Livestream of Kirwan State High School v Ignatius Park College in Aaron Payne Cup

Kirwan State High School and Ignatius Park College locked horns in the Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge today for Townsville schoolboy footy supremacy. WATCH ALL THE ACTION>>>

Kirwan State High School and Ignatius Park College locked horns in the Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge today for Townsville schoolboy footy supremacy.

Below is the Cowboys Challenge replay.

Part of Will Latu does not believe he deserves to captain his beloved Kirwan Bears.

But the thought of last year’s campaign ending with a chapter still to finish has him fuelled to lead by example.

Latu has already reached towering heights in his young football career, having been a crucial cog in the forward pack for the Townsville Blackhawks’ Mal Meninga Cup side.

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He also helped Kirwan charge to both the Aaron Payne and Phil Hall Cups, however there is still the thoughts of ‘oh what might have been’.

Kirwan High players Chayse Wikins, 17, captain William Latu, 17, with Ignatius Park College players captain Luke Jack, 17, and Thomas Duffy, 17, ahead of their Arron Paybe Cup clash. Picture: Evan Morgan

Courtesy of COVID-19, the national title was put on ice for the year, and Latu admits it was a box he and his teammates were eager to tick off.

And now as the man tasked with leading that assault, Latu revealed he has been leaning on a familiar face for guidance.

“I was really honoured, coming off Clay George from last year he was a really good captain,” Latu said.

“Clay’s one of the boys. I think with Clay he’s a really good leader, so I like to take things from him.

“When I found out I was a little bit surprised as we’ve got really good candidates with Ragsy (Wavik) and Harley (Taylor) so I was really surprised but honoured.

“There’s unfinished business there. We’re always aiming for the top, the highest stuff, and the national schoolboy’s cup is where we’re aiming.

“One step at a time though, Payne Cup first up then once we get that done just keep ticking boxes.”

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While Latu and his Bears will launch their quest for a third straight Payne Cup triumph today, the other side of the fence has a point to prove.

Kirwan High players Chayse Wikins, 17, captain William Latu, 17, with Ignatius Park College players captain Luke Jack, 17, and Thomas Duffy, 17, ahead of their Arron Paybe Cup clash. Picture: Evan Morgan

Ignatius Park skipper Luke Jack is entering his third and final season of schoolboys rugby league. This will be his last chance to lift the coveted trophy.

Along with halfback Tom Duffy, Jack will be crucial to his side’s success at Jack Manski Oval this afternoon when the old Townsville rivalry heats up once again.

And he has the runs on the board to strike fear into the opposition.

The 17-year-old lead the Blackhawks to the Mal Meninga Cup final, his ball playing ability as a lock forward every bit as impressive as his aggressive defensive mindset.

So dominant were his efforts, he was called into the Blackhawks under-21s side, playing two games under the heightened demands of 80 minute football and the six-again ruck infringement rules.

Jack admits the sheer quantity of game time he has already got under his belt in 2021 has him weary.

He said the cracks were starting to show, but today’s clash and the rest of the competition would be about more than physicality.

It will be about heart, and he believes the experiences he has had this year will propel him beyond 2020s grand final heartache.

Luke Jack . QRL; Mal Meninga Cup U18 Grand Final : Townsville Blackhawks Vs Tweed Seagulls at Jack Manski Oval, Townsville. Picture: Alix Sweeney

“It was a bit of a shock to the system that first game (the six again rule), but having played two I think I’ve done all right and handled it well,” Jack said.

“It sucks to be honest, I think I was out the back spewing before halftime down in Redcliffe. “But I adjusted against Mackay and think I did well. I think it will definitely have helped me playing against bigger and faster boys, but this is definitely going to be a tough competition no doubt.

“I’ve been here for three years and haven’t come away with the chockies yet. But me and the boys are making a big push this year.”

Kirwan and Ignatius Park will kick off from 4.45pm.

Originally published as Livestream of Kirwan State High School v Ignatius Park College in Aaron Payne Cup