Roosters poach 16yo GPS rugby prodigy Agapetos Lote-Felo in historic cross-border coup

The gentlemen’s agreement between the private school rugby juggernauts of QLD and NSW against poaching talent from each other’s backyards has been broken over a prodigious No.8 who made his First XV debut aged just 15.

Australia under-16 rugby union representative Agapetos Lote-Felo has signed with the Sydney Roosters. Picture: Rugby Australia

The gentlemen’s agreement between the private school rugby juggernauts of Queensland and New South Wales against poaching talent from each other’s backyards has been broken.

The Sydney Roosters’ signing of The Southport School’s Australian under-16 rugby union representative Agapetos Lote-Felo has triggered an unprecedented cross-border transfer, with the No.8 swapping schools to complete Year 11 and 12 as a boarder at Scots College in Sydney.

It is understood to be the first time in memory that an active First XV star from Queensland’s prestigious GPS competition has defected to New South Wales’ premier schoolboy competition for reasons other than a family relocation.

Scots now field two-thirds of the 2024 Australian under-16 backrow with blindside flanker Aston Weir alongside Lote-Felo.

Queensland GPS rugby doyen Ron Cochrane said he had never encountered a case like it in nearly 50 years as a coach and administrator, but sources with knowledge of the situation said it was not the first time that the Roosters had attempted to relocate a current First XV ace south of the border.

Agapetos Lote-Felo. Action from the Under-16s clash between the ACT Brumbies and Queensland Reds. Picture courtesy of @jayziephotography

Queensland State of Origin debutant Robert Toia was approached to leave Nudgee College early while Ipswich Grammar School alumni Sam Walker and Ethan King are both understood to have declined offers to relocate.

The club flew all three down weekly to play in the Harold Matthews under-17 competition instead.

That commute did not appeal to Lote-Felo, who accepted the Roosters’ invitation to relocate to a rugby school in Sydney to continue his development in both codes.

Agapetos Lote-Felo. ACT Brumbies vs QLD U16s, Saturday, 5 October 2024, Photo Credit: Greg Collis / CBR Sports Photography.

“It was a pretty tough decision to leave,” the 16-year-old said.

“I really liked my last year at TSS playing Firsts footy and I ended making some good mates.

“I was contemplating not saying I was going because it was pretty hard to say goodbye.

Agapetos Lote-Felo. Picture: QRU media/ Anthony Wingard.

“It was a hard decision but since I’ve signed with the Roosters it was better for me in my development to be down there right now.”

Lote-Felo suffered a Lisfranc injury in his first game of the season in Sydney but will train three times per week with the Roosters, three times per week for Scots and play for club or school on a Saturday when healthy.

Sundays are the only dedicated rest day.

“It’s been pretty easy to transition because Scots is like TSS with a big footy culture and the boys all get around it,” Lote-Felo said.

“It hasn’t been too hard to fit and get some mates, especially when you’re living with them 24/7.

“I do miss my parents and my family but it’s not too bad because I have a second home in the boarding house.”

The Gold Coast Eagles rugby junior never expected his first season of league would end with a contract and a tug of war for his playing future before his 17th birthday.

Brothers Hesed Lote-Felo 15, and Agapetos Lote-Felo 13, in Eagles colours in 2022. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Queensland Reds’ under-16 rugby union captain, who started at No.8 for Australia U16, only trialled for Wynnum-Manly’s under-17 team to sharpen his skills for a crack at The Southport School’s First XV at 15 years old.

“From there we started getting all the league scouts coming,” his mum Upu Lote-Felo said.

“He had a few clubs inquire and he went to their welcome days and eventually he chose Roosters.

“At the end of third term last year the Roosters said instead of travelling back-and-forth to play Harold Matthews (in 2025) do you want to just go to a school in a similar comp to the GPS? They offered him to be a boarder at Scots and he thought why not. He could still play rugby and do some league to decide which way he wants to go.”

Agapetos Lote-Felo of the Australian Under-16s rugby team.

Lote-Felo is contracted to the Roosters through 2026 and is still unsure what direction his future lays beyond that.

“I’m a bit 50-50 right now. I’ve played rugby union all my life and rugby league came onto the scene last year when I played Cyril Connell, so I don’t know,” he said.

“I like the physicality and upfront confrontation (of rugby league) but I’ve always had love for union. I dreamt of being an All Black.”

Lote-Felo came out of a moon boot this week and has already turned his attention to the Roosters 2026 Harold Matthews campaign and then his senior year with Scots’ First XV.

Former Wallaby Brian Smith, a graduate of Brisbane State High School in the Queensland GPS, is head of sport at Scots.

Originally published as Roosters poach 16yo GPS rugby prodigy Agapetos Lote-Felo in historic cross-border coup