Valynce Te Whare and Tesi Niu among players fighting for NRL future in 2024 Hostplus Cup final
It’s the blockbusting centre stage showdown that could decide the Hostplus Cup final, with the stars of Norths and Redcliffe set to collide as they stake their claim for a future in the NRL.
It is the blockbusting centre stage showdown that could decide the Hostplus Cup premiership.
Dolphins hulks Valynce Te Whare and Tesi Niu will clash at Redcliffe’s Kayo Stadium on Sunday in the title decider.
Having been cut loose by the Dolphins, Te Whare and Niu are auditioning for their NRL futures when Redcliffe and Norths fight it out to be crowned the kings of Queensland.
Devils ace Niu has been a consistent performer for Norths in the second half of the season as they gun for a 16th premiership and third in four years.
“Tesi has been great for us,” Norths coach Dave Elliott said.
“He is consistent at 16-18 carries coming out of our end and he’s such a threat with the ball.
“For an NRL group of players that have come back, they’ve all bought in so well. They love playing at the club and Tesi is no different.
“He loves being around the group and they want to play at this time of the year.
“It says a lot about Tesi as a young man. He’s got all that attacking flair and ability but he bases his game on workrate and the tough stuff.
“It stands him in good stead for NRL games.
“He is a hardworking, honest young man.”
The Devils have won eight consecutive finals matches, a record since the birth of the Queensland Cup era in 1996.
Norths has also had the wood over Redcliffe in recent years, winning the 2022 grand final against the Dolphins as they became back-to-back premiers following the 2021 triumph.
The Devils flogged Redcliffe 46-18 in the first week of the finals, but that heavy loss kicked the Dolphins into gear and they have gone on a giant-killing spree since.
Redcliffe coach Ben Te’o said his side was battle hardened and he was looking forward to seeing Te Whare present his case for an NRL lifeline.
“We’ve had lots of ups and downs this season,” he said.
“We’ve had to rebuild the side over and over. It’s seemed like the footy gods are not with us, and keep taking players off us, but we believe in our systems.
“In the finals we got smacked pretty hard by Norths in week one then we’ve bounced back. The last two times we’ve played them they’ve put 40 on us.
“We didn’t want to be remembered as that team so that’s spurred on our fightback.
“Val can play NRL if he wants to dedicate himself and work towards his goal. He’s got all the attributes.
“He’s taken a big step this year in maturing and understanding the ball’s in his court if he wants it.
“I’ve seen some things in the last few weeks that he’s really starting to learn this game.”
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