Bishop Park rugby league extravaganza: Langer Trophy quarterfinals players of the day revealed here along with Schoolgirls Cup top performers
The Langer Trophy schoolboy rugby league semi-finalists have been decided after a Bishop Park bonanza on Wednesday. Best players from those games and the Schoolgirls Cup match highlighted here.
Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Ipswich State High School Year 12 student Ezekial Paulo was to the fore at Bishop Park as his team overcame a halftime deficit to book their spot in the Langer Trophy semi-final next week against Marsden State High School.
QUARTERFINAL DAY REPLAYS – WATCH HERE
In an enthralling day of quarterfinals, Ipswich SHS and Marsden SHS and Palm Beach Currumbin State High and Keebra Park State High won through to the semi’s.
Marsden’s jaw dropping upset win, 36-10, was simply stunning, while Ipswich SHS stretched its unbeaten run to eight matches by beating Mabel Park SHS – only just – 36-24. PBC SHS had an expected win over Stretton State College, 56-6.
PLAYERS OF THE DAY FROM THE BBOB, RENOUF AND HANCOCK CUP
IPSWICH SHS DYNAMIC DUO FROM CHERBOURG
And the Ipswich SHS schoolgirls will face either Marsden SHS or Mabel SHS following their win over Keebra Park SHS as well.
In a gutsy 46-14 Langer win over a gallant Redcliffe SHS outfit, Ipswich SHS left edge second rower Paulo scored two stunning tries and set up another to swing momentum and keep it in an outstanding second half display from his unbeaten team.
“I think it (the secret sauce) is just the connection we have, that brotherhood, that goes deeper than the love of the game,” said Paulo.
“To be there for each other.”
Paulo grew up in Christchurch, playing mainly rugby union, where he was a strike centre, and he also played a bit of rugby league before landing at a billet home down the road from Ipswich SHS earlier this year.
An admirer of All Blacks hardman Ardie Savea, Reiko Ioane and Ngani Laumape, Paulo has relished his opportunity to play in Australia’s finest schoolboy rugby league competition.
“It has been pretty good. I have learnt way more. It has been a good experience,” Paulo said.
“Bretho (Josh Bretherton) and (John) Dore (have taught me heaps) … backing myself.
“Especially in the times I get scared and just go into my shell so just backing myself there.”
Against Redcliffe SHS, Paulo was well and truly out of his shell, the 18-year-old making a handful of linebreaks down the left edge where Ipswich SHS attacked with great success to run away with the game.
As damaging as they come, Paulo was one of the standout performances who graced the hallowed Bishop Park turf on Wednesday.
Some others are highlighted below in our Players of the Day revelation.
PLAYERS OF THE DAY
IPSWICH 46 DEF REDCLIFFE 14
Tom Parker (Ipswich SHS)
Fullback Parker sparked the first try from nothing with a brilliant individual burst, and as the game opened up in the second half his running game was unmatched.
He was the class player on the field in quarterfinal No.1.
Henry Sologinkin (Redcliffe SHS)
The big bloke was a revelation with his acceleration into the line, leg power at contact and with his ability to always find his front and play the ball quickly.
Mafiou Cherif (Ipswich SHS)
It is no coincidence Cherif’s entry into the match coincided with Ipswich SHS showing the first signs of gaining parity with the Redcliffe side which had started like a road train travelling down hill.
His run, enthusiasm, effort and defence was infectious.
Amare Wynyard (Redcliffe SHS)
Wynyard was superb across the opening half.
He benefited from the forward progress of his big boppers and off the back of that he was off and away.
Tayshon Foley (Ipswich SHS)
Foley’s defensive work and dummy half running was influential in helping get Ipswich SHS back into the match after Redcliffe had led 14-6.
The aerial ace’s motor was really revving in the end.
Ezekial Paulo (Ipswich SHS)
His defence was a highlight across the opening two thirds of the game, then his leg drive down the right side eventually saw the second rower create a 80m team try scored by Tom Parker.
He also scored the last try of the match with a powerful individual thrust through the line, a just reward for his first class efforts throughout the match.
Xzavier Timoteo (Ipswich SHS)
The big bloke played the long game and came up trumps. Timoteo tried hard without making much headway early, but he contributed to the momentum shift into the second half.
He iced his performance with a powerhouse individual try which extended the lead to 32-14.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Tarell Indich (Ipswich SHS)
The right edge second rower warmed into his work after Redcliffe’s initial onslaught had denied Ipswich quality ball.
He defended strongly, helped create a dynamic first half try and ran strongly.
Xavier Kirk (Ipswich SHS)
Kirk was the spark Ipswich needed. His entry into the match lifted Ipswich with his sharp running, foot work and leg sped in defence.
His incursions out of dummy half led to an important tries by Ipswich SHS and he had a hand in another try right on halftime which was everything for his team.
Jairus Halahala (Redcliffe SHS)
Although Ipswich defended him well, Halahala was an effort player.
He tried to get that stepping game going and use his leg power, but Ipswich’s defenders had learned a valuable lesson from earlier in the year when he dominated them in a home-and-away match at Dolphin Oval.
Taufa Taulani (Redcliffe SHS)
Taulani was outstanding with his first half forays that had Ipswich defenders manning the pumps in desperation.
Jake Carsburg (Redcliffe SHS)
Carsburg started the match on fire with runs and tackles and was razor sharp at right centre until Ipswich SHS swung the match momentum their way.
There’s little wonder why he was Mr Prolific in the premiership winning Redcliffe Dolphins Connell Cup team earlier this year.
Grady Payne (Redcliffe SHS)
A steady soldier who guided his team nicely around the field until Redcliffe lost their grasp on the game late in the second half. What he learned this year cannot be understated and his presence again in 2025 will bring knowledge, depth to the squad and a cross field kick that was ever so dangerous on Wednesday.
KEEBRA PARK 36 DEF MABEL PARK 24
Joey Tupuse (Keebra Park SHS)
Keebra Park’s busy left centre did enough in the opening 20 minutes of play to get a mention here he was that good.
Keebra’s strike weapon on the left edge, Tupuse scored a cracking try late in the first half, which came after two try assists and before a 50m run that led to a try scored by David Bryenton.
It was because of him that the ball was kept alive for Keebra’s first two tries, the young gun refusing to die with the ball both times.
David Bryenton (Keebra Park SHS)
Bryenton dazzled the defence and onlookers with magic footwork.
Bryenton’s first half incursions evoked memories of when Gold Coast Titans fullback sensation Keano Kini played Langer Trophy for PBC SHS.
On the stroke of half time his sizzling footwork paved the way for his own try, which extended Keebra’s lead to 20-12.
That was huge in the context of the game.
Zac Kumbamong (Keebra Park SHS)
It was a case of quality over quantity of Keebra Park’s Queensland Schoolboys prop Kumbamong.
In his energetic stints on the field, Kumbamong provided a huge boost through the middle and, especially in the first half, he was a real handful.
Chaev Kolone (Mabel Park SHS)
Mabel prop Kolone finished his season the way he started it with an all-or-nothing performance where effort was the foundation for his strong performance.
An absolute workhorse defender in the middle, Kolone was the glue that held together Mabel’s defensive line and his repeat efforts were to be admired.
A tracker would reveal just how much he worked, but he would have been close to topping the tackle count.
Mason Barber (Keebra Park SHS)
It took a little longer than expected but barber sure made his impact in a match that could have could have gone either way.
Barber was cool calm and collected all game, faultless at five-eighth alongside crafty halfback Daniel Feki.
Then, when it mattered most, Barber produced two telling left to right steps to create an overlap and put it on a platter for Bailey Secombe who scored the dagger.
Elijah Keung (Mabel Park SHS)
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have a good one here.
The barnstorming Mabel prop maintained the rage to cap off a stellar one-and-done season in the elite Langer Trophy competition, Keung crashing over defenders with some frightening back fence hit-ups.
A prolific tryscorer who hits hard on defence, Keung ate post contact metres for lunch on Wednesday and should hold his head high after making a difference for Mabel this season.
Tawa Simpkins (Mabel Park SHS)
Despite one hiccup under the high ball, Mabel’s cerebral Year 11 fullback was mesmerising at times with his slick footwork and turn of speed.
There was one play where Simpkins evaded almost half of Keebra’s team. That showed his raw talent.
Dean Tauaa (Mabel Park SHS)
While Keebra Park’s left centre Tupuse was the best on ground and arguably the player of the day, Mabel Park left centre Tauaa was impressive as well with his relentlessness in contact.
A Year 11 student who played the entire season for Mabel, Tauaa finished off a cracking debut Langer season on a high note.
Sporting bright yellow boots, the powerful Wynnum Manly Seagulls club representative was all heart.
IPSWICH 36 DEF KEEBRA PARK NIL (SCHOOLGIRLS CUP SEMI-FINAL)
Shalom Sauaso (Ipswich SHS)
Semi-final hattrick? You bet.
It was three of the best tries for the Queensland Reds Attack Award winner at Bishop Park, the Ipswich SHS lock powerhouse burrowing her way over with force each time.
With legs like granite and a thirst for contact, Sauaso shed tackles with ease.
Okalani Compton (Keebra Park SHS)
Much like Chaev Kolone in Mabel’s quarterfinal game, Compton led the charge on the defensive effort with a godly performance in the middle.
A hooker who provides the output of one and a half players, Compton worked harder than anyone on the park and could often be seen making two or three tackles in a set.
Standing out in her bright blue headgear and with an unrivalled workrate, the Queensland Under-17 Emerging Squad select enhanced her reputation as one of the competition’s most elite defenders.
Emily Jackwitz (Ipswich SHS)
It was a mighty fine team effort which powered Ipswich SHS to victory, and on the end of some cracking backline shifts was the tall and faultless Jackwitz.
One of the Ipswich Jets Under-19s best during the club season, Jackwitz returned the ball fiercely out of yardage and scored two wonderful four pointers which was a reward for her tireless support play.
Easter Taualai (Ipswich SHS)
It was some performance from Ipswich SHS’s forward pack.
With names like Orianna Clark, Sky-Yvette Faimalie, Sauaso and Tiresa Leasuasu in the mix, you can expect a showing of the highest calibre.
The Head of the snake on Wednesday was powerhouse prop Easter Taualai, the workaholic Norths Devils junior representative who was one of the discovery players of the club season.
Eta Sikahele (Keebra Park SHS)
Matching the firepower of Taualai and her band of forwards was unforgiving Keebra Park prop Eta Sikahele, the Queensland schoolgirl representative who was a part of the national championship team that toppled all at Coffs Harbour last month.
Sikahele was up to her usual tricks with solid defence, telling carries and good support lines giving Keebra their best chance at advancing into Ipswich’s 20m.
Cedez Lisone Siaea and Sienna Smith (Keebra Park SHS)
PALM BEACH CURRUMBIN SHS 56 DEF STRETTON SC 6
Marley McLaren (PBC SHS)
McLaren was a jack-in-the-box, impacting the game here, there and everywhere.
He scored two first half tries when Stretton’s resistance was at its most fresh, and had a hand in two others on PBC SHS’s way to a 28-nil advantage at halftime.
Reuben Tamariki (PBC SHS)
The second rower impressed with his sharp lateral movement and leg speed through the ruck.
Ray Puru (PBC SHS)
The elusive PBC livewire did what you would expect from a first class fullback, turning defence into attack when he retrieved clearing kicks.
He was a showstopper.
Beau Hartmann (PBC SHS)
Tall winger Hartmann had a high work rate and clocked plenty of miles.
He didn’t shy away from the contact stuff with the Stretton pack and held up his end of the bargain nicely with countless carries down the left touchline that moved PBC into striking distance.
Kayliss Brown (Stretton) was tremendous with his work rate on both sides of the ball.
He also threaded through a grubber kick to create his team’s try for Karsen Leota.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
+Jai Bilish (PBC SHS) has been influential with every intrusion from the bench this season, and he delivered again by elevating the tempo of the side when he was thrown into the fray.
He garnished his performance with two tries.
+Devin Bates-Wellington, Josiah Fa’Aoso and Dylan Watkins (all PBC SHS) were all rewarded for outstanding seasons in the Langer Reserves by playing in the top side.
All did very well, with Fa’Aoso, in particular, making an impact.
+Stretton State College halfback Lachlan Martin just had to get a mention, didn’t he, for that fantastic try saving tackle on a runaway Dylan Watkins.
Martin channelled all the great cover defenders of the past when he shadowed Watkins down the field before coming across tackling him over the sideline.
Take a bow.
+No one came harder onto the ball than Jac Finigan (PBC SHS) who caused grief.
MARSDEN SHS 30 DEF WAVELL SHS 10
Tupou Francis (Marsden SHS)
Francis was sensational with his aggressive running, second efforts on contact and confronting defence. For a 16-year-old, Francis was tremendous – and he has been all season. He is a young forward leader who must inspire his peers.
Javon Andrews (Marsden SHS)
Wow, What a performance. Captain and five-eight Andrews was a revelation with his passing and running game. In his first game back from injury he was a dominant figure. It is no secret why he is signed by the Gold Coast Titans – he was amazing.
Hayden Watson (Marsden SHS)
Watson benefited from his pack going forward and crisp service by his dummy halves, but his running game was like a mini Shaun Johnson (Warriors). The representative hooker has been a find playing No. 7 over the last month of the competition.
Benji Quinlan (Marsden)
Quinland was the grunt man of the attack who did the heavy lifting running the ball. There were times when this inspired prop took two rucks a set. His performances over the last month for Marsden have been one eye-opening and he has to be one of the finds of the season.
Adaquix Luke (Marsden)
Luke’s rich vein of form continued off the back of his forwards and free flowing half Watson – and returning five-eight Javon Andrews. His speed in open play, and also dynamic running from the ruck helps get Marsden forward.
Jared Horne (Wavell SHS)
Horne never gives less than his all and in a side which tried hard but which strongly to recapture momentum, Horne was very good.
Charlie Dickson (Wavell SHS)
Like Horne, any team that Dickson plays in will get value for money and the young No. 13 held up his end of the bargain.
SPECIAL MENTIONS
Antonio Okusitino (Marsden SHS)
The Marsden centre has been one of the competition’s finds of the season and he maintained that form in the biggest game of the season – so far.
Disharne Tonihi (Marsden SHS)
Tonihi thanked his forward effort with polished finishing on the wing.
Zac Herdegen (Wavell SHS)
Halfback Herdegen tried to get Wavell back into the match with his kicking game and tried hard, but the momentum was against him.
Cody Goulter and Emmanuel Asomua (both Marsden SHS)
Unsung forwards, the pair were a part of Marsden’s blitz start to the match and were able to maintain the rage whenever they were on the field.
Originally published as Bishop Park rugby league extravaganza: Langer Trophy quarterfinals players of the day revealed here along with Schoolgirls Cup top performers
Queensland’s top U15 rugby talent revealed in Reds’ side set for ‘Tahs tussle
Queensland’s top under-15 rugby rookies have been revealed in the Reds’ side set for a blockbuster bout against the New South Wales Waratahs on Sunday. See who has been picked here.
Qld U16s, U19s selection highlights: Reds set to unleash Fijian phenom in Brumbies blockbuster
Queensland Reds Academy teams: Player selection highlights from the under-16s, under-19s teams ready to rumble in the Super Rugby tournament on Saturday. See what exciting youngsters are lining up here and get an insight.
REP READY: Queensland names star-studded indoor hockey sides
With the Australian indoor championships just two months away – Queensland have kicked their preparations off. Find out who made the rep under-21 and Open male and females sides here.
Future Wallabies: Who are the Aus 18s top guns gearing up for NZ tour?
Wallaby futures: They are the finest rugby rookies in the nation and have every chance of taming their trans-Tasman foes when the Australian U18s butt horns with two Kiwi teams this week. Read an insight into the high class 26-man squad here ahead of Wednesday’s blockbuster across the ditch.
You pick: Vote now for ultimate Qld Schoolboys team of the year
Vote now: Discover the top schoolboys rugby league players in Queensland and pick your ultimate team of the year from the NRL’s elite Year 10 and senior competitions. Cast your vote here.
Three stunning Taverner hundreds highlight club cricket 3-2-1 best player votes
Three stunning Taverner hundreds and a brilliant second grade all-rounder effort highlighted the latest club cricket 3-2-1 best player votes across the men, women and Taverners competitions.