Future Titans among Meninga, Connell Cup, Harvey U17 and U19 Teams of the Week

Titans signed prop pairing from Tweed headline round 3 junior reps Meninga Cup, Connell and Harvey 17s and 19s Teams of the Week. Players from around the state featured. SEE HERE

Jack Schmidt (pictured) was one of the first chosen in the round three Meninga Cup Team of the Week. Picture credit: Titans Media

Two Future Titans central to Tweed’s epic second half comeback to beat Norths 34-24 on Sunday were among the first picked in our Meninga Cup Team of the Week.

Following a bumper round 3 of action, we name our Meninga, Connell Cup and Harvey girls 17s and 19s teams in this story.

Seagulls props Jack Schmidt and Zac Kumbamong delivered an enormous performance to help Tweed escape almost certain defeat against Norths in the Meninga Cup on Sunday.

Keebra Park player No. 10 Zac Kumbamong (left) in action for Keebra Park SHS in the Langer Trophy. Photo Steve Pohlner

THRILLS AND SPILLS OF ROUND 3 HERE

Norths led 24-12 with 20 minutes remaining at Bishop Park but in swooped big Kumbamong, the powerful prop scoring three unanswered tries in the space of 10 minutes to turn the match on its head and give the Seagulls a 30-24 lead.

Schmidt was his right hand man, “turning the momentum with his go-forward,” according to head coach Sam Meskell.

Meskell said he had never seen a front rower bag a hattrick, and in Sunday’s Meninga Cup epic, Kumbamong, a Helensvale Hornets junior, continued his fantastic campaign with a match-defining performance in the middle.

Wynnum Manly Seagulls winger Charlie Johnstone (pictured in Churchie colours) made our Meninga Cup Team of the Week following a strong effort in his first game of the season. Picture, John Gass

What’s even more impressive about Kumbabong, a Year 12 student at Keebra Park SHS, is that he comes off the bench for Tweed.

“He’s starting off the bench. He adds a lot of energy on the field,” Meskell said.

“He has been fine with that, he hasn’t complained. He knows his role.”

Kumbamong’s role changed this season. Previously he had played on the edge as a back rower but in the trials he impressed in the middle.

“He found a home for us in the middle,” Meskell said of the gentle giant.

“He is a very quiet character, very respectful. He is a lets his actions do the talking kind of character.

“He has been fantastic in everything we have asked of him.”

Helping turn the tide alongside future Kumuls prospect Kumbamong was new Palm Beach Currumbin SHS senior Schmidt, a country boy from Bundaberg who moved down at the start of last year where he attended originally Keebra Park.

“Zac scored the tries and Jack was just about as damaging,” Meskell said.

“He has been good, a really hardworking front rower who plays big minutes.

“He is a great glue to have in the middle, and defensively he is very strong.”

As a result of their blistering round three performance, Kumbamong and Schmidt man the prop positions in our latest Meninga Cup Team of the Week, following a round of highlights.

In some other selection highlights:

+ Long striding Mason Barber was destructive for Tweed’s Meninga Cup team

+ Tweed’s terrific trio of Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, Savannah Roberts-Hickling and Phoenix-Raine Hippi starred for the Seagulls under-19 girls

Tweed's trio of terror: Phoenix Raine-Hippi, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala and Savannah Roberts-Hickling.

+ Souths Logan Connell pair Tom Parker and Tyler Mearns were rewarded for their joint try saving tackle

Tom Parker in action for the mighty Magpies.

+ Clydesdales under 17 fullback Mia Byrnes was special, and her skipper Pypah Ferguson magnificent

Mia Byrnes on the move for Western Clydesdales. Picture: Kevin Farmer

+ kicking games in the wet helped Keeley Logan (Cutters, 17s girls) and Blackhawks Riley Carbone (Blackhawks, Connell) into their respective Teams of the Week

+ in a losing sides Elishama Suavai (Pride) and Taleigha Kingston Francis (Wynnum) were recognised

+ On a wet day Blackhawks Harvey Norman under-19s forward Lhylla Willimson earned automatic selection

+ Capras’ forward work horse Zac Bateman and edge weapon Eli McKay made our Connell Cup side

+ Tireless halfback Sienna Twigg and forwards Ally Ramsay and Haraliza Ilau made the under-19s team following their gallant efforts against Tweed at Bishop Park

Ally Ramsay (ball carrier) had a strong game on Sunday.

+ Wynnum Manly’s Kylem Vunipola (fullback), Zane Ford (middle) and Charlie Johnstone (winger) shone in a losing side

+ Jets prop Mafiou Cherif and winger Saifiti Saifiti were automatic selections following their combined four try effort which boosted Ipswich to its first win, as well as flame-haired hooker Nathan Fraser who was fantastic

+ Hattrick hero Clive McCormack had a blinder in Bundaberg, while halfback James Marriot had his radar working, the goal-kicker slotting seven-from-eight in a 46-4 win over the Bulls

+ Tyrell Hopkins’ best on ground performance for the Falcons Meninga Cup team. He had help in Mitch Bebbington who tackled himself to a standstill and selfless forward Joseph Meikle

Sunshine Coast Falcons Mal Meninga Cup player Tyrell Hopkins in action. Picture credit: Nicola Anne Photography

+ Tigers boys Cohen Emmi (hooker), Braiden Driscoll (lock), Elijah Keung and Connor Simpson (both props) whose defensive efforts paved the way for the Tigers’ 24-22 defeat of the Magpies

+ Cooper Bai had a cracking showing against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, the mobile lock dominating with his defence and getting Burleigh on the front foot with his strong carries.

+ Tiresa Elika scored three in a huge performance from the Australian Schoolgirl (2022).

She was fearless.

+ North’s James Grey was an automatic selection following a sizzling showing at Bishop Park where he scored twice to down Tweed.

JUNIOR REP TEAMS OF THE WEEK

Meninga Cup

1. Mason Barber (Tweed)

2. Charlie Johnstone (Wynnum)

3. Kylem Vunipola (Wynnum)

4. Kohen Briggs (Souths Logan)

5. Saxon Innes (Bears)

6. Ryder Huth (Capras)

7. Bailey McConnell (Bears)

8. Zac Kumbamong (Tweed)

9. Cohen Emmi (Tigers)

10. Jack Schmidt (Tweed)

11. Tyrell Hopkins (Falcons)

12. Amare Milford (Bears)

13. Braiden Driscoll (Tigers)

14. Nathan Fraser (Ipswich)

15. Brady Turner (Bears)

16. Cooper Bai (Bears)

17. Clive McCormack (Falcons)

18. Mafiou Cherif (Jets)

19. Lyucian King-Togia (Clydesdales)

20. Trace Beattie (Clydesdales)

21. Mitchell Bennington (Falcons)

22. Saifiti Junior Saifiti

23. Joseph Meikle (Falcons)

24. Ashden Lafferty (Blackhawks)

Special mentions: Harry Armstrong (Wynnum) Zane Ford (Wynnum), Joey Sankey (Clydesdales), Zane Harrison (Tweed), Andre Mbunde (Norths), James Marriot (Falcons), Teke Mene and Davidson Benio (Blackhawks).

Connell Cup

Connell Cup rugby league between Wynnum Manly and Burleigh Bears. Saturday February 24, 2024. Picture, John Gass

1. Seth Gundry (Bears)

2. Tyler Mearns (Souths Logan)

3. James Grey (Norths)

4. Eli McKay (Capras)

5. Lachlan McGrath (Clydesdales)

6. Tom Parker (Souths Logan)

7. Marley McLaren (Bears)

8. Dyer Akauola (Norths)

9. Jai Bilish (Tweed)

10. Cooper Cracknell (Ipswich)

11. Zac Bateman (Capras)

12. Treleque Boyce-Silimaka (Bears)

13. Lincoln Dalton (Norths)

14. Jay Marsh (Capras)

15. Jackson Koina (Falcon)

16. Brodie Hilt (Clydeseales)

17. Tyson Fallon-May (Falcons)

18. Vaughn Pahiva (Tigers)

19. Marley Iggason (Bears)

20. Parker Gallagher (Capras)

Special mentions: Kilarney Lavender (Burleigh), Henry Kallquist (Capras), Trent Picot (Tigers), Miller Thompson (Falcons), Zayde Carfantan (Falcons), Elijah Breen (Tigers), Sam Martin (Souths Logan), Fa’apale Feaunati (Souths Logan), Max Blanch (Tigers), Ioane Tia Tia (Ipswich), Mace Andrews (Souths Logan)

Wynnum Manly run onto the ground Connell Cup rugby league between Wynnum Manly and Burleigh Bears. Saturday February 24, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Harvey Norman 19s

1. Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Tweed)

2. Lucy Davis (Clydesdales)

3. Phoenix-Raine Hippi (Tweed)

4. Mariah Brown (Wynnum)

5. Ebony Raftstrand-Smith (Blackhawks)

6. Savannah Roberts-Hickling (Tweed)

7. Sienna Twigg (Norths)

8. Rosie Mallinson (Capras)

9. Paityne Johns (Cutters)

10. Alice Shannon (Tigers)

11. Makia Lehrer-Simon (Bears)

12. Tiresa Elika (Tigers)

13. Takoda Thompson (Falcons)

14. Caitlin Tanner (Wynnum)

15. Patricia Wani (Tigers)

16. Jayden Tofae (Souths Logan)

17. Lilly Field (Capras)

18. Jacinta Neemi (Norths)

19. Brandy Yallop (Blackhawks)

20. Sifa Leapai (Jets)

21. Mackayla Oakley (Capras)

22. Edette Ritchter (Pride)

23. Sienna Wheeler (Falcons)

24. Lhylla Willimson (Blackhawks)

Special mentions: Malu-Sianne Auda (Capras), Gracie Watt (Cutters), Symian Tato (Souths Logan), Tiresa Elika (Tigers), Maddison Schipplock (Wynnum), Luciah Silo (Jets), Lili Douglas (Wynnum), Ariana Henderson (Jets), Lilly-Jay Licence (Pride), Rianna Moore (Capras), Mattice McLeod (Capras), Mackayla Champion (Capras), Kimberley Bryant (Pride), Haraliza Ilau (Norths), Manaia-Rose Afuie (Souths Logan), Seromelina Tanielu (Tigers), Austin Angel (Souths Logan), Liliele Vaitolo (Tigers).

Ipswich V Clydesdales Saturday February 24, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Harvey Norman 17s

1. Mia Byrnes (Clydesdales)

2. Ruby Powles (Wynnum Manly)

3. Tayla Horrobin (Clydesdales)

4. Abby Saige (Clydesdales)

5. Zoe Robson (Capras)

6. Caydence Fouracre (Capras)

7. Keeley Logan (Cutters)

8. Jara’Kyah Turpin (Norths)

9. Enah Desic (Tigers)

10. Porche John (Tigers)

11. Makayla Elliot (Falcons)

12. Pypah Ferguson (Clydesdales)

13. Taleigha Kingston Francis (Wynnum)

14. Sarah McGuire (Falcons)

15. Torah Luadaka (Tweed)

16. Orianna Clark (Tigers)

17. Riley-Jay Henry Purcell (Tigers)

18. Chloe Maxwell (Blackhawks)

19. Emanlini Waqairatu (Ipswich)

20. Elishama Suavai (Pride)

21. Cianna Faulkner (Cutters)

22. Ashley Cotter (Norths)

HN under-17s action between Tweed and Norths on Sunday at Bishop Park.

Special mentions: Lili Lewis (Souths Logan), Poppy Gibbons (Clydesdales), Madeline Johnson (Capras), Chloe Powell (Capras), Janique Mili (Souths Logan), Chanelle Williams, Teleah Cassar, Keeley Marsden and Freya Hansen (all Capras), Mele and Amanii Misa (Souths Logan), Abby Sayeg (Clydesdales), Kaylani Tavita (Souths Logan), Lishainah Ulugia (Tigers), Alexis Bukowski (Capras), Memphis Tanielu (Norths).

Ipswich V Clydesdales Saturday February 24, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Originally published as Future Titans among Meninga, Connell Cup, Harvey U17 and U19 Teams of the Week