s quite skilful and very, very strong and almost impossible to tackle one-on-one,” Richards said.

“I don’t get caught up on size but I think he’s one of those kids who will grow in this program. He’s very green but I can see there’s been a massive change in him already.”

Richards’ prop rotation is set to work symbiotically, with an enforcer and grinder expected to combine whether it be in the starting pack or off the bench.

He said while the likes of Patrick Knight, Malakai Mosaati and Ethan Jackson will get through a mountain of work on and off the ball, Rangiwait will be joined by Tavake Tau’a’alo as the young men who will be out to bully rival defences.

Meanwhile Benji Quinlan and Brodie Saunders will lock horns for the number 13 jumper, both coming into the mix blessed with skillsets honed from their days in the halves and at hooker.

Edge Forwards — Levi Rusin, Marlie Barry, Reece Gorman, Rhys Aldridge, Riley Partride, Skye Adams, Devon Bates

He had barely stepped off the plane, but one of the Gold Coast Titans newest young signing’s was quick to make his way to Seagulls training.

Devon Bates has joined the Glitter Strip club on a development deal from New Zealand, coming as a damaging edge forward to join a growing group of young talents in the role.

Within two hours of touching down in Australia he was training alongside his new Tweed teammates, impressing Richards in an instant.

“I was pretty stoked with Devon … he trained really well while he’s still finding his feet,” Richards said.

“He wants to learn, he jumped straight into a Gold Coast system which is probably a bit more advanced and asked lots of question. I can see why the Titans are interested.”

Richards will adapt several rookies into edge forwards moving towards the season launch, with the likes of Queensland basketball gun Skye Adams transitioning from the outside backs to the forward pack.

Levi Rusin was another Richards had “pencilled in” early courtesy of his scintillating form for Helensvale.

However in Marlie Barry the coach sees a relentless talent just waiting for a chance to be unleashed; even as he fights to overcome a niggling injury.

The Currumbin and PBC product has come through the ranks in the front row, however under Richards’ tutelage will likely battle for a place on the edge.

“We played a game at training one night, and I think he took the first hit up in the set and then the third tackle he passed the footy to the centre and they made a break down the edge,” Richards recalled.

“He pushed through the middle and scored. He stays active … he’s got a lot of football in him, his work rate is brilliant and he’s one of those kids who has done some things in our sessions.”

Hookers — Antonio Ta’omago, Hayden Watson, Jahkayis Mabbett, Reef McKay (utility)

One of the finest hookers to have graced the NRL is in his corner as a mentor, which could ensure the Tweed number nine jumper is Hayden Watson’s to lose.

The Marsden State High dummy-half has received coaching from South Sydney Rabbitohs great Issac Luke, who works in the school’s rugby league program.

While Richards first saw Watson dominate as a halfback, he believes the youngster’s ability to identify the ruck and his general sense for the game will hold him in good stead as a rake.

“He’s quiet but has all the skills in the word and a really good football game. He’ll be a nine for us, but with the rotation (of hookers we have) he can play in the halves and at fullback.

“He has a really good football brain. We’ve been fortunate for Issac to work with him, he’ll get some one-on-one (coaching).”

Much like Watson, Richards said the other contenders for the job come into the squad with genuine utility value.

Coomera product Antonio Ta’omago comes with plenty of promise in the halves, while Reef McKay will return from injury with an ability to also play anywhere in the spine as well as on the edge.

But it is in Jahkayis Mabbett, a recent signing with the Titans, who could truly be announced as a future NRL dummy half — even coming from a very different rugby league background.

“He’s new to the coast, signed with Titans and comes from a background playing for WA and all the junior rep sides there,” Richards explained.

“He’s predominantly a hooker for us, but can play in the centres and a few other positions.

“He’s been really impressive; he’s a quiet, typical Polynesian boy. He doesn’t say too much but is quite skilful.”

Players lost: Noah Fien (Redcliffe)

BURLEIGH BEARS

Behind Ryan Gundry’s selection approach was a desire to “think outside the box”; a hope that they could unearth the diamonds in the rough that could take rugby league by storm.

The Burleigh Bears’ Cyril Connell Challenge coach was not on the hunt for the typical footballer. He declared he wanted the youngsters who displayed the raw natural ability that could be honed into something truly special.

“We were looking for kids that were outside of the box a little bit and been overlooked in a lot of things previously,” Gundry said.

“We were looking to upskill them and give them a chance. We’ve got a good contingent of Queensland kids who were in the Queensland schoolboys (last) year and also in the South Coast team, but we were just looking for the diamonds in the rough.

“I’ve been watching this group of kids for two or three years because my son plays in that age group at Burleigh. Just sort of been following and tracking them and watching them develop, and it’s hard a the southern end of the coast and the kids at Helensvale and Coomera.

“You don’t get exposed to them as much. That’s where we started with, we wanted to bring those kids in and give them an opportunity to be part of the Bears and the pathway that we can provide.”

Outside Backs — Cooper Larman, David Bryenton, Freeman Raftstrand-Smith, Isaac Cullen, Quinn Timperon, Seth Gundry, Tolga Eden, Zane Andrews

Such has been the manner in which Isaac Cullen has dominated in the junior ranks, he drew the attention of arguably rugby league’s biggest juggernaut.

The Helensvale Hornets product earned a development opportunity with the Melbourne Storm, and now he is primed to fight for the Bears’ number one jumper.

While Cullen can ply his trade across the backline, Gundry believes fullback is where his finest attributes lie.

However that does not guarantee him the job.

Seth Gundry garnered Queensland schoolboys selection just last year, while David Bryenton has come across from New Zealand and impressed in an instant.

“He (Cullen) obviously has been identified in the talent that he has playing for Helensvale. He’s tall and rangy and he’s got a good turn of foot,” Gundry said.

“He’s an asset to our squad wherever we play him, and he’s a bit of a prankster. You wouldn’t think that, he seems pretty quiet but I watch him from afar and see little pranks he’s got going on.

“Obviously he did well for the Queensland White team this year in the Australian Schoolboys competition, he played pretty well.

“(But) we’ve got the Queensland fullback in Seth so he might start there, I’m not sure yet but we’ve got another young lad from New Zealand, Bryenton, who’s come over and he’s been impressing at training.

“We’ve got three pretty promising fullbacks there that I can choose from, but all three will be in the team it’s just a matter of who fill what role.”

While any of Gundry’s fullback options could fill spots on the wings or in the centres, the coach said there would still be several smokies ready to stake a claim to those roles.

He said the likes of Zane Andrews would come into the mix courtesy of a brilliant finish and blinding speed, while the “Greek Adonis” Tolga Eden could factor in either the centres or second row.

“They’re quick, they’re fast and they’re not going to die wondering,” Gundry said.

“They’re a pretty confident bunch of kids and I just want to encourage them to play football and let their natural attributes shine through.”

Halves — Dallas Ingram, Daniel Rakena, Grady Payne, Marley McLaren, Zac Murphy

Gundry admits he will have a painful headache simply trying to determine which players take positions in the Bears’ halves. Really, he says, he would throw any of them into the jerseys in a heartbeat.

At last year’s Australian Schoolboys championships, Dallas Ingram lined up for the Queensland White outfit, while Marley McLaren took his place in the Queensland Maroon side.

Grady Payne and Zac Murphy then both come into the mix having guided their club outfits to grand finals, while Daniel Rakena looms as a “surprise packet” according to Gundry.

“He was out of the game for a little bit and he’s come back into the game. What I’ve seen of him at training he’s silky smooth, I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes,” Gundry said of Rakena.

“He’s got time, things just seem to happen in slow motion around him. It’s not a trait that a lot of people have but he seems to have it, we just have to utilise it.”

Despite the strong competition for the six and seven jumpers, McLaren seems to have a stranglehold on one of the spots.

The Currumbin junior has been identified by the Brisbane Broncos as a player of the future, having masterminded several strong performances at the Currumbin Eagles.

Gundry said it was his game management that stood out for a player so young; a characteristic that could set him apart heading into round one.

However he said fans should not expect a traditional brand of football from his halves regardless of who he picks.

“He (McLaren) has been playing at Currumbin and he’s always been sort of above the pack in terms of his organisational skills and his game management,” Gundry said.

“We sort of don’t play a traditional six and seven role where we lock them in to one side, we’re happy for them to roam and that’s how we’re going to play.

“A lot of them are pretty raw, but they got here with natural ability and we don’t want to take that away from them.

“We want to try and teach them when it’s the right time to do things, but in saying that we don’t want to take that away and put it away.

“If it’s on, have a crack.”

Middle Forwards — Cruz Tauaifaiga, Gabriel Salele’a, Harry Benbow, Kendrix Marsh, Luke Jones, Marley Igasan, Mateo Faleono, Reuben Dickson, Thomas Davies

Rule changes are afoot in the Cyril Connell Challenge, hence why this Burleigh pack will be blessed with more mobility than size.

The ‘six again’ laws brought into the NRL during the 2020 season for ruck infringements will, for the first time, be used in the under-16s competition.

Fatigue and quick play the balls will no doubt be at a premium throughout the challenge, and Gundry has sought to capitalise on that through his selections.

He said the likes of Luke Jones, who has been renowned in junior levels for playing big minutes, will likely be the young man who sets the standard in the pack.

But across the board he said those in contention all possessed mobility and strong ball playing attributes which he believed would suit this new era of rugby league.

“We have a little bit of size in a few boys, but we’re definitely going for more mobility and skill,” Gundry said.

“We’ve got our philosophies where we think we can minimise the opposition, so to do that we need guys who are fit, agile, and able to get around the park pretty well.

“Luke has a big engine, he’s a worker. He wants to be a part of everything and he leads the boys around. He’ll set a standard for us in that middle third with our defence, so really looking forward to seeing what he brings.”

However there was one rising star in particular who Gundry said footy pundits needed to keep on their radar.

Marley Igasan is set to begin school at Palm Beach Currumbin in the coming days, having been brought over from New Zealand to join the Brisbane Broncos development pathways.

A dynamic lock who can also ply his trade on the edge, Igasan’s calibre fits in with the mentality Gundry said he was hopeful of his forward pack producing — agile with the ability to move the football around the park.

Having co-captained the New Zealand Maori under-15s team at the Pasifika Youth Cup last year, Igasan already displays himself as a leader of the future.

“He’s a hard working backrower, plays lock and he played in a trial for the Broncos towards the back end of last year and from what I saw of it he’s a tackling machine,” Gundry said.

Edge Forwards — Hudson Pratt, Jakyea Te Huia, Kallen Boss, Nelson Makaafi, Talan Henderson, Te Ira Rudolph-Mokaraka, Zak Hutchings

Rugby league fans be on high alert for Nelson Makaafi.

That is the opinion of Gundry, who believes there may be few players in this age group who possess the same damaging abilities when given a small gap to work with.

While the coach said the likes of Kallen Boss would come into the mix courtesy of some brilliant late footwork close the defensive line, with others showcasing their assets as defensive work horses, Makaafi could be the young man who offers a crucial x-factor on the edge.

The teenager joined Jones and Ingram in the Queensland under-15s side last year, having trained within the Gold Coast Titans development pathways.

“Just with the quality of the halves we’ve got I’m looking forward to seeing him get ball in open space and using his physical attributes he has in trying to spot a weak defender and create a fast play the ball or run a good line for us,” Gundry said.

“He’s definitely someone to watch. He’s got good leg speed, he’s got a good turn of foot and he’s just someone I’m looking forward to seeing play.”

Hookers — Archie Sillar, Codey McConnell, Cooper Humphreys, Jax Damro

Even with four hookers to choose from, Gundry said several could factor in the final 17 given the range of skills they bring to the table.

As the Bears strive to adjust to the six-again rules, dummy-halves capable of playing the full game may be a struggle as fatigue sets in.

That is where a crucial one-two punch could be formed, with the likes of Cooper Humphreys building their game on strong defence while Codey McConnell was lauded by his coach as “electric out of dummy half”.

Archie Sillar will have his back against the wall to push for the number nine jumper in the final weeks leading up to round one as he overcomes a niggling injury, however Gundry was confident he would be fit and firing to come into consideration at the time.

However he stressed that in what is expected to be a much faster game, the utility value of a player such as Jax Damro could be a compelling case for selection.

“I think your utility is really going to come into the age group now,” Gundry said.

“Someone who can go in and play hooker for 10 or 15, go back to lock and jump into the halves if something was to happen and rotate through those three key positions.”

Players lost: Aisea Vea (withdrawn), Dylan Patterson (AFL)

nick.wright@news.com.au