Broncos boom boy Tupou Francis pledges Maroons’ allegiance ahead of Langer Trophy

A Brisbane Broncos-signed boom boy has pledged his allegiance to Queensland ahead of the Langer Trophy season despite his NRL playing brother being NSW eligible.

Tupou Francis playing for Burleigh in the Connell Cup Grand Final Photos by Stephen Archer

A boom Broncos junior has pledged his allegiance to the Maroons despite his NRL playing brother being on the New South Wales-eligible list.

Marsden State High No.13 Tupou Francis said while his brother, Titans winger Tony Francis, was an NSW eligible player, he was a proud Queenslander.

Named in the recently announced Queensland schoolboys side, Francis passes the strict State of Origin eligibility test on several fronts.

Aged 12, he completed Year 6 and has done all his secondary schooling in Queensland, he played juniors for the Beaudesert Kingfishers from the U12s and played his first junior representative game (Connell Cup) in Queensland.

Asked if he was happy to be a Queenslander, Francis said with a big smile: “Yes, of course. I am a Queenslander.’’

Tupou Francis Langer Trophy rugby league launch. Tuesday May 27, 2025. Picture, John Gass

Francis is one of half a dozen outstanding players in the 2025 Langer Trophy who could be future Maroons, including props Cody Starr (Redcliffe SHS) and Xzavier Timoteo (Ipswich SHS) featured in our Super Eight story below.

The Langer Trophy will start on Tuesday.

This publication and all News digital mastheads will exclusively live streamed matches from Kommunity TV.

ROUND 1

Tuesday, June 3

Wavell SHS v Ipswich SHS

Wednesday, June 4

Stretton State College v Marsden SHS

Mabel Park SHS v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS

Keebra Park SHS v Redcliffe SHS

SUPER EIGHT

Tupou Francis (Marsden SHS, Broncos)

Francis is an elite No.13, one of the Broncos’ prized junior recruits.

This season he was the best forward in the Cyril Connell Cup under-17 club competition, then played up in his age group to help his club, Burleigh Bears, win the under-19 Mal Meninga Cup premiership.

Antonio Verhoeven playing for Burleigh. Saturday May 10, 2025. Picture, John Gass

Antonio Verhoeven (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Broncos)

A Mr Natural of centres, the New Zealand South Island recruit last week played his way into the Queensland schoolboys team. Tall and explosive, he can slip through the slimmest of gaps to find open space.

Keebra fullback David Bryenton. Picture Glenn Hampson

David Bryenton (Keebra Park SHS, Broncos)

Five-eight or fullback Bryenton is a sizzling running talent who can mesmerise defenders - and spectators - with his footwork and evasive skills.

Like Keebra Park SHS alumni Reece Walsh, Bryenton is a small target with x-factor.

Sangstar-Saulala Figota (Wavell SHS, Dolphins)

A Moreton Bay Raiders junior once signed by the Roosters, the Dolphins new recruit is an out-of-the-box talent with fancy feet.

A Queensland schoolboys selection, Figota will simply be fun to watch this season.

Redcliffe SHS player 10. Cody Starr. Picture: Liam Kidston

Cody Starr (Redcliffe SHS, Dolphins)

An elite big man, the 200cm tall prop last week played his way into the Queensland schoolboys side. Signed by the Dolphins, he regularly finds his front which releases his team’s smaller forwards to run from the ruck and gain momentum.

His dad Adam played with the Balmain Tigers and the Roosters.

Bailey Vang in action for Stretton State College v Caloundra SHS Brisbane 22nd April 2025. (Image/Josh Woning)

Bailey Vang (Stretton State College, unsigned)

Vang will be the firing pin of his side in Stretton’s debut season in the Langer Trophy. A heart and soul player, the dummy half ace has a bumper kicking game, terrific long pass and a scheming running game.

Xzavier Timoteo. Picture credit: Nashys Pix.

Xzavier Timoteo (Ipswich SHS, Roosters)

A 2024 and 2025 Queensland schoolboys prop, Timoteo is an explosive big man who comes onto the ball like he has been fired out of a cannon.

The Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies junior also has nice footwork and mobility at the line, which adds a dimension to his impact.

Dean Tauaa Langer Trophy rugby league launch. Tuesday May 27, 2025. Picture, John Gass

Dean Tauaa (Mabel Park SHS, Broncos)

Logan Brothers junior Tauaa is a rousing centre prospect and is coming off the best season of club football in his life.

Having benefited from training over the summer with the Broncos, and then being coached by experienced Cup mentor Jon Buchanan in the Wynnum Manly under-17s, he is primed for a strong campaign.

Originally published as Broncos boom boy Tupou Francis pledges Maroons’ allegiance ahead of Langer Trophy