UNDER 19 BOYS: A NEW BRIAN TO’O STEPS UP TO THE PLATE

Keebra Park coach Peter Norman hates making comparisons between young, upcoming talents and established NRL stars, but there is something he sees in Jeremaiah Tamepo that is reminiscent of one of the game’s current leading wingers.

Tamepo will man one of the flanks in the Future Titans under-19s side to take on their Newcastle Knights counterparts on Saturday, fresh off a season in which he established himself as one of the region’s finest try scoring phenoms.

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While a regular finisher for Keebra’s Langer Trophy side, it was at club-land where the 18-year-old truly shone; scoring 22 tries for the Nerang Roosters.

Those exploits included a grand final double, only for Currumbin to cross for the match winner with the final play of the game.

But according to Norman it is more than Tamepo’s high flying capabilities that makes him a young man to keep on the radar.

For his frame, willingness to get into the grind and ability to thrive when stuck in the trenches, he said there were similarities to that of a two-time Penrith Panthers premiership winner.

“I don’t like drawing comparisons to NRL players, but he’s like Brian To’o in that he’s really hard to stop,” Norman said.

“He’ll generate the boys some quick momentum; he’s built like front rower but has the speed of a winger. If he’s got more growing to go he’s going to be a scary prospect.”

While wingers are typically more likely to garner first-grade opportunities at a young age, Norman stressed that players such as Tamepo could not be rushed to the top.

Already the youngster will face stiff competition in the years to come, with the likes of Jojo Fifita and Alofiana Khan-Pereria in line to forge a lighting partnership out wide this year.

In recent years, the likes of Selwyn Cobbo and Xavier Coates have risen to become State of Origin stars while still only 19, however Norman said time needed to be afforded to Tamepo to grow accustom to the rigours of mens football.

“He’s only 19 this year so his goal for this year should be playing consistent footy in colts and a couple of games of QCup, and then just working on consistency in performance,” he said.

“That’s the difference in the NRL players and QCup and juniors, your best game can’t be too far away from your worst.

“I’d like to see him get some consistent performances in colts, and if you had to put someone in to see how they’d handle men it would someone like Jerry because how he is physically. “But with his joints and everything he’s still growing, you don’t want to put too much stress on him too early.”

Tamepo will be joined by fellow Keebra Park alumni such as Arama Hau, Seth Nikotemo and Immanuel Kalekale; a trio who could well shape as the future of the Titans forward pack.

Where Hau possesses the size and skills to suit the modern day lock, Kalekale stands as an imposing figure and will only blossom more into a damaging, no nonsense prop.

Meanwhile, Nikotemo has already caught the attention of senior Titans coaching staff and players, including Moeaki Fotuaika. So much so, his initial three-week training period with the NRL squad was extended.

Bench hooker Isaiah Fagalilo and forward Wailer Whaiapu will both return to school for Norman’s Langer Trophy season, with the latter honoured as Keebra’s school captain.

“He’s the old school mould, if someone’s in his zone he can fold them in half,” Norman said of Whaiapu.

“But he’s also quite skilful with his catch and pass at lock. I think he got two games of Langer Trophy in year 10 which is rare, so it shows the talent he has.

“Then Isaiah … he played five games of Langer Trophy last year for us and didn’t play in the finals because he hurt his back. He’s a small hooker, so he’s not the fastest or the strongest or biggest, but he’s got good game sense and management.”

Reigning Palm Beach Currumbin captain Tanu Nona will captain the Future Titans unit.

1. Blake Forder; 2. Jeremiah Tamepo; 3. William Semu; 4. Antioch Faitala-Mariner; 5. Matthew Barrow; 6. James Frazer; 7. Max Liles; 8. Joseph Shannon; 9. Tanu Nona (c); 10. Isaiah Scanlan; 11. Arama Hau; 12. Seth Nikotemo; 13. Nicholas Hilton; 14. Isaiah Fagalilo; 15. Immanel Kalekale; 16. Brady Turner; 17. Wailer Whaiapu; 18. Philip Hakaraia-Ngamotu; 19. Jeriah Vagana

UNDER 19 GIRLS: NEXT BIG THING PREPARES TO PUSH FOR TOP AS NRLW STALEMATE CONTINUES

Backed with a stellar junior resume, one which included being named vice-captain of the Australian schoolgirls side, Sienna Lofipo now has the chance to thrust her name into NRLW contention.

The crafty halfback will guide the Future Titans girls under-19s side on Saturday, having caught the attention of Gold Coast coach Karyn Murphy for her game management.

“I’ve been really impressed with Sienna. She’s shown a lot of leadership probably beyond her years; she’s directing the team around really nicely and she’s definitely one I’m really looking forward to seeing how she goes,” Murphy said.

“I guess being an ex-half myself it’s obviously so important, whether it’s the male or female game, our spine and particularly our halves and the direction they give the team.

“That’s been one thing I’ve been really impressed with in the 19s and 17s here, they’re halves are really doing a good job understanding the game and managing the teams.”

Murphy confirmed that this weekend’s Titans Academy clashes against the Newcastle Knights could serve as a stepping stone towards NRLW honours once contracts are able to be locked in.

However the Jillaroos legend has called for the “frustrating” stalemate in finalising the season to come to an end, as clubs lie in wait to lock in their rosters.

The Titans, along with the other nine clubs, have remained in the dark over when the 2023 season will kick off as the ongoing civil war over the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the NRL and Rugby League Players Association continues.

Despite the NRL putting forth an $884,000 salary cap for the women’s game — an increase of more than 150 per cent — players are still often to maintain external jobs to make up a full-time salary.

And yet as it stands, no start date for the competition has been announced.

Murphy said that with the extended competition — up to a 10 team format — the campaign and pre-season combined would likely require five months of dedication.

She said the continued “holding pattern” clubs were in meant prospective squad members had been left stranded when determining their immediate futures.

“We’re definitely aware of that and a big conversation we’re definitely having with the girls is all about their off field as well as their off field; how they’re going to balance that and what’s going to make it work for them,” Murphy said.

“It is frustrating obviously trying to get that organised and give the girls some definite ideas and timing of what’s going to happen this year so they can plan their year moving forward. “It’s difficult, we’re having conversations but we just can’t move on anything at the moment.

“It puts us in a holding pattern like every other club, we’re talking to the girls and trying to build a roster and work out where that sits.

“It’s not too far away like we all know that we need to get an idea of that, and it’s hard for the girls and for anyone at the club to move forward with that until we can get to that contracting.”

Other talents likely to push for higher honours include Rilee Jorgensen, who Titans Academy coach Tim McIntyre labelled in December as the NRLW’s “next superstar”.

Now her chance has come to prove it.

Jorgensen has already impressed in the QRLW competition for the Burleigh Bears, displaying the sort of grit and aggression that bellies her 17 years.

The determined forward scored a try on debut for the maroon and white army, going on to play seven games in the campaign.

McIntyre was also quick to praise the likes of Matekino Kahukoti-Gray, who comes from esteemed rugby league stock in the shape of her uncle in Canberra Raiders flyer Jordan Rapana, as well as Yamba product Yasmin Elabbasi.

“She’s not that big a frame but never backed down from anyone and her attitude was great,” McIntyre said of Elabbasi.

“She just had that little something you see in a player that you really like and she certainly wasn’t scared of any size difference. “I think in the female game the contact is really hard to get girls involved in, and she certainly didn’t back away from that.”

1. Montaya Hudson; 2. Helen Utualagi; 3. Estanoa Faitala; 4. Destiny Mino; 5. Tahlia Marshall; 6. Jaminey Weatherall; 7. Sienna Lofipo; 8. Ashlea Nolan; 9. Emma Barnes; 10. Karen-Lee Pritchard; 11. Delilah Eliu; 12. Malaela Su’a; 13. Patricia Wani; 14. Rilee Jorgensen; 15. Yasmin Elabbasi; 16. Matisse Bettridge; 17. Tamika Smith; 18. Matekino Gray; 19. Tahliya Tavita; 20. Kiarah Siauane; 22. Jaedynn Leger; 23. Sienna Laing

UNDER 17 BOYS: A ‘SPECIAL’ TALENT STAKES HIS CLAIM

Ryder Williams: remember the name.

Even as he prepares to line up in the under-17s side, Norman has declared he has no doubt that if he were to be picked in the under-19s outfit something “special” would transpire.

The reigning Keebra Park Walters Cup player of the year is expected to assume the five-eighth duties in the Langer Trophy this year, having served as 18th man throughout last year’s finals series.

When the Future Titans under-17s squad faces off with Newcastle, Williams will be joined by Palm Beach Currumbin halfback Zane Harrison.

Harrison scored a try in his Langer Trophy debut last year while making 18 tackles for no misses, on the back of inspiring a triumphant Andrew Johns Cup campaign for the Northern Rivers.

However it was of Williams that Norman believed a blossoming talent was only scratching the surface of his capabilities.

“Ryder Williams could go and play in the halves in the under 19s team,” Norman declared.

“Our year 10 team were undefeated through to the state championships against Kirwan and he was as crucial reason why. He’s quite big for a half, a really solid defender.

“Being a half on the edge teams try to isolate him, but I saw him a belt a couple of second rowers last year and they wouldn’t come back. Plus he’s got an outstanding kicking game and takes the line on, he’s a complete package.

“I see Zane as more on the ball directing half and then whenever Ryder sees an opportunity they’ll get it to him and he’ll create something special.

“The way I see that team, Zane will direct them and any opportunities that they get good ball it will be to Ryder; he’s pretty special.”

Joining the young halves will be two sons of NRL legends, but will they come with the same firepower as their namesakes?

Lock forward Cooper Bai comes from plenty of pedigree. His father, Marcus, donned the Melbourne Storm colours 144 times, scoring 70 tries while manning a flank between 1998 and 2003.

Cooper may share a name with the Papua New Guinea flyer, but that just about ends their similarities on the field. The teenager has followed in his brother’s footsteps into the forward pack, with older sibling Aston earning an A-grade debut for the Burleigh Bears last year.

Meanwhile Oscar Laffranchi comes in with a family reputation that is the stuff of legend.

The powerful forward’s father, Anthony, was one of the Titans’ inaugural members, going on to play 102 of his 276 first-grade games on the Glitter Strip.

Laffranchi started every game for the Burleigh Bears in the 2022 Cyril Connell Challenge at prop, and will aim to bring the same damaging ball running and faultless defensive mindset his namesake brought to the game.

“Thankfully Cooper is a bit taller than his dad,” Titans Elite Player development manager Jamie McCormack laughed.

“But both are outstanding talents, both really good young human beings and obviously they’ve got some traits from their fathers I’m sure about effort and applying themselves.

“Unfortunately it just comes with the beast (famous surnames) and we shield them as much as possible. We’re just going to keep their feet on the ground and understand they’ve got a long way to go to achieve what their fathers have.

“Thankfully both boys are talented players, and they’ve earned their own right to be in our Future Titans program. I don’t treat them any differently, they’ve still got to earn their stripes, work their way through our program and hopefull become a QCup player before they become an NRL player.”

Centre Sam Stephenson will also be out to showcase his dynamic finishing ability, after a sternum injury robbed him of the chance to help Burleigh to the under-16s premiership.

In the lead up to the Rugby League Gold Coast junior grand final’s, Bears coach Paul Kuhnemann praised Stephenson as being the strongest player of his age group in a one-on-one situation.

1. Ray Puru; 2. Izayah Petricevich; 3. Sam Stephenson; 4. Sunny Kama; 5. Noah Waldock; 6. Ryder Williams; 7. Zane Harrison; 8. Joseph Pouniu (c); 9. Nayte Saaga; 10. Jack Schmidt; 11. Jack Finigan; 12. Taylan To’a; 13. Cooper Bai; 14. Kaleb Smith; 15. Zac Kumbamong; 16. Riley Buchanan; 17. Oscar Laffranchi; 18. Beau Hartmann; 19. Nelson Makaafi; 20. Ryan Johnson; 21. Jimmy McCombie

UNDER 17 GIRLS: CROSS CODE BATTLE TO RAGE?

A cross-code battle could soon rage for Jaida Faleono, and her athletic esteem has garnered selection as captain in this Future Titans side.

Faleono comes into the Titans mix as a strong and fleet-footed edge forward, however her speed is something which has largely been fine tuned as a blossoming Rugby 7s talent.

Having represented Renegades 32 at the International Schools 7s in New Zealand, as well as the U18 Youth Super W Reds side in the 15-woman code, the teenage phenom could soon be caught in a tug-o-war with the rival sports for her services should she continue to impress.

Meanwhile, fullback Mercedes Taulelei-Siala demonstrated she was a young fullback worth keeping tabs on in last year’s Titans Schools League.

A star of the Marsden State High School side, it was Taulelei-Siala’s one-on-one cover defence which truly drew the eye, despite also adding enough attacking exploits to her highlights reel to catch attention.

Meanwhile Nadia Windleborn will come off the bench as a crafty hooker who Titans Academy staff view as an athlete capable of injecting a wealth of energy into the line up.

Windleborn is equally able to play in the halves, however McIntyre told the Gold Coast Bulletin in December the young gun’s game awareness and ruck identification made her an ideal dummy half.

He said it was still somewhat rare for a player to come into a pathways system with the amount of experience as Windleborn has, given she has been plying her trade since she was six.

“I think the thing for her is the knowledge of the game; when you’ve played that long you have to have the technical sense of the game as well. She’s someone we really wanted to have involved just for her understanding of the game,” McIntyre said.

“I’m looking for a thinking nine and she brings that, she brings the eyes up footy. It’s that game organisation, being aware of what’s left and right of the ruck and when we need to get things done and that’s a strength.”

1. Mercedes Taulelei-Siala; 2. Arian Henderson; 3. Pauline Moliga; 4. Carleigh Pio; 5. Pheonix-Raine Hippi; 6. Bailee Williams; 7. Danielle Tutakangahau; 8. Kaliyah Browning; 9. India Seeto; 10. Sky Faimalie; 11. Porsche John; 12. Jaida Faleono (c); 13. Tiresa Elika; 14. Nadia Windleborn; 15. Kayla Maloney; 16. Haylee Bush; 17. Lishainah Ulugia; 18. Amanii Misa; 19. Easther Mikaele; 20. Mhia Taylor; 21. Lina Tanielu; 22. Makayla Howarth; 23. Yamun-Ginda Kelly; 24. Shalon Sauaso

nick.wright@news.com.au