Coombabah State High product Taine Tuaupiki loving move to fullback at Burleigh Bears

A “fairytale” run in the 2016 NRL Schoolboy Cup was the making of Taine Tuaupiki.

A “FAIRYTALE” run in the 2016 NRL Schoolboy Cup was the making of Taine Tuaupiki.

Officials at the Burleigh Bears are excited by the 19-year-old’s potential as he transitions into regular senior footy.

Tuaupiki is part of the Burleigh side that remains undefeated heading into a Round 9 Rugby League Gold Coast home match against Currumbin.

It was three years ago at the home of the Bears, Pizzey Park, that he was carving out a name for himself as Coombabah State High came within a whisker of toppling heavyweights Keebra Park in the Queensland final.

Keebra went on to win the state final after Connelly Leumele nailed a decisive field goal. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“It was 22-all with 20 seconds to go and I kicked a field goal from 40m – it went under but no one was sure, like everyone paused, the ref didn’t even know,” Tuaupiki said.

“We went to extra time and Keebra beat us … but it was pretty much a fairytale because Keebra beat us by like 70 points in the earlier rounds.”

COOMBABAH’S NEXT WAVE OF TALENT

Born in Manly, NSW and raised across the ditch, it was that campaign that sent Tuaupiki on the path to a Titans under-20 contract.

He has plied his trade at the Bears, getting a taste of A-grade footy last year; 2019 has thrown ankle, hand and hip injuries his way but has also provided the long-awaited chance to switch from the halves to his preferred No.1 jersey.

SIGN UP FOR OUR FULL ON FOOTY GOLD COAST RUGBY LEAGUE NEWSLETTER

“It’s my first time giving fullback a go,” Tuaupiki said.

Burleigh Bears rising star Taine Tuaupiki. Picture: Jerad Williams

“Foster (Matt, A-grade coach) and Jimmy (Lenihan, Intrust Super Cup coach), have been telling me if I’m going to be anywhere here, it is probably going to be fullback and that’s the position I have been wanting to play for ages.

“Normally I’m a halfback so it is good to be able to run the ball instead of pass the ball.”

BEARS AND VIKINGS HALF’S IMPRESSIVE RESUME

■ A DOZEN Gold Coast players have been selected for the men’s QRL State A-grade Carnival next weekend at Southport following the Vikings’ triumph at the Chairman’s Challenge.

The SEQ White team will be coached by Vikings mentor Scott Cooke and is stacked with local talent: Jack Conlan, Matt Egan, Tevita Folau, Mike Gray, Liam Hampson, Jack Mackin, Stuart Mason, Kurtis McDonald, Kody Parsons, Luke Polson and Parahi Wilson.

Runaway Bay hooker Jenan Parrish has also been selected for SEQ Green.

The two SEQ teams will play against sides from the state’s central and northern regions, with a spot in the Queensland Rangers team up for grabs.