My take on our top juniors

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Bobby Smith. Day One of the 2024 QSSRL U18 Scholl Boy Rugby League Championships saw Bobby Smith start at lock for South Coast Maroon against Peninsula with Bobby Smith making the first of his two line breaks in the 31st minute with a run to the left of the play the ball that saw Bobby Smith, from twenty six metres from his try line executed a slight right foot step to catch out multiple defenders with Bobby Smith breaking the line as a result and after running to ten metres into Peninsula’s half Bobby Smith drew the fullback and off-loaded to his left.

Bobby Smith made his second line break from a kick-off return in the 37th minute with Bobby Smith smashing through an incredible six tackles as he rumbled all of the way to within four metres of the halfway mark.

In the 5th minute from the right of the play the ball Bobby Smith was able to get the ball from forty eight metres to thirty eight metres out through the centre of the field. Then in the 40th minute from the right of the play the ball and six metres inside his half Bobby Smith got the ball ten metres into Peninsula’s half.

Bobby Smith continued at lock on Day Two against Met North with Bobby Smith making the fifty hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball to run the ball from forty metres to the halfway mark.

Bobby Smith ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the dummy half and get the ball from twenty nine metres to forty one metres from the try line. Then in the 54th minute after receiving the ball from his right Bobby Smith continued to run to his right from twenty eight metres from his try line to within six metres of the halfway mark.

Bobby Smith also started at lock on Day Three against Met West with Bobby Smith making the third hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball and carry the ball from twelve metres from his try line to twenty two metres out.

In the 6th minute Bobby Smith’s strong carry saw him promote the ball from thirty seven metres to the halfway mark. Then in the 35th minute from the left of the play the ball Bobby Smith ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty two metres from his onw try line to within three metres of the halfway makr before being awarded a penalty after his leg was lifted dangerously, Bobby Smith backed up to take the hit-up from the subsequent penalty restart and make ten metres to within twenty eight metres of the try line.

Bobby Smith ran the ball through the centre of the field once again in the 41st minute from the forty metre mark to halfway and then it was also through the centre of the field for Bobby Smith in the 46th minute from the right of the play the ball to carry the ball to within a metre of the try line from sixteen metres out.

Bobby Smith started at lock and captain in the 2024 QSSRL School Boy Rugby League Championship Final against Met East and in the 2nd minute of the match Bobby Smith ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball from forty metres to the halfway mark.

From the left of the play the ball in the 24th minute Bobby Smith came within a metre of scoring next to the left goal post after running onto the ball fourteen metres out. Then in the 28th minute also from the left of the play the ball Bobby Smith made seventeen metres through the centre of the field from his own thirty metre mark.

Bobby Smith also ran the ball through the centre of the field in the 32nd minute from the right of the play the ball to get the ball from forty metres to thirty metres from the try line. Additionally in the 41st minute Bobby Smith was awarded a penalty for a strip after running the ball to the left of the play the ball from twelve metres inside his half to two metres into Met East’s half.

Bobby Smith did well defensively in the 17th minute when along with Austin Marsters, Bobby Smith was able to hold up the Met East No. 17 five metres to the right of the goal posts.

Round One of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition saw Bobby Smith start from the bench for PBC SHS against Ipswich SHS with Bobby Smith operating in the middle of the field when he came off the bench in the 15th minute.

In the 35th minute Bobby Smith ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball and from thirty two metres to within ten metres of the try line. Then in the 39th minute from the left of the dummy half and twenty metres from his try line Bobby Smith ran the ball to thirty three metres out.

Bobby Smith then started in the front row in Round Two against Redcliffe SHS with Bobby Smith making the fifth hit-up of the match from the right of the play the ball to get the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to five metres into Redcliffe SHS’s half.

From the right of the play the ball in the 8th minute and six metres inside his own half Boby Smith carried the ball nine metres into Redcliffe SHS territory. A 14th minute Bobby Smith kick-off return saw him get the ball out to the twenty metre mark with another 21st minute kick-off return by Bobby Smith saw the ball returned to the twenty metre mark once again.

In the 50th minute Bobby Smith ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball from twenty two to thirty three metres from his try line with Bobby Smith then awarded a penalty for ruck interference. Then a minute later in the 51st minute from the left of a PBC SHS penalty restart Bobby Smith carried the ball from the halfway mark to forty metres from the try line.

Bobby Smith continued in the front row in Round Three against Mabel Park SHS and in the 7th minute from the right of the play the ball Bobby Smith ran the ball through the centre of the field from forty six metres to thirty two metres from the try line with at least 75% of Bobby Smith’s metres gained being post contact with the defensive line.

In the 12th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Bobby Smith ran the ball from the halfway mark to thirty seven metres from the try line. Also in the 40th minute from two passes to the left of a PBC SHS scrum win and thirty seven metres from the try line Bobby Smith ran the ball to within twenty three metres with 65% of the metres gained being post contact. Then in the 43rd minute a Bobby Smith yardage carry from the left of the play the ball got the ball from six metres to twenty eight metres from the try line.

Bobby Smith then started from the bench in Round Four against Caloundra SHS with Bobby Smith operating in the front row after coming onto the field in the 19th minute.

In the 29th minute from the left of a Tweed Heads penalty restart and fifteen metres from the try line Bobby Smith charged into the defensive line and after sending one defender reeling backwards Bobby Smith got the ball to within two metres of the try line just to the left of the goal posts. Also in the 37th minute Bobby Smith ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball from twenty two metres to thirty seven metres of the try line.

After Round One of the 2024 NRRRL U18 competition was abandoned due to poor weather Bobby Smith started at lock for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Tweed Coast Raiders and inside the opening minute of the match from the left of the play the ball Bobby Smith, from twenty seven metres from his own try line was able to get on the outside of the last Tweed Coast right sided defender and after getting to within eight metres of the halfway mark Bobby Smith got an off-load away to his left to put his winger away down the left touchline. Bobby Smith then took the hit-up to the right of the dummy half after the winger was tackled to get the ball from thirty four metres from the try line to within twenty metres before getting another off-load away to his hooker.

Bobby Smith came close to scoring in the 13th minute when after running to his right out of dummy half from close range to get the ball down under the posts it appeared that the referee would award the try however ultimately the referee ruled that Bobby Smith had borrowed next to his team mate and thus disallowed the try.

In the 6th minute after receiving the ball from the right of the play the ball Bobby Smith carried the ball through the centre of the field from seven metres inside his own territory to nine metres into Tweed Coast territory then in the 22nd minute also from the right of the play the ball and on the halfway mark Bobby Smith got the ball ten metres downfield before getting a right amd off-load away to his left to his trailing fullback.

A minute later in the 23rd minute also from the right of the play the ball Bobby Smith got another right arm off-load away to his halfback after running the ball from thirty metres to within sixteen metres of the try line. Then in the 25th minute from the right of the play the ball once again Bobby Smith from his twenty six metre mark ran through the centre of the field to the forty metre mark.

From the right of the play the ball in the 41st minute after receiving the ball thirty four metres from the try line Bobby Smith ran the ball to the twenty metre mark before also running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half in the 47th minute to make a yardage carry through the centre of the field from eight metres to twenty metres from his own try line.

Bobby Smith came close to setting up what may have been a match winning try in the 54th minute when after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball twenty metres out Bobby Smith ran the ball to within ten metres of the try line to before throwing a good short ball to Ricco Waitititi who came desperately close to scoring to the left of the goal posts.

Bobby Smith is a smart player and that was evidenced against the Raiders in the 36th minute when after the Riders had made a lien break down their left touchline they put in a chip kick with the Seagulls defence in disarray but Bobby Smith anticipated the kick with Bobby Smith taking the ball near his right corner in front of multiple chasers and then was able to stay in the field of play. Then in the 39th minute Bobby Smith ran to his right when defending on his own try line to collect a Tweed Coast attacking grubber kick in the in-goal with Bobby Smith then doing well in get the ball back into the field of play by a metre in the right corner.

Bobby Smith also started at lock in Round Four against the Casino Cougars with Bobby Smith recording a try assist in the 8th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half Bobby Smith ran across field to thirty metres out before throwing a short pass to his left to put Ricco Waitititi into a gap to score in the left corner.

Bobby Smith also made a line break in the 6th minute when from two passes to the left of a Seagulls scrum win in the centre of the field Bobby Smith continued to run to his left from just five metres from his own try line with a left arm fend beating one defender before a Bobby Smith right arm fend beat a second with Bobby Smith then charging down the left channel to thirty two metres away from his own try line before getting a pass away to his left for his left winger to continue the movement.

Bobby Smith also did well from the left of a Seagulls scrum win in the 34th minute in the centre of the field with Bobby Smith beating a staggering six tackles and he carried the ball from four metres from his own try line to twenty two metres out.

Bobby Smith then started from the bench in Round Six against the Kyogle Turkeys with Bobby Smith operating at lock when he came off the bench in the 15th minute with Bobby Smith recording a line break assist in the 26th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and getting to the halfway mark Bobby Smith threw a hard flat cut-out pass to his right to put his winger away down the right touchline. Then from the subsequent play the ball Bobby Smith once again ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half to make an additional ten metres.

In the 18th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and making fifteen metres from twenty three to thirty eight metres from his try line Bobby Smith was able to get a right arm flock off-load away to his right.

Bobby Smith continued at lock in the rescheduled Round Three match against the Bilambil Jets with Bobby Smith scoring in the 17th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the dummy half sixteen metres out and in the centre of the field Bobby Smith broke two tackles by way of a right foot step to score under the posts.

Bobby Smith, in the 6th minute ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball to get from the halfway mark to thirty four metres from the try line and then in the 47th minute a Bobby Smith twenty metre tap restart ran the ball out to the thirty two metre mark before getting a right arm off-load away to his left.

Bobby Smith also started at lock in Round Ten against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Bobby Smith recording a try assist in the 30th minute when from the left of the play the ball Bobby Smith continued to run to his left to ten metres from the try line and just prior to engaging the defensive line Bobby Smith put in a right foot grubber kick towards the left corner with Blake Togo-Murphy winning the race to the ball to score in the left corner.

Bobby Smith came close to scoring himself in the 14thminute only for the referee to rule that he had lost the ball over the try line next to the left of the posts after a ten metre run from the left of the play the ball.

In the 10th minute to the left of the play the ball and thirty five metres from the try line Bobby Smith got the ball to within two metres of the try line and in the 32nd minute from the left of the dummy half Bobby Smith beat defenders with two right arm fends with a run to the left of the dummy half to carry the ball from forty metres from his try line to eight metres into the Mustangs half. Then in the 38th minute from the left of the play the ball and within twelve metres of the halfway a strong Bobby Smith run saw him get the ball six metres into Murwillumbah territory and then a tackle later from the right of the dummy half Bobby Smith carried the ball from forty to twenty eight metres from the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 44th minute Bobby Smith broke two tackles as he continued to right to his right from seven metres inside his half to ten metres into Murwillumbah’s territory with Bobby Smith then throwing a right arm flick off-load to his right for Ricco Waitititi to make fifteen metres down the right touchline. Then in the 51st minute from two passes to the right of the dummy half Booby Smith crossed the halfway mark from five metres inside his half to eleven metres into Mustangs territory.

A Bobby Smith right foot step from the right of the play the ball in the 56th minute saw him target the area behind the markers with Bobby Smith breaking two tackles including one by way of a counter clockwise spin through the centre of the field from thirty metres from his try line to eight metres into Mustangs territory before off-loading the ball to his left to his five eight.

Bobby Smith continued at lock in Round Eleven against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Bobby Smith scoring the first of his two tries in the 24th minute when from the right of the play the ball and seven metres from the try line Bobby Smith cut back underneath his hooker to break two tackles and get the ball down under the posts.

Bobby Smith scored his second try in the 32nd minute by way of a hard straight charge to the right of the play the ball from twelve metres out that saw him run straight over one defender as he crashed over to score ten metres to the right of the uprights.

Bobby Smith recorded a line break assist in the 13th minute when after taking possession of the ball two passes to the right of a Tweed Heads scrum win Bobby Smith ran the ball from forty six metres from the try line to thirty eight metres out and after drawing two Magpies Bobby Smith passed to his right to put Blake Togo-Murphy away down the right touchline.

In the 50th minute for the left of the play the ball Bobby Smith continued to run to his left from forty metre from the try line and through sheer effort ran the ball to within ten metres of the try line near the left touchline.

Bobby Smith started at lock in Round Thirteen of the NRRRL U18 competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Ballina Seagulls with Bobby Smith scoring in the 29th minute when Bobby Smith swooped onto the ball after Ricco Waitititi had stripped the ball from a Ballina player with Bobby Smith picking the ball up eighteen metres out to score in the left corner.

Bobby Smith also recorded a try assist in the 38th minute with a smart catch and pass to the right of a Tweed Heads scrum win thirty eight metres from the try line to his right to put Brock Tighe into space and subsequently over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

In the 2nd minute from the left of the play the ball Bobby Smith ran from twenty to thirty five metres from the try line and then in the 8th minute to the right of the play the ball and twenty metres from his try line Bobby Smith off-loaded the ball to his left to his fullback after carrying the ball thirteen metres. Also in the 32nd minute from the right of the play the ball and still five metres inside his territory Bobby Smith got eight metres into Ballina’s half before off-loading to his left to Brock Tighe with Tweed Heads scoring a pass later.

From the right of the play the ball in the 37th minute Bobby Smith ran from three metres inside his half to ten metres into Ballina’s and in the 51st minute after receiving an off-load from his right Bobby Smith surged through the centre of the field from twenty metres out but after breaking two tackles Bobby Smith cut to his left to get within a metre of the try line near the left touchline.

Bobby Smith also started at lock for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the rescheduled Round One NRRRL U18 match against the Mullumbimby Giants in a match that had to be called off at halftime due to a serious injury.

Bobby Smith made a line break in the 8th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball fifteen metres from the try line Bobby Smith cut back to his left and surged forward breaking four tackles to carry the ball five metres into Mullumbimby territory before getting a right arm off-load away to his left top Blake Togo-Murphy.

The 15th minute saw Bobby Smith run onto the ball to the left of the play the ball before stepping off his right foot and break two tackles as he carried the ball from forty six to thirty metres from the try line.

Bobby Smith executed a one on one steal in the 9th minute to get the ball back for the Seagulls thirty four metres from the try line and in the centre of the field.

Bobby Smith continued at lock in Round Fifteen against the Bilambil Jets with Bobby Smith recording a try assist in the 21st minute when from two passes to the right of the play the ball Bobby Smith held up a short pass to his right from forty metres out to put Tyson Graham into a gap and subsequently over to score under the posts.

Bobby Smith also made a line break in the 48th minute when from the left of the play the ball and ten metres from his own try line Bobby Smith utilised a right arm fend to continue to run to his left and beat multiple defenders with additional right arm fends to twenty metres from the try line at the opposite end of the field with Bobby Smith breaking a staggering eight tackles all up before winning a penalty after being held down too long.

In the 18th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and thirty four metres from his try line Bobby Smith stepped out of two tackles as he crashed his way to within eight metres of the try line near the right touchline. Also in the 28th minute Bobby Smith ran out of dummy half to his right from eight metres inside his half to ten metres into Bilambil’s.

Bobby Smith moved to five eight in Round Sixteen against the Mullumbimby Giants with Bobby Smith easily the best player on the field as he scored the first of his two tries in the 7th minute when from the right of a Tweed Heads scrum win twenty metres from the try line Bobby Smith dummied to his right before a subtle right foot step enabled Bobby Smith to wrong foot a defender before he spun counter clockwise and got the ball down on the try lien ten metres to the right of the posts.

Bobby Smith completed his double in the 32nd minute with a charge from forty metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball with Bobby Smith stepping off his left foot to break the defensive line with Bobby Smith stepping off his left foot and spinning counter clockwise to beat the Mullumbimby fullback and score sis metres to the left of the posts.

Bobby Smith also recorded a try assist in the 15th minute when from the right of the play the ball and after threatening to pass to his right Bobby Smith engaged the defensive line and after bumping away from one defender Bobby Smith ran to his left before stepping off his right foot on two occasions breaking an incredible six tackles to get within eighteen metres of the try line and off-loading to his halfback who scored under the posts as a result.

From the right of the play the ball in the 20th minute and twelve metres from the try line Bobby Smith put a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the Mullumbimby right winger tackled in-goal to force a gaol line drop-out.

In the 28th minute Bobby Smith was on hand to stop a Mullumbimby grubber kick a metre from his try line just to the right of his posts and after collecting the ball Bobby Smith broke two tackles before being awarded a penalty for a strip of the ball three metres from the try line.

Bobby Smith ran the ball down the right blindside in the 29th minute to carry the ball from thirty to forty three metres from the try line and then in the 36th minute a Bobby Smith effort in relation to a kick-off return saw the ball moved out to the thirty metre mark.

In the 38th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from his try line Bobby Smith carried the ball two metres into the Giants half and in the 42nd minute from the right of a Tweed Heads centre field scrum win Bobby Smith ran the ball from twenty to thirty two metres from the try line. Then in the 56th minute from the right of the dummy half Bobby Smith was able to get the ball from twenty eight to forty two metres from his try line after stepping off his right foot on multiple occasions.

Bobby Smith started the 2024 season as a member of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad with Bobby Smith a stand-out at lock for the Titans.

In mid-February 2021 Bobby Smith played in a Titans U15 Invitational Trial at Burleigh, a trial which included only the best of the 2021 Titans U15 squad members.

In 2021 Bobby Smith was part of the PBC SHS Hancock Cup school boy rugby league side including starting from the bench in the 2021 Hancock Cup Grand Final against local rivals Keebra Park State High School.

In 2020 Bobby Smith played in the front row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 side in the Group 18 junior rugby league competition with the Seagulls going through the ten regular season rounds undefeated, scoring 316 points and conceding just 64 to finish the regular season with +252 points differential from their ten matches to record an average winning margin of just above twenty five points.

As a result of their outstanding season the Tweed Heads Seagulls U14 Group 18 side qualified for the Grand Final against the Tugun Seahawks. Tweed Heads prevailed in the 2020 decider 30 – 4 with Bobby Smith starting the Grand Final in the front row.

Bobby Smith also played in Group 18 Grand Finals in 2019 in the U13 age group and in 2018 in the U12 age group.

Bobby Smith will start the 2025 season as part of the Burleigh Bears U19 MM Cup squad.

Bobby Smith has played the majority of the last few seasons with PBC SHS or in the U18 Laurie Daley Cup and NRRRL U18 competition at lock or in the front row and whilst that is Bobby Smith’s best position going forward, spending some time at dummy half would be another feather in his cap as he looks to progress towards the NRL.

The Dolphins Max Plath as a solidly built forward with a low centre of gravity with some positional flexibility is a good comparison for the type of player that Bobby Smith can be. Bobby Smith is the type of player that every team needs, he will work his guts out and do whatever is required for his team’s success.

 

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Brooklyn Campbell. In early 2024 Brooklyn Campbell signed a multi-year contract with the Titans.

In Late September 2024 Brooklyn Campbell was named in the 2025 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 CC Cup squad and Brooklyn Campbell is also CC Cup eligible in 2026.

Also in late September 2024 Brooklyn Campbell started from the bench for a Future Titans U16 side that defeated a Storm squad 36 – 22.

In early March 2024 Brooklyn Campbell was named in the Darling Downs 2024 School Boy Rugby League Representative squad with Brooklyn Campbell starting in the front row on Day One of the Championships against Peninsula.

Brooklyn Campbell made the first of his two line breaks in the 34th minute with a run from two passes to the left of a Darling Downs penalty restart forty two metres from the try line with Brooklyn Campbell breaking three tackles to get into open space to Brooklyn Campbell veering to his left to beat the fullback only to be brought down from behind in the centre of the field ten metres from the try line.

Brooklyn Campbell’s second line break was in fact the last play of the match when from the right of the play the ball and on the halfway mark, Brooklyn Campbell dummied to his right before stepping off his right foot to get the ball to within thirty metres of the try line.

In the 11th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and four metres inside his own territory Brooklyn Campbell was able to get the ball nine metres into Peninsula territory. Then in the 28th minute from the left of the play the ball and after shaping to pass to his left Brooklyn Campbell ran himself from twenty two metres from his own try line to thirty seven metres out.

Brooklyn Campbell did well in the 5th minute to race out of the defensive line to block a Peninsula grubber kick with his legs and then dive on the ball fourteen metres from the try line to give Darling Downs their first possession of the match.

Brooklyn Campbell’s performance saw him named the Darling Downs Player of the Match.

Brooklyn Campbell continued in the front row on Day Two against South Coast and in the 11th minute Brooklyn Campbell made a good goal line drop-out return to the twenty four metre mark.

Two minutes later in the 13th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Brooklyn Campbell ran the ball from thirty three metres to forty metres out, Brooklyn Campbell then backed up on the next play and after getting an off-load five metres inside his own territory, Brooklyn Campbell got the ball eighteen into South Coast territory before getting a left arm off-load away. Then in the Brooklyn Campbell’s kick-off return saw him get the ball out to the twenty two metre mark.

Brooklyn Campbell also started in the front row on Day Three against Met West and in the 35th minute from a Darling Downs penalty restart Brooklyn Campbell was able to get the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to four metres into Met West territory.

In the 45th minute from the right of the play the ball Brooklyn Campbell was able to get the ball from five metres inside his own territory int seven metres into Met Wests territory with Brooklyn Campbell able to break a tackle. Then a tackle later also from the right of the play the ball and forty three metres from the try line Brooklyn Campbell was able to surge ten metres towards the try line.

Brooklyn Campbell continued in the front row on Day Four against Northern and in the 4th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Brooklyn Campbell cut back to his left as he ran the ball from thirty two metres from his try line to within three metres of the halfway mark with Brooklyn Campbell awarded a penalty after being held down. Brooklyn Campbell then ran the ball from the penalty restart to promote the ball from the halfway mark to thirty seven metres from the try line with Brooklyn Campbell breaking three tackles.

Also from a penalty restart in the 6th minute Brooklyn Campbell got a great right arm off-load away as he was being tackled. Then in the 31st minute from the left of the play the ball Brooklyn Campbell ran the ball from twenty metres to thirty one metres from the try line.

At the conclusion of the 2024 U15 QSSRL School Boy Rugby League Championships Brooklyn Campbell was named in the Queensland White U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative side to contest the 2024 QSSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Championships.

Day One of the 2024 ASSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Championships saw Brooklyn Campbell start from the bench for Queensland White against Queensland Maroon and after coming onto the field in the 19th minute Brooklyn Campbell carried the ball from a penalty restart in the 26th minute from thirty metres to twenty metres from the try line. Also in the 44th minute after receiving an off-load from his right Brooklyn Campbell carried the ball through the centre of the field from twenty four metres to within twelve metres of the try line.

Brooklyn Campbell also started from the bench for Queensland White on Day Two of the ASSRL U15 Championships against NSW CCC and after coming onto the field in the 11th minute Brooklyn Campbell almost immediately made a kick-off return to get the ball out to the twenty metre mark and then a tackle later from the right of the play the ball Brooklyn Campbell ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball to get the ball from twenty one metres to thirty one metres away from his try line.

Brooklyn Campbell started from the bench for Queensland White against the ACT on the final day of the ASSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Championships and after coming onto the field in the 13th minute Brooklyn Campbell scored in the 20th minute with a charge from the right of the play the ball from ten metres out to crash over to score next to the right goal post.

A minute earlier in the 19th minute from the left of the play the ball Brooklyn Campbell carried the ball from the halfway mark to forty metres out from the try line before getting a right arm obove the head off-load away. Additionally in the 41st minute after getting an off-load from hls left Brooklyn Campbell bustled his way to within a metre of the try line in front of the goal posts.

Brooklyn Campbell was part of a Future Titans U14 Invitational side that played a touring New Zealand U14 side at Tweed Heads in July 2023 in his first appearance in a Titans jersey with the Titans prevailing in a high quality match.

In 2023 Brooklyn Campbell played for Toowoomba Brothers in the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League U14 competition with Brooklyn Campbell starting at lock and captaining the Toowoomba Brothers side over the course of the season.

When Brooklyn Campbell scored one try he invariably scored a second in the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League U14 competition with this situation arising in Round Two against Gatton, Round Six against Dalby and Round Eight against Toowoomba Valleys.

Brooklyn Campbell went one try better than usual by scoring a hat trick in Round Eleven against Highfields and Districts.

Week One of the Finals series saw Brooklyn Campbell start at lock and captain and score against Gatton. Brooklyn Campbell also started at lock in Toowoomba Brother’s Preliminary Final loss.

Brooklyn Campbell also captained Toowoomba Brothers at the 2023 Adrian Vowles Cup with Brooklyn Campbell named at lock in the 2023 Adrian Vowles Cup U14 Dream Team at the completion of the Carnival.

The young forward is an all effort type of forward who runs with determination, he takes the ball to the line with speed, but he does not just put his head down and rush forward, he uses quick and subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to target the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing forwards who are slow to move up.

When the opposition are on the back foot Brooklyn Campbell will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a big young bloke he has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him.

It is the intensity and speed that he plays the game at that holds Brooklyn Campbell in good stead as he starts to be selected in representative sides and plays against a higher quality of opposition.

Brooklyn Campbell is also very effective close to the opposition try line with his ability to burst through tackles. If the defenders do not come off the try he will just drag them across the try line, with his continued development of which running lines he can utilise, such as running an inside shoulder line when close to the opposition try line he will become even more effective and will be an asset to the entire team as defences compress to combat his running thus leaving more room our wide.



One area where Brooklyn Campbell is already highly developed is his off-loading, his off-loading skill attributes in my eyes could be considered untapped. Brooklyn Campbell shows regular flashes of ability to off load when in contact with the defensive line.

The defensive side of his game is similarly impressive, Brooklyn Campbell does not just charge wildly up looking for a huge hit but is calculating in where and when to hit. Brooklyn Campbell drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder and core body strength to drive into his opponent.

Brooklyn Campbell sets a strong lower base by setting his legs and generating force by driving through the tackle with his lower body, gaining leverage and momentum enabling his initial contact to be outstanding and more than enough to stop the momentum of the attacker regardless of their size attributes.

Brooklyn Campbell’s defensive dominance will not continue at its current rate as he starts to play against higher quality opposition but the timing and defensive technique that he has will mean that Brooklyn Campbell will always likely be a plus defender. Brooklyn Campbell really does have a very good tackling technique.

2025 will see Brooklyn Campbell start the season as a member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 CC Cup squad and Brooklyn Campbell is also CC Cup eligible in 2026.

Whilst he very quick for his size, Brooklyn Campbell, with his height and strength looks certain to stay in the forwards for the duration of his rugby league career and with his ever developing ball skills, Brooklyn Campbell will almost certainly play the role of the new age lock who is a link between his team’s forward pack and backline.

Brooklyn Campbell is an intriguing and in some ways unique prospect in the Titans JTS Program and with the size, speed and power combination of someone like Penrith Panthers, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International Isiah Yeo as a player who just looks a class apart from the majority of other players on the field. If anything Brooklyn Campbell has more speed than Yeo.

 

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Dallas Ingram. In late 2024 Dallas Ingram was named in the 2025 Burleigh Bears U19 MM Cup squad with Dallas Ingram also MM Cup eligible in 2026.

In late January 2022 after signing a multi-year contract with the Titans, Dallas Ingram started from the bench for the Titans U16 side in a trial match at Pizzey Park against a Sydney Bulldogs U16 squad for his first of likely many matches in Titans colours.

In early January 2024 Dallas Ingram started at five eight for a Titans U17 side in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney.

Dallas Ingram scored in the second trial of the day against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in the 7th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of a Titans scrum win Dallas Ingram got a pass away to his left to a straight runner before running behind the runner and after receiving an off-load form his right when fourteen metres from the try line, Dallas Ingram continued to run to his left to slice between defenders to score nine metres in from the left corner post.

A minute earlier in the 6th minute to the right of the play the ball but still on the left side of the field Dallas Ingram put in a right foot high kick towards the right corner from fifteen metres from the try line with the ball coming down a minute from the try line with the Penrith left winger knocking the ball on just in the field of play. Dallas Ingram then scored from the resultant scrum as noted in the paragraph above.

Dallas Ingram also made a line break in the 14th minute when after swooping on a dropped ball by Souths Sydney two metres inside his own territory Dallas Ingram raced downfield but was caught from behind eight metres out, but after regaining his feet Dallas Ingram was able to off-load to his left for the Titans to get closer to scoring only for the Titans left winger Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu to be held up over the try line.

Dallas Ingram also did well in the 35th minute when after taking possession to the left of the dummy half and twelve metres from the try line Dallas Ingram put in a short right foot grubber kick which was knocked on by the Souths Sydney fullback to give the Titans six more tackles from the resultant scrum.

In late September 2023 Dallas Ingram was named in the 2024 Burleigh Bears U17 Cyril Connell Cup squad.

Round One of the 2024 Cyril Connell Cup competition saw Dallas Ingram start at halfback for the Burleigh Bears against the Souths Logan Magpies with Dallas Ingram scoring an outstanding solo try in the 46th minute. After receiving the ball to the right of a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and forty six metres from the try line Dallas Ingram immediately accelerated at the oncoming Magpies defensive line and at the last possible moment before contact Dallas Ingram stepped off his right foot and burst between defenders with Dallas Ingram then having a straight run to put the ball down midway between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Dallas Ingram also recorded a try assist in the 8th minute when after running the ball to the left of the play the ball down a short blindside Dallas Ingram ran the ball to within six metres of the try line before throwing a hard flat pass to his left to Killarney Lavender who crashed over to score four metres in from the left corner post.

In the 35th minute after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half Dallas Ingram cut back inside when forty one metres from the try line to get to the thirty metre mark.

Dallas Ingram also started at halfback in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Dallas Ingram almost scoring in the 11th minute with a dart down a short left blindside from eleven metres out with Dallas Ingram only brought to ground centremetres out from the left corner post.

Dallas Ingram then recorded a line break assist in the 30th minute when after taking possession of the ball once again down a short left blindside, Dallas Ingram ran the ball from inside his own territory to the halfway mark and then threw a hard, flat cut-out pass to his left to put his left second rower away down the left touchline.

Dallas Ingram then started from the bench in Round Five against the Norths Devils with Dallas Ingram playing at fullback in the second half and recording two try assists.

Dallas Ingram recorded his initial try assist in the 41st minute when with the play the ball in the centre of the field and ten metres from the try line, Dallas Ingram received the ball off the dummy half to the right of the play the ball with Dallas Ingram throwing an outstanding cut out pass to his left to put his centre into a gap and over to score in the left corner.

Dallas Ingram recorded his second try assist in the 54th minute when once again to the left of the play the ball and ten metres from the try line, Dallas Ingram double pumped a great short ball to his left to put his left second rower into a huge gap to score wide out on the left side of the field.

Dallas Ingram also made a good kick return in the 47th minute when after picking up the ball on the bounce twenty two metres from his own try line Dallas Ingram returned the ball through the centre of the field out to the thirty four metre mark.

Dallas Ingram’s performance saw him named on the bench in the Courier Mail’s CC Cup Round Five Team of the Week.

Dallas Ingram then started at fullback(left centre in the second half) in Round Six against the Brisbane Tigers with Dallas Ingram scoring in the 45th minute when after taking possession of the ball two passes to the left of a Burleigh scrum win and fifteen metres from the try line, Dallas Ingram after continuing to run to his left with the ball out in front of his body in both hands and after threatening to pass to his left Dallas Ingram sliced between two defenders to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Earlier in the 31st minute Dallas Ingram after taking a Tigers kick on the full thirty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field Dallas Ingram returned the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 52nd minute from the left of the play the ball Dallas Ingram dummied both to his left and right as he ran the ball from thirty metres from the try line to within twenty metres.

Dallas Ingram executed a big right shoulder driving tackle in the 42nd minute that saw Dallas Ingram dump the Burleigh right centre No. 3 onto his back thirty metres from the try line.

At the conclusion of the 2024 CC Cup season Dallas Ingram was named as a 2024 CC Cup Out of the Box Performer.

Dallas Ingram returned to TSS in 2024 with Dallas Ingram starting at flyhalf (No. 10) for the TSS School Boy Rugby First XV in there April trial against New Zealand’s Rosmini College. Dallas Ingram also started at fly half (No. 10) for the TSS First XV in the following weekend's trial against Shore Sydney Church of England Grammar School.

Early May saw Dallas Ingram named at fly half (No.10) for the TSS First XV side that travelled to Moree to play a trial against Downlands College as well as in the following trial against St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace before moving to the left wing in a trial against Ipswich Grammar School. Dallas Ingram was then back in the N0. 10 (fly half) jersey for a late May trial against Brisbane State High School as well as an early June trial against Anglican Church Grammar School.

Round One of the 2024 GPS School Boy Rugby First XV competition saw Dallas Ingram start at No. 10 (flyhalf) for TSS against St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace with Dallas Ingram also starting at No. 10 in Round Two away to St Joseph’s College Nudgee and in the 8th minute Dallas Ingram swept to the left of a TSS line out win and ran the ball from twenty to within three metres of the try line just to the left of the goal posts with Dallas Ingran then winning a penalty for TSS when a Nudgee defender did not clear the ruck.

Dallas Ingram continued at No. 10 in Round Three against Toowoomba Grammar School with Dallas Ingram’s performance seeing him named at fly half (No. 10) in the Courier Mail GPS First XV Round Three Team of the Week.

Dallas Ingram came close to scoring in the 20th minute when after receiving the ball from his right twelve metres from the try line and to the left of the posts, Dallas Ingram stepped off his left foot to wrong foot one defender and darted over the try line but the referee ruled that the ball was knocked form Dallas Ingram’s grasp as he was diving to put the ball down.

Dallas Ingram also ran the ball well in the 34th minute with a stepping run on the right side of the field to break two tackles with right foot steps to get from twenty four to ten metres of the try line before off-loading to his right.

Dallas Ingram also started at No. 10 in Round Four against Brisbane Boys College with Dallas Ingram recording two first half try assists with the first arriving in the 5th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of a TSS centre field scrum win thirty five metres from the try line Dallas Ingram split the BBC defensive line and ran to ten metres from the try line and drew the fullback and passes to his right to put his fullback over to score.

Dallas Ingram recorded a second try assist in the 15th minute with a superb thirty metre cut out pass to his right from twenty metres from the try line from the right of a TSS line out win onto the chest of his centre to put his into a gap and over to score.

Dallas Ingram’s performance saw him deservedly named on the bench in the 2024 Round Four Courier Mail GPS School Boy Rugby First XV Team of the Week.

Round Five at home against Brisbane State High School saw Dallas Ingram continue at fly half.

Dallas Ingram continued at fly half No. 10 in Round Seven against Ipswich Grammar School with Dallas Ingram scoring in the 26th minute when after backing up a TSS line break Dallas Ingram received a pass from his right and ran ten metres untouched to score under the posts.

Dallas Ingram also made a line break in the 58th minute when from the right of a TSS scrum win thirty eight metres from the try line Dallas Ingram dummied to his right before stepping off his right foot and then using a left and right foot step to get past the Ipswich Grammar School fullback before being brought to ground two metres from the try line ten metres to the left of the posts.

In the 29th minute from the left of a ruck Dallas Ingram dummied to his left before taking the defensive lien on himself to carry the ball from forty to twenty five metres from the try line.

Dallas Ingram’s performance saw him receive a special mention in the Courier Mail First XV Round Six Team of the Week discussions.

Dallas Ingram continued at No. 10 in Round Eight at home against Anglican Church Grammar School and was named on the bench in the Courier Mail Team of the Week with Dallas Ingram scoring in the 62nd minute when from two passes to the left of a ruck twenty two metres from the try line in the centre of the field Dallas Ingram ran to his left and after shaping to pass in the same direction with Dallas Ingram then slicing between two defenders and put the ball down ten metres to the left of the posts.

Dallas Ingram also started at fly half (No. 10) in Round Nine against Brisbane Grammar School and in the 21st minute Dallas Ingram showcased his elite kicking skills with a driving right foot kick from three metres from his own try line with the ball bouncing over the right touchline thirty two metres from the Brisbane Grammar School try to make sixty five metres for TSS.

Dallas Ingram’s performances across the 2024 GPS School Boy Rugby First XV competition saw him named by the Courier Mail as a player to keep an eye on in 2025.

Round One of the 2023 GPS School Boy Rugby First XV competition saw Dallas Ingram named on the bench for TSS against Ipswich Grammar School as well as St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace in Round Two, Round Three against Brisbane State High School and Round Four against Brisbane Grammar School.

Dallas Ingram was also named on the bench in Round Six against Anglican Church Grammar School and Round Seven against Toowoomba Grammar School. Dallas Ingram was also named on the bench in the final round being Round Nine against St Joseph’s College Nudgee.

Round One of the 2023 GPS School Boy Rugby U16A competition saw Dallas Ingram named at inside centre (No. 12) for TSS against Ipswich Grammar School as well as St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace in Round Two.

Round Three against Brisbane State High School saw Dallas Ingram moved to fly half (No. 10) before moving back to inside centre (No. 12) for Round Four against Brisbane Grammar School as well as Round Five against Brisbane Boys College.

Dallas Ingram then moved back to fly half for Round Six against Anglican Church Grammar School and Round Seven against Toowoomba Grammar School. Dallas Ingram was also named at flyhalf (No. 10) in the final round being Round Nine against St Joseph’s College Nudgee.

In late April 2023 Dallas Ingram was named on the bench for the TSS First XV in their internal trial against a TSS Second XV squad, with the TSS First XV side winning 25 – 0. Dallas Ingram was also named on the TSS First XV bench for their mid-May GPS trial against St Joseph’s Nudgee College.

Dallas Ingram was then named at fullback for the TSS First XV for a trial against Anglican Church Grammar School and Dallas Ingram also started at fullback in the TSS First XV trial at home against Toowoomba Grammar School.

Then Dallas Ingram started from the bench in an early June trial away to Brisbane Boys College and earlier in the day Dallas Ingram had started at fly half (No. 10) for the TSS U16A side also against BBC in a GPS School Boy Rugby trial.

In early December 2022 Dallas Ingram took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL off-season training squad.

In late September 2022 Dallas Ingram was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup representative squad with Dallas Ingram being part of the Bears first 2023 CC Cup trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Annual Titans Super Saturday.

In late May 2022 Dallas Ingram represented the South Coast School Boy side at the U15 QSSRL School Boy Championships starting Match One against Northern at halfback with Dallas Ingram making a 10th minute line break when after receiving the ball on the left around thirty five metres out broke through the Northern defensive line to get the ball within eleven metres of the try line before he was stopped.

Dallas Ingram recorded another line break in the 15th minute when he dummied to his left down a short blindside around twenty five metres out and burst through the defensive line getting to three metres from the line. Dallas Ingram was back to his feet in a heartbeat after being tackled with South Coast scoring in the left corner with the Northern defence still in disarray.

In the 46th minute Dallas Ingram recorded a try assist when after receiving the ball from his right off the dummy half Dallas Ingram took the ball into the defensive line before throwing a great inside pass to his lock who was able to score next to the left upright.

In the 39th minute Dallas Ingram recorded a line break assist when whilst just inside his own territory Dallas Ingram ran to his left and brought centre Joseph Tupuse underneath with the left centre able to find a gap as a result.

Dallas Ingram also started at halfback in Match Two against Met North.

As a result of his performance for South Coast, at the conclusion of the U15 ASSRL Championships Dallas Ingram was named in the 2022 QSSRL U15 White School Boy Representative side and just prior to the commencement of the Championships, Dallas Ingram was named by the Courier Mail as one of the Top 50 U15 Rugby League players in Australia.

Dallas Ingram started match One of the ASSRL U15 Championships at halfback for Queensland White against NSW CIS with Dallas Ingram scoring Queensland White’s opening try of the Championships in the 22nd minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball, Dallas Ingram was able to slice between two defenders to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field from ten metres out.

Dallas Ingram also did well defensively including in the 31st minute with a strong one on one tackle near the try line after the NSW CIS left centre made a long break.

Whilst Dallas Ingram started the match at halfback, he spent portions of the second half operating in the dummy half role.

Dallas Ingram also started at halfback in Queensland White’s second match of the Championships against NSW CHS with Dallas Ingram recording a line break assist inside the opening minute when as first received Dallas Ingram received the ball to the right of the play the ball and ran down a short blindside five metres into NSW CHS territory. Running across field Dallas Ingram was able to draw one defender out of the line and throw a good short ball to his right to the Queensland right centre who burst through the resultant gap to draw the fullback to put the Queensland right winger over to score.

Unfortunately Dallas Ingram suffered an injury the match at kept him out of both rugby league and rugby for multiple months.

2022 also saw Dallas Ingram attend The Southport School (TSS) and was named to start at inside centre in TSS’s U15A first GPS trial against Brisbane Grammar School however the match was ultimately cancelled.

Dallas Ingram was also named at inside centre for the TSS U56A sides second scheduled trial against Brisbane State High School as well as the third scheduled trial against Gregory Terrace at the Shark Tank with TSS recording an impressive 35- 7 victory.

After a long term injury that saw him miss the majority of the 2022 GPS School Boy Rugby season Dallas Ingram was able to return off the bench in Round Nine against Ipswich Grammar School.

In the Covid 19 abridged 2021 school boy rugby season Ryan Ingram lined up for the TSS U14A side, starting at inside centre (No. 12) in all of the TSS U14A’s matches that were not impacted by Covid 19 being Round One against Brisbane Grammar School, Round Six against Toowoomba Grammar School, Round Seven against St Joseph’s Nudgee College and Round Eight against St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace.

Dallas Ingram also started at inside centre in the TSS U14A’s second 2021 trial against Brisbane Boys College before starting at inside centre in the final trial against a Gold Coast Cyclones Representative side.

In the 2020 GPS School Boy Rugby season Dallas Ingram lined up for the TSS U13A side splitting time between starting at fly half (No. 10) and inside centre (No .12). Dallas Ingram also played for TSS in 2019 at the GPS School Boy Rugby U12A competition with Dallas Ingram starting all of his matches at No. 10.

The electric young halfback hails from the Darling Downs and plays his club rugby league for Toowoomba Valleys, in 2021 in the Toowoomba Rugby League U14 competition. A team mate in that 2021 Toowoomba Valleys U14 side was fellow 2022 Titans signing Ryan Johnson.

Dallas Ingram’s first taste of representative rugby league came in 2019 when he represented Darling Downs at the Queensland U12 Primary School Boy Rugby League Championships. From there Dallas Ingram was selected as captain for the Queensland White side for the National Championships with Queensland White defeating Queensland Maroon 16 – 10 in the Championship Final.

Dallas Ingram in 2019 has also represented the Cooks Islands in relation to representative rugby league in the U12 age group.

Dallas Ingram is a multi-sport athlete and has also excelled in rugby and boxing with Dallas Ingram already winning Queensland Boxing Championships and Gold Glove Championships.

It is hard to put in words just how talented Dallas Ingram is in terms of running the ball, he has outstanding speed both off the mark which I would consider in the plus plus category and top end speed which must be considered plus regardless of position. Dallas Ingram with his speed is able to exploit even small gaps in the defensive line with an exceptional step off either foot and incredible acceleration as well as outstanding body control.

It is that speed trait which opens up his incredible ball playing skills as well. Teams start to focus heavily on Dallas Ingram when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that they open up holes wider out in the defensive line that Dallas Ingram can exploit.

Dallas Ingram has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Dallas Ingram can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can readjust.

Dallas Ingram also runs with the ball in both hands which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what Dallas Ingram is going to do. If Dallas Ingram sees a gap he is through it before the defensive line can react also when a forward takes the ball up through the centre of the ruck, Dallas Ingram is always in support and if he gets an off load he can accelerate through the resultant gap.

Dallas Ingram does not necessarily have a big step but has an outstanding swerve which he uses when confronted with the fullback. Dallas Ingram will run directly at the fullback to slow his lateral momentum and then swerve around him the second the fullback’s momentum stops or slows.

Like when he has the ball in his hands, there is nothing that Dallas Ingram cannot do in relation to kicking the ball. Dallas Ingram is an exceptional tactical kicker with range and accuracy, he can put up pin point bombs and perfectly weighted grubber kicks into the in goal. In short if you can name a type of rugby league kick, Dallas Ingram can execute it with precision.

Defensively Dallas Ingram is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it.

As a defender, like his attack due to his smaller size, Dallas Ingram relies on his speed, timing and solid defensive technique. Dallas Ingram has a very good low tackling technique which is simple and repeatable and effective, including head placement against all size opponents and thus there is no need for a defensive minder on Dallas Ingram’s side of the field. In summary just like his attacking play Dallas Ingram is an outstanding defender for his size and position.

2025 will see Dallas Ingram line up for the Burleigh Bears in the U19 MM Cup competition with Dallas Ingram also MM Cup eligible in 2026.

2025 will also see Dallas Ingram return to The Southport School (TSS) where Dallas Ingram is the incumbent First XV fly half.

With his speed off the mark, ability to put his runners through holes, direct his team around the field and his competitive and combative nature, Dallas Ingram is an ideal rugby league halfback and the more that Dallas Ingram has the ball in his hands the better for his team.

An NRL player comparison for Dallas Ingram proved to be an interesting exercise, but ultimately I believe an appropriate player comparison for Dallas Ingram is Penrith and New South Wales State of Origin half Nathan Cleary. Dallas Ingram is smaller and a lot quicker (especially off the mark) than Cleary but has the same type of intensity and will be win, game management and leadership attributes as the Panthers representative and Premiership winning half.

 

[mdrew]

Arama Hau. The exceptionally talented left second rower or lock (and occasional five eight for the Nerang Roosters U18’s) re-signed with the Titans in November 2020 in a coup that has played huge dividends in recent seasons for the Titans all of the way up to and including the NRL level I am sure and of course for Arama Hau himself.



Late October 2023 saw Arama Hau named as one of the Titans 2024 NRL Development Players with Arama Hau also a Development Player in 2025.

Arama Hau made his NRL debut in Round Twenty Seven of the 2024 season starting at left second row for the Titans away to the Penrith Panthers and in his twenty two minutes on the field Arama Hau ran for thirty nine metres (seventeen post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 4.03 seconds and made eleven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.67%.

Round One of the 2024 NRL Pre-season Challenge saw Arama Hau start at left second row for the Titans against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Arama Hau preventing a Redcliffe try in the 8th minute when Arama Hau used his strength to hold up Dolphins front rower Mark Nicholls over the try line four metres to the left of the goal posts. Arama Hau was able to prevent a second Dolphins try in the 65th minute when Arama Hau worked over the Redcliffe No. 20 to prevent him from scoring ten metres in from the left corner post.

Arama Hau made the first of multiple strong runs in the 13th minute with an effort from a Titans penalty restart that saw Arama Hau run the ball from eight metres inside his own territory to seven metres into Redcliffe territory. Then from another Titans penalty restart in the 29th minute Arama Hau ran the ball from thirty nine metres from his own try line to get the ball to the halfway mark.

Then in the 46th minute from the left of the play the ball and six metres inside his own territory Arama Hau ran an underneath route that saw him get the ball six metres into Redcliffe territory. Arama Hau followed up with an effort to the left of the play the ball in the 71st minute from an underneath route from thirty six metres from the try line to within twenty three metres and even with four defenders on him Arama Hau was able to stay on his feet. Then in the 73rd minute Arama Hau carried the ball down the left channel from twenty metres from the try line to within eight metres.

Playing the entire eighty minutes of the match Arama Hau ran for fifty five metres (twenty two post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.29 seconds and made twenty five tackles at a tackling efficiency of 86.2%.

In 2024 Arama Hau was allocated to the Ipswich Jets as part of the Titans feeder club arrangement with the Jets Queensland Cup side.

Round One of the 2024 Queensland Cup competition saw Arama Hau start at right second row before moving to left second row for the Ipswich Jets against the Townsville Blackhawks.

Arama Hau ran an underneath route to the right of the play the ball in the 11th minute to get the ball from forty metres from the try line to thirty metres out. Then in the 47th minute from the left of the play the ball once again Arama Hau stepped inside off his left foot as he ran the ball from sixteen metres from his own try line to thirty metres out.

Arama Hau made his presence felt defensively in the 9th minute with a heavy front on hit on his opposite number to force a Blackhawks knock-on twenty metres from the try line. Arama Hua made another good defensive play in the 26th minute with another big front on tackle on this occasion against the Townsville front rower Ni. 8 to force another lost Blackhawks ball forty metres from the try line.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball and forty metres from the try line and in the centre of the field in the 60th minute Arama Hau stepped off his left foot immediately upon receipt of the pass and as a consequence Arama Hau was able to promote the ball to within twenty seven metres of the try line.

Arama Hau continued his strong match in the 72nd minute with a run from the left of the play the ball that saw Arama Hau get the ball from two metres inside Townsville territory to within thirty five metres of the try line. Then in the 78th minute from two passes to the left of the dummy half and ten metres inside his own half Arama Hau ran the ball to three metres inside Blackhawks territory but his left foot kick went astray.

A number of smart plays belied the fact that Arama Hau was making his Queensland Cup debut including in the 46th minute with Arama Hau showing his enthusiasm by chasing a through a Jets grubber kick into the in-goal area to tackle the Townsville right centre No. 3 in-goal to force a goal line drop-out. Arama Hau even better with a smart play in the 48th minute with a one on one steal of the ball from the Townsville right winger No. 2 two metres inside with Arama Hau then making five metres to get the ball three metres into Blackhawks territory.

Playing all eighty minutes Arama Hau ran for 151 metres (thirty eight post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.77 seconds and made twenty four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 82.76.

Arama Hau also started at left second row in Round Two against the Western Clydesdales with Arama Hau coming close to scoring in the 12th minute when he chased through a grubber kick into the in-goal but just as Arama Hau looked set to retrieve the ball it took a wicked bounce away from him. Arama Hau also got close to the try line in the 48th minute by way of a eleven metre run from the left of the play the ball that saw Arama Hau get to within a metre of the try line ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Arama Hau was involved in setting up a Jets try in the 16th minute with a smart off-load to his left when be tackled from behind twenty metres from the try line with Ipswich scoring in the left corner a pass after Arama Hau’s.

In the 9th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty three metres from his try line Arama Hau got the ball out to the thirty four metre mark with Arama Hau then awarded a penalty for his leg being raised into dangerous position. A minute later in the 10th minute after running an underneath route to the left of the play the ball Arama Hau bumped away from one defender as he ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty metres from the try line to twenty metres out before getting a left arm off-load away as Arama Hau was being spun around clockwise.

Then in the 11th minute Arama Hau got another right arm off-load away off an underneath route to the left of the dummy half from twenty metres to nine metres from the try line with Arama Hau able to get his right arm free above his head to get the off-load away to his inside. After running down the left channel in the 41st minute from thirty two metres to forty two metres out Arama Hau took another hit-up three tackles later and broke two tackles including one by way of a left foot step to carry the ball from thirty eight metres from the try line to twenty one metres out.

Arama Hau continued his strong start to the match in the 18th minute from the right of the play the ball to get the ball to thirty five metres from the try line after taking possession twenty four metres out. Arama Hau then ran the ball down a left blindside in t he59th minute from twenty metres to thirty one metres out from the try line with approximately 60% of Arama Hau’s metres being post contact.

Arama Hau finished himself perfectly in the 75th minute to take a Clydesdales attacking kick on the five metres out in front of his own posts with Arama Hau then able to make nine metres downfield to get the ball away from his try line.

Playing all eighty minutes Arama Hau ran for eighty seven metres (thirty one post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.45 seconds and made twenty six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 86.67%.

Arama Hau also started at left second row in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Arama Hau in the 21st minute running to his left out of dummy half to run the ball from twenty metres from the try line to within ten metres.

From the left of the play the ball in the 32nd minute and forty six metres from the try line Arama Hau was able to get the ball to thirty three metres out. Then a minute later in the 33rd minute Arama Hau ran the ball down a short left blindside from forty one metres from the try line to thirty three metres out before getting a right arm above the head off-load away to his right.

After picking up an errant Jets pass on the first bounce in the 34th minute Arama Hau did well to promote the ball from twenty six metres to within eight metres of the try line. Then in the 43rd minute from the right of the play the ball and three metres inside Tigers territory Arama Hau was able to step out of one tackle as he got the ball to within thirty four metres of the try line. Also after running an underneath route to the left of the play the ball in the 67th minute Arama Hau was able to bump off one defender to get the ball from thirty six metres from his try line to three metres of the halfway mark.

Playing the entire match Arama Hau ran for ninety four metres (fifty three post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.51 seconds and made twenty eight tackles at a tackling efficiency of 82.35%.

Arama Hau continued at left second row in Round Four against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in the 6th minute after running an underneath route to the left of the play the ball Arama Hau broke three tackles as he stepped and shoved his way to within eight metres of the try line before getting a right arm off-load away in the same direction.

After taking possession of the ball to the left of the play the ball in the 46th minute Arama Hua ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty two metres from his try line to thirty six metres out. Then in the 54th minute from the right of the play the ball Arama Hau carried the ball to within twenty six metres of the try line before getting a right arm overhead off-load away to his left. Also in the 57th minute Arama Hau ran the ball down the left channel to carry the ball from the halfway mark to thirty nine metres from the try line.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match Arama Hau ran for seventy eight metres (thirty nine post contact), broke a team leading five tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.14 seconds and made sixteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.89%

Arama Hau also started at left second row in Round Five against the Burleigh Bears with Arama Hau scoring his first Queensland Cup try in the 18th minute with Arama Hau running off a Tannah Boyd pass from two passes to the left of the play the ball from eighteen metres out with Arama Hau then stepping off his left foot to beat the Bears fullback to put the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Arama Hau also threw the final pass for a Jets try in the 36th minute when after carrying the ball to within seventeen metres of the try line wide on the left, Arama Hau, whilst being held by his right leg got an underground right arm pass to his right to No. 14 who made a winding, darting to run to score.

From the left of the play the ball in the 22nd minute Arama Hau made twelve metres from his own twenty metre mark, then in the 33rd minute from the right of the play the ball Arama Hau carried the ball from eighteen metres to thirty metres from his own try line. Arama Hau also made a straight, hard charge off a Tannah Boyd pass in the 54th minute to carry the ball from twenty eight metres to within thirteen metres of the try line.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match Arama Hau ran for seventy metres (twenty seven post contact), broke a team leading four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.38 seconds and made twenty eight tackles at an impressive tackling efficiency of 96.55%.

Arama Hau continued at left second row in Round Six against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Arama Hau running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball in the 15th minute to get the ball from eighteen to thirty two metres from his own try line with Arama Hau then getting a right arm off-load away to his left.

From the right of the play the ball in the 20th minute Arama Hau carried the ball through the centre of the field from forty two metres to within twenty four metres of the try line with Arama Hau breaking a tackle as he made eighteen metres. Then in the 32nd minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball, Arama Hau pushed away from one defender as he ran the ball from the halfway mark to thirty eight metres out. Also wide on the left in the 40th minute Arama Hau ran from the halfway mark to thirty nine metres out.

Arama Hau did well in the 40th minute to chase a Tweed Heads line break an tackle the Seagulls lock less than two metres from the try line and stop him short with the referee ruling a double movement on the Tweed Heads player.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match Arama Hau ran for seventy five metres (fourteen post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.19 seconds and made seventeen tackles.

Arama Hau also started at left second row in Round Nine against the Wynnum Many Seagulls with Arama Hau recording a line break assist in the 55th minute when after running the ball from the left of the play the ball from thirty six metres to thirty metres from the try line Arama Hau got a right arm off-load away to his right to Jaylan De Groot.

The 29th minute saw Arama Hau get the ball over the try line off a twelve metre charge to the left of the play the ball but unfortunately Arama Hau was held up four metres to the left of the goal posts.

Arama Hau also came close to scoring in the 31st minute with a thirty metre burst from the left of the play the ball with Arama Hau reaching out with the ball in his right arm but Arama Hau grounded the ball just short of the try line two metres to the left of the goal posts.

Arama Hau came within centremetres of scoring in the 47th minute when after running from the right of the play the ball to receive the ball on the left twelve metres from the try line Aram Hau bustled his way to just short of the try line seven metres in from the left corner post.

Arama Hau came close to scoring once again in the 54th minute with a charge from twelve metres out and to the left of the play the ball to centremetres short midway between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

After making the third hit-up of the match from two passes to the left of the dummy half to carry the ball from twenty to thirty metres from his try line, Arama Hau made another run from two passes to the left of the dummy half in the 2nd minute to get with twenty metres of the try line and receiving the ball thirty one metres out with Arama Hau then able to get an off-load away to Jaylan De Groot.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 15th minute Arama Hau ran the ball from twenty seven to within eighteen metres from the try line with Arama Hau then able to get a right arm off-load away to his left. Arama Hau then ran the ball down a left blindside in the 27th minute from forty one metres to twenty seven metres from the try line.

The 42nd minute saw Arama Hau from the right of the play the ball ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty three metres to thirty five metres from the try line. Then in the 54th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half Arama Hau got an off-load away to his left after carrying the ball from forty eight metres to thirty four metres from the try line.

Playing all eighty metres of the match Arama Hau ran for 135 metres (forty one post contact), broke a team leading seven tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3,43 seconds and made twenty six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 89.66%.

Arama Hau continued at left second row in Round Ten away to the PNG Hunters with Arama Hau scoring am impressive double.

Arama Hua scored the first of his two tries in the 3rd minute when he chased through a grubber kick from the Jets five eight to ground the ball ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Arama Hau completed his double in the 28th minute and it was eerily similar to his 3rd minute try when once again Arama Hau chased through a grubber kick into the in-goal from his five eight to ground the ball just before the dead ball line ten metres in from the right corner post.

After making the second hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball to get the ball from fifteen to thirty two metres from the try line with 70% of the metres post contact, Arama Hau in the 8th minute from the left of the play the ball carried the ball from thirty to forty metres out and getting a trademark right arm off-load away to his right to Jaylan De Groot.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 13th minute stepped off his left foot to wrong foot a defender as he careered downfield from twenty five metres to thirty eight metres from his try line. Additionally in the 33rd minute Arama Hau produced a straight hard crash line run from two passes to the left of the dummy half to carry the ball from the halfway mark to thirty seven metres from the try line. Also in the 58th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball once again Arama Hau broke a tackle as he carried the ball from forty metres to within twenty three metres of the try line.

Playing the entire match Arama Hau ran for ninety metres (forty five post contact), broke eight tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.22 seconds and made twenty seven tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.1%.

Arama Hau moved to lock in Round Eleven against the Norths Devils with Arama Hau coming close to scoring in the 18th minute only to be held up under the goals posts after an eight metre surge through the middle of the field.

Arama Hau broke a tackle in the 6th minute after charging onto the ball to the right of the dummy half from the thirty six metre mark to halfway. Also from the right of the play the ball in the 39th minute Atama Hau was able to make twelve metres from his own twenty metre mark with the last five metres made by Arama Hau whilst backing his way forward. Then in the 57th minute from the left of the play the ball Arama Hau got the ball to the halfway mark after taking possession thirty eight metres from his try line.

Playing all eighty minutes Arama Hau ran for seventy six metres (thirty five post contact), broke a tackle and made eighteen tackles of his own at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Arama Hau continued at lock in Round Twelve against the Central Queensland Capra’s with Arama Hau making the fourth hit-up of the match from two passes to the right of the play the ball from twenty eight to forty metres from his try line.

From the left of the play the ball in the 3rd minute Arama Hau was able to run the ball from the halfway mark to thirty four metres from the try line and then in the 8th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Arama Hau carried the ball from thirty six to within twenty one metres of the try line. Also in the 17th minute Arama Hau from the left of the dummy half Arama Hau got within ten metres of the try line after commencing his run twenty one metres out.

Arama Hau ran the ball through the centre of the field in the 30th minute with a yardage carry from the left of the play the ball from ten to twenty one metres from his try line. Arama Hau also ran the ball to the left of the dummy half in the 47th minute from twenty nine to forty four metres from his ty line with at least 70% of his metres being post contact.

In the 62nd minute after receiving an off-load from his right Arama Hau ran into space and charged from thirty five to within ten metres of the try line., breaking a tackle along the way. Arama Hau then ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the dummy half to get the ball from ten metres inside his half to nine metres into Central Queensland territory.

Playing sixty six minutes Arama Hau ran for a team leading 142 metres, a team leading sixty six of which were post contact. Arama Hau also broke a tackle and made twenty one tackles at a tackling efficiency of 95.45%.

Arama Hau moved to right second row in Round Fourteen against the Mackay Cutters with Arama Hau scoring in the 78th minute by way of a straight hard charge from close range and to the right of the play the ball to score under the posts.

From the right of the play the ball in the 7th minute Arama Hau was able to move the ball from twenty eight to forty metres from the try line and in the 31st minute Arama Hau ran an underneath route to the right of the play the ball to carry the ball through the centre of the field from forty to twenty eight metres from the try line with Arama Hau breaking a tackle along the way.

From the left of the play the ball in the 36th minute Arama Hau ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty two to forty two metres from the try line and also in the 44th minute Arama Hau ran the ball through the centre of the field and broke two tackles as he ran the ball from thirty four metres from the try line to halfway.

Playing the entire match Arama Hau ran for ninety seven metres (forty five metres post contact), made a line break, broke a team leading seven tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.8 seconds and made twenty tackles at tackling efficiency of 90.91%.

Arama Hau was back at lock in Round Sixteen against the PNG Hunters with Arama Hau scoring in the 67th minute when he barged over from four metres out and to the right of the dummy half to get the ball down eight metres to the right of the uprights.

Arama Hau also made a line break in the 22nd minute with a charge to the right of the play the ball that saw Arama Hau from thirty metres from his try line break two tackles before shrugging away form a third to get form thirty to twelve metres of the try line.

Arama Hau ran an underneath route to the right of the play the ball to run from twenty two to twelve metres from the try line before getting a two handed off-load away to his right and in the 43rd minute Arama Hau ran out of dummy half down a short left blindside to carry the ball from eighteen to five metres from the try line. Then in the 61st minute Arama Hau ran the ball through the centre of the field from two passes to the tight of the play the ball to get within ten metres of the try line after making eleven metres.

Playing seventy three minutes Arama Hau ran for ninety metres (nineteen post contact), made a team leading two line breaks and broke a team leading seven tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.03 seconds and made twenty six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 96.3%.

Arama Hau continued at lock in Round Seventeen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons and in the 8th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and thirty one metres from the try line Arama Hau was able to get the ball to within twenty metres of the try line.

Playing seventy two minutes Arama Hau ran for ninety seven metres (thirty six post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.69 seconds and made twenty tackles.

Arama Hau continued at lock in Round Eighteen against the Toowoomba Clydesdales with Arama Hau scoring in the 24th minute when after receiving an off-load from his left Arama Hau crashed over to score from four metres out and ten metres to the right of the goal posts.

In the 10th minute from the left of the play the ball Arama Hau got the ball to the halfway from forty metres from his try line and in the 22nd minute from wide on the left side of the field Arama Hau broke a tackle to run the ball from the halfway to forty metres from the try line before getting a right arm off-load away whilst going to ground.

In the 36th minute from the left of the play the ball Arama Hau ran from four metres inside Toowoomba territory to thirty four metres from the try line before off-loading to his right. Then in the 43rd minute from the right of the play the ball Arama Hau made thirteen metres to get the ball to within twenty one metres of the try line. Also in the 45th minute Arama Hua ran through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball from forty two metres from his try line to six metres into the Clydesdales half.

Playing sixty nine minutes Arama Hau ran for 100 metres (thirty one post contact), broke a team leading seven tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.23 seconds and made a team leading twenty eight tackles at a tackling efficiency of 96.55%.

Arama Hau also started at lock in Round Nineteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons and did well in the 4th minute when after taking a pass from his right high above his head in the centre of the field and twenty metres from the try line Arama Hau immediately brought the ball down and put in a left foot grubber kick that was knocked on by the Falcons fullback eight metres from the try line.

From the left of the play the ball in the 25th minute Arama Hau ran the ball from forty metres from the try line to the halfway and then in the 44th minute from the right of the play the ball Arama Hau ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty to thirty metres from the try line before off-loading with his right arm.

Playing the entire match Arama Hau ran for forty one metres (seventeen post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.02 seconds and made seventeen tackles.

Arama Hau continued at lock in Round Twenty against the Mackay Cutters with Arama Hau scoring in the 36th minute with a charge into a gap from the twelve metres out and to the left of the play the ball to put the ball down eight metres to the left of the posts.

After making the third hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball through the centre of the field from twenty two to thirty four metres from the try line Arama Hau in the 6th minute created space for his left centre when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball in the centre of the field Arama Hau ran from twenty five to thirty five metres from the try line before drawing and passing to his left centre who was in open space.

Arama Hau produced a trade mark off-load in the 35th minute with a smart left arm off-load when engaged by three defenders to his right to Jaylan De Groot who ran the ball from thirty to within twelve metres of the try line. The 42nd minute then saw Arama Hau run the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball from thirty eight to twenty four metres from the try line.

Playing seventy one minutes Arama Hau ran for 137 metres (forty four post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.2 second and made sixteen tackles.

Arama Hau also started at lock in Round Twenty One against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in the 19th minute from the right of the play the ball Arama Hau ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty two to twenty two metres out.

Also from the right of the play the ball in the 25th minute Arama Hau ran from twenty to thirty three metres from the try line before getting a two handed off-load away to his right. Then in the 27th minute from the left of the play the ball Arama Hau got the ball from six metres inside his half to ten metres into Redcliffe territory. From the right of the play the ball in the 34th minute Arama Hau ran from forty to twenty eight metres from the try line.

Arama Hau also did well in the 71st minute to chase a Jets grubber kick into the in-goal and then grab the Dolphins right winger after he had taken possession of the ball by the collar and throw him over the dead ball line.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match Arama Hau ran for ninety metres (thirty five post contact), broke a team leading six tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.78 seconds and made twenty one tackles at a tackling efficiency of 91.3%.

Arama Hau continued at lock in Round Twenty Two against the Burleigh Bears with Arama Hau making the fifth hit-up of the match to get the ball out to the forty six metre mark.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 6th minute Arama Hau ran the ball from thirty two to forty three metres from the try line and then in the 34th minute from the right of the play the ball Arama Hau stepped off his right foot to break a tackle to carry the ball from twenty to within four metres of the try line ten metres in from the left corner post.

Arama Hau ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball in the 44th minute from twenty one to ten metres from the try line. Also in the 48th minute from the right of the play the ball Arama Hau ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty two metres from his try line to the halfway mark with 70% of the metres being post contact. Then in the 65th minute from wide on the right Arama Hau ran from thirty two to twenty metres from the try line.

Playing all eighty minutes Arama Hau ran for 110 metres (thirty post contact), broke a team leading four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.45 seconds and made nineteen tackles.

Arama Hau also started at lock in Round Twenty Three against the Souths Logan Magpies and in the 2nd minute from the right of the play the ball Arama Hau was able to carry the ball from thirty four to forty six metres from the try line.

From two passes to the left of the dummy half in the 6th minute Arama Hau carried the ball through the centre of the field from forty seven to thirty four metres from the try line with approximately 76% of the metres post contact. Then in the 30th minute from the left of the play the ball and forty two metres from the try line Arama Hau dummied to an inside runner and then ran five metres inside Souths Logan territory. Also in the 58th minute from the left of the play the ball Arama Hau trapped a poor pass with his legs twenty eight metres from the try line before running to his right to within thirteen metres of the try line.

Arama Hau did well defensively in the 12th minute when along with Jaylan De Groot they held up the Magpies front rower No. 8 over the try line seven metres to the left of the goal posts.

Playing the entire match Arama Hau ran for eighty seven metres (thirty nine post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.13 seconds and made twenty four tackles at a 96% tackling efficiency.

In total in the 2024 Queensland Cup competition Arama Hau played in nineteen matches for the Ipswich Jets scoring seven tries. Arama Hau also made seven line breaks, made twenty nine off-loads, made 416 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.5% and ran for 1 856 metres at a per match average of ninety seven metres.

In early May 2023 Arama Hau signed for the 2023 season with the United Kingdom’s Featherstone Rovers in the English Super League Championship.

Arama Hau played his first match for Featherstone Rovers off the bench against Widnes with Arama Hau coming on in the second half to operate at left second row with Arama Hau producing three off-loads including one that directly led to a Rovers try.

Arama Hau then started at left second row and played the first 65 minutes in Featherstone's 64 - 6 win over Barrow. Arama Hau recorded a try assist with a nice off load and scored a try himself when Arama Hau got on the end of a grubber kick to ground the ball in the ing0al.

Arama Hau then started from the bench in a big 50 – 6 Featherstone victory against the London Bronco’s.

Round Six against Whitehaven saw Arama Hau once again start at lock at score in the 38th minute of a big 60 – 0 victory for Rovers with a strong eight metre run on the left side of the field to carry one defender over the try line to score ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Arama Hau then started at left second row against Swondon with Arama Hau scoring a double with Arama Hau’s opening try coming as a result of a charge to the left of the play the ball from twenty metres out and after breaking through the defensive eline, Arama Hau stepped off his left foot to beat the fullback and score next to the left upright.

Arama Hau continued at left second row against Barrow with Arama Hau continuing his rty scoring run in the 55th minute. Arama Hau then scored a double in a big Rovers victory against Swinton.

Arama Hau then scored another double as well as recording a try assist against the Sheffield Eagles. Arama Hau then continued at left second row in a 36 – 6 victory against Keighley.

Impressively Arama Hau was named the 2023 Featherstone Rovers Rookie of the Year.

In November 2022 Arama Hau commenced training in the Titans NRL 2022/23 off-season on a train and trial basis. The 2022/23 off-season also saw Arama Hau also undertook a number of off-season sessions with the Burleigh Bears Queensland Cup squad.

The powerful second rower or lock initially signed a multi-year contact with the Titans in 2019 and all Arama Hau has done since is dominate opposing sides every time that he has taken the field whether than be in representative sides, school boy rugby league sides for Keebra Park State High School and Queensland and Australian School Boys, for the Nerang Roosters in the Gold Coast Rugby League junior age competitions or Burleigh MM and Colts.

In January 2023 Arama Hau started at right second row for the Titans U19 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights U19’s with Arama Hau one of the Titans best in the trial.

Arama Hau scored the Titans final try of the match in the 69th minute when he ran onto a pass from his left from eight metres out and carrying two defenders over the line with Arama Hau getting the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field to get the Titans within ten points of the Knights.

The first of a number of strong runs from Arama Hau in the match came in the 11th minute with Arama Hau running the ball down a right blindside before getting away a smart right arm off-load to his left.

In the 29th minute Arama Hau from just two metres out from his own try line ran the ball down a right blindside getting the ball eighteen metres away from his own try line.

Arama Hau made more good metres in the 57th minute when he ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and after Arama Hau took possession thirty seven metres out from the try line, Arama Hau stepped off his right foot to beat one defender and get the ball to twenty one metres out from the try line.

Then in the 67th minute Arama Hau engaged the defensive line around thirty metres out with Arama Hau then able to get an off-load away to his inside back to James Frazer who burst away downfield from around thirty metres out but James Frazer subsequent pass went to ground.

In early February 2023 Arama Hau was named in the 2023 Queensland Rugby League Emerging Origin U19 squad.

In early December 2022 Arama Hau took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS squad members and the Titans NRL off-season squad.

In late 2022 Arama Hau was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts squad after playing a number of matches for the Bears in the Colts competition when still U18 eligible in 2022. Arama Hau is also Colts eligible in 2024.

Arama Hau started at left second row in the Bears late February 2023 Hastings Deering’s Colts trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Arama Hau producing a number of his trade mark off-loads in the Colts trial.

2023 saw Arama Hau named on the bench in the Courier Mail School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup School Boy Rugby League Team of the 2020’s.

In late July 2022 Arama Hau was part of the Titans U19 squad that played a North Queensland Cowboys squad as a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL Round Twenty match against Canberra at Cbus Stadium.

In late January 2022 Arama Hau started at lock for the Titans U19 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side with Arama Hau making the first of a number of strong runs in just the 5th minute when he made ten hard metres from a hit-up to the right of the dummy half to get the ball thirty metres away from his own try line.

Arama Hau then played a key part in Ryan Foran’s 11th minute try that commenced well inside the Titans own territory with a hit-up from Arama Hau. After engaging the Burleigh defence Arama Hau produced a right arm off-load to Jaylan De Groot who burst through the Burleigh defence before veering to his left as he approached the Bears fullback and then passed back across his body to his left to find a flying Ryan Foran thirty two metres out. As soon as he received the ball Ryan Foran cut off his right foot to beat one defender and then cross the line.

Arama Hau continued his strong start to his match in the 13th minute with a strong fifteen metre effort which saw Arama Hau cutting off his on two separate occasions after taking the ball to the right of the play the ball to get the ball just over the halfway mark.

In his second stint on the field in the second half, Arama Hau in the 63rd minute showcased his ball playing skills when on the right side of the field, Arama Hau took the ball to the line and threw a good flat ball to put Jayden Wright into a gap.

Arama Hau was able to produce another trademark offload in the 75th minute even with his back to the try line when he was able to get his right arm free to get the ball away to Keano Kini.

Arama Hau continued to work hard until the final siren and literally in the last minute, to the right of the play the ball, he ran an underneath route from Thomas Weaver and after initial contact with the defensive line was able to get an off-load away to Oscar Bryant who then threw a long cut-out pass to Jaylan De Groot who subsequently put Elijah Lui over to score in the left corner as the final siren sounded.

In late July 2022 Arama Hau started at lock for a Titans U19 side that played their annual match against the North Queensland Cowboys that was played as a curtain raiser at Cbus Stadium to the Titans Round Twenty NRL match against the Canberra Raiders.

Arama Hau made a strong run in the 17th minute down the right channel from his own twenty metre mark to get the ball to thirty two metres out and then in the 35th minute Arama Hau made another strong hit-up down a short blindside with Arama Hau tackled nine metres out near the right touchline after making nineteen metres.

Arama Hau made another strong run in the 55th minute when he bumped off two would be tacklers in a fifteen metre run through the centre of the failed to get the ball within two metres out the halfway mark after making fifteen metres.

I do not recall seeing a match that Arama Hau has played where he does not get an off-load away and the match against the Cowboys was no different when in the 66th minute Arama Hau attacked the Cowboys line before getting a right arm off-load away to Thomas Weaver ten metres out from the try line.

Arama Hau made one of the better defensive efforts of the match in the 30th minute with a big hit as North Queensland were trying to bring the ball out of their own twenty metre area and then in the 59th minute after the North Queensland replacement dummy half (No. 14) broke through the Titans line, Arama Hau chased hard to catch him from behind just ten metres out from the try line to prevent a near certain Cowboys try.

In mid-December 2021 Arama Hau had the opportunity to train with the Titans NRL squad in a joint training session between the Titans NRL squad and the Titans JTS Program Squads.

In late October 2021 Arama Hau was named in the Burleigh Bears 2022 U18 MM Cup squad for the second season in a row.

Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Arama Hau named at lock and captain for the Burleigh Bears against the Easts Tigers however the match was rained out due to extreme weather conditions.

Arama Hau was then named to start lock once again in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies and also Round three against the Norths Devils with Arama Hau taking the third hit-up after the Norths kick-off.

Arama Hau recorded two try assists against the Devils, the first of which came in 21st minute when after receiving the ball from the dummy half fifteen metres from the line and to the right of the play the ball, Arama Hau fractionally moved to his right and sent a short ball to a charging VJ Semu who crashed over.

Arama Hau’s second try assist came in the 69th minute when he got a good right arm off-load away for Bears fullback Karauria Stokes-Mahara to score under the posts. Arama Hau originally received the ball just inside North’s territory when he ran onto a Joseph Shannon left arm off-load. After receiving the ball Arama Hau stepped of his left foot to beat one defender before Arama Hau straightened up and charged forward getting all of the way to ten metres out before he off-loaded to Stokes-Mahara to score.

Prior to his second try assist Arama Hau, in the 67th minute made a line break when after he received the ball on the right side of the field Arama Hau stepped off his right foot to gain separation making twenty five metres to get within fifteen metres of the try line.

Arama Hau then continued at lock in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Arama Hau recording an impressive try assist in the 41st minute. After good work on his inside by Wailer Whaiapu and Josiah Pahulu, Arama Ahu on the left side of the field ran onto a Bailey McConnell pass, charging fifteen metres and then in the tackle of one of the Tigers cover defenders Arama Hau got a great right arm off-load away to Karauria Stokes-Mahara who dived over in the right corner.

Arama Hau produced a great heads up play in the 28th minute when he flew off the try line in defence to rag doll the Wynnum Manly halfback before he could execute any type of kick with Arama Hau forcing the changeover.

Then in the 33rd minute Arama Hau produced a trademark off-load when after charging ten metres into the defensive line to the right of the dummy half and Arama Hau was able to get his right arm free to off-load the ball to Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki.

Mid-way through the second half in the 47th minute Arama Hau executed a big front on hit on the Tigers lock with the ball coming loose as a result of Arama Hau’s heavy initial contact. Arama Hau produced another strong defensive play by way of a great try saving tackle in the 54th minute when along with Joseph Shannon he held up the giant Easts Tigers No. 8 and then forced him back in the field of play.

Such was the quality of Arama Hau’s performance that he was named in the second row in the Courier Mail’s MM Cup Round Four Team of the Week.

Arama Hau was also named at lock for Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins however a late tactical change saw Arama Hau start the match at right second row.

Arama Hau’s first strong run of the match came in just the second minute when Arama Hau received the ball to the left of the play the ball eighteen metres out, stepping off his left foot to beat the initial defender that confronted him but Arama Hau just kept pushing forward getting all of the way forward to two metres out near the left corner.

Arama Hau made a further strong charge in the third minute when he broke three tackles in a seventeen metre run down a left blindside. Then in the 7ht minute Arama Hau surged sixteen metres down the left channel to get the ball thirty eight metres away from the try line.

In the 28th minute Arama Hau ran the ball to the right of the play the ball with the run commencing near halfway. Two right foot steps of Arama Hau’s beat Devils defenders with Arama Hau then rumbled eighteen metres downfield however his off-load to his left unfortunately went to ground.

Late in the match Arama Hau almost set up a try for Bailey McConnell when after engaging the Redcliffe right side defensive line Arama Hau got his right arm free to off-load to his left to Bailey McConnell around fifteen metres from the line but the Bears halfback was dragged down just short of the try line.

Arama Hau was also named to start at left second row in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls however he was a late scratching from the match when he was called up for his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut for Burleigh in Round Two of the Colts competition against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Arama Hau was then named to start at left second row in the rescheduled Round One match against the East Tigers.

Arama Hau had a number of positive defensive moments in the match including in the 11th minute when he tracked a Tigers attacking play to his left and manhandled the Tigers five eight just out from the try line after the five eight had very nearly sliced through the Burleigh defensive line.

The 20th minute saw Arama Hau engage the defensive line once again to the left of the play the ball with Arama Hau making twenty two metres after crossing into Tigers territory, breaking three tackles along the way.

A minute later in the 21st minute Arama Hau was able to promote the ball a further twenty five metres, approximately 60% of which were post contact metre to get the ball over the halfway mark.

Then in the 24tht minute Arama Hau once again charged onto the ball to the right of the dummy half and broke through the defensive line making a further twenty two metres breaking three tackles along the way before getting an off-load away to his right to centre Jayviah Nomotu who was able to promote the ball a further twenty odd metres.

Arama Hau was named at lock for the Burleigh Bears second 2022 trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Arama Hau scoring an outstanding solo try in the 25th minute. Whilst operating down a left blindside and after receiving the ball Arama Hau looked to pass to his left but instead Aram Hau was able to make a line break from twenty five metres out. Arama Hau was then able to outpace Michael Roberts down the left touchline to dive over to score in the left corner.

Arama Hau had previously produced a trademark off-load in the when he went into the line down the left channel and was able to off-load to Zinzan Kahu.

Starting in the 35th minute, Arama Hau was heavily involved in a sequence where Burleigh marched the ball downfield. Initially Arama Hau made fifteen metres down a right blindside from a Burleigh scrum win deep inside their own territory with the run catching the Tweed Heads left side defence off-side.

Arama Hau took the hit-up from the subsequent penalty restart making a further ten metres before Arama Hau was once again awarded a penalty on that occasion after being hit high by the Tweed Heads defence. Arama Hau’s initial hit-up from the Burleigh scrum win started from his own twenty but after the restart from the second penalty Burleigh were on the attack just ten metres from the try line.

Arama Hau also started at lock in Burleigh’s final trial against the Western Clydesdales and scored in the 67th minute when he backed up Keahn Skipps to receive the ball ten metres out and produced a right foot step to beat the fullback and cross the try line ten metes from the left upright.

Arama Hua had actually crossed the line in the 8th minute next to the left upright but the referee ruled that Arama Hau had run behind the team mate and as a result impeded the defence.

In the 12th minute Arama Hau made a strong run to the halfway mark down the right side of the field with Arama Hau making fifteen metres. Then in the 20th minute Arama Hau ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half making twelve metres before Arama Hau produced a trade mark right arm off-load to his hooker who was able to promote the ball further downfield.

Arama Hau made a further strong run in the 67th minute when he made eighteen metres from a Burleigh scrum win deep inside the Western Clydesdales territory.

Arama Hau produced an exceptional piece of play in the 12th minute when defending two metres from his own try line, Arama Hau produced a great one on one strip and then charged downfield making fifty five metres to immediately put Burleigh on the attack.

In late April 2022 Arama Hau was named in the 2022 Queensland Rugby League U18 Emerging Origin Squad.

In late May 2022 Arama Hau also represented South Coast in the U18 QSSRL School Boy Championships starting Match One against Northern at lock with Arama Hau taking the second hit-up of the match.

Arama Hau then did very well in the 9th minute when he got low and stopped the Northern hooker cold right on the try line after the hooker had tried to burrow over from dummy half from close range.

Arama Hau also started at lock in Match Two against Met North and took the third hit-up of the match, getting the ball to twenty five metres out from his own try line.

Arama Hau then came close to scoring in the 7th minute when after receiving the ball on the bounce to the left of the dummy half Arama Hau ran back to his right and came within centremetres of scoring near the right upright.

At the conclusion of the Championships Arama Hau was named in the 2022 Queensland Open School Boy Rugby League Representative side and just prior to the commencement of the Championships, Arama Hau was named by the Courier Mail as the 48th best U18 Rugby League player in Australia, a number which seemed to me at least to be way way too low for Arama Hau.

Arama Hau started at left second row in Queensland’s opening round of the Championships against the Australian Capital Territory with Arama Hau recording a try assist in the 15th minute he after bursting through a gap from forty metres out, Arama Hau drew the ACT fullback and passed to his right ten metres out to put Jye Gray over to score next to the posts.

Arama Hau also recorded a line break assist in the match when in the 7th minute and thirty five metres from his own try line, Arama Hau executed a great catch and pass down a left blindside to put his winger away on a twenty five metres run down the left sideline.

Arama Hau also made a strong run in the 27th minute when he charged fifteen metres down a left blindside before off-loading in a tackle to his left centre to promote the ball further downfield. Arama Hau also made another strong run in the 34th minute down the left channel, making ten metres to get the ball within forty metres of the try line.

Arama Hau also started at left second row in Match Two being the semi-final against NSW CIS with Arama Hau scoring a great double in a big Queensland victory.

Arama Hau’s opening try came in the 13th minute when he forced his way over in the left corner after receiving the ball eight metres out with Aram Hau sliding across the try line in the wet conditions feet first. Also from a trivia perspective Arama Hau ran with the ball in his left arm but put the ball down over the line in his right.

Arama Hau completed his double in the 28th minute when from eight metres out he charged onto a pass from his right to force his way through three tackles to get the ball down eight metres to the right of the uprights. In fact Arama Hau did very very well to take the pass as he took the ball on his right side below the knees and just a fraction behind him.

Arama Hau also recorded a line break assist in the 19th minute when with NSW CIS on the attack they lost the ball forward directly in front of the posts with Arama Hau picking up the ball confidently just five metres out from the line and charged fifteen metres downfield before producing a great ball to his right in heavy traffic to Jye Gray who made a fifty metre line break downfield.

Arama Hau recorded a further line break assist in the 39th minute when after taking the ball down a left blindside Arama Hau executed a right arm off-load to his left winger who raced away down the touchline before being tackled three metres from the left corner post.

It was not just running the ball where Arama Hau excelled against the NSW CIS as in the 5th minute Arama Hau hustled to his left to make a great covering tackle on the NSW CIS right centre who had threatened to burst straight through the Queensland left sided defensive line with Arama Hau’s strong initial contact forcing the ball loose.

Arama Hau also started at left second row in Queensland U18 ASSRL Championships Grand Final victory over NSW CHS with Arama Hau scoring in the 44th minute when Arama Hau charged onto a good ball into a gap from six metres out and after being tackled around the legs, Arama Hau reached out to get the ball down in his right arm eight metres in from the left corner post.

The first of Arama Hau’s strong runs in the match came in the 7th minute when Arama Hau took on the defensive line from forty metres out from his own try line before getting away a trademark right arm off-load to Jye Gray to promote the ball further.

Arama Hau made another strong run in the 13th minute from the left of a Queensland scrum win twenty metres out from the Queensland try line with Arama Hau making eleven metres. Then just two minutes later in the 15th minute Arama Hau made a further fifteen metres to twenty five metres out of the try line after cutting back underneath Jye Gray who had run to his left.

Yet again in the 29th minute Arama Hau made eighteen more metres to ten metres out from the try line after a charge down the left channel. The in the 39th minute Arama Hau made nineteen metres, breaking three tackles along the way to get the ball thirty seven metres away from the Queensland try line.

Arama Hau made some telling tackles in the final none better however than in the 59th minute when he held up the giant NSW CHS No. 18 over the try line next to the right upright.

Arama Hau’s outstanding performances over the course of the 2022 ASSRL U18 Championships saw Arama Hau named in the Australian School Boys Squad for their Fijian tour with Arama Hau presented with the No. 16 jersey prior to heading to Fiji.

Arama Hau started from the bench for the Australian School Boys in their match against Fiji Schools with Arama Hau coming onto the field late in the first quarter to operate at right second row before Arama Hau moved to left second row later in the Australian School Boys big win.

Post the 2022 ASSRL U18 Championships, the Courier Mail released a revised Top 50 Australian U18 Rugby League Players with Arama Hau being the biggest mover on that list by moving all the up to fifth on that list.

Arama Hau was also noted by the Courier Mail by being named on various other lists including the Best Mobile Big Men and Most Explosive Players.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Arama Hau named to start at lock and captain for Keebra Park State High School against Ipswich State High School however he was a late scratching from the match.

Arama Hau was then named at lock for Round Two against Coombabah State High School and recorded a great try assist in just the 7th minute when he chased through a Keebra park SHS mid-field bomb that the Coombabah SHS fullback let bounce. With the ball bouncing high near the try line Arama Hau leapt above the pack and in one movement then off-loaded to his left to Xavier Asi who just had to fall over the line to score Keebra Park SHS’s opening try.

Arama Hau recorded a second try assist in the 58th minute when after receiving the ball fifty five metres out down a short left blindside, Arama Hau dummied to his left to break the line and charged forty five metres downfield before drawing the Coombabah SHS fullback to put his left winger over in the corner to bring up fifty points in the match for Keebra Park SHS.

Arama Hau was also heavily involved in Xavier Asi’s 34th minute try when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball Arama Hau cut back towards the left side of the field, all of the way holding the ball in his left hand before off-loading to his left to Eli Tuli who then was able to put Xavier Asi away to score in the left corner.

It was clear that Arama Hau was going to have a big match inside the opening minute when he took the fourth hit-up of the match to get the ball to forty metres out from his own line.

Arama Hau then took a further strong hit-up in the 17th minute from a Coombabah SHS kick-off and after breaking six tackles Arama Hau was finally stopped just six metres short of the half-way mark.

Arama Hau continued at lock in Round Three against Marsden State High School with Arama Hau involved in the opening tackle of the match after Keebra Park SHS had kicked-off to get the match underway.

Arama Hau put an exclamation mark on an outstanding performance with a 59th minute try assist when from twenty metres out Arama Hau charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and away getting to within eight metres of the line was able to get away a right arm off-load to his left to put his hooker after under the posts.

The 13th minute saw a trademark off-load from Arama Hau when from the right of the play the ball Arama Hau made twelve metres to get Keebra Park SHS deep onto the attack before producing a great right arm off-load to his hooker who got the ball to within three metres of the try line.

Arama Hau got off his feet and from the play the ball Arama Hau received the ball to the left of the play the ball directly in front of the posts and then immediately cut back to his left but even in heavy traffic Arama Hau was able to get an off-load away to left as he was going to ground.

Arama Hau made a line break in the 48th minute when from the right of the play the ball near the halfway mark Arama Hau burst through the Marsden SHS defensive line and made an impressive twenty metres before three defenders finally got Arama Hau to ground.

Arama Hau made a further line break in the 55th minute when he made twenty metres after getting through the Marsden SHS defensive line to get the ball over the halfway mark.

Arama Hau made a good effort defensively in the 44th minute when he was able to hold up his opposite number directly under the posts.

Arama Hau’s performance against Marsden SHS was such that he was named at lock in the Courier Mail Langer Cup Round Three Team of the Week.

Arama Hau continued at lock in Round Four against Wavell State High School in a match that was played as a curtain raiser to the Titans v Bronco’s NRL match with Arama Hau leading Keebra park SHS to an 18 – 12 victory with a Player of the Match performance.

Arama Hau’s strong contribution to the victory started in the 21st minute with a strong charge from twenty five metres out and to the right of the play the ball, with Arama Hau rumbling to within five metres of the try line.

Arama Hau made another strong run in the 24th minute when after receiving an off-load from Tyrell Waka-Rhind, Arama Hau cut towards his inside and broke five tackles in a powerful eighteen metre run.

Arama Hau made a further line break in the 41st minute when after taking possession to the left of the play the ball and forty metres out Arama Hau stepped off his right foot before executing a left arm fend to beat a further defender with Arama Hau getting to within eleven metres of the try line near the left touchline.

Arama Hau’s strong match continued in the 55th minute when after making fifteen metres and being engaged by multiple defenders Arama Hau got away a good left arm off-load with his back facing the try line.

Arama Hau also made a number of very effective tackles against Wavell SHS including in the 17th minute when the Wavell SHS right centre broke the defensive line bursting over the halfway mark but Arama Hau raced across to his left and smashed the centre just as he was getting towards his top speed.

Arama Hau also started at lock in Round Five against Redcliffe State High School with Arama Hau showing his strength in the 51st minute to score. Arama Hau received the ball to the left of the paly the ball near the centre of the field around fourteen metres out and ran to his left. After getting rid of one would be defender with a right arm fend, Aram Hau ducked under the attempted tackle of another defender before forcing his way over to score with two defenders on him to get the ball down mid-way between the corner post and goal post on the left side of the field.

Arama Hau had earlier come close to scoring in the 26th minute when he charged down an attempted Redcliffe SHS clearing kick with Arama Hau coming very close to taking possession just out from the Redcliffe SHS try line but the fullback got back just in the nick of time.

Arama Hau made another strong charge in the 27th minute with Arama Hau making twelve metres before getting away a right arm off-load to his right winger.

Arama Hau then did well in the 55th when as Redcliffe SHS were bring the ball out of their own territory Arama Hau executed a one on one strip to put Keebra Park SHS immediately on the attack.

Arama Hau continued at lock and captain in the Round Six local derby against PBC SHS with Arama Hau showcasing his exceptional ball playing skills in the 9th minute when after running at the PBC SHS defensive to the left of the play the ball, Arama Hau dummied to his inside before immediately throwing a great short pass to the opposite side being his left to a charging Eli Tuli to almost break through the PBC SHS defensive line.

Arama Hau made a strong charge of his own in the 19th minute when from five metres inside his own territory Arama Hau charged onto the ball of the left of the play the ball with Aram Hau breaking three tackles as he charged twenty metres into PBC SHS territory.

Then in the 24th minute after Arama Hau was awarded a penalty thirty metres out from the try line, Arama Hau took a quick tap and charged slightly to his left to get the ball to within eleven metres of the try line and ten metres in from the left touchline.

Arama Hau continued his strong match in the 33rd when from deep in his own territory Arama Hau ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball with Arama Hau cutting back to his right to make a twenty five metre line break that included a 360 degrees counter clockwise spin.

Then in the 37th minute Arama Hau once again charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball thirty five metres from the try line with Arama Hau only tackled when he got within ten metres of the try line.

Round Seven of the Langer Cup competition saw Arama Hau start at lock against Mabel Park SHS and was heavily involved in Wailer Whaiapu’s 46th minute try with Arama Hau recording a line break assist that led to Wailer Whaiapu’s try. Forty metres out from the line, Arama Hau received the ball to the right of the play the ball and took the ball to the defensive line before throwing an inside ball to his front rower who then charged away, drew the fullback and got the ball away to Wailer Whaiapu who scored under the posts.

Arama Hau then started at lock in Keebra Park SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Marymount College with Arama Hau along with EJ Finau making the opening tackle of the match after Keebra Park SHS had kicked off. Arama Hau made a further strong tackle in the 6th minute when from a Marymount College penalty tap restart, Arama Hau charged forward and smashed the Marymount College front rower No. 10 with Arama Hau’s heavy hit forcing the front rower to lose the ball.

In the 13th minute Arama Hau ran the ball to the right of the play the ball from forty metres out from his own try line with Arama Hau making twenty metres before getting away a trade mark off-load.

Arama Hau made another strong charge in the 51st minute from a Keebra Park SHS penalty tap restart with Arama Hau receiving the ball twenty five metres out from the try line and charging to five metres out before he was finally stopped by multiple Marymount College defenders. The in the 58th minute Arama Hau made a smart twenty metre run to get the ball to the halfway mark.

Arama Hau also started at lock and captain in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-Final against PBC SHS with Arama Hau making a strong line break in the 25th minute when Arama Hau burst onto the ball to the right of the play the ball twenty metres out from his own try line with Arama Hau charging forty metres downfield before being brought down by PBC SHS fullback Keano Kini.

At the completion of the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup competition Arama Hau was named at lock in the 2022 Courier Mail Langer Cup Team of the Season. Arama Hau was also named as the sixth best School Boy Rugby League or Rugby player in the 2022 Courier Mail Top 30 school boys.

At the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Sports Awards Arama Hau was named the 2022 Senior Sports Person of the Year. Arama Hau was also named the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Most Valuable Player and was also named in the second row in the 2022 Keebra Park SHS Rugby League eam of the Year.

Arama Hau started at left second row in Round Two of the 2022 Hastings Deering’s Colts competition for the Burleigh Bears in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and what a debut Arama Hau had by scoring a first half double.

Arama Hau’s first Hastings Deering’s Colts try came in the 28th minute when after receiving the ball around twenty two metres from the line Arama Hau charged forward, dummying to his left, before executing a left foot step to beat Jaylan De Groot to score a great debut Colts try six metres in from the left corner post.

Arama Hau completed his double in the 37th minute when he charged onto the ball as it was spun to the right from close to the left touchline with Arama Hau bursting between two defenders ten metres out from the line and after that no one and I mean no one was going to stop Arama Hau from running around to put the ball down under the posts.

In fact Arama Hau almost scored in the 20th minute when after a seven metre run he got over the try line under the posts before being forced back into the field of play.

Arama Hua’s first touch of the ball in the Hastings Deering’s Colts competition came in just the second minute of the match. Arama Hau then continued his strong match in the 43rd minute making a tough twelve metres to get Burleigh inside their attacking twenty metre area.

Arama Hau continued his outstanding Hastings Deering’s Colts debut in the 53rd minute when after receiving the ball down a wide left blindside around eight metres from the try line, Arama Hau cut back to his right spinning 360 degrees twice and getting to around a metre out from the line next to the left upright before his forward momentum was halted.

Arama Hau proved that his game is not all about attack in the 54th minute with a crunching left shoulder tackle on his opposite number.

Arama Hau continued at left second row in Round Three against the Western Clydesdales and was heavily involved on Samuel Shannon’s sixth minute try when he engaged the Clydesdales defensive line on the left side of the field from close range and after drawing in a number of defenders Arama Hau was able to get a right arm off-load away which then went through hands until Samuel Shannon crashed over.

Just prior that in the 3rd minute Arama Hau made a strong seventeen metre line break down the left channel to within forty metres of the try line with Arama Hau then awarded a penalty to put Burligh deeper into attack.

Arama Hau made a further line break in the 19th minute when from near halfway Arama Hau ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half and in a great run Arama Hau broke an exceptional seven tackles before once again producing a great right arm off-load to his fullback to promote the ball further.

Arama Hau was once again named at left second row for Burleigh in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies however he was a late scratching after being selected in the Queensland U18 Emerging Origin Squad.

2022 also saw Arama Hau line up for the Nerang Roosters once again in the GCRL U18 Division One competition with Arama Hau starting at halfback in Round Thirteen against the Runaway Bay Seagulls.

Arama Hau recorded a try assist in the 11th minute when from ten metres out and to the left of the play the ball Arama Hau threw a long, hard, flat cut-out pass to his left to put Kyen Murphy over to score in the left corner.

Arama Hau was also heavily involved in Jeremaiah Temapo’s 26th minute try when Arama Hau ran the ball to his left from a Nerang scrum win with Arama Hau throwing an overhead pass to fullback Shannon Donaldson who then got the ball away to Jeremaiah Tempo who beat two defenders to score.

Arama Hau made a line break of his own in the 15th minute when he charged twenty five metres down a short left blindside to get the ball within twenty five metres of the try line.

Arama Hau recorded a further line break in the 37th minute when he ran onto a Xavier Collins off-load from his right with Arama Hau charging twenty five metres into Runaway Bay territory before Arama Hau put in a left foot grubber kick back towards the centre of the field with the kick being knocked on by Runaway Bay. Nerang scored from the subsequent scrum win through Jeremaiah Temapo.

Arama Hau then started from the bench in Round Sixteen against the Burleigh Bears with Arama Hau scoring a long range try in the 36th minutes when whilst defending on the left and just two metres out from his own try line, Arama Hau took a hard Burleigh kick on the full and ran ninety eight metres down the field to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Arama Hau also made a line break in the 29th minute when after receiving the ball from Josh Lynn from a Burleigh kick-off, Arama Hau produced a powerful right arm fend to beat the initial Bears defender with Arama Hau then bursting forty metres down the left touchline but unfortunately his pass inside back to Josh Lynn went to ground.

In January 2021 Arama Hau started from the bench for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights and was outstanding when he came on with a number of powerful charges as the Titans came away with an impressive 32 – 20 victory with no conversions take and the match played in hot and steamy conditions.

In his time on the field Arama Hau worked on both the left and right sides of the ruck and as noted above produced some outstanding charges, none more impressive one than late in the first half when from the left second row position Arama Hau surged twenty metres downfield with most of the ground that he made being accounted for post contact with the Knights defensive line. Late in the second half, Arama Hau produced another outstanding run, charging fifteen metres downfield after receiving a before the line short off-load from Joseph Shannon.

Early in the second half Arama Hau showcased his own off-loading skills when he produced an outstanding one armed (right arm) off load to Shane Davis-Caldwell with three defenders trying to get him onto the ground. Late in the match, Arama Hau produced another outstanding one armed off-load this left with his left arm when he was able to offload to Shane Davis-Caldwell once again.

Arama Hau put an exclamation mark on his attacking performance with a great twenty metre charge from the Titans set of six after Keano Kini’s try when he knocked Newcastle forwards backwards as he steamed through the centre of the ruck.

Defensively Arama Hau was also very effective, including a try saving tackle mid-way through the second half. The Knights attacker actually got over the Titans line right under the posts, but before he could get the ball down, Arama Hau literally just lifted him off the ground and drove him back and then crunching him into the ground back in the field of play in a display of immense power and strength.

Even late in the match, Arama Hau continued to work hard and with Newcastle looking to bring the ball off their own line, Arama Hau made three impressive tackles in a row to force the Knights to kick from deep inside their own twenty metre area. Arama Hau’s first tackle in the three tackle sequence was a huge front on hit on the Knights second rower No. 11 which stopped him in his tracks. Whipping his head back in the process.

From the subsequent play the ball, Arama Hau monstered the Knights No. 17, rag dolling him backwards and then to complete the sequence Arama Hau took the legs out from under the No. 20 before he had made any ground at all to mean that in the three tackle sequence, Newcastle had not made any ground at all and were definitely on the back foot as a result.

In June 2021 Arama Hau had a distinction of captaining the Titans U17 JTS squad that played at Cbus Stadium against a Titans Northern Rivers U18 selection, with the match being played as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.

Arama Hau had an outstanding match including a great off-load after he charged downfield thirty metres before getting his right arm free and offloading to his left to Keano Kini who raced away from forty five metres out to score a spectacular try untouched.

Arama Hau’s first hit-out with the 2021 Burleigh Bears MM Cup side came when he started at lock in the Bears second trial against the Easts Tigers.

Arama Hau had a very impressive trial building into the match in the opening minutes with a great charge in just the 2nd minute of the match, making eight metre post contact. Arama Hau was at it again in the 12th minute of the match when another powerful charge from inside his own territory netted sixteen hard fought metres. As he tried to get to his feet after the strong run Arama Hau was held down thus winning the Titans well deserved penalty.

Arama Hau continued his great running game in the 33rd minute with another strong carry, making a further twelve metres, plenty of which was post contact. Arama Hau impressively in the final minute was still running as hard as he had in the opening minutes, making a further twelve metres in his last hit-out of the match even though the match had been well and truly won by the Titans.

Arama Hau was just as effective defensively in the match including a huge front on tackle on the Easts No. 20 in the 25th minute just saw the ball jolted lose such was the force of Arama Hau’s initial contact on the ball carrier.

Also in the 50th minute, Arama Hau came out of the line when defending on the right of the ruck to smash his opposite number dropping him on the spot as he was trying to bring the ball out of his own territory.

After missing Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition Arama Hau was named to start at lock for Round Two against the Ipswich Jets and was one of the Bears try scorers in their impressive 44 – 16 victory.

Arama Hau had a strong first half with his try coming in the 10th minute of the match. Arama Hau ran the ball to the right, starting his run from eleven metres out. Arama Hau cut back off his left foot on two occasions getting Arama Hau in the area behind the play the ball and once there Arama Hau straightened out to burst through and score three metres from the left upright.

A minute prior to scoring, Arama Hau was also part of a long Burleigh break down the left side of the field. Arama Hau took the ball off Caleb Gould-Waiariki who was the dummy half and after a bustling ten metre, run off-loaded to Caleb Gould Waiariki who darted thirty metres down field with Arama Hau scoring just two tackles later.

Arama Hau continued his powerful running post his try, including in the 13th minute when he charged to his right, making ten metres before offloading to his right to Tuvalli Khan-Pereira to keep the movement going in the Ipswich Jets twenty metre area.

In the 46th minute, Arama Hau continued to be almost unstoppable with a seventeen metre run from a play the ball restart with at least eleven of those metres post contact as he fought with the Jets defenders who found it difficult to get Arama Hau to the ground.

Arama Hau was at it again in the 63rd minute with a skilful display of his hand/eye co-ordination. With Ipswich on the attack close to the line, the Jets five eight put in a hard grubber kick, Arama Hau got low and scooped the ball up from around ankle height cleanly five metres out and immediately accelerated to get the ball to near the twenty metre mark and take all of the pressure of the Burleigh defence.

Arama Hau just could not be kept out of the match and in the 66th minute, produced a winding run that made ten metres, breaking two tackles along the way to get the ball to the Ipswich twenty metre mark.

Even with the match won, Arama Hau just kept going and in the 69th minute, Arama Hau made twelve more metres to add to his impressive match total, with the effort bringing the ball out to the twenty metre mark.

Arama Hau once again started at lock in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and for me was the best player on the field on the way to recording a try assist and at least two line break assists.

Arama Hau’s first contribution of the match came in the opening tackle of the match when he monstered Tweed Heads lock Jordan Lewis after Burleigh were penalised for being offside from the kick-off. Arama Hau backed that tackle up by then tackling Jack Cullen who took the next hit-up.

Over the course of the match against the Seagulls Arama Hau provided extremely difficult to get to the ground and that was the case in the 6th minute when Arama Hau was able to get a great one handed off-load for Brody Smitka to promote the ball forward.

Just three minutes later in the 9th minute Arama Hau produced a big run of eighteen metres. Arama Hau was initially hit by the defence after just eight metres but he just kept fighting forward to gain ten post contact metres.

Arama Hau’s huge match continued in the 12th minute with a ten metre charge before a right arm off-load by Arama Hau to Kaden Somerville enabled Burleigh to continue to make ground.

Just five minutes later in the 17th minute saw Arama Hau once again make significant metres, this time twenty metres, breaking three tackles along the journey to get Burleigh just over the halfway mark.

The halftime break did not slow Arama Hau down as in the 41st minute of the match he charged onto the ball to the left of the dummy half for all intents and purposes looking like he was going to take the ball into the defensive line but at the last moment before contact Arama Hau threw a great short ball to his left to Carsen Patu in space to record a line break assist.

After Patu was brought down Arama Hau flew onto the ball from Patu’s play the ball engaging the Seagulls defensive line before throwing a great left arm offload to his left to put Travis May into a big gap (another line break assist for Arama Hau) with the Burleigh five eight getting to within ten metres of the try line.

Then in the 53rd minute Arama Hau produced another strong run to the left of the play the ball breaking four tackles on the way to making eighteen metres to get the ball close to the twenty metre mark.

After that exceptional sequence of events most players would have sat back for a couple of minutes but not Arama Hau as in the 57th minute he charged onto the ball on the left side of the field, surging twenty metres including a clockwise spin to break one tackle then Arama Hau threw a great right arm off-load to an unmarked Jeremaiah Temapo to run fifteen metres to score in the left corner.

Arama Hau followed his try assist up in the 63rd minute with yet another strong run on the left before cutting back to the right side of the field and offloading to Tuvalli Khan-Pereira who as able to get the ball to within fifteen metres of the try line. Arama Hau’s run gaining fifteen metres.

Arama Hau was also named to start at lock for Round Four match against the Souths Logan Magpies.

Arama Hau also started at lock in Round Five against the Ipswich Jets. Burleigh were immediately under pressure in the opening moments of the match and but for Arama Hau and team mates, Seth Nikotemo and Tuvalli Khan-Pereira, Ipswich would have opened the scoring in the 4th minute when the Ipswich No. 10 was held up over the line.

Arama then rocked the entire Cbus stadium with a huge hit on the Ipswich lock early in the first half who had run an underneath route running right into the shoulder of Arama Hau who certainly did not miss.

Arama Hau was involved in an even bigger earth trembling collision when in the 58th minute Arama Hau smashed into Ipswich front rower and fellow Titan Josiah Pahulu after a Burleigh kick-off with the contact stopping both players in their tracks, it was great to see and let’s call the outcome a draw!

In the 51st Arama Hau contribution to the Bears comeback victory moved to his running game when he produced a strong run into the defensive before he spun around and got away a right arm offload to Delahia Wigmore who was able to get to within five metres of the try line.

Arama Hau then backed that effort up by taking the hit-up after Wigmore had played the ball, offloading once again, this time to his right, two further passes to the right later, Burleigh scored near the right corner.

Round Six being the final regular season round of the 2021 MM Cup competition saw Arama Hau once again named at lock in the local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls however he was a late scratching from the match.

In the Queensland Rugby League 2021 MM Cup Player of the Year Award Arama Hau was awarded three votes.

Post the 2021 MM Cup competition, Arama Hau once again played for the Nerang Roosters in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition with his first appearance coming in Round Two of the U18 Division One competition when he interestingly started at five eight against the Currumbin Eagles.

I am not sure whether Arama Hau has ever played at five eight before but he had an outstanding match from the position and could not have started the match any better including fielding the kick off in his own in-goal and then he backed that up by taking the second hit-up of the match to get the ball thirty metres away from his own line.

Arama Hau recorded a try assist in the match in the 42nd minute when he drifted across field to his right and put his right centre Taniela Lotaki into a gap sixteen metres out.

One of the key features of Arama Hau’s match was his off-loading, the Eagles just could not handle it. Arama Hau’s first off-load came in the 7th minute when after taking the line on, Arama Hau was able to get the ball away to his hooker. The in the 12th minute, Arama Hau once again charged at the line to get within two metres before he was able to get his right arm free and off-load to Dorian Lotaki.

Another Arama Hau off-load came in the 29th minute when he ran the ball into the Currumbin defensive line and then was able to get his right arm free to offload to his fullback, Arama Hau stayed alive subsequently getting the ball back from the fullback and then Arama Hau burst through two tackles and once again producing a right arm off-load to get the play going.

Arama Hau took another hit-up in the 42nd minute to the left of the dummy half out to the thirty metre line before once again producing a right arm offload to his fullback to back a further ten metres.

In the 25th minute Arama Hau once again took the Currumbin line on with his effort starting just four metres out from his own line with Arama Hau getting the ball out to the twenty metre line before he was tackled. Arama Hau was subsequently awarded a penalty when he was prevented from getting to his feet. Arama Hau took a quick tap, making a further ten metres, before you guessed it, he offloaded once again with his right arm.

Just three minutes later in the 38th minute, Arama Hau once again produced a right arm offload after engaging the defensive line, on that occasions inside the attacking twenty metre area. In the 48th minute a right arm flock pass from Arama Hau after he had engaged the line from a Nerang scrum win enabled his right centre to make ten metres.

Arama Hau put an exclamation mark on his match in the 57th minute when he charged at the defensive line, making twelve metres before offloading to one of his front rowers with the pass coming less than ten metres from the try line.

Arama Hau started at halfback in Round Three against Runaway Bay and scored as the Roosters recorded a 22- 4 win.

Arama Hau scored once again in Round Four after moving to five eight as his Roosters side defeated the Ormeau Shearers 30 – 14.

In Round Five against the Southport Tigers, Arama Hau came off the bench in the Roosters 34 – 12 victory and also come off the bench in Round Six against the Helensvale Hornets, before moving back into the starting side at five eight in Round Seven against Mudgeeraba.

Arama Hau also continued at five eight in Round Nine against the Currumbin Eagles and scored a double in Nerang’s hard fought loss.

Round Ten against the Runaway Bay Seagulls saw Arama Hau start at right centre and score one of the individual tries of the year to date in the 50th minute.

Arama Hau originally received the ball forty five metres from the line to the right of the play the ball and initially shaped to pass to his right before cutting back to his left. Subsequent left and right foot steps saw Arama Hau beat two defenders and then he produced a great right arm flick offload to his trailing fullback. Arama Hau then kept alive to get the ball back from the fullback ten metres out. Aram Hau then proceeded to beat four defenders to crash over adjacent to the left upright to score a try few others would have even come close to scoring.

Arama Hau moved to halfback against the Burleigh Bears and had a very solid game and almost got his name on the try scoring list in the 15th minute when he charged into the ball from fifteen metres out but Arama Hau was eventually held up under the posts.

The Burleigh match also saw Arama Hau record a 36th minute try assist when he ran to his right before throwing a no look short pass to his right second rower to run into a gap to score near the posts.

Arama Hau showed his intelligence in the 20th minute when after finding himself in dummy half on the final tackle close to the line, put in a short right foot grubber kick to force Burleigh to restart from a goal line drop out.

When rugby league recommenced on the Gold Coast in late August 2021 after the Covid 19 lockdown, Arama Hau was named to start at halfback for Nerang in Round Eleven against the Ormeau Shearers.

Round Twelve against the Southport Tigers saw Arama Hau moved to five eight with Arama Hau putting on a dominating display especially in relation to off-loading the ball with Southport simply unable to stop Arama Hau from getting the ball away.

Arama Hau recorded a try assist in the 14th minute of Nerang’s 46 – 6 victory when he took the ball to the line whilst operating on the right side of the field less than ten metres from the line before popping a good short ball to his right to put his lock forward over to score.

Arama Hau was also heavily involved in Immanuel Kalekale’s 44th minute try. The movement started 100 metres downfield with Southport on the attack. After Southport put in a short grubber kick, Arama Hau picked up the ball on the bounce on his own goal line and raced sixty metres downfield before positioning Jeremaiah Temapo in his inside after he had cut in off his right wing.

After receiving Arama Hau’s inside pass, Jeremaiah Temapo passed to his left to Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki as three Southport defenders converged on him. Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki then ran twenty five metres to cross the line on the right side of the field before bringing the ball around to under the posts and then waiting for Immanuel Kalekale to get there.

The first of many off-loads from Arama Hau came in just the 3rd minute of the match when after making twenty metres from a strong charge through the centre of the ruck to the halfway mark which included a strong left arm fend, Arama Hau produced a good right arm off-load with the ball going to the left side of the field.

Arama Hau added another right arm off-load in the 9th minute after a hit-up on the left side of the field accounted for twenty more metres before getting the off-load away. Then just two minutes later in the 11th minute Arama Hau ran to the left side of the field, breaking the line from fifteen metres out before he was able to produce a great right arm flick off-load to traffic to his lock who got to within a metre of the line. The 13th minute saw Arama Hau off-load once again after he made fifteen metres running to his right.

Then in the 24th minute, Arama Hau made a line break down the left touchline with his run commencing just inside his own territory. When he was confronted by the Southport fullback Arama Hau put in a left foot kick back towards centre field which was retrieved by the Nerang left centre.

Arama Hau produced a smart effort in the 38th minute when after a Southport kick went dead in goal, Arama Hau raced out to the twenty metre line for a quick restart making fifteen metres with the Southport defence still back peddling.

Arama Hau added another off-load in the 40th minute when he took the defensive line on from twenty five metres out, getting to within ten metres of the line before Arama Hau was able to off-load to his right to his lock.

Arama Hau continued at five eight and captain in Round Thirteen against the Helensvale Hornets, recording two try assists as well as kicking a conversion for Nerang’s final try of the match with a solid left foot strike from just to the right of the uprights.

Arama Hau’s opening try assist came in the 18th minute when he moved into dummy half eight metres from the line. After moving subtly to his right he passed in the same direction to put one of his second rowers over next to the right upright.

Arama Hau added a second try assist in the 25th minute when he received the ball still eighty five metres out from the try line to the right of a Roosters scrum win. Arama Hau initially stepped off his right foot and then dummied in the same direction before stepping off his right foot once again to beat two defenders as break through the Helensvale line before drawing the Helensvale fullback and pass to his right to put Taniela Lotaki over in the right corner.

Arama Hau also made a line break in the 28th minute when he ran the ball down a short right blindside making forty metres before once again off-loading to send Taniela Lotaki forty metres further upfield.

Arama Hau made yet another line break in the 53rd minute when he made a winding twenty five metre run that included four dummies and four tackle breaks to get the ball to ten metres inside Helensvale territory.

Arama Hau’s strong match kicked off in the 13th minute when he made fifteen metres after running to the left after a Roosters scrum before off-loading to his left near the halfway mark.

Arama Hau off-loaded once again in the 44th minute when he ran down the left side of the field before producing a right arm off-load whilst in contact with two defenders.

Arama Hau was really showcasing all of his skills against Helensvale and showed off another in the 28th minute when he put in a left foot grubber kick from twenty metres out into the in-goal to his left with the Helensvale fullback subsequently being trapped in-goal.

Arama Hau then started the 2021 GCRL U18 Division One Preliminary Final at five eight and captain for the Roosters against the Ormeau Shearers and scored one of the Roosters tries as they qualified for the 2021 GCRL U18 Division One Grand Final on the back of an 18 – 16 victory.

Arama Hau scored in the 43rd minute when after receiving the ball on the right side of the field twenty metres out from the line, Arama Hau ran diagonally at the line with the ball out of in front of his body in two hands, shaping to pass back inside and also to his outside on a number of occasions. As he approached the defensive line, Aram Hau pulled the ball back in and broke three tackles to score wide out on the right side of the field.

The Preliminary Final saw Arama Hau also recorded a try assist in the 54th minute. Aram Hau ran onto the ball fifty five metres out from the line and to the left of the play the ball. Upon receipt of the ball Aram Hau cut to his left before straightening up and beating two defenders to break through the line. Arama Hau then ran thirty metres before drawing the Ormeau fullback and passing inside to his right to put Hasley McDonald over under the posts for what was ultimately the match winning try.

Early in the match, in the 7th minute to be exact, Arama Hau was also involved in the Roosters opening try when he threw the final pass on the left side of the field, twenty metres out for his right second rower to score wide out.

In the 2021 Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One Grand Final Arama Hau started at five eight and captained the Roosters side against the Helensvale Hornets and made an immediate impact on the Helensvale side with a monster hit in the opening minutes of the match on the Helensvale left winger who was trying to bring the ball off his own try line.

Arama Hau also recorded an impressive Grand Final try assist in the 45th minute when after receiving the ball on the halfway mark to the left of the play the ball, Arama Hau stepped off his left foot just after receipt of the ball to beat the initial defender before a left arm palm eliminated a second. Arama Hau then burst between two defenders to break into space and as he approached the Helensvale fullback, Arama Ahu stepped off his left and then stepped off his right to position Delahia Wigmore who ran thirty metres to score.

Arama Hau added a second Grand Final try assist in the 50th minute when he burst onto a pass from Dorian Lotaki just ten metres from his own line after the hooker had retrieved a Hornets attacking kick. Arama Hau beat two defenders to break into space and charged downfield. Near the forty metre line Arama Hau was surrounded by three defenders but had the foresight to put in a left foot grubber kick towards the right side of the field which was perfectly weighted for Kyen Murphy to run onto and score a great try.

Arama Hau then recorded a line break assist in the 58th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field, he ran parallel to the Helensvale defensive line, drawing one defender out of the line before throwing a good short ball to his left to put Delahia Wigmore through a big gap.

Arama Hau was also involved in Kyen Murphy’s 35th minute try. Nerang spun the ball to the right with Arama Hau having to dive forward full length to take the ball, half Josh Lynn looped around behind the prone Arama Hau receiving the ball and then Josh Lynn threw a cut out pass to his right to Kyen Murphy in space with the fullback then able to beat three tackles to dive over in the right corner.

The 42nd minute of the Grand Final saw Arama Hau add a line break assist to his impressive match when after charging onto the ball to the left of the dummy half sixty metres from the try line, Arama Hau engaged one defender who tried to tackle him low but Arama Hau was able to maintain his balance and throw a great right arm off-load around the corner to his left to put Delahia Wigmore away with the second rower eventually off-loading for Jeremaiah Temapo to score near the left corner post.

The Grand Final saw Arama Hau make a lot of ground on his own from five eight, including in the 20th minute when he broke five tackles in a weaving run to get the ball inside Helensvale’s twenty metre area before off-loading to his right.

In the 6th minute, after a strong hit-up and off-load by Jeremaiah Temapo, Arama Hau received the ball on the left side of the field from Dorian Mapausua-Lotaki. After receipt of the ball around twenty metres from the line, Arama Hau drew the Helensvale right winger to send Delahia Wigmore away on an eighty metre run down the left touchline to score an outstanding Roosters team try.

In February 2021 Arama Hau took part in the South Coast Open school boy trials and was named on the bench for the South Coast Open A school boy side as a result of his trial performances, however he did not end up playing for South Coast in the Championships.

2021 also saw Arama Hau line up for Keebra Park PBC State High School in the South East Queensland School Boy Langer Cup competition starting Round One at lock against Marsden State High School.

Arama Hau could barely have gotten involved earlier in the match as in just the 2nd minute of the match, Arama Hau charged onto the ball, making twelve metres before getting his right arm free and getting away on off-load ten metres out directly in front of the posts. Arama Hau then took another hit-up just two tackles later.

With Keebra Park under intense pressure in the 8th minute, Arama Hau produced a try saving tackle on Marsden second rower Jieye Mauai who had charged at the try line from close range.

Arama Hau also started at lock in Round Two against Mabel Park State High School, making a strong twelve metre run from the fourth hit-up of the match and then in the 56th minute, Arama Hau made a big run on the left side of the field making fifteen metres before producing a sublime right arm off-load with three defenders on him.

Arama Hau continued at lock in Round Three against Ipswich State High School and had a big match including an initial contribution in the 10th minute when he made a strong fifteen metres over the halfway mark and then was able to off-load. Arama Hau made a further strong run in the 14th minute when he made twelve metres with at least 60% of those metres post contact.

Arama Hau continued his strong match in the second half, including in the 47th minute when he charged through a gap near halfway before off-loading to his left. Keebra Park scored later in the same play when De’ontae Perese received an off-load six metres from the line and put the ball down under the posts.

From the set of six from the above mentioned try, Arama Hau made a further twenty five metres and once again was able to off-load on that occasion to Blake Mozer.

Arama Hau continued at lock in Round Four against St Mary’s College Toowoomba and also started at lock in the Round Five local derby against PBC.

After the competition was suspended for a number of weeks due to a Covid 19 lock down, Arama Hau was named at lock for Keebra Park State High School in their semi-final against PBC State High School with Arama Hau taking Keebra Park’s opening hit-up of the match.

Arama Hau was outstanding for Keebra Park in the match and came close to scoring in the 21st minute when a strong charge resulted in Arama Hau being held up over the line, directly under the posts.

Arama Hau added a line break to his impressive match with a great thirty metre effort through centre field.

At the 2021 Keebra Park State High School Sports Awards Night Arama Hau was named at lock in the 2021 Keebra Park Team of the Year.

In late August 2021, Arama Hau was named in the Queensland City U17 squad for a two match series against a Queensland U17 Country squad with Arama Hau starting the match from the bench.

Playing twenty five minutes Arama Hau ran for ninety eight metres (thirty two post contact), made a line break, broke four tackles and made eleven tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Arama Hau took the field for the Titans in February 2019 for one of their two U15 sides at Mudgeeraba that played round robin matches against each other and the Western Mustangs.

As a result of his performance in that game and over recent seasons, Arama Hau, in early 2019 deservedly signed a contract with the Titans which will keep him with the club for the next couple of seasons at least.

In January 2020 Arama Hau started in the second row for the Titans U16 side that defeated the Newcastle Knights U16 Harold Matthews side in Coffs Harbour in January 2020 18 -14 in wet and slippery conditions.

In February 2020 Arama Hau was named in the Gold Coast Vikings U16 Training Squad but unfortunately the South East Queensland U16 pre-season Challenge was cancelled just days before the Challenge was set to start in Ipswich.

Arama Hau played the 2020 school boy rugby league season as part of the Keebra Park Year Ten Walters Cup side, including starting at left second row in their 14 – 12 semi-final 14 – 12 loss to Marsden State High School. A match that saw Arama Hau score a double with both tries coming in the second half.

Arama Hau’s first try came when he ran down a short blind side, breaking four tackles whilst maintaining his balance to slam the ball down one handed a metre in from the left corner post. In relation to his second try, Arama Hau had initially came back underneath a Keebra Park play to the left but did not get the ball, Arama Hau reset himself to take the hit up from the subsequent play the ball, taking the ball to the right off the dummy half, before cutting back behind the play the ball to charge over to bring Keebra Park within two points late.

Arama Hau also had an outstanding match earlier in the year in the Walters Cup regular rounds against St Mary’s in Round Five, scoring an outstanding try and well as one of the best hit-ups I have seen by a rugby league forward.

Arama Hau’s try came in the second half of Keebra Park’s big 52 – 0 victory. Arama Hau took the ball three passes off the ruck on the left side of the field, bursting through the St Mary’s line and charging seventy metres down the left touch line, easily beating the St Mary’s fullback with pace and was even able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts.

As noted, in the match Arama Hau also made one of the best runs that I have seen. In the opening minutes of the match from a tap restart from a Keebra Park penalty, Arama Hau took the ball off the penalty restart charging onto the ball from forty metres out, powering through the initial defensive line and dragging four defenders to within ten metres of the try line. Keebra Park scoring from the ensuing play the ball.

Arama Hau played the 2020 club season with the Nerang Roosters in the Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Division One competition including an outstanding display at lock in Round Nine against Runaway Bay and was the Roosters sole try scorer in the match when he dived to ground the ball with his right hand from a kick from the Nerang dummy half that had rebounded into the in goal area. Arama Hau was in the thick of what was an intense forward battle in the hard fought 10 – 4 loss.

Arama Hau also started at lock as Nerang took on Runaway Bay in the 2020 U16 Division One Major semi-final and scored as well as recording a try assist as Nerang defeated Runaway Bay 36 – 4. Arama Hau’s try assist came early in the first half. Arama Hau took a hit up to the right of the play the ball, cutting back into the area behind the play the ball and offloading a pass out of the back of his left arm to his support runner to score.

Arama Hau’s try also came in the first half when he charged onto a pass from the dummy half to the left and the play the ball, bursting through two defenders at the defensive line to score, fifteen metres in from the left corner post.

In late October 2020, Arama Hau was named in the 2021 Burleigh MM Cup squad.

In late 2019 Arama Hau was part of the Titans U15 side that defeated a touring Balmain Tigers U15 side 38 – 14 with Arama Hau starting the match from the bench, coming on to play in the left second row position.

Over the 2018-19 off season Arama Hau transferred from Helensvale to the Nerang Roosters, starting from the bench in their U15 Division One Round One match against Ormeau but coming into the starting side in Round Two in the second row and maintaining his place in the Roosters starting side for the remainder of the 2019 season.

In total in the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One regular season competition in 2019 Arama Hau played in eleven matches for the Roosters playing the vast majority in the second row scoring three tries, with those tries coming against Helensvale in two separate matches and Ormeau.

In Week Two of the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One Finals series Arama Hau started in the second row against Runaway Bay and also started in the second row in the Preliminary Final as Nerang defeated Helensvale 22 – 18.

In the 2019 GCRL U15 Division One Grand Final Arama Hau was simply outstanding starting at left second row scoring two tries as Runaway Bay prevailed in a hard 36 – 22 win over Runaway Bay. For me Arama Hau was clearly the best player on the field in the Grand Final.

Arama Hau’s first try came in the first half after he received the ball as Nerang threw the ball out to the left, Arama Hau cut back inside as the Runaway Bay defence slid across but they could not stop a great charge from Arama Hau who scored under the posts dragging two defenders over the line with him.

Arama Hau scored his second try in the second half, after he made a long break down the right touchline passing back inside before going into touch. Arama Hau moved into dummy half from the resultant play the ball to dive over down a short blind side from about a metre out to the right of the play the ball.

2019 also saw Arama Hau represent South Coast at the QSSRL U15 Championships in Ipswich with South Coast going through undefeated, with Arama Hau scoring against Met East on Day Three of the Championships when he was able to score under the posts after a typically powerful hit-up which saw Arama Hau drag a number of defenders over the line with him once again.

Arama Hau was also a stand-out performer for Coombabah State High School in their various schoolboy rugby league competitions in 2019 which resulted in his selection in the South Coast school boy U15 representative side for the U15 QSSRL Championships.

In 2018 Arama Hau started in the front row in the Gold Coast Rugby League U14 Division One Grand Final and was on the victorious side as the Hornets defeated Coomera 29 – 12 along with a number of others Titans players.

In the 2018 U14 Division One competition in total, Arama Hau played in eleven matches, scoring his sole try in Round One against Beaudesert and kicked two goals, including one in the match against Beaudesert (converting his own try from memory) to finish the season with eight points.

In 2018 Arama Hau was part of the Helensvale Hornets U14 side that took part in the Tassell Trophy competition in Northern Queensland and scored a try in the final as Helensvale won the competition courtesy of a 40 – 6 win over the Western Lions in the final.

Arama Hau also made a number of representative sides in 2018, including playing for the Gold Coast Vikings U14 side in the South East Queensland Age Championships where he played primarily in the second row and scored against the Ipswich Diggers.

Arama Hau scored one try in the 2018 U14 Championships scoring on Day One as SEQ Green defeated SEQ White 20 – 14, fellow Titans that also scored in that match were Joseph Shannon and Nicholas Hilton.

That was the second occasion Arama Hau had represented the Vikings after being part of the U13 squad in 2017.

Arama Hau was also part of the Helensvale Hornets U14 side that won the Tassell Trophy in 2018 scoring in the Hornets 40 – 6 Tournament final victory over the Western Lions.

Post the South East Queensland U13 Championships in 2017, Arama Hau was selected in the South East Queensland Green side for the Queensland Age Championships and played four matches from the bench including the final against South East Queensland White.

Arama Hau is a powerful runner of the ball who runs with a slight jink, usually off his right foot, in his step prior to impacting the defensive line and from when he receives the ball until he hits the defensive line Arama Hau is able to build up significant momentum.

Arama Hau shows some more than reasonable pace when in the clear for a player his size and certainly in terms of his speed off the mark Arama Hau has some decent speed for a front rower. Also when he has impacted the defensive line he continues to pump his legs and gain extra metres after contact.

As noted he is a solidly built young second rower with outstanding footwork Arama Hau and also shows will show flashes of the ability to off load the ball and with experience this attribute will continue to develop both in terms of when he has impacted the defensive line and prior to contact.

Arama Hau’s lateral movement is outstanding for a big second rower and he is powerful enough to combat the largest of opponents looking to run through the centre of the ruck yet has the mobility to be an effective defender on the fringes of the ruck as well.

Another impressive aspect of Arama Hau’s play from a defensive stand point is the speed at which Arama Hau gets around the field, for a player of his size, Arama Hau has more than decent speed and mobility.

Late 2023 saw Arama Hau return to Australia at the completion of the United Kingdom Championship seasonwith Featherstone Rovers with Arama Hau starting at left second row in eight of his ten matches for Rovers.

Early November 2023 saw Arama Hau start the Titans NRL pre-season on a 2024 NRL Development Contract. With his oversees experience in 2023 with Featherstone Rovers Arama Hau made an impact in the Queensland Cup for the Ipswich Jets in 2024 as well as making his NRL debut in the final round.

If he does not start the 2025 season in the Titans Top 17 Arama Hau will continue to bide his time in the Queensland Cup with the Ipswich Jets.

Arama Hau spent time in the front row in 2018 at the U14 representative level but even though I am sure that he could be able to play well in the front row over the next couple of seasons, however I am of the opinion that Arama Hua’s ultimate future continues to lie in the second row.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Arama Hau I would consider a player comparison with Canterbury Bulldogs, former Penrith Panthers and Fiji International destructive left second rower Viliame Kikau as more than appropriate. Both Kikau and Arama Hau are exceptionally destructive on the fringes of the ruck on the left side and take a power of stopping by defences. Similarly both Kikau and Arama Hau have great off-loading skills that can unlock a defence at any time, no matter how well drilled they are.

Arama Hau is one heck of a player, of that there is absolutely on doubt.

 

[mdrew]

Austin Marsters. In late 2024 Austin Marsters was named in the 2025 Burleigh Bears U19 MM Cup squad.

Day One of the 2024 QSSRL U18 School Boy Rugby League Championships saw Austin Marters start from the bench for South Coast Maroon against Peninsula with Austin Marsters coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 18th minute.

Day Two of the 2024 QSSRL U18 School Boy Rugby League Championships saw Austin Marsters start at hooker for South Coast Maroon against Met East and in the 22nd minute after receiving an off-load Austin Marsters ran to his left to carry the ball from forty one metres to nineteen metres from the try line.

Austin Marsters also started at hooker on Day Three against Met West with Austin Marsters kicking three conversions, the first in the 25th minute from the left touchline. Austin Marsters added a second conversion in the 30th minute from four metres to the left of the posts with Austin Marsters making it three conversions for the match in the 32nd minute from directly in front of the goal posts.

Austin Marsters also recorded a try assist in the 32nd minute when after moving out of dummy half to his right with the play the ball five metres out and to the right of the posts Austin Marsters threw a good short pass to his left to Tavake Tau’a’alo who crashed over to score under the posts.

Austin Marsters started at hooker in the 2024 QSSRL School Boy Rugby League Championship Final against Met East with Austin Marsters kicking two conversions and a 30th minute penalty goal from directly in front. Austin Marsters kicked his first conversion in the 8th minute from the left touchline and then kicked a second conversion from the left touchline in the 35th minute.

Austin Marsters came close to scoring in the 33rd minute only to be held up over the try line after running out of dummy half to his left and after dummying in the same direction Austin Marsters ran to his right before being held up next to the right upright.

The 59th minute saw Austin Marsters run out of dummy half to his right on the halfway mark with Austin Marster putting in a short right foot chip kick and after his chip kick was recovered by his five eight Austin Marsters got the ball back and charged to within fourteen metres of the try line.

Austin Marsters did well defensively in the 17th minute when along with Bobby Smith, Austin Marsters held up the Met East No. 17 five metres to the right of the goal posts.

Round One of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition saw Austin Marsters start at hooker for Keebra Park SHS against Wavell SHS with Austin Marsters coming close to scoring in the 33rd minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball fourteen metres from the try line and after dummying to his left Austin Marsters stepped off his right foot and as a consequence was able to force his way over the try line only to be held up four metres to the left of the goal posts.

Austin Marsters moved to lock for Round Two against Caloundra SHS.

Austin Marsters also started at lock in Round Three against Redcliffe SHS and in the 15th minute from the left of the play the ball and forty seven metres from his try line Austin Marsters ran the ball through the centre of the field to within thirty two metres of the try line before getting an off-load away to his right to Tama Darlington.

Austin Marsters was back at hooker in Round Four against Marsden SHS with Austin Marsters scoring the match winning try in the 58th minute when Austin Marsters burrowed his way over the try line from close range after running out of dummy half to get the ball down six metres in from the right corner post.

Even though he was wearing the No. 9 jersey Austin Marsters also started at lock in Round Five against Ipswich SHS with Austin Marsters scoring in the 15th minute when after taking possession of the ball in front of the posts sixteen metres out and directly in front of the posts Austin Marsters burst through three attempted tackles and carried another over the try line to get the ball down under the posts.

Austin Marsters continued at hooker in Round Six against Mabel Park SHS with Austin Marsters recording a try assist in the 12th minute when from dummy half three metres out and ten metres to the right of the posts, Austin Marsters stepped to his right before hitting the second runner being Zac Kumbamong with a pass to his right to score under the posts. Austin Marsters then converted the try.

The 43rd minute saw Austin Marsters run out of dummy half to his left through the centre of the field from forty to twenty seven metres from the try line.

Austin Marsters also started at hooker in the Round Seven local derby against PBC and in the 41st minute from the left of the play the ball Austin Marsters ran the ball from thirty three metres from his try line to within four metres of the halfway mark before getting an off-load away to his left.

Austin Marsters continued at hooker in Keebra Park SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS with Austin Marsters kicking a conversion in the 58th minute from two metres in from the right touchline.

Austin Marsters did well in the 47th minute to take a Mabel Park SHS short kick-off to Keebra Park SHS’s right on the full facing his own try line and then get the ball back to within ten metres of the halfway.

Earlier in the 5th minute along with Anton Whaiapu, Austin Marsters held up the Mabel Park SHS front rower No. 8 over the try line under the posts.

Austin Marsters started at hooker for Keebra Park SHS in their Langer Cup semi-final against PBC SHS with Austin Marsters scoring in the 48th minute eight metres to the left of the posts after receiving a pass from his left from Mason Barber.

Austin Marsters had come close to scoring earlier in the match in the 7th minute whoever his run out of dummy half to his right from four metres out saw him held up over the try line by three PBC SHS defenders ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

In late September 2023 Austin Marsters was named in the 2024 Burleigh Bears U19 Mal Meninga Cup squad.

Round One of the 2024 MM Cup competition saw Austin Marsters start from the bench for the Burleigh Bears against the Souths Logan Magpies with Austin Marsters and after coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 44th minute Austin Marsters ran to his right out of dummy half from eighteen metres out to get within five metres of the try line just to the left of the goal posts.

Austin Marsters continued from the bench in Round Three against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Austin Marsters coming onto the field in the 50th minute to operate in the dummy half role.

Austin Marsters also started from the bench in Round Five against the Norths Devils and after coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 55th minute Austin Marsters did well in the 63rd minute to turn and chase a Norths short kick-off with Austin Marsters jumping high to take the kick-off on the bounce whilst facing his own try line just in from of multiple Devils chasers.

Austin Marsters also started from the bench in Round Six against the Brisbane Tigers and after coming onto the field to operate as a running forward mid-way through the second half Austin Marsters ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball to carry the ball from twenty metres out to the thirty metre mark.

In the 62nd minute after receiving an off-load from Ray Puru, Austin Marsters was able to get an off-load away of his own to his left to Bailey McConnell who as a result was able to make twelve metres through the centre of the field. Then in the 66th minute after receiving another off-load Austin Marsters ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty eight metres from his try line to forty metres out.

Austin Marster then started at lock in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Austin Marsters running on the ball to the left of the dummy half in the 9th minute from five metres inside his own territory to get the ball five metres into Burleigh territory.

Austin Marsters also started from the bench in Round Ten against the Souths Logan Magpies and after coming onto the field late in the match to operate at dummy half Austin Marsters recorded a try assist in the 65th minute when from dummy half with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line and to the right of the goal posts, Austin Marsters skipped out of dummy half to his left and after holding up the pass to allow a lead runner to pass Austin Marsters threw a well weighted ball in the same direction to Brady Turner who scored under the posts in part of a result of Austin Marsters sleight of hand.

Round Two of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition saw Austin Marsters start at lock for the Southport Tigers against the Burleigh Bears with Austin Marsters kicking four conversions with the first coming in the 23rd minute from eight metres in from the left touchline. Austin Marsters kicked his second conversion in the from the right touchline in the 32nd minute with Austun Marsters kicking a conversion from the left touchline in the 35th minute. Austin Marsters then kicked another conversion from the right touchline in the 54th minute.

Austin Marsters came close to scoring in just the 3rd minute when after receiving the ball in the centre of the field, twelve metres out and in the centre of the field Austin Marsters stepped off his right foot to get over the try line to the left of the goal posts only to be held up over the try line. Austin Marsters was also held up over the try line in the 60th minute with a charge to the left of the play the ball from twelve metres out only to be held up by multiple Bears defenders mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Austin Marsters also played a key role in Tono Fomai’s 23rd minute try with a great tip on to his left to his halfback with Tino Fomai scoring wide out on the left later in the same movement. Then in the 35th minute from the right of the play the ball Austin Marsters ran through the centre of the field from ten metres inside his own territory to eight metres into Burleigh territory before getting a off-load away to his left. A tackle later Austin Marsters made an additional thirteen metres to within twenty three metres of the try line.

Austin Marsters also ran the ball through the centre of the field in the 37th minute to the right of the dummy half with Austin Marsters after a slight juggle to receive the pass bumped off one defender before shrugging away from another two and then pushed past three more as Austin Marsters carried the ball from twelve metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Burleigh territory.

Austin Marsters also forced a Burleigh goal line drop-out in the 43rd minute when in the centre of the field and to the left of the play the ball Austin Marsters put in a right foot chip into the in-goal with the Bears fullback trapped in-goal to force the goal line drop-out.

Austin Marsters did well defensively in the 31st minute to hold up the Burleigh replacement forward No. 16 under the posts.

Austin Marsters continued at lock in Round Three against the Coomera Cutters with Austin Marsters scoring twice in a big Tigers victory.

Austin Marsters scoring his opening try in the 2nd minute when after receiving an off-load from his left twelve metres from the try line and in the centre of the field Austin Marsters ran to his right and after easily brushing off one defender Austin Marsters got the ball down four metres to the right of the goal posts.

Austin Marsters completed his double in the 17th minute with a twelve metre from the left of the play the ball with Austin Marsters easily bursting through two attempted tackles to get the ball down ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Austin Marsters also recorded a try assist in the 37th minute when from ten metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Austin Marsters dummied to his left to let a Coomera defender go by before throwing a pass to Edward Pirika who scored four metres in from the left corner post.

In the 5th minute from the left of the play the ball and just to the right of the goal posts and forty metres from the try line Austin Marsters put his left winger away with the winger then off-loading for his halfback to score.

In the 39th minute after taking a quick tap in the centre of the field and forty four metres from the try line Austin Marsters ran to his right and after throwing a dummy Austin Marsters engaged a defender but was able to disengage from him with a counter clockwise spin before dummying to his right before spinning clockwise to get to the twenty two metre mark. Then in the 59th minute on the halfway mark and to the right of the play the ball Austin Marsters stepped off his right foot twice then off-loaded the ball to his left thirty four metres from the try line.

Austin Marsters then moved to five eight in Round Four against the Helensvale Hornets and in the 13th minute Austin Marsters from the left of the play the ball broke an astonishing seven tackles as he crashed and barged his way from twenty two metres to within four metres of the try line.

Austin Marsters came close to scoring in the 49th minute from a twelve metres straight hard charge from a Southport penalty restart with Austin Marsters actually forcing his way over the try line only to be forced back into the field of play by four Helensvale defenders.

Austin Marsters did well defensively in the 43rd minute when he raced to his left in cover defence to tackle the Hornets left winger into touchline twenty metres from the try line.

Austin Marsters started at lock in Round Seven against the Burleigh Bears with Austin Marsters recording a try assist in the 18th minute when from the centre of the field forty metres from his try line and to the left of the play the ball Austin Marsters shaped to pass to his left before bursting through a gap on the halfway mark and rumbling twenty two metres into the Bears half before drawing the fullback and off-loading to his left to put his halfback over to score in the left corner. Austin Marsters then converted the try from the left touchline.

Austin Marsters made the fourth run of the match through the centre of the field from the right of the dummy half to carry the ball from thirty to forty two metres from his try line. Then in the 26th minute Austin Marsters also carried the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball to get from thirty six to within twenty five metres of the try line after dummying to his right.

Austin Marsters highlighted his determination in the 51st minute when Austin Marsters chased down a Burleigh line break down the Tigers left touchline with Austin Marsters chasing from deep inside his own territory to be able to corral the Bears right winger just eight metres from the try line.

Austin Marsters also started at lock in Round Nine against the Helensvale Hornets with Austin Marsters recording a try assist in the 58th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball Austin Marsters ran the ball from forty eight to forty three metres from the try line to then put in a right foot chip over the oncoming defensive line with the ball taken on the bounce by the Tigers five eight who raced away to score in the left corner.

The play prior to Austin Marsters’s try assist saw Austin Marsters ran the ball from the left of a Tigers scrum win from eighteen to twenty two metres from the try line and then put a right foot chip towards the left corner with his left winger collecting the ball on the bounce to make a line break down the left touchline.

Austin Marsters also scored himself in the 37th minute when he ran out of dummy half to his left from four metres out only to his held up over the try line under the posts.

Austin Marsters kicked the first of his two conversions in the 39th minute from three metres in from the right touchline with Austin Marsters then kicking his second conversion with a great strike from the left touchline in the 58th minute for a try that he had set up.

Austin Marsters continued at lock in Round Ten against the Beaudesert Kingfishers and in the 14th minute from the left of the play the ball and after dummying to his left Austin Marsters ran himself from forty to twenty four metres from the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 41st minute Austin Marsters shaped to pass to his right before stepping off his right foot to run the ball through the centre of the field from forty two to twenty one metres from his try line. Also in the 44th minute Austin Marsters also carried the ball through the centre of the field from thirty four to twenty metres from hiss try line.

Austin Marsters also started at lock in Round Eleven against the Currumbin Eagles and in the 26th minute from three passes to the left of the dummy half Austin Marsters ran the ball through the centre of the field from forty to thirty metres from the try line.

In the 29th minute after receiving an off-load from one of his front rowers in the centre of the field Austin Marsters was able to, from a standing start, make eleven metres from four metres inside Eagles territory after breaking two tackles including one by way of a clockwise spin. Also in the 33rd minute Austin Marsters was able to break another tackle as he ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty seven to eleven metres of the try line with approximately 80% of the metres being post contact.

Austin Marsters started Round Twelve from the bench and after coming onto the field in the 20th minute at lock Austin Marsters scored in the 34th minute by way of a run out of dummy half to his left from two metres out to crash his way over to score eight metres in from the left corner post.

In the 27th minute from the right of the play the ball and five metres in his own half Austin Marsters carried the ball six metres into the Bears territory and then a tackle later after receiving a pass from his left Austin Marsters broke a tackle as he careered through the centre of the field from thirty five to thirteen metres from the try line.

Austin Marsters put up a high bomb in the 32nd minute from the centre of the field and twenty eight metres out with the Burleigh left winger dropping the ball to give the Tigers six more tackles just seven metres from the try line.

Austin Marsters pulled off a feat that you rarely see when his second half kick-off hit the cross bar on the full and bounced back into the field of play.

Austin Marsters came off the bench to operate at lock for the Southport Tigers in the 2024 GCRL U18 Division One Qualifying Final against the Currumbin Eagles with Austin Marsters scoring in the 43rd minute by way of a hard straight charge from two metres from the try line from a pass from his left from dummy half Tama Darlington to crash over to score under the posts.

In the 33rd minute from the left of the play the ball and after dummying to his left and stepping off his left foot Austin Marsters from twelve metres from the try line Austin Marsters actually got over the try line only to be held up two metres to the left of the posts. Also in the 55th minute from the right of the play the ball Austin Marsters carried the ball from eighteen to within four metres of the try line eleven metres to the left of the uprights.

Austin Marsters started at lock in the Week Two GCRL U18 Division One Final for the Southport Tigers against the Helensvale Hornets with Austin Marsters recording a line break assist in just the 2nd minute of the match when after running the ball from the left of the play the ball from twelve to twenty metres from the try line Austin Marster threw a cut-out pass to his left to put halfback Zac Murphy into space down the left channel.

Austin Marsters started at lock for the Southport Tigers in the GCRL U18 Division One Grand Final against the Helensvale Hornets and in the 6th minute from the left of the play the ball and thirty two metres from the try line Austin Marsters beat two defenders as he carried the ball through the centre of the field to within twenty metres of the try line.

Also from the left of the play the ball in the 35th minute from a standing start Austin Marsters carried the ball through the centre of the field from twenty one to within ten metres of the try line.

Austin Marsters made a good defensive effort in the 13th minute when along with Tama Darlington, Austin Marsters was able to hold up the Hornets front rower No. 10 over the try line five metres to the right of the posts. Then in the 35th minute Austin Marsters smashed the Hornets fullback when he was bringing the ball back from a Southport twenty metre return dropping him cold with his right shoulder.

Austin Marsters made his Gold Coast Rugby league U20 debut in Round Nine of the 2024 season when he came off the bench for the Southport Tigers against the Helensvale Hornets with Austin Marsters making the most of his time on the field after coming on in the 25th minute to operate at dummy half by scoring a try and kicking two conversions.

Austin Marsters scored in the 62nd minute with a burst out of dummy half to his right from three metres out to crash over to score under the posts.

Austin Marsters kicked his first conversion in the 31st minute from two metres to the right of the play the posts with Austin Marsters then converting his own try from directly in front in the 62nd minute.

Austin Marsters executed a smart play in the 29th minute with a one on one strip of the ball from the Hornets right winger twenty six metres from the try line with Austin Marsters getting the ball back to within eighteen metres of the try line.

In October 2024 Austin Marsters was named in the Cook Islands U18 Representative squad.

Austin Marsters is a 2022 Auckland U16 Rugby League Representative lock forward who played his club rugby league in New Zealand with the outstanding and exceptionally well regarded Marist Saints Rugby League in Auckland and in 2023 Austin Marsters has moved over to Australia and is part of the 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup squad.

Austin Marsters first game for the Bears was in their opening 2023 MM Cup trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.



Austin Marsters started from the bench in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Austin Marsters coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 20th minute.

Austin Marsters was named to start from the bench in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Austin Marsters coming onto the field to operate at dummy half in the 27th minute.

Austin Marsters scored a strong solo try out of dummy half in the 41st minute when from thirteen metres from the try line Austin Marsters ran to his right out of dummy half down a right blindside. After being engaged by one defender Austin Marsters was spun around and when facing his own try line Austin Marsters kept backing up and even with four defenders on him, Austin Marsters was able to spin to his left (left going backwards) and get the ball down three metres in from the right corner post.

In the second half of the match Austin Marsters had some outstanding defensive moments including in the 38th minute when along with Zyroam Tauruwa-Herlihy and Bailey McConnell, Austin Marsters made a strong try saving tackle right on the try line on the Wynnum Manly right second rower (No. 12) to stop him from scoring mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Then in the 66th minute the same three players once again produced a further try saving tackle on the Wynnum Manly halfback also right on the try line and on the right side of the field after the Seagulls halfback had tried to step his way through the Bears defensive line.

Austin Marsters was back to his feet immediately and then from the marker position moved to his right and smashed the Wynnum Manly No. 11 to execute yet another try saving tackle.

Austin Marsters also started from the bench in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Austin Marsters coming onto the field to operate as a running back rower in the 24th minute.

Austin Marsters scored in the 46th minute when after the Magpies left winger lost a Bailey McConnell kick backwards into the in-goal Austin Marsters raced through to ground the ball ten metres in from the right corner post.

The match also saw Austin Marsters kick a conversion from his only attempt in the 68th minute when he converted Bailey McConnell’s second try of the match from ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Austin Marsters continued off the bench in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers but literally found himself in the match inside the opening minute as a result of a Bears HIA from the opening kick-off.

Austin Marsters was involved in Isaiah F@galilo’s 16th minute try when after Isaiah F@galilo played the ball ten metres out and in front of the posts Austin Marsters ran the ball out of dummy half to his right before getting the ball back to Isaiah F@galilo who then put in a grubber kick into the goal to score next to the right upright.

Austin Marsters did exceptionally well from a defensive perspective in the 31st minute when he raced to his right to make a great try saving low legs tackle on the Tigers left winger who seemed set to score in the corner.

Austin Marsters then moved to five eight for Round Four against the Norths Devils.

Austin Marsters then came off the bench in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Austin Marsters coming onto the field in the second half to operate in the dummy half role.

Austin Marsters came close to scoring in the 49th minute when from three metres out from the try line Austin Marsters ran to his right out of dummy half only to be held up over the try line adjacent to the right upright.

Austin Marsters also started from the bench in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Austin Marsters coming on to operate in the dummy half role in the 18th minute.

Austin Marsters finished the 2023 MM Cup season making ninety two tackles.

In early March 2023 Austin Marsters was named in the South Coast Maroon School Boy Rugby League Open Representative side for the 2023 QSSRL Championships with Austin Marsters starting from the bench on Day One against Met North with Austin Marsters coming onto the field in the 12th minute.

Austin Marsters also started from the bench on Day Two against Met West with Austin Marsters operating at lock after coming onto the field in the 17th minute. Austin Marsters also started from the bench on Day Three against Capricornia with Austin Marsters coming onto the field in the 19th minute.

Austin Marsters also started from the bench in the Day Four third against fourth play-off against Sunshine Coast and after coming onto the field in the 14th minute Austin Marsters did well in the 31st minute when after engaging the defensive line from a run to the left of the play the ball Austin Marsters was able to get an off-load out the back. Then from the subsequent play the ball Austin Marsters carried the ball to within three metres of the try line.

Late 2022 also saw Austin Marsters enrol at the Titans Partnered Keebra Park SHS with Austin Marsters immediately becoming part of the Keebra Park SHS School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup squad. Austin Marsters will also attend Keebra Park SHS in 2024.

Round One of the 2023 School Boy Langer Cup competition saw Austin Marsters named on the bench for Keebra Park SHS against Ipswich SHS with Austin Marsters coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role late in the first half.

Austin Marsters was also named on the bench for Round Two against Marsden SHS with the match played at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans Round Fifteen NRL match against the Wests Tigers with Austin Marsters coming off the bench to operate in the middle of the field in the first half.

Austin Marsters was also named on the bench in Round Three against Redcliffe SHS and after coming onto the field in the 22nd minute Austin Marsters scored in the 37th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball twelve metres from the try line Austin Marsters ran at the defensive line and after it initially looked as if Austin Marsters would pass the ball to his left, Austin Marsters ran himself instead to break through to tackles before running over the top of the Redcliffe SHS fullback on the try line to score ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Austin Marsters also started from the bench in Round Four against Caloundra SHS with Austin Marsters initially operating at lock when he came onto the field before spending time in the dummy half role as the second half progressed.

Austin Marsters was also named on the bench for Round Five against Wavell SHS with Austin Marsters recording a try assist in the 35th minute when from the right of the play the ball, Austin Marsters ran the ball to within six metres of the try line before throwing a bullet pass to his right to put his right centre over to score eight metres in from the right corner post.

Austin Marsters also started from the bench in the Round Six Gold Coast derby against PBC SHS with Austin Marsters coming onto the field in the 25th minute.

Austin Marsters continued from the bench in Round Seven against Mabel Park SHS with Austin Marsters initially operating in the dummy half role after coming off the bench in the 24th minute.

Austin Marsters did well defensively in the 36th minute when along with Zyroam Taurawa-Herlihy, Austin Marsters got low and stopped the Mabel Park SHS hooker from burrowing his way from close range for dummy half six metres to the right of the uprights.

After Keebra Park SHS finished fifth on the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup table after the completion of the regular season, Austin Marsters started from the bench for Keebra Park SHS in their Quarter Final clash against PBC SHS with Austin Marsters coming onto the field to operate in the centre of the field in the second half.

Round Three of the 2023 Langer Reserve School Boy Rugby League competition saw Austin Marsters named in the front row for Keebra Park SHS against Redcliffe SHS.

2023 also saw Austin Marsters play for the Southport Tigers in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition including starting from the bench in Round Eight against the Coomera Cutters with Austin Marsters making a strong run from the left of the play the ball in the 34th minute with Austin Marsters carrying the ball to the halfway mark after commencing his run thirteen metres inside his own territory.

Austin Marsters then started from the bench in Round Twelve against the Helensvale Hornets.

The 2023 GCRL U18 Division One Major Semi-final saw Austin Marsters start at lock against the Currumbin Eagles with Austin Marsters scoring in the 13th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half in the centre of the field and twenty metres out, Austin Marsters ran the ball to ten metres out and after throwing an exaggerated dummy to his left Austin Marsters stepped off his left foot to beat a defender with Austin Marsters carrying another defender over the try line to score under the posts.

Earlier in the 5th minute from the left of the play the ball Austin Marsters was able to get the ball from thirty two metres out from his own try line to within five metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 27th minute from the left of the play the ball Austin Marsters carried the ball to within thirteen metres of the halfway mark from thirty two metres out with Austin Marsters breaking a tackle and with around 65% of Austin Marsters metres being post contact.

From the left of the dummy half in the 37th minute and from the halfway mark Austin Marsters was able to get the ball to the thirty two metre mark with at least 75% of the metres gained being post contact. Austin Marsters then made a strong run to the left of the dummy half to get the ball from the forty three metre mark to twenty nine metres from the try line in the 44th minute.

Austin Marsters rounded out a strong Final with a run from the left of the play the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to five metres into Currumbin territory.

Austin Marsters started at lock in the Week Two Qualifying Final against the Burleigh Bears with Austin Marsters scoring in the 34th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the play the ball in front of the goal posts and twenty metres out from the try line, Austin Marsters ran straight and when he was ten metres out Austin Marsters threw an extravagant dummy to his left before easily brushing past three defenders to score under the posts.

Austin Marsters made an immediate impact on the match inside the opening minute with a run from the left of the play the ball that saw Austin Marsters carry the ball from forty metres out from the try line to twenty nine metres out. Then in the 14th minute after picking up a dropped Tigers pass that went backwards Austin Marsters was able to get the ball to within four metres of the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field after picking the ball up eighteen metres out.

Austin Marsters ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball in the 15th minute and came within less than a metre from scoring after a twelve metre run through the centre of the field, then in the 22nd minute right from the right of the dummy half Austin Marsters came close to scoring once again from sixteen metres out only to be stopped centremetres out four metres to the left of the uprights.

Austin Marsters also played in the 2022 U16 Shaun Johnson Shield including starting at lock in the Grand Final and Austin Marsters was also formerly a contracted player in the New Zealand Warriors Junior Development system and in early 2023 Austin Marsters trialled with the Cronulla Sharks Development Squads.

In late 2022 Austin Marsters represented the Akarana Falcons U16 representative side at the 2022 New Zealand U16 National Youth Championships, including starting in the Championship Final against Counties Manukau.

Austin Marsters style of play is that of a strong running back rower with above average speed for the position. I would actually argue that in fact a better definition of Austin Marster’s speed would be well above average to plus, and I am talking the speed of an outside back not a backrower in relation to Austin Marsters.

Austin Marsters is exceptionally quick off the mark, but what makes him even more impressive from a speed perspective is that when he gets into space, he has an extra gear again, making it almost impossible for the cover defence to catch him once he is open space.

Austin Marsters runs with pace, strength and power every time he touches the ball during a game. I have not seen a great deal of him off loading the football to date, but the ball skills that he possess would suggest this particular will develop into a plus skill over time, although at this stage of his career it is not a necessity. Austin Marsters attention to detail would also strongly suggest that he will continue to develop his off-loading and ball skills across the board.

Austin Marsters is aggressive in defence whether defending in the centre of the ruck or on the fringes or even wider out and due to his natural strength is more than capable of defending one on one and can and will stop even the biggest opposing forwards in their tracks and targets the area around where the attackers carry the football.

Austin Marsters speed and lateral movement means that he will not be beaten by light stepping halves trying to take advantage of tiring forwards or the opposition running out of dummy half. I have noted that he is aggressive, but not to the extent that he will give away penalties, he just wants to win everyone on one contest. Austin Marsters is also a very good cover defender as a result of his speed and tenacity.

Due to his speed and athleticism and for that matter hard work and determination Austin Marsters covers across the field well, thus putting him in a good position to make the tackle when the ball is turned back inside from the halves as is the case so often in the modern game.

2025 will see Austin Marsters line up for the Burleigh Bears U19 MM Cup squad for the third year in a row. with Austin Marsters also MM Cup eligible in 2025 with the age group change.

2025 will also see Austin Marsters line up for the Southport Tigers in the GCRL U20 competition and I certainly would not discount Austin Marsters breaking into the Southport Tigers GCRL First Grade side as well.

Whilst Austin Marsters played at lock for both the Marist Saints as well as the majority of his time since arriving in Australia.

From an NRL player comparison perspective, with his touch above average speed, developing ball skills and quick late footwork at the line that Austin Marsters has displayed over recent seasons in both club and representative matches in New Zealand, I think that an appropriate player comparison is Sydney Roosters and England International lock Victor Radley with the potential to be a lot more on top of that as well. You could also throw in Cameron Murray of the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs when you are looking for an NRL player to compare Austin Marsters to.

Like Victor Radley and Cameron Murray, Austin Marsters plays rugby league with almost reckless abandon is certainly as an all effort type of player with deceptive speed and a big motor to complement his other attributes, including a high skill level.

 

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Viliami Fifita. In early 2022 Viliami Fifita who is the younger brothers of Jojo Fifita signed a three year contract with the Titans that runs through until the end of the 2025 season which is also the end of Viliami Fifita’s school years as well as Viliami Fifita’s U18 eligibility. Viliami Fifita then added another four years to his Titans contract until the end of the 2029 season.

In later 2024 Viliami Fifita was named in the 2025 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 CC Cup side for the second season in a row.

In late September 2024 Viliami Fifita started in the front row for a Future Titans U16 side that defeated a Storm squad 36 – 22 with Viliami Fifita scoring in the opening minutes of the match with a charge from eight metres out from the left of the play the ball to crash over to score next to the right goal post.

Viliami Fifita also started in the front row in the Anthony Laffranchi Cup against a Wests Tigers U16 side at Tweed Heads.

In early January 2024 Viliami Fifita started in the front row for a Titans U17 side that played in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney with Viliami Fifita making his presence felt in both trials especially in relation to his defence.

One tackle though did stand out and that came in the 24th minute of the first trial against the Penrith Panthers with Viliami Fifita executing a huge well timed front on tackle on one of the Penrith front rowers to force a knock on in the centre of the field and just twenty eight metres from the ty line.

In the first of the two trials against the Penrith Panthers Viliami Fifita charged onto the ball to the left of the dummy half in the 2nd minute and was able to promote the ball from thirty one metres out from the try line to eighteen metres out before being awarded a penalty for a strip in the tackle.

Viliami Fifita also started in the front row in the second trial of the day against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Viliami Fifita making a strong run inside the opening minute of the match when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half when thirty six metres from his own try line Viliami Fifita was able to carry the ball to within two metres of the halfway mark.

Viliami Fifita then made a strong kick-off return in the 8th minute to get the ball out to the thirty two metre mark. Then in the 11th minute from the left of the play the ball Viliami Fifita charged onto the ball and was able to carry the ball a metre over the halfway mark after taking possession eleven metres inside his own territory.

Viliami Fifita then started from the bench in Round Four against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Viliami Fifita coming onto the field in the 15th minute to operate in the front row and in the 17th minute after receiving an off-load from his left five metres inside his own territory, Viliami Fifita was able to carry the ball ten metres into Redcliffe territory.

Viliami Fifita also started from the bench in Round Six against the Souths Logan Magpies and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 21st minute Viliami Fifita returned a Souths Logan kick-off after the ball had bounced off the left goal post out to the eighteen metre mark, breaking two tackles in the process.

Viliami Fifita moved into the starting line-up in the front row in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears and in the 2nd minute from the right of the play the ball Viliami Fifita ran the ball through the centre of the field from forty four metres from the try line to within thirty two metres.

From the right of the play the ball in the 16th minute and thirty eight metres from his own try line Viliami Fifita did well to carry the ball two metres inside Burleigh territory. Then in the 30th minute from the left of the play the ball Viliami Fifita got within ten metres of the try line after commencing his run twenty one metres out. Also in the 40th minute from the left of the play the ball and thirty three metres from his own try line Viliami Fifita carried the ball to within three metres of the halfway mark.

At the conclusion of the 2024 CC Cup season Viliami Fifita received a Courier Mail 2024 CC Cup Wildcard Award.

Viliami Fifita returned to TSS in 2024 with Viliami Fifita starting at blindside flanker (No. 6) for the TSS School Boy Rugby First XV in there April trial against New Zealand’s Rosmini College. Viliami Fifita also started at blindside flanker (No. 6) for the TSS First XV in the following weekend's trial against Shore Sydney Church of England Grammar School.

Early May saw Viliami Fifita named at blindside flanker (No. 6) for the TSS First XV side that travelled to Moree to play a trial against Downlands College as well as in the following trial against St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace as well as against Ipswich Grammar School. Viliami Fifita also started in the No. 6 jersey in a late May trial against Brisbane State High School as well as an early June trial against Anglican Church Grammar School.

Round One of the 2024 GPS School Boy Rugby First XV competition saw Viliami Fifita start at No. 6 (blindside flanker) for TSS against St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace with Viliami Fifita one of TSS’s try scorers in a strong 34 – 5 first up TSS victory.

Viliami Fifita scored in the 13th minute when after he backed up a TSS line break through the centre of the field an attempted pass bounced in front of Viliami Fifita with Viliami Fifita smarting toeing the ball through instead of picking it up with Viliami Fifita then toeing the ball a second time before outpacing the Gregory Terrace cover defence to dive on the ball in the in-goal to score three metres to the left of the goal post.

The match started with Viliami Fifita taking the Gregory Terrace kick-off on the full twenty metres from his try line and broke a tackle as he charged down the left touchline to within ten metres of the halfway. Viliami Fifita made another strong run in the 37th minute from wide on the left twenty two metres from his try line with Viliami Fifita carrying the ball down the left channel to three metres into Gregory Terrace’s half. Also in the 45th minute off the back of a TSS line break win Viliami Fifita carried the ball from twenty two to within eight metres of the try line directly in front of the posts.

Viliami Fifita’s performance was so good that he was named at lock in the Courier Mail 2024 GPS School Boy Rugby First XV Round One Team of the Week.

Viliami Fifita also started at No. 6 in Round Two away to St Joseph’s College Nudgee.

Viliami Fifita continued at No. 6 in Round Three at home to Toowoomba Grammar School (TGS) with Viliami Fifita receiving the ball on the left touchline in the 11th minute and ran down the touchline from twenty seven metres from the try line and when ten metres out Viliami Fifita stepped inside off his left foot with Viliami Fifita then getting the ball away off the ground to Killarney Lavender who got within centremetres of the try line. Viliami Fifita then ran the ball down the left channel in the 27th minute from twenty four to twelve metres of the try line.

Viliami Fifita worked a good play with Dylan Terblanche in the 26th minute when after Dylan Terblanche had carried the ball from thirty seven to twenty metres from the try line he passed to his left to Viliami Fifita who charged down the left touchline before being dragged down three metres from the try line in the left corner with Viliami Fifita then awarded a penalty.

Round Four against Brisbane Boys College saw Viliami Fifita continue at No. 6 and in the 25th minute Viliami Fifita from the back of a TSS line-out win was able to promote the ball from thirty two to seventeen metres from the try line with Viliami Fifita quickly recycling the ball for TSS to continue to attack.

Round Five at home against Brisbane State High School saw Viliami Fifita continue at blindside flanker.

Viliami Fifita continued at No. 6 in Round Seven against Ipswich Grammar School and inside the opening minute of the match after picking up a bad Ipswich Grammar School pass Viliami Fifita turned defence into attack as he carried the ball from forty to twenty two metres from the try line.

In the 11th minute from two passes to the left of a ruck Viliami Fifita charged down the left touchline from forty six to twenty metres from the try line leaving multiple defenders in his wake. Then after taking the second half kick-off on the full Viliami Fifita was able to get the ball back to within ten metres of the halfway mark.

Viliami Fifita did exceptionally well defensively in the 37th minute to chase down an Ipswich Grammar School line break with Viliami Fifita tackling the Ipswich Grammar School outside centre from behind six metres from the try line to force a knock on and prevent a try.

Viliami Fifita continued at No. 6 in Round Eight at home against Anglican Church Grammar School.

Viliami Fifita also started at No. 6 in Round Nine against Brisbane Grammar School and in the 29th minute after receiving the ball wide on the lest side of the field forty metres from his try line Viliami Fifita crashed over the top of one defender to charge to within twenty three metres of the try line before getting a right arm off-load away to his left to his winger.

Then in the 39th minute Viliami Fifita carried the ball down the left channel from six metres inside his half to fourteen metres inside Brisbane Grammar School’s half before recycling the ball quickly to maintain momentum for TSS.

Viliami Fifita’s performances across the 2024 GPS School Boy Rugby First XV competition saw him named by the Courier Mail as a player to keep an eye on in 2025.

Viliami FIfita lined up in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Viliami FIfita started from the bench for a Titans U16 JTS squad that played a touring Auckland U16 side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Seven match against the Brisbane Bronco’s with Viliami Fifita coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 13th minute of the match.

In the 17th minute from the left of the play the ball Viliami Fifita ran the ball from forty metres out from the try line to twenty nine metres out with Viliami Fifita then awarded a penalty after being held down too long by the defenders. Viliami Fifita then backed up to make a further run to the left of the dummy half in the 21st minute to carry the ball from twenty two metres out from his own try line to thirty seven metres out.



The 26th minute then saw Viliami Fifita make a good kick-off return to get the ball out to the twenty one metre mark. From a Titans penalty restart in the 48th minute Viliami Fifita ran the ball from twenty three metres out to within six metres from the try line and from another Titans penalty restart in the 50th minute Viliami Fifita ran onto the ball from the centre of the field and ten metres out with Viliami Fifita coming desperately close to scoring only to be stopped centremetres short from the try line five metres to the right of the goal posts.

In October 2023 Viliami Fifita was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup squad with Viliami Fifita also CC Cup eligible in 2025.

Round One of the 2024 U17 Cyril Connell Cup season saw Viliami Fifita start from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 16th minute Viliami Fifita made his initial run of the ball almost immediately from the left of the play the ball and carry the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to twelve metres into Wynnum Manly territory.

Two minutes later in the 18th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Viliami Fifita received the ball on the halfway mark and was able to get twelve metres inside Wynnum Manly territory before being brought to ground. Then in the 35th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half Viliami Fifita was able to carry the ball four metres inside Wynnum Manly territory after receiving the ball ten metres inside his own territory.

Viliami Fifita continued in the front row in Round Three against the Norths Devils with Viliami Fifita making the kick-off return to get the match underway to carry the ball to the twenty two metre mark.

Viliami Fifita in the 9th minute from the right of a Tweed Heads penalty restart was able to carry the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to four metres into Norths Devils territory. Then in the 50th minute from two passes to the right of a Seagulls penalty restart and forty seven metres from his own try line Viliami Fifita was able to rumble his way fifteen metres downfield.

Viliami Fifita then started from the bench in Round Six against the Souths Logan Magpies.

In early 2023 Viliami FIfita was named in the South Coast School Boy U15 Representative side for the 2023 QSSRL U15 School Boy Rugby league Championships with Viliami Fifita starting in the front row on Day One of the Championships against Sunshine Coast.

Viliami Fifita made a strong run in the 29th minute from thirty eight metres from his own line with his run from the left of the play the ball getting the ball a metre into Sunshine Coast territory then in the 10st minute from a South Coast penalty tap restart Viliami Fifita charged onto the ball from ten metres inside Sunshine Coast territory to twenty eight metres out.

Viliami Fifita also made a strong run in the 47th minute with a charge for the right of the play the ball from his own thirty metre mark to within seven metres of the halfway and then a tackle later Viliami Fifita made a further ten metres.

Viliami Fifita then moved to start from the bench on Day Two against Northern with Viliami Fifita scoring in the 20th minute when with the play the ball a metre from the try line Jai Billish ran out of dummy half to his left with Viliami Fifita running an underneath route to crash over to score eight metres to the right of the uprights.

Viliami Fifita had come onto the field to operate in the front row in the 11th minute and almost immediately made his first run with the ball from the right of the play the ball twenty six metres out from his own try line and got the ball to within twelve metres of the halfway mark.

Viliami Fifita also made good metres from a penalty tap restart in the 28th minute with Viliami Fifita taking possession on the halfway mark to ultimately make eighteen metres downfield. Viliami Fifita made another good run from a penalty tap restart in the 32nd minute with Viliami Fifita running onto the ball twenty six metres out from his own try line and getting the ball to ten metres from the halfway mark.

Viliami Fifita moved back into the starting side in the front row on Day Three against Met North with Viliami FIfita scoring in the 25th minute by way of a strong charge from twelve metres out and to the right of the dummy half with Viliami Fifita crashing over to get the ball down four metres in from the left corner post.

Viliami Fifita then came off the bench in the 2023 QSSRL U15 School Boy Grand Final against Met East with Viliami Fifita making a strong run in the 24th minute from the right of the play the ball with Viliami FIfita carrying the ball from thirty four metres from the try line to the twenty metre mark after bumping off a number of attempted tackles.

Then in the 26th minute Viliami Fifita came within a metre of scoring a barnstorming try after a charge from twenty metres out and to the right of the play the ball. Then in the 28th minute from on the halfway and to the left of the play the ball Viliami Fifita powered his way fifteen metres downfield.

Viliami Fifita continued his strong match in the 39th minute with a hit-up to the left of the play the ball from twenty eight metres out from his own try line to six metres of the halfway mark. Then three minutes later in the 42nd minute from the right of the play the ball and two metres inside Met East territory Viliami Fifita carried the ball to thirty two metres from the try line.

Viliam Fifita added a further strong run in the 44th minute when from a South Coast penalty tap restart Viliami Fifita carried the ball from his own thirty metre mark to within three metres of the halfway mark.

At the completion of the Championships Viliami Fifita was named in the 2023 Queensland U15 Maroon School Boys Rugby League side to contest the 2023 Australian U15 School Boys Rugby League Championships.

Viliami Fifita started from the bench in Match One against ACT School Boys with Viliami Fifita coming onto the field in the 15th minute to play in the front row with Viliami Fifita named the Queensland Maroon Player of the Match.

Viliami Fifita then moved into the starting side in the front row in Match Two against New South Wales Combined Independent Schools with Viliami Fifita heavily involved in Queensland’s last minute match winning try. In the final minute of the match with the scores locked up at 12 all Viliami Fifita ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half and was able to crash and barge his way from thirteen metres out from the try line to around thirty centremetres out, with three defenders required to bring him down. Viliami Fifita then executed a lightening quick play the ball and with the NSW CIS defence still in disarray, the Queensland hooker was able to score out of dummy half to win the match.

In the 26th minute from the left of the play the ball Viliami Fifita was able to promote the ball from twenty five metres out from his own try line to the forty metre mark. Viliami Fifita then in the 27th minute from the right of the play the ball was able to get the ball to within seventeen metres of the try line after taking receipt of the ball thirty metres out. Then in the 47th minute from the left of the play the ball ran the ball from thirty three metres from the try line to seventeen metres out.

Viliami Fifita then started from the bench in the Semi-final against Queensland White and after coming onto the field in the 11th minute to operate in the front row Viliami Fifita scored in the 14th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball thirteen metres out from the try line, Viliami Fifita was hit by multiple defenders still three metres from the try line byt Viliami Fifita was able to keep pumping his legs and as he approached the try line Viliami Fifita was able get the ball above his head in his left arm and reach out and get the ball down under the posts as he was being dragged to ground.

In the 19th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Viliami Fifita carried the ball to within nine metres of the try line after carrying the ball from twenty two metres out. Then in the 23rd minute ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball from twenty five metres out to twelve metres out.

Viliami Fifita started from the bench for Queensland Maroon in the Final of the 2023 U15 ASSRL School Boy Rugby League Championships against New South Wales Combined Independent Schools with Viliami Fifita coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 11th minute and in the 13th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half in the 13th minute Viliami Fifita was able to carry the ball from twenty nine metres out from his own try line to within six metres of the halfway mark with breaking two tackles and with 70% of his metres post contact.

In the 22nd minute from the right of the play the ball Viliami Fifita promoted the ball from twenty eight metres out to within three metres of the try line, breaking four tackles along the way. Then in the 24th minute after running onto the ball from seventeen metres out from the try line to the right of the play the ball Viliami Fifita was able to get the ball out to the thirty metre mark.

Viliami Fifita ran onto the ball later in the same set of six tackles to the right of the dummy half, stepping off his right foot on two occasions to get the ball from five metres inside his own territory to within thirty one metres of the try line. Also in the 31st minute from the right of the play the ball and six metres inside his own territory Viliami Fifita carried the ball eight metres inside NSW CIS territory then a tackle later Viliami Fifita made an additional eight metres from a run to the right of the dummy half.

Defensively in the 15th minute Viliami Fifita made a big front on hit on one of his opposing front rowers dropping him to ground immediately twenty metres out from the try line. Then in the 19th minute Viliami Fifita rag dolled the NSW CIS hooker also twenty metres out from the try line. Also in the 38th minute Viliami Fifita crunched the NSW CIS dummy half two metres out from the try line near the left touchline.

Viliami Fifita returned to TSS in 2023 and started at tight head prop for the TSS U15A GPS Rugby School Boy rugby side in their late May trial against Anglican Church Grammar School as well as in the following trial against Toowoomba Grammar School in early June. Viliami Fifita then moved to loose head prop for the TSS U15A’s trial away to Brisbane Boys College.

Round One of the 2023 GPS School Boy Rugby U15A competition saw Viliami Fifita start at tight head prop (N0. 3) against Ipswich Grammar School, in Round Two against St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace as well as in Round Three against Brisbane State High School and Round Four against Brisbane Grammar School.

Viliami Fifita then moved to the opposite side of the front row to loose head prop (No. 1) for Round Five against Brisbane Boys College and continued at loose head prop in Round Six against Anglican Church Grammar School and Round Seven against Toowoomba Grammar School. Viliami Fifita was also named at loose head prop in the final round being Round Nine against St Joseph’s College Nudgee.

In early December 2022 Viliami Fifita played in the front row for the Titans U14 Gold Coast JTS Academy squad in a trial match against the Titans U14 JTS Logan Academy squad with both Titans Academies wearing Titan’s jerseys in the highly competitive match that was played on the Gold Coast.

The younger brother of Titans NRL standout Jojo Fifita, Viliami Fifita like his older brother did, is attending The Southport School (TSS) on the Gold Coast but unlike his older brother Viliami Fifita is a forward and in addition to playing school boy GPS rugby for TSS like Jojo, Viliami Fifita plays club rugby league on the Gold Coast including starting in the front row in the Burleigh Bears GCRL U14 Division One side including starting in the 2022 Grand Final against the Southport Tigers in his usual front row position but unfortunately the Bears went down in a high quality Premiership decider with the Bears more than holding their own for long periods of the Grand Final.

Viliami Fifita had a strong Grand Final and could not have been in the match any earlier with Viliami Fifita taking the opening hit-up of the match after the Southport Tigers had kicked off to get the Grand Final underway.

Viliami Fifita’s best moment of the Grand Final came in the 24th minute when from forty metres out from his own line and in the centre of the field, Viliami Fifita charged onto the ball from a Burleigh penalty tap and after Viliami Fifita engaged the Tigers defensive line still three metres short of the halfway mark, Viliami Fifita forced his way through three attempted tackles initially with pure strength and power. Viliami Fifita then surged through two more would be defenders with Viliami Fifita then carrying two more Tigers defenders a further ten metres before he was eventually dragged to ground after a superb twenty eight metre surge downfield.

Viliami Fifita made another strong charge in the 41st minute when from thirty five metres out from his own try line Viliami Fifita cut back underneath his play maker to the right of the play the ball and was able to make twelve metres, most of which were post contact.

In early December 2022 Viliami Fifita attended a joint training session for the Titans JTS Program members with the Titans NRL squad in a great experience for the JTS squad members that is held on an annual basis at the Titans main training facility at Parkwood.

In 2022 in addition to playing for the Burleigh Bears Junior Rugby League club, Viliami Fifita played for the TSS U14A side in the GPS School Boy Rugby competition for the second GPS School Boy Rugby season in a row.

After starting all of the TSS U14A trials at No. 3 being tight head prop, Viliami Fifita also started Round One of the 2022 GPS U14A school boy rugby competition at tight head prop against St Joseph’s Nudgee College with Viliami Fifita named as TSS U14A’s equal best forward in the match after a strong performance.

With TSS having a Round Two bye Viliami Fifita continued at tight head prop in a trial match against Downland’s College with Viliami Fifita setting up a try for Max Kahler in a big TSS U14A victory in the trial.

Viliami Fifita backed up his performance with a player of the match effort in Round Three against Toowoomba Grammar School with Viliami Fifita scoring two barnstorming tries in a powerhouse display.

Viliami Fifita continued at tight head prop in Round Four against Anglican Church Grammar School, scoring once again and once again being named the TSS U14A Player of the Match in Round Five against Brisbane Grammar School.

Viliami Fifita started in all of the remaining TSS U14A GPS School Boy matches in 2022 except for Round Seven when Viliami Fifita came off the bench against Gregory Terrace. When Viliami Fifita came off the bench Viliami Fifita operated at tight head prop once again.

In late 2022 Viliami Fifita lined up for the Queensland Tonga U14 side that played at the 2022 QPICC Cultural Carnival with Viliami Fifita starting in the front row in Tonga’s three matches against Queensland Māori, Queensland PNG and the Cook Islands.

In the Covid 19 abridged 2021 season Viliami Fifita lined up for the TSS U14A side, starting at loose head prop (No. 1) in all of the TSS U14A’s matches that were not impacted by Covid 19 being Round One against Brisbane Grammar School, Round Six against Toowoomba Grammar School, Round Seven against St Joseph’s Nudgee College and Round Eight against St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace.

Viliami Fifita also started at loose head prop in the TSS U14A’s first 2021 trial against Ipswich Grammar School before starting at tight head prop in the TSS U14A’s final trial against a Gold Coast Cyclones Representative side.

In 2020 Vilaimi Fifita started all of the TSS GPS school boy U13A sides matches at No. 8 and whilst they had a tough season overall in the GPS school boy rugby competition, Vilaimi Fifita performed well in his five regular season matches, two trials against Nudgee and Churchie and an internal trial that kicked off the 2020 season.

In 2020 Vilaimi Fifita also played club rugby for the Colleges Knights U13 side in the GCRU competition, coming off the bench on the majority of occasions although he wore the No. 8 jersey. Vilaimi Fifita did make two starts however, including Round Seven against Bond Pirates Red in one of the lock positions and Round Nine against the Helensvale Hogs when Vilaimi Fifita started at loose head prop.
Vilaimi Fifita finished his club season with four tries, the first of which came in Round Two against Bond Pirates Red. Vilaimi Fifita also scored against Bond Pirates White in Rounds Three and Eight and against Helensvale in Round Nine.

The young front rower acts as the heartbeat of his team through the centre of the field. Ever reliable, Viliami Fifita gets on with his job with minimal fuss. Whilst Viliami Fifita runs hard at the defensive line he has some subtly about his running style and Viliami Fifita has an outstanding off-load which Viliami Fifita able to execute when engaged by multiple defenders.

In 2022 Viliami Fifita once again dominated the competition because of his game breaking plays with his offloads, line breaks and tackle busts. The opposition repeatedly struggled to get Viliami Fifita down to the ground in 2022 for the Burleigh Bears U14 Division One side, with his quick play-the-balls resulting in plenty of momentum for his playmakers.



Viliami Fifita has a huge engine, playing more minutes than just about every other front rower in the competition and Viliami Fifita also proved to be incredibly reliable and consistent throughout the 2022 season for both Burleigh in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League competition and for TSS in the GPS School Boy Rugby competition.

Viliami Fifita’s line speed in defence sets the standard which the rest of his teammates follow and Viliami Fifita’s heavy initial contact also is outstanding. After moving up quickly, Viliami Fifita drives hard into the opposition forward with his shoulder and Viliami Fifita will then finish off the tackle on the ground, winning the wrestle as they say to slow down the momentum of the opposition play the ball and subsequent attacking play.



Put simply Viliami Fifita is a dominant defender who will his strength, power and technique can seal off the centre of the ruck. Defensively Viliami Fifita also tracks the ball across the field well to ensure that he is in position to make the tackle if the opposition play makers bring a ball runner back underneath. That is something that not all young forwards do on a regular basis but Viliami Fifita certainly does and he does it very well.



2025 will see Viliami Fifita continue at TSS with Viliami Fifita once again being part of the TSS First XV. Viliami Fifita will also play for the Tweed Heads U17 CC Cup side for the second season in a row. Viliami Fifita will also push for selection in the South Coast U18 QSSRL School Boy Rugby League Representative side.

Whereas older brother Jojo is a centre or winger, Viliami Fifita is a big strong powerful forward who plays either tight head prop or No. 8 in school boy rugby for TSS and in the front row in junior rugby league for the Burleigh Bears and ultimately, I believe that Viliami Fifita will continue in the front row on a rugby league field although potentially Viliami Fifita could spend time in the second row before transitioning to the front row on a full-time basis as Viliami Fifita progresses towards the senior ranks of rugby league.

Penrith Panthers and New Zealand International front row enforcer James Fisher-Harris is an apt and more than accurate NRL player comparison for Viliami Fifita. Both Fisher-Harris and Viliami Fifita are big, strong and tough front rowers who can absorb a lot of punishment when they are running the ball hard into the defensive line and still maintain their running line (and a good right arm off-load on occasion as well) and both Fisher-Harris and Viliami Fifita can also dish it out with some ferocious and cold calculated defensive hits and then win the wrestling battle on the ground to slow the play the ball down.

 

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Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu. In late March 2023 Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu signed a three year contract with the Titans out of Brisbane’s Stretton State College.

In late September 2024 Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu started at left centre for a Future Titans U16 side that defeated a Storm squad 38 – 22 with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu scoring the first of his two tries in the first period of the match when he took a Murphy Phillips bomb on the full twelve metres from the try line to score four metres to the left of the posts.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu scored his second try wide on the left in the second period of the match.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also started at left centre in the Anthony Laffranchi Cup against the Wests Tigers.

In late April 2024 Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu started at left centre for a Titans U16 side against Auckland U16’s in Ipswich.

In early January 2024 Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu started on the left wing for a Titans U17 side in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu scored in the 4th minute of the first of the two trials against the Penrith Panthers when after receiving a pass from his inside ten metres out from the ty line and on the left touch line, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran over the top of his opposite winger still five metres from the try line. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu then carried three more Panthers over the try line with him to score in the left corner.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu appeared to have scored a second try in the 25th minute with a five metres charge after running out of dummy half to his right. It looked as if Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu grounded the ball over the ty line but the referee bizarrely ruled that he had grounded the ball short of the line.

In the 26th minute Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu produced a yardage carry from the left of the dummy half to carry the ball from thirty metres out from his own try line to within four metres of the halfway mark, then a tackle later Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu took another hit-up, this time to the left of the play the ball to get the ball over the halfway mark.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also started on the left wing in the second trial against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu coming close to scoring in the 14th minute when after backing up a line break by Dallas Ingram, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu received a pass from his five eight from his right three metres out and after charging at the try line Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was held up near the left corner by three Knights defenders.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also made a line break in just the 3rd minute of the trial when after Titans left centre Santino Pekepo-Tavaga received a pass from his inside three metres inside Rabbitohs territory, Santino Pekepo-Tavaga skipped to his left to get on the outside of his direct opponent and after drawing in the Souths Sydney right winger, Santino Pekepo-Tavaga got a pass away to his left to Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu who was able to make a line break down the left touchline to within twenty six metres of the try line.

In early October 2023 Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was named in the 2024 Brisbane Tigers U17 Cyril Connell Cup squad with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also CC Cup eligible in 2025 with the age group changes.

Round One of the 2024 U17 Cyril Connell Cup saw Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu start at left centre for the Brisbane Tigers against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu moving to fullback in the second half.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu made an impact on the match in just the 2nd minute when after receiving a pass from his right twenty two metres from the try line Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran the ball to eighteen metres out before stepping inside off his left foot with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu breaking a tackle as he carried the ball within thirteen metres of the try line.

Then in the 4th minute from three passes to the left of the play the ball Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu continued to run to his left to get the ball to within eighteen metres of the try line with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu then awarded a penalty when he was not allowed to his feet in a timely fashion to play the ball.

The 14th minute saw Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu run onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and run through the centre of the field to within ten metres of the try line after taking possession twenty three metres out. Then in the 20th minute Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu pick up the ball after Redcliffe had lost possession whilst attacking the Tigers line and after collecting the ball three metres out from his own try line, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran to his left to get the ball out to the eighteen metre mark.

From a Tigers penalty restart in the 21st minute Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu took the tap and was able to run the ball from the forty metre mark to just inside Dolphins territory. Then two tackles later and still in the 21st minute Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu received the ball two passes to the left of the dummy half and after making ten metres to within eighteen metres of the try line Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was able to off-load to his left winger who was as a result able to close to within ten metres of the try line.

Then from the left of a Tigers scrum win ten metre out from his own try line in the 27th minute Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was able to get the ball out to the seventeen metre mark before being awarded a penalty for being held down by the Dolphins defenders for too long. A minute later in the 28th minute after running onto a pass to his right from the dummy half thirty three metres from the try line, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu continued to run the ball to his left to get to within twenty one metres of the try line.

Whilst operating at fullback in the 36th minute Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu took a Dolphins clearing kick on the bounce twenty metres out from his own try line and ran the ball back through the centre of the field to get the ball thirty two metres out from his own try line. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu produced a further yardage carry in the 46th minute from the right of the play the ball to carry the ball to thirty metres from the try line after taking possession eighteen metres out.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also started at left centre in Round Two against the Tweed Heads Seagulls Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu coming close to scoring in the 44th minute when after receiving a pass from his right from a Tigers backline movement from the opposite side of the field, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu received the ball seven metres out and then took on the Seagulls right winger only to be held up over the try line four metres in from the left corner post.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu made a line break in just the 2nd minute of the match with a line break down the left touchline from thirty two metres out from his own try line to within thirty two metres of the try line on the opposite end of the field.

In the 12th minute from three passes to the left of the play the ball Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran the ball from thirty two metres from his own try line to within two metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 24th minute from a Tigers penalty restart on the halfway mark Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was able to make twenty metres downfield.

The 39th minute then saw Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu, from the left of the play the ball carry the ball from thirty four metres from his own try line to the halfway mark with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu using a right arm fend to break two tackles.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also started at left centre in Round Three against the Souths Logan Magpies with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball in the 14th minute to run the ball through the centre of the field from forty two metres from the try line to thirty one metres out.

The 29th minute saw Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu carry the ball from two passes to the left of the play the ball from twenty metres from his own try line to thirty nine metres out. Then in the 33rd minute also from the left of the dummy half Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran the ball through the centre of the field on a yardage carry from four metres from his own try line to thirteen metres out.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu continued at left centre in Round Four against the Norths Devils with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu scoring in the 44th minute from a straight hard ten metre run to crash between defenders to get the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also recorded a try assist in the 49th minute when after backing up a line break Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu received the ball sixteen metres out and when six metres from the try line Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu drew the Devils fullback and off-loaded to his left to put his winger over to score in the left corner.

Earlier in the 9th minute from two passes to the left of a Tigers scrum win Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was able to make ten hard metres from his own seven metre mark. Then in the 12th minute after running out of dummy half to his right Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran the ball through the centre of the field from his own twenty four metre mark to the thirty seven metre mark.

Two minutes later in the 14th minute from the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres from his own try line Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu used a left foot step to get the ball to the twenty nine metres mark. Also in the 26th minute from the right of the play the ball Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was able run the ball out from his own twenty metre mark to the thirty three metre mark.

Two minutes into the second half in the 32nd minute and from two passes to the left of a Tigers scrum win Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was able to promote the ball from forty four metres from the try line to the thirty metre mark. Then in the 35th minute from the left of the play the ball Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu got the ball from the twenty four metre mark to thirty six metres out.

Just after scoring, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu, in the 47th minute from the left of a Tigers scrum win ran an underneath route with his five eight and got the ball from eighteen metres from his try line out to the thirty metre mark. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu then followed up with a yardage run in the 52nd minute from the left of the play the ball to get the ball from his eight metre mark out to the eighteen metre mark.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu then started at left centre in Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and inside the opening minute of the match from a Tigers penalty restart Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu carried the ball from thirty six metres from the try line to twenty metres out with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu’s run incorporating a subtle right foot step before Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was awarded a penalty when he leg was raised by the defence into a dangerous position.

Wide out on the left side of the field in the 18th minute and after receiving the ball from his inside three metres inside his own territory, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu used a strong right arm fend to help him carry the ball twelve metres inside Wynnum Manly territory. Then in the 42nd minute from the right of the play the ball Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu made a yardage carry from fourteen metres from his own try line to twenty four metres out.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu had earlier done well in the 3rd minute to chase through a Brisbane Tigers grubber kick into the in-goal and tackle the Wynnum Manly fullback there to force a Seagulls goal line drop-out.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also started at left centre in Round Six against the Burleigh Bears with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu coming close to scoring inside the opening two minutes of the match when after receiving a cut-out pass from his inside thirteen metres Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu set sail for the left corner only to be tackled just short of the try line two metres in from the left corner post. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu then won a “six again” for the Tigers after the Burleigh defence interfered as Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was attempting to play the ball.

Shortly thereafter in the 4th minute after running onto the ball wide on the left Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu carried the ball from eight metres inside his own territory to eight metres into Burleigh territory. Then in the 13th minute from a Tigers penalty restart on the halfway mark Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was able to make eleven metres with a bruising run.

After running backwards to collect a Tigers knock back in the 18th minute ten metres inside his own territory Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu returned the ball to eight metres into Burleigh territory. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also made a strong second half kick-off return. Then in the 32nd minute from the left of the play the ball also on the halfway mark Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was able to run the ball twelve metres into Bears territory.

After running out of dummy half to his right in the 51st minute Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu got the ball from ten metres out from his own try line to twenty one metres out. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu followed up by making twelve metres in the 56th minute from thirty metres from his own try line. Then in the 58th minute from two passes to the left of a Tigers scrum win Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu carried the ball from twenty eight metres from his own try line to forty metres out.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu made the tackle of the match and one of the tackles of the season in the 40th minute when Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu drove his right shoulder through the Burleigh right second rower twenty two metres from the try line forcing his opponent to leave the field.

In 2024 Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu continued at Stretton State College and started at left centre for the Stretton State College Storm in their School Boy Rugby League Gee Shield Grand Final against the Forest Lake Lions with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu scoring a double as Stretton State College qualified for the Langer Cup Quarter Finals.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu scored his opening try in the 5th minute with a ten metre charge down the left channel to crash over to score four metres in from the left corner post and breaking through three tackles.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu completed his double in the 60th minute when he chased an attacking Stetton State College chip kick into the in-goal with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu getting to the ball first three metres in from the left corner post.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also recorded a line break assist in the 12th minute when after carrying the ball to within forty metres of the try line Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu drew the Forest Lake College right winger to put his left winger away down the touchline.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 4th minute Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was able to get the ball from thirty one to twenty metres from the try line. Also in the 18th minute Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran the ball down the left channel from five metres inside his territory to ten metres into Forest Lake’s half.

From two passes to the left of a Stretton State College scrum Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran the ball from four metres from his try line to twenty metres out and then in the 47th minute wide on the left side of the field and twenty two metres out Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu got the ball to within three metres of the try line.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also started at left centre for Stretton State College as the Gee Shield winners against Tians Cup winners Marymount College.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu started at left centre for Stretton State College in their Langer Cup Quarter Final against PBC SHS with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu taking Stretton State College’s opening run of the match to the right of the play the ball form seventeen to twenty seven metres from the try line.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran the ball down the left channel in the 14th minute from thirty two metres from his try line to the halfway mark and then in the 20th minute from a Stretton State College twenty metre restart Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu made twelve metres against a set PBC SHS defensive line.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu made a further run down the left channel in the 30th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball from twenty four to thirty seven metres from the try line. Then a minute later in the 31st minute from the right of the play the ball and seventeen metres from his try line Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu carried the ball to the twenty seven metre mark. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran the ball through the centre of the field in the 48th minute from the left of a Stretton State College scrum win from four to sixteen metres from his try line.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu then rounded out a solid match in the 50th minute when he did well to tap back a short Stretton State College kick-off to the right for Stretton State College to retrieve.

2024 also saw Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu return to Stretton State College with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu starting at left centre for Stretton State College in their School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup qualifying match against Morayfield State High School with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu dominating in a 70 – 6 Stretton State College victory.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu lined up in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu started on the left wing for a Titans U16 JTS squad that played a touring Auckland U16 side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Seven match against the Brisbane Bronco’s with the Future Titans U16’s recording a strong victory. While Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu started the match on the left wing, he moved to the right wing mid-way through the first half.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu came close to scoring in the 27th minute when after Devin Bates-Wellington had taken a Jimmy McCombie kick towards the Titans right corner, Devin bates-Wellington flicked a pass to Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu who charged down the right touchline from twenty metres out with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu cutting inside away from the touchline before being tackled a metre or two from the try line.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also made a line break in the 29th minute when after collecting a long cut-out pass from his inside on the bounce forty metres out from his own try line, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu burst away down the right touchline to fifteen metres into New Zealand territory with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu then put in a right foot kick inside. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu’s kick was played at by New Zealand with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu regaining possession twenty metres out from the try line near the right touchline to give the Titans six more tackles.

Earlier in the 14th minute Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu came off his wing and made a strong low driving right shoulder tackle in the New Zealand right centre to prevent a try with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu cutting down his opponent less than a metre from the try line and six metres in from the right touchline.

In 2024 Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu played his club rugby league for the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies in the GBJRL U16 Division One competition and after the Magpies had a Round One bye Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu started in the second row and scored a double in a big 54 – 8 victory against Logan Brothers.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also scored in Week Two of the Finals against Logan Brothers as well as the Preliminary Final against Norths. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also started in the second row in the Grand Final against Wynnum Manly.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu’s performance in 2024 in the GBJRL U16 Division One competition saw him named the Souths Magpies Best and Fairest.

In early October 2024 Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was named in the 2024 Queensland Māori U16 Representative Squad.

Even though he was still U15 eligible in 2023 Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu started all of the Brisbane Tigers U16 Cyril Connell Cup matches at left centre with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu scoring on three occasions from his six matches to record a 50% try scoring strike rate over the course of the 2023 CC Cup season.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu scored his first 2023 CC Cup try in Round Two against the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the 3rd minute when after receiving the ball from his inside when twenty two metres out from the try line, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu charged towards the left corner holding one defender off with a strong right arm fend with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu then getting the ball down two metres in from the left corner post.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu scored his second try in Round Four against the Redcliffe Dolphins in the 53rd minute when from two metres from the try line Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran to his left out of dummy half to crash over mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu added a third try in the 55th minute of the Round Six match against the Souths Logan Magpies when after receiving the ball around five metres out on the left side of the field Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu initially juggled the ball before taking clean possession and driving over to score two metres in from the left corner post.

At the completion of the 2023 CC Cup competition Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was named the Brisbane Tigers 2023 CC Cup Most Improved Player. Impressively Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu is also U16 eligible in 2024.

In early 2023 Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was named in the Met West U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative side for the QSSRL State Championships with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu starting at left centre on Day One against Met East with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu recording a line break in the 40th minute when from two passes to the left of a Met West scrum win fifteen metres out from his own try line, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu broke through one tackle and after getting the ball to the thirty two metre mark Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was able to get an off-load away to his right. After his support runner was tackled Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran out of dummy half to his right when five metres inside his own territory before being tackled eight metres inside Met East territory.

The 11th minute saw Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu make a strong run from a penalty tap restart from twenty eight metres out from his own try line to get the ball within eight metres of the halfway mark.

In the 19th minute to the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres out from his own try line Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu as able to make fourteen metres then in the 28th minute from a penalty tap restart twenty metres out from his own try line Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu carried the ball to the thirty four metre mark.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu continued his strong match in the 29th minute when from thirty two metres out, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu produced a strong bumping run down the left channel to get within ten metres of the try line.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also had a strong match defensively including a 14th minute try saving tackle on his opposite number to stop him cold less than a metre from the try line and eight metres to the left of the uprights.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also started at left centre on Day two against Peninsula with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu recording a try assist in the 20th minute when after making a line break down the left touchline from forty two metres out down a short blindside Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran the ball to within ten metres of the try line with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu then drawing the fullback and got the ball back inside to put his left winger over to score.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also made a line break in the 19th minute when after taking possession of the ball from a Met West off-load six metres inside Peninsula territory Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu charged down the left touchline before being brought down fifteen metres out with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu doing well to stay in the field of play.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu continued at left centre on Day Three against Northern with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu named Met West’s best in their 20 -12 victory.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu made a line break in the 9th minute when after receiving the ball from his inside when thirty six metres out, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu accelerated from a standing start to charge down the left touchline to get within seven metres of the left corner post before being tackled.

Earlier in the 5th minute Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu made his first run of the match from the left of the play the ball from fifteen metres out with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu carrying the ball to the thirty one metre mark.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu continued at left centre on Day Four against Peninsula with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu making a line break in the 26th minute when from a Met West scrum win in the centre of the field and sixteen metres out from their try line, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran to his left after taking receipt of the ball and after getting on the outside of the Capricornia right winger Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu charged down the left touchline and beat the Peninsula lock with a right arm fend and did the same against the fullback only to be caught just nine metres from the left corner.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also recorded a line break assist in the 31st minute when after picking up a pass on the halfway mark, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran ten metres downfield to then draw the Capricornia right winger and put his left winger away down the left touchline.

Earlier in the 4th minute from five metres inside his own territory Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran to his right out of dummy half and was able to carry the ball seven metres inside Peninsula territory.

At the completion of the Championships Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was named in the 2023 Queensland U15 Maroon School Boys Rugby League side to contest the 2023 Australian U15 School Boys Championships.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu started on the left wing in Match One against ACT School Boys with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu running to his right out of dummy half carrying the ball from six metres out from his own try line to seventeen metres out.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu continued on the left wing in Match Two against New South Wales Combined Independent Schools with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu making the first of his two line breaks in the 6th minute when after he picked up a dropped NSW CIS ball ten metres out from his own try line Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu immediately stepped off his right foot to beat one defender and then charged down the left touchline with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu getting to within five metres of the halfway mark before being dragged to ground.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu recorded his second line break in the 36th minute when after receiving an off-load from his right from Majah Peachey ten metres out from his own try line, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was able to get on the outside of his opposing winger and charging down the left touchline to within five metres of the halfway mark.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also made a good thirteen metre run down the left touchline in the 27th minute after receiving a cut-out pass from his inside on the halfway mark.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu made an important intervention in the match inside the opening two minutes when Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu took a bomb to his wing on the full in the in-goal area and after racing to the twenty metre mark to take the tap restart Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was able to get the ball out to the thirty two metre mark.

Then in the 28th minute Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu came off his left wing to take a NSW CIS clearing kick on the full in the centre of the field eighteen metres out from his own try line and returned the ball out to the thirty two metre mark.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also started on the left wing in the Semi-final against Queensland White with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu making a line break in the 33rd minute with a burst down the left touchline from ten metres from the halfway mark with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu executing a goose step but was brought down seventeen metres from the try line.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran out of dummy half to his right in the 22nd minute to carry the ball from his own thirty metre mark to forty two metres out, with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu then awarded a penalty for ruck interference. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also ran out of dummy half in the 28th minute when after running to his right, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu ran the ball from twenty metres from the try line to eight metres out.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also made a strong run in the 35th minute to promote the ball from nineteen metres from the try line to four metres out after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu started on the left wing for Queensland Maroon in the Final of the 2023 U15 ASSRL School Boy Rugby League Championships against New South Wales Combined Independent Schools with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu making the first of his two line breaks in the 3rd minute when after receiving the ball in space thirty metres out from his own try line, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu raced down the left touchline before being brought to ground ten metres inside NSW CIS territory.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu made his second line break in the 41st minute when Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu burst down the left touchline from thirty five metres out from his own try line to carry the ball to within twenty metres of the try line at the opposite end of the field.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu made a strong kick return in the 19th minute when after taking the kick on the full ten metres out from his own try line near the left touchline, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was able to run the ball back to the thirty one metre mark. Then in the 31st minute after taking another kick on the full nineteen metres out from his try line Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu returned the ball to thirty two metres out.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu did well defensively in the 28th minute when whilst defending near his own try line, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu came out of the Queensland Maroon defensive line and smashed the NSW CIS fullback just as he was trying to off-load the ball with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu forcing a NSW CIS forward pass just ten metres out from the try line.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also came out of the Queensland Maroon defensive line in the 38th minute and put a big hit on the NSW CIS right second rower No. 11 two metres out from the try line near the left corner.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu started at left centre in Round One of the 2023 Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League competition for Stretton State College against Keebra Park SHS as well as in Round Two against Redcliffe SHS.

Round Four against Mabel Park SHS saw Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu continue at left centre with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu making a line break in the 26th minute with a thirty eight metre line break down the left touchline with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu being brought down thirty metres out from the try line.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu was also involved in the opening tackle of the match from the kick-off that resulted in a Mabel Park SHS knock-on.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also started at left centre in Round Five against PBC SHS as well as in Round Six and Round Seven.

2023 also saw Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu play for the Souths Magpies in the GBJRL U15 Division One competition with Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu making his first appearance at left centre in Round Five against Wynnum Manly. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu then moved two left second row in Round Six against Logan Brothers before moving to five eight for Round Nine against Redcliffe. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu then moved back to left centre in Round Ten against Aspley.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu scored twice in the GBJRL U15 Division One regular season being in Round Nine against Redcliffe and Round Ten against Aspley.

It is hard to put in words just how talented Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu is in terms of running the ball, he has outstanding speed both off the mark which I would consider in the plus category and top end speed which must be considered plus regardless of position. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu with his speed is able to exploit even small gaps in the defensive line with an exceptional step off either foot and incredible acceleration as well as outstanding balance and body control.

It is that speed trait which opens up his incredible ball playing skills as well. Teams start to focus heavily on Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that they open up holes wider out in the defensive line that Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu can exploit.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can readjust.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also runs with the ball in both hands which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu is going to do. If Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu sees a gap he is through it before the defensive line can react also when a forward takes the ball up through the centre of the ruck, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu is always in support and if he gets an off load he can accelerate through the resultant gap.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu does not necessarily have a big step but has an outstanding swerve which he uses when confronted with the fullback. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu will run directly at the fullback to slow his lateral momentum and then swerve around him the second the fullback’s momentum stops or slows.

Defensively Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu is a very strong young man with exceptional functional strength to go along with an innate understanding of the attacking strategies of rugby league thus he is able to anticipate what an attacking side is looking to do with the ball and then be in the best position to negate it.

2025 will see Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu continue to play for the Souths Magpies in the GBJRL U17Nev Blair Shield Division One competition as well as continue to play for the Stretton State College School Boy Rugby League Open age Teams in their various South East Queensland School Boy Rugby League competitions.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu will also start the 2025 season once again part of the Brisbane Tigers U17 Cyril Connell Cup squad after playing for the Tigers CC Cup side as a 15 year old in 2023 and as a 16 year old in 2024.

Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu has the size, speed, strength, mobility and defensive capabilities to make a very good rugby league centre long term. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu really does show flashes of real ability, especially in terms of slicing through defensive lines. Once he develops consistency to go with his undoubted natural ability the sky is the limit for Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu.

With his height and speed Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu has a playing style akin to that of talented Canterbury Bulldogs and former Penrith Panthers, New South Wales State of Origin and Samoan International fullback or centre and former Australian school boy’s rugby league sensation Stephen Crichton. Both Creighton and Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu have height and speed as well as the ability to negotiate their way through congestion when at first glance there did not appear to be any room to move at all. Both Creighton and Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also have outstanding hands from a ball control, passing and kick retrieval perspective.

The scary part is that both Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu and Creighton have the capacity to add additional muscle mass (a fair bit too in Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu’s case) without at all impacting on their speed, balance and body control. Both Creighton and Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu also have outstanding hand eye co-ordination and spacial awareness to add to all of the other outstanding attributes that they have at their disposal.

With continued rugby league experience under his belt, Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu could be a very very special talent indeed for the Titans.

 

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Jyah White. In early 2022 Jyah White signed a two year JTS contract with the Titans that will take him through to the end of the 2024 season being his U17 eligible season with Jyah White then extending his contract for an extra three years.

In late September 2024 Jyah White started at left second row for a Future Titans U16 side that defeated a Storm squad 36 – 22. Jyah White also started at left second row in the Anthony Laffranchi Cup against the Wests Tigers.

Jyah White lined up in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Jyah White started from the bench for a Titans U16 JTS squad that played a touring Auckland U16 side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Seven match against the Brisbane Bronco’s with Jyah White operating in the right second row position after coming off the bench in the 26th minute.

Jyah White made a good run in the 29th minute from the left of the play the ball from twenty one metres out with Jyah White stepping off his left foot as he approached the defensive line to wrong foot multiple defenders to get the ball to within two metres of the try line and four metres in from the right touchline.

In late September 2023 Jyah White was part of the Titans U16 side in their Antony Laffranchi Cup victory against the Balmain Tigers in Northern New South Wales in wet and windy conditions.

In October 2023 Jyah White was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup squad with Jyah White also CC Cup eligible in 2025.

Round One of the 2024 U17 Cyril Connell Cup season saw Jyah White start from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Jyah White coming onto the field due to an injury in just the 2nd minute of the match.

Jyah White showed his defensive aptitude in the 17th minute with a big well executed front on tackle on one of the Wynnum Manly front rowers to force a knock on in the centre of the field and forty metres out from the try line.

Jyah White then made a try scoring defensive effort in the 20th minute when after the Wynnum Manly left centre took an intercept when defending his own try line and after he charged downfield, Jyah White flew from the opposite side of the field to get to the centre fourteen metres from the try line and the opposite end of the field along with Jai Billish to prevent what appeared to be a certain Wynnum Manly try.

Jyah White then started at lock in Round Two against the Brisbane Tigers with Jyah White making a big second tackle of the match when after driving his right shoulder into the Tigers No. 12 Jay White drove him back more than two metres.

In the 2nd minute of the match Jay White ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and ran the ball from forty six metres from the try line to thirty two metres out after dummying to his right. Then in the 8th minute from the right of the play the ball Jyah White ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty three metres from the try line to within four metres of the halfway mark.

The 42nd minute then saw Jyah White take possession of the ball to the left of the play the ball four metres into Tigers territory and after stepping off his left foot Jyah White was able to promote the ball to the thirty three metre mark.

Jyah White continued at lock in Round Three against the Norths Devils and in the 47th minute from the left of the play the ball Jyah White carried the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to a metre into Devils territory after dummying to his right.

Three minutes later in the 50th minute from the right of the play the ball Jay White ran the ball from thirty one metres to twenty metres after targeting the area directly behind the Devils markers. Then a minute later in the 51st minute from the right of the dummy half Jyah White ran the ball from eleven metres out only to be held up over the try line three metres to the right of the goal posts.

Jyah White come close to scoring once again in the 58th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from fifteen metres out, Jay White got within sight of the try line directly in front of the goal posts.

Jyah White did exceptionally well in the 58th minute when he chased through a short Tweed Heads kick-off to the left with Jyah White jumping above a Devils played to take the kick-off on the full thirty metres from the try line.

In early June 2024 Jyah White was named in the South Queensland Sharks U16 NYC Touch Squad as well as being named in the Queensland Jesters side for the 2024 Queensland Oztag Super Series with Jyah White named the U16 Super Series Most Valuable Player. Jyah White was subsequently named in the 2024 U16 Queensland Oztag State of Origin side.

Jyah White played at lock in the second half of Round Four against the Southport Tigers with Jyah White making a line break in the 38th minute when from two passes to the left of the play the ball on the halfway Jyah White produced a subtle left foot step to charged to within three metres of the try line near the left touchline.

Round Six of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition saw Jyah White start at lock for the Helensvale Hornets against the Burleigh Bears and in the 5th minute from the left of the play the ball Jyah White ran the ball through the centre of the field from six metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Burleigh’s half.

Jyah White also ran the ball through the centre of the field in the 8th minute from the right of the dummy half from his thirty seven metre mark and after dummying to his right Jyah White was able to get the ball to the halfway mark. Additionally in the 10th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and thirty two metres from his try line Jyah White carried the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark.

In the 15th minute Jay White also ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty metres to thirty metres from the try line and then in the 23rd minute from the right of the dummy half Jyah White was able to get the ball from thirty four metres to forty seven metres from his try line.

Defensively in the 16th minute Jyah White executed a big hit on the Burleigh right winger when he was returning a kick thirty five metres from the try line. Jyah White made an even better defensive play in the 30th minute when he raced to his right in cover defence to tackle the Burleigh left centre No. 3 over the Hornets right touchline less than a metre from the left corner post.

Jyah White then started at left centre in Round Nine against the Southport Tigers and in the 25th minute from a Helensvale twenty metre tap restart Jyah White was able to make thirteen hard metres.

In the 29th minute from wide on the left side of the field Jyah White ran the ball from thirty two to twenty two metres from the try line before getting a pass away to his inside. Then later in the same set of six tackles Jyah White received the ball on the left touchline and twenty two metres from the try line as the halftime siren sounded and smartly put in a right foot grubber kick which in the end was knocked on by the Southport fullback to put an end to the first half.

Jyah White started on the right wing for the Helensvale Hornets in the GCRL U18 Division One Grand Final against the Southport Tigers and in the 16th minute after taking possession of a pass from his left on the first bounce near the left touchline thirty metres from his own try line Jyah White beat two defender with the same amount of right foot steps to run the ball to within four metres of the halfway mark.

Jyah White also played Oztag in 2023 with Jyah White named in the 2023 Super Series Queensland Rebels U15 Representative squad. Jyah White was also named in the 2023 Queensland Schools Oztag Year Ten Mixed All Stars School Merit Team.

In late 2023 Jyah White was named in the Coomera Chiefs 2024 U16 Boys Oztag team for the 2024 Queensland State Oztag Championships.

Jyah White was part of the 2022 Titans JTS Elite Development Program and was part of the Titans 2022 U14 JTS High Performance Academy Gold Coast squad that commenced training on a weekly basis in November 2022.

In early December 2022 Jyah White played for the Titans U14 Gold Coast JTS Academy against the Titans U14 Logan JTS Academy in a high quality trial match on the Gold Coast with both teams wearing Titans jerseys in a great Titans initiative.

Jyah White played the 2022 season with the Helensvale Hornets in the highly competitive Gold Coast Junior Rugby League U14 Division One competition.

Jyah White had an outstanding 2022 GCRL U14 Division One season with the Hornets with some of Jyah White’s tries noted below:

Against Nerang Jyah White charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball thirty five metres out and broke through the initial Roosters defensive line by way of a right foot step with Jyah White then beating the fullback with another right foot step with Jyah White then racing away to dive over to score ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Against the Southport Tigers after receiving the ball three metres out and on the left side of the field, Jyah White threw a big dummy to his left before cutting back inside by way of a left foot step with Jyah White then crashing over between and over the top of multiple defenders to get the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks Jyah White charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from around forty metres out with Jyah White cutting back inside off his right foot before Jyah White used a left arm fend to beat one defender to break through the initial defensive line. Jyah White then veered to his right to round the fullback and charge downfield to get the ball near just in from the right corner post.

Against the Southport Tigers Jyah White when he was thirty five metres out received the ball to the right of the play the ball. As he ran towards the oncoming defensive line, Jyah White dummied to both his inside and outside before running the ball himself with Jyah White breaking three tackles and before running over the top of the Tigers fullback to score a great solo try under the posts.

Against the Burleigh Bears Jyah White received an inside pass from his right whilst five metres out from the try line with Jyah White then carrying two defenders over the try line to get the ball down adjacent to the right upright.

Also against the Bears Jyah White received the ball ten metres out and to the right of the play the ball. As he took the ball towards the defensive line Jyah White dummied to both his inside and outside before taking on the defensive line himself with Jyah White crashing over to get the ball down next to the left upright.

Against the Currumbin Eagles Jyah White from twenty five metres out and to the right of the play the ball burst onto the ball and broke through the Eagles defensive line with Jyah White then beating the fullback to score under the posts.

Also against the Eagles from sixty five metes out Jyah White received a pass from the dummy half from his left and in the centre of the field. Jyah White strong charge saw him burst through three attempted tackles whilst he was still inside his own half with Jyah White then executed a right foot step to beat the fullback. Then as three defenders converged upon him Jyah White propped and cut back towards the centre of the field with that manoeuvre wrong footing all three defenders. Jyah White then set off again downfield outpacing the remaining cover defenders to score a great solo try under the black dot.

Against the Beaudesert Kingfishers from seventy metres out Jyah White made a line break on the right side of the field and from there it was shut the gate with Jyah White easily outpacing the Kingfishers fullback and the other cover defenders to score in the right corner.

Then against the Ormeau Shearers Jyah White ran onto a pass to the right of the play the ball and fifteen metres out with Jyah White then slicing through a gap to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Against the Runaway Bay Seagulls Jyah White ran onto the ball from twenty metres out and to the right of the play the ball with Jyah White breaking four tackles before reaching out to get the ball down seven metres to the left of the uprights.

The young front rower is an all effort type of forward who runs with determination, he takes the ball to the line with speed, but he does not just put his head down and rush forward, he uses quick and subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to target the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing forwards who are slow to move up.

When the opposition are on the back foot Jyah White will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck and burst through and for a big young bloke he has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him.

It is the intensity and speed that he plays the game at that holds Jyah White in good stead as he starts to be selected in representative sides and plays against a higher quality of opposition.

Jyah White is also very effective close to the opposition try line with his ability to burst through tackles. If the defenders do not come off the try he will just drag them across the try line, with his continued development of which running lines he can utilise, such as running an inside shoulder line when close to the opposition try line he will become even more effective and will be an asset to the entire team as defences compress to combat his running thus leaving more room our wide.

One area where Jyah White is already highly developed is his off-loading, his off-loading skill attributes in my eyes could be considered untapped. Jyah White shows regular flashes of ability to off load when in contact with the defensive line.

The defensive side of his game is similarly impressive, Jyah White does not just charge wildly up looking for a huge hit but is calculating in where and when to hit. Jyah White drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder and core body strength to drive into his opponent.

Jyah White sets a strong lower base by setting his legs and generating force by driving through the tackle with his lower body, gaining leverage and momentum enabling his initial contact to be outstanding and more than enough to stop the momentum of the attacker regardless of their size attributes.

Jyah White’s defensive dominance will not continue at its current rate as he starts to play against higher quality opposition but the timing and defensive technique that he has will mean that Jyah White will always likely be a plus defender. Jyah White really does have a very good tackling technique.

2025 will see Jyah White continue to play for the Helensvale Hornets with Jyah White moving up fulltime to the GCRL U18 Division One competition. Jyah White will also start the 2025 season as a member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 CC Cup side with Jyah White also CC Cup eligible in 2026.

Jyah White has a diverse and fascinating skill set with Jyah White having a very good passing game to go along with his running game. Jyah White can also kick tactically and Jyah White is also a solid goal kicker although it is unlikely that Jyah White is going to be his team’s primary tactical or goal kicking option going forward (Jyah White may disagree however!). From a tactical kicking perspective Jyah White’s short kicking game is already evolving well and at the present time Jyah White’s right foot short kicking effectiveness exceeds that of his long kicking game.

From a position perspective Jyah White operated primarily in the front row in 2022 for the Helensvale Hornets in the GCRL U14 Division One competition and in 2023 in the GCRL U15 Division One competition and even though Jyah White wore the No. 7 jersey on occasion in 2022. In 2024 however Jyah White was a stand out at lock for the Helensvale Hornets U16 Division One side including a dominant Grand Final winning performance against the Burleigh Bears.

it seems a near certainty that Jyah White will line up at lock going forward and develop into a front rower with a diverse and interesting skill set. I must acknowledge however that for the Titans U16 side on a number of occasions in 2023 and 2024 Jyah White spent time at right second row and in those instances Jyah White certainly looked right at home a bit wider of the ruck.

From a player comparison perspective for Jyah White think of former Titans, Queensland State of Origin and current Redcliffe Dolphins front rower Jarrod Wallace as a big strong powerful hard running and hardworking forward and someone who his team mates will follow as he leads by example in the most taxing position on the field.

Whilst I note that Jyah White certainly has some playing similarities to Wallace, there are also aspects of Jyah White’s game that are not dis-similar to the way that Australian International, New South Wales State of Origin and Penrith Panthers Premiership winning lock Isaiah Yeo plays rugby league.

 

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Luke Jones. The young man formerly from the Sawtell Panthers Junior Rugby League club in Northern New South Wales has deservedly signed a multi-year contract with the Titans and as a result Luke Jones moved to the Gold Coast to attend the Titans Partnered Palm Beach Currumbin State High School as part of his official contract with the Gold Coast Titans for the 2022 season.

In early January 2024 Luke Jones started at lock for a Titans U17 side in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney with Luke Jones more than holding his own against the giant Penrith Panthers forward pack.

In the first match against the Penrith Panthers Luke Jones took the Titans third hit of the match to the left of the play the ball to get the ball over the halfway mark.

Luke Jones also started at lock in the second trial of the day against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Luke Jones scoring in the 15th minute when he ran a great hard line from six metres out off a Jai Bilish pass to crash over to score three metres to the left of the goal posts.

Luke jones made his initial run of the match in the 2nd minute from the left of the play the ball with Luke Jones able to carry the ball to the halfway mark after commencing his run thirty nine metres out from his own try line with approximately 70% of the metres Luke Jones gained being post contact with the Souths Sydney defensive line.

The 11th minute saw Luke Jones charge onto the ball to the left of the play the ball with the result being an eleven metre carry from his own twenty nine metre mark out to the forty metre mark. Then in the 39th minute Luke Jones burst onto the ball to the left of the dummy half in a Titans yardage set to promote the ball from twenty metre metres from his own try line out to the thirty six metre mark, making a half break along the way.

Luke Jones made a try saving tackle in the 38th minute when he stopped the Souths Sydney dummy half from burrowing over from close range near the Titans left goal post.

Luke Jones continued to attend PBC SHS in 2024 was part of the PBC SHS Titans Cup School Boy Rugby League Open Advanced side including starting from the bench in the Grand Final against Marymount College.

After coming onto the field to operate at lock in the 16th minute Luke Jones ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half from twenty nine metres to forty two metres from the try line.

Luke Jones did well defensively in the 19th minute when along with Ayden Byrnes, Luke Jones made a strong driving tackle on the Marymount College halfback to drive him back three metres and dump him twenty metres from the try line.

Round Six of the 2024 U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup competition saw Luke Jones start at right second row for the Burleigh Bears against the Brisbane Tigers with Luke Jones making a strong run from a Burleigh penalty restart from thirty six metres from his own try line to within two metres of the halfway mark.

Round Three of the GCRL U18 Division One competition saw Luke Jones start at right second row for the Currumbin Eagles against the Burleigh Bears and in the 20th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Luke Jones carried the ball through the centre of the field from twenty nine metres to forty one metres from his try line.

Luke Jones also made a big tackle in the 32nd minute with a driving right shoulder tackle on the Burleigh left winger when returning a kick with Luke Jones driving him back to twelve metres from the try line.

Luke Jones then started from the bench in Round Six against the Southport Tigers and after coming onto the field in the 20th minute Luke Jones made a line break in the 24th minute when Luke Jones chased through a Harrison Doherty short goal line drop-out to the left with Luke Jones retrieving the ball twelve metres from the try line and charging downfield to within five metres of the halfway mark.

Luke Jones made a second line break in the 57th minute when Luke Jones burst through two attempted tackles from a Currumbin penalty restart twenty eight metres from his own try line with Luke Jones crashing and barging his way six metres into Southport territory.

From the left of the play the ball in the 25th minute Luke Jones charged onto the ball and got from thirty metres to within ten metres of the try line just to the right of the goal posts.

The rescheduled Round One GCRL U18 Division match saw Luke Jones start at left second row for the Currumbin Eagles against the Southport Tigers with Luke Jones making the second hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball to run the ball from sixteen to twenty seven metres from the try line with Luke Jones also making the fourth hit-up also from the left of the play the ball from thirty seven metres from his try line to the halfway mark.

The 4th minute then saw Luke Jones run the ball down the left channel from twenty to thirty metres from his try line before being awarded a penalty for a strip of the ball with more than one defender in the tackle. Also in the 37th minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty three metres from his try line Luke Jones was able to make twelve metres and then a minute later in the 38th minute Luke Jones ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty five metres from his try line to within three metres of the halfway mark.

Defensively in the 9th minute a heavy Luke Jones hit on the Southport right second rower No. 12 saw Luke Jones drive him four metres backwards to the forty metre mark and then a minute later in the 10th minute Luke Jones smashed the Tigers right centre No. 3 with the ball flying loose as a result. Luke Jones was at it again in the 13th minute with a crunching tackle on the South front rower No. 10 in the centre of the field and ten metres from the try line. Luke Jones made another strong tackle in the 33rd minute with a big front on hit on the Tigers fullback just four metres from the try line.

Luke Jones continued at left second row in Round Eleven against the Southport Tigers and in the 4th minute from a Currumbin penalty restart Luke Jones carried the ball from the halfway eleven metres into Southport territory.

Luke Jones also did well defensively in the 46th minute to dart out of the defensive line to hit the Tigers five eight just as he was taking possession of the ball thirty metres from the try line.

Luke Jones also started at left second row in Round Thirteen against the Burleigh Bears with Luke Jones recording a try assist in the 41st minute after running the ball from sixteen to eight metres from the try line from two passes to the left of the play the ball Luke Jones drew the Bears right winger and passed to his left to put his left winger over to score in the corner.

Luke Jones ran ball to the left of the play the ball in the 16th minute from thirty eight metres from the try line to the halfway. Then from an Eagles penalty restart in the 27th minute Luke Jones ran the ball well from eight metres inside his half to seven metres into the Bears.

In the 32nd minute from the left of the dummy half Like Jones ran from thirty two to forty five metres from the try line. Also in the 54th minute from the left of the play the ball and eighteen metres from his try line Luke Jones got the ball out to the thirty metre mark with Luke Jones receiving a penalty for ruck interference and then from the penalty restart Luke Jones made fourteen metres to ten metres inside Bears territory.

Luke Jones continued at left second row in the rescheduled Round One match against the Southport Tigers with Luke Jones making the second hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball to run from twenty to thirty metres from the try line. Luke Jones then backed up to also take the fourth hit-up from the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from the thirty eight metre mark to the halfway. Then in the 37th minute from the right of the play the ball Like Jones ran the ball from twenty one to thirty three metres from the try line.

Luke Jones also started at left second row in Round Fifteen against the Helensvale Hornets and in the 24th minute from the left of a Currumbin penalty restart Luke Jones carried the ball from twenty to thirty two metres from the try line.

Luke Jones made a huge front on tackle in the 12th minute when he smashed his opposite number thirty metres from the try line with Luke Jones also making the next tackle from the marker position.

Luke Jones started at left second row for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 Division One Qualifying Final against the Southport Tigers with Luke Jones taking the second hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball to run the ball from twenty to thirty one metres from his try line.

Luke Jones ran the ball down a short left blindside in the 2nd minute to run the ball from twenty seven to thirty eight metres from his try line and then in the 10th minute after running an underneath line to the left of the play the ball Luke Jones threw a superb catch and pass to his left to put William Wright away down the left touchline. Also in the 47th minute from two passes to the left of a Currumbin scrum win Luke Jones ran the ball from twenty two to ten metres from the try line after maintaining his balance after being hit just as he had received the ball.

Luke Jones produced a great tackle in the 49th minute to drive his opposing second rower back to twenty six metres from the try line.

Luke Jones started at left second row for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 Division One Week Two Elimination Final against the Burleigh Bears and in the 3rd minute from an underneath line to the left of the play the ball Luke Jones got the ball to within a metre of the try line after making thirteen metres.

From the left of the play the ball in the 7th minute and twenty metres from his own try line Luke Jones got the ball out to the thirty two metre mark and then in the 9th minute from a Currumbin penalty restart Luke Jones ran the ball from forty to twenty seven metres from the try line.

Luke Jones started at left second row for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 Division One Preliminary Final against the Helensvale Hornets with Luke Jones making a great tackle in the 14th minute to prevent a Hornets try when he held up the Helensvale fullback two metres to the left of the posts.

In the 20th minute Luke Jones cut the Helensvale replacement dummy half No. 14 in half after he had tried to make ground out of dummy half eleven metres from the try line. Luke Jones made another big tackle in the 40th minute when he crunched one of the Hornets replacement forwards (No. 15) by coming over the top to force a knock on in the centre of the field and thirty metres from the try line.

From the left of the play the ball but to the right of the uprights in the 19th minute Luke Jones stepped off his left foot twice in quick succession to run the ball from ten to twenty two metres from the try line. Then two minutes later in the 21st minute from three passes to the left of a Currumbin scrum win Luke Jones broke a tackle as he surged from thirty two to twenty metres from the try line.

Luke Jones lined up in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Luke Jones started at lock for a Titans U16 JTS squad that played a touring Auckland U16 side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Seven match against the Brisbane Bronco’s with Luke Jones making the second hit-up of the match from the right of the play the ball to get the ball out to the thirty three metre mark.

Then in the 29th minute from three passes to the left of the play the ball thirteen metres from the try line Luke Jones, after dummying to his left, stepped off his left foot and bet two defenders to come close to scoring only for his forward momentum to be halted less than a metre from the try line and two metres to the right of the goal posts.

Luke Jones’s hard working match continued in the 32nd minute with a strong run from the left of the dummy half from the halfway mark to thirty nine metres from the try line.

In late September 2023 Luke Jones was part of the Titans U16 side in their Antony Laffranchi Cup victory against the Balmain Tigers in Northern New South Wales in trying conditions.

In early December 2022 Luke Jones took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL off-season training squad.

In late September 2022 Luke Jones was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup representative squad with Luke Jones starting in the Bears first 2023 CC Cup trial against the Souths Logan Magpies at the Annual Titans Super Saturday.

Luke Jones was named to start from the bench in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Luke Jones coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 11th minute.

Luke Jones had a strong match from a defensive perspective in the 15th minute with a diving tackle on the Wynnum Manly right winger who was trying to run across field on a kick return with Luke Jones tracking him across field to make the tackle and force a knock on just two metres out to put Burleigh in great field position.

Then in the 18th minute made heavy initial contact on the Wynnum Manly No. 10 thirty metres out from his own try line with Luke Jones stopping the much larger front rower in his tracks.

Luke Jones moved into the Bears starting side at left second row in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Luke Jones scoring a key try in the 43rd minute when he charged through a gap six metres out from the try line off a Daniel Rakena pass to dive over untouched to score eight metres in from the left corner post.

Luke Jones highlighted his hard work and effort in the 26th minute with a great chance of a Burleigh clearing kick with Luke Jones tackling the Souths Logan fullback five metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field just after the fullback took the ball on the full.

Luke Jones also started at left second row in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Luke Jones making a line break in the 8th minute when from thirty five metres out from the try line Luke Jones ran onto a Daniel Rakena ball and charged downfield to get within fourteen metres of the try line.

Luke Jones then recorded a line break assist in the 59th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field around forty metres from his own try line, Luke Jones drew the tigers right winger and got an off-load away to his left to Isaac Cullen who broke away down the left touchline.

Luke Jones continued at left second row in Round Four against the Norths Devils.

Luke Jones then started at left second row in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Luke Jones taking the second hit-up of the match when to the right of the play the ball Luke Jones took possession twelve metres out from his own try line and getting the ball to twenty six metres out.

Luke Jones was outstanding defensively against the Dolphins including in the 7th minute when whilst defending from a Redcliffe scrum ten metres from the Dolphins try line the right centre ran the ball from the scrum but Luke Jones hit him front on and drove him back to just four metres form the try line. Luke Jones was then involved in the next two tackles from the marker position.

Then in the 16th minute Luke Jones drove his right shoulder through the Redcliffe lock (No. 13) eighteen metres out from the try line. Luke Jones had another strong defensive moment in the 39th minute when along with Daniel Rakena, Luke Jones picked up the Dolphins fullback ten metres out from his own try line and drove him back to within a metre of the try line before the referee called held.

Luke Jones’s performance saw him named in the 2023 Courier Mail CC Cup Round Six Team of the Week.

Luke Jones also started at left second row in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Luke Jones recording a try assist in the 61st minute with a superb catch and pass to his left under heavy pressure when twelve metres out from the try line to put Seth Gundry into a gap and over to score wide out on the left.

Luke Jones made the first of his strong runs in the 11th minute when he cut inside one of his halves to take the ball five metres inside his own territory and after breaking four tackles Luke Jones got the ball eight metres inside Tweed Heads territory.

Luke Jones was also outstanding defensively including in the 25th minute when Luke Jones chased through an attacking Burleigh kick and after grabbing the Seagulls fullback Luke Jones rag dolled him back inside his own twenty metre mark.

In the 50th minute Luke Jones grabbed hold of the Seagulls left winger and dragged him back into the in-goal as he was trying to return a kick to force a goal line drop-out. Then in the 54th minute along with Zac Murphy, Luke Jones held up the giant Seagulls front rower No. 8 over the try line under the posts before forcing him back into the field of play.

Luke Jones returned to PBC SHS in 2023 with Luke Jones starting from the bench in Round Two of the 2023 School Boy Walters Cup with Luke Jones coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 19th minute with Luke Jones making sixteen metres from the left of the play the ball to get within twenty metres of the try line.

Luke Jones also started from the bench in the Semi-final against Marsden SHS with Luke Jones coming onto the field in the 19th minute and made his initial run almost immediately to get the ball to within seven metres of the halfway mark.

Luke Jones continued from the bench in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Walters Cup Grand Final against Wavell SHS with Luke Jones coming onto the field in the 14th minute.

2023 also saw Luke Jones continue playing for the Currumbin Eagles in the Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Division One competition with Luke Jones starting at lock in the Grand Final against the Beaudesert Kingfishers with the Eagles avenging their 2022 Grand Final loss to the Kingfishers with a strong 40 – 0 victory.

Luke Jones move to the Gold Coast made immediate dividends with his selection in the 2022 South Coast School Boy U15 Rugby League Representative Side.

As a result of his performance for South Coast, at the conclusion of the U15 QSSRL Championships Luke Jones was named in the 2022 QSSRL U15 White School Boy Representative side and started Match One of the ASSRL U15 Championships from the bench for Queensland White against NSW CIS.

After coming onto the field mid-way through the first half to operate at left second row, Luke Jones scored in the 28th minute when he fought his way over from five metres out down a short left blindside to get the ball down five metres in from the left corner.

Luke Jones also did well defensively on multiple plays between the 32nd and 34th minutes when NSW CIS were constantly attacking Luke Jones side of the field with Luke Jones coming up with multiple tackles on his own goal line.

Luke Jones also started from the bench in Queensland White’s second match of the Championships against NSW CHS, coming on to operate at left second row in the 15th minute and in the 17th minute Luke Jones recorded a great try assist.

After receiving the ball from his inside to the left of the play the ball and fifteen metres out, Luke Jones charged through the NSW CHS defensive line and no doubt would have comfortably scored himself as the fullback was coming across right on the try line but Luke Jones instead passed to his left to put his left centre over to score.

Luke Jones moved into the Queensland White starting side at left second row in their play-off match against Victorian School Boys with Luke Jones recording a try assist in the 18th minute when after receiving the ball around thirty metres out in space on the left side of the field and after running to around five metres from the line, Luke Jones drew the Victorian fullback before passing to his left to put his left centre over to score.

Luke Jones continued at left second row in Queensland White’s final match of the Championships against NSW CCC.

In 2022 Luke Jones played for the PBC SHS Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League side, operating primarily at left second row although Luke Jones started Round Six at lock against Keebra Park SHS.

2022 also saw Luke Jones play for the Currumbin Eagles in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League U15 Division One competition, leading the Eagles to a Grand Final appearance against the Beaudesert Kingfishers with Luke Jones captaining the Currumbin side from the front row in their tight Grand Final victory.

In 2021 Luke Jones played for the Sawtell Panthers in the Group Two U14 Junior rugby League competition, operating primarily at lock. In fact Luke Jones has been a Sawtell Panthers junior since starting in the Panthers U6 team nine years ago.

Luke Jones first taste of representative rugby league came in 2019 when he represented the New South Wales U12 Primary School Rugby League side from Toormina Public School.

Luke Jones has also represented New South Wales in Rugby and also is an outstanding representative level swimmer (with little or no formal swimming training) and is also a Toormina High School Cross Country and Athletics Age Champion.

Luke Jones is a strong, powerful runner of the ball and once he has generated momentum he is very difficult to stop and regularly has been able to drag defenders with him after initial contact has been made, thus making significant post contact metres.

Once he is in space, Luke Jones actually has very good top end speed, I would consider it above average when analysing his speed from a rugby league forward’s perspective, to add to the difficulties for the defensive line, Luke Jones runs with a high knee lift and also has a powerful right hand fend.

Defensively the most impressive aspect of Luke Jones’s play is his ability to make effective tackle after effective tackle. For the Sawtell Panthers in the 2021 Group Two U14 competition Luke Jones continually made up to three and four tackles in a row on multiple occasions.

Whilst his stamina is impressive, so is Luke Jones’s initial contact, he uses his strength and leverage to hit the ball carrier hard forcing momentum changes to the ball carrier immediately upon impact from Luke Jones.

Luke Jones is also adept at wrapping up the ball and preventing offloads as he uses his functional strength to engage ball carriers. Defensively in a covering role he is also very effective as even though he is a big strong forward Luke Jones has very good catch up speed and a solid low tackling technique from a side aspect.

Luke Jones is U19 eligible in 2025.

Luke Jones is a tall rangy young man with outstanding speed and mobility and whilst he was played the majority of his rugby league career at lock, I believe that his best position long term is in the second row where Luke Jones can look to exploit size and speed mismatches on the fringes of the ruck.

I acknowledge that Luke Jones played in the front row for the Currumbin Eagles in the 2022 GCRL U15 Division One competition including in the Grand Final, but the front row is certainly not Luke Jones’s best position going forward. The fact that Luke Jones played so well in the front row is a testament to just how good a rugby league player Luke Jones is.

Luke Jones is an intriguing and in some ways unique prospect with the size, speed and power combination of someone like Penrith Panthers and New South Wales State of Origin’s Isiah Yeo as a player who just looks a class apart from the majority of other players on the field. If anything Luke Jones has more speed (a fair bit more speed to be fair) than Yeo.

 

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Roy Collins-Sio. In early 2024 Roy Collins-Sio signed a multi-year contract with the Titans.

In late September 2024 Roy Collins-Sio started from the bench for a Future Titans U16 side that defeated a Storm squad 38 – 22 with Roy Collins-Sio operating in the front row when he came onto the field. Roy Collins-Sio also played for the Titans U16 side in the Anthony Laffranchi Cup against the Balmain Tigers.

In early March 2024 Roy Collins-Sio was named in the Met East 2024 School Boy Rugby League Representative squad.

Day One of the 2024 QSSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Championships saw Roy Collins-Sio named on the bench for Met East against Met North with Roy Collins-Sio coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 18th minute to immediately make a kick-off return that saw Roy Collins-Sio carry the ball out to the twenty two metre mark.

In the 27th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and twenty four metres from the try line Roy Collins-Sio charged towards the try line to get within eleven metres before being awarded a penalty for Met North ruck interference. Then in the 29th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half Roy Collins-Sio was awarded another penalty after his leg was raised after carrying the ball from eighteen metres from his try line to thirty one metres out.

Roy Collins-Sio also started from the bench on Day Two against Capricornia with Roy Collins-Sio coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 15th minute and made his initial run of the match almost immediately to the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from eighteen metres to within eight metres from the try line through the centre of the field.

From the left of the play the ball in the 28th minute Rio Collins-Sio got the ball from twenty eight metres to forty metres from the try line with Roy Collins-Sio then receiving a penalty for crowding by the Capricornia defenders when he was trying to play the ball. Roy Collins-Sio then made the carry from the penalty restart and get from forty six metres to within thirty two metres of the try line. Also in the 42nd minute Roy Collins-Sio carried the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the dummy half to get the ball from the forty metre mark to halfway.

Roy Collins-Sio continued from the bench on Day Three against Met North and after coming off the bench to play in the front row in the 15th minute Roy Collins-Sio charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball in the 21st minute to surge from forty metres to twenty eight metres from the try line.

Roy Collins-Sio also started from the bench on Day Four against South Coast and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row late in the first half Roy Collins-Sio in the 24th minute from the right of the play the ball and forty seven metres from the try line was able to get the ball eleven metres closer.

A Roy Collins-Sio kick-off return in the 26th minute saw him get the ball to the twenty two metre mark, and then in the 27th minute Roy Collins-Sio ran onto the ball from the left of the play the ball on the halfway mark and carry the ball eleven metres into South Coast’s half. Additionally in the 32nd minute a further Roy Collins-Sio kick-off return saw him produce an outstanding run out to the thirty nine metre mark with Roy Collins-Sio breaking three tackles as he smashed his way downfield.

2024 also saw Roy Collins-Sio line up for Logan Brothers and even though he was still U15 eligible Roy Collins-Sio played in the GBJRL U16 Division One competition with his initial appearance being in Round Ten off the bench against the Norths Devils. Roy Collins-Sio also came off the bench on three more occasions being Round Eleven and the Week One Elimination Final against Aspley and the Preliminary Final against the South Magpies.

In early October 2024 Roy Collins-Sio was named in the 2024 Queensland Samoa U16 Representative Squad.

In September 2023 Roy Collins-Sio played for a Titans U14 side that played against another Titans U14 side in a match in Ipswich which saw the two sides both wear Titans jersey to give the players a great experience with Roy Collins-Sio starting the match in the front row.

2023 also saw Roy Collins-Sio attend Mabel Park SHS as part of the school Rugby League Excellence Program.

Roy Collins-Sio is in short a big strong powerful young man who runs with pace and power into the defensive with no thoughts of preservation. When purely metres need to be made, Roy Collins-Sio will not sue footwork and just power into the defensive line, but he also certainly can use subtle footwork to aim at the gaps between the opposing forwards.

With the power that Roy Collins-Sio has in his legs when opposing defenders try to tackle him around the legs, it is almost impossible for them to bring Roy Collins-Sio down quickly which enables him to either break the tackle completely or to off load to his support runners. When they look to tackle Roy Collins-Sio around the chest his upper body strength enables him to absorb the initial contact and also to maintain his balance and momentum.

Defensively Roy Collins-Sio is able to engage and defeat opposing attacker one on one regardless of size. Roy Collins-Sio does not just charge up trying to hit attacker’s chest on but Roy Collins-Sio is clinical about how and where he hits the opponent and sets a solid base with his legs and drives directly into their body. In short Roy Collins-Sio is a difference marker with his defence. With his strength and technique Roy Collins-Sio should likely always be considered a plus defender regardless of the quality of opponent that he is up against.

Even though Roy Collins-Sio does not necessarily have plus straight speed overall, Roy Collins-Sio’s lateral movement is very good and on the majority of occasions Roy Collins-Sio is able to mirror the movement of smaller attackers looking to exploit a perceived speed and/or mobility difference between them and Roy Collins-Sio.

2025 will see Roy Collins-Sio return to Mabel Park SHS to play his school boy rugby league Collins-Sio as well where he will push for a spot in the Mabel Park SHS School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup squad. Roy Collins-Sio will also return to Logan Brothers and will be GBJRL U16 Division One eligible.

Roy Collins-Sio’s future in rugby league lies as a big strong mobile front rower.

Roy Collins-Sio is certainly one heck of an athlete with everything that you would want to see if you were building a modern day rugby league front rower from scratch in a laboratory. Roy Collins-Sio has size, speed, strength, mobility and power and the ability to continue to develop all of those already impressive characteristics in the future.

Roy Collins-Sio is not just an outstanding athlete however, Roy Collins-Sio is also one heck of a young front rower with exceptional rugby league skills around when and how to engage defenders and Roy Collins-Sio is also rapidly developing an elite one arm (right arm on the majority of occasions) off-load. Couple those rugby league attributes with a good front on hard hitting tackling technique and you have one heck of a front row prospect in Roy Collins-Sio.

New Zealand International Joseph Tapine from the Canberra Raiders, being one of the best current front rowers in the world is a great player comparison for Roy Collins-Sio. Like Tapine, the opposition repeatedly struggles to get Roy Collins-Sio down to the ground, with his quick play-the-balls resulting in plenty of momentum for his team’s play makers to scheme off. Like Tapine, not only does Roy Collins-Sio get through a mountain of work with his metre gaining ability and hunger and intensity in defence, but Roy Collins-Sio also offers plenty in a wider attacking role with his ability to offlopatu’sad and break tackles.

 

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Mairangiatea Walker. 2024 saw Mairangiatea Walker move over to Queensland from the Waitako region of New Zealand to attend Marsden SHS with the move proving fruitful for Mairangiatea Walker after signing multi-year contract with the Titans.

In late September 2024 Mairangiatea Walker started on the right wing for a Future Titans U16 side that defeated a Storm squad 36 – 22 with Mairangiatea Walker making a line break down the right touchline from forty three to within eight metres of the try line. Mairangiatea Walker was also part of the Titans U16 side that played the Balmain Tigers in the annual Anthony Laffranchi Cup.

For Marsden SHS Mairangiatea Walker played in the School Boy Rugby League Walters Cup, staring at left centre including in the Walters Cup Grand Final against Keebra Park SHS with Mairangiatea Walker scoring in the left corner in the 13th minute with a twelve metre run after getting on the outside of his opposing defender.

At the conclusion of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League season Mairangiatea Walker was named on the wing in the 2024 Courier Mail Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League Team of the Year.

Mairangiatea Walker started the 2024 season as part of the Ipswich Jets U17 Cyril Connell Cup squad with Mairangiatea Walker starting from the bench in Rounds Two and Three against the Sunshine Coast Falcons and the Toowoomba Clydesdales.

In Round Two against the Sunshine Coast Falcons Mairangiatea Walker scored in the 47th minute when he dived to his left out of dummy half to score under the posts.

Mairangiatea Walker also scored in Round Three against the Toowoomba Clydesdales in the 42nd minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half twenty eight metres from the try line Mairangiatea Walker stepped off his right foot to beat two defenders with Mairangiatea Walker shrugging off an additional defender and then carried two more over the try line including the fullback to score under the posts.

Also in 2024 Mairangiatea Walker played for the Easts Tigers in the GBJRL U16 Division One competition with Mairangiatea Walker starting in the centres in Rounds One and Three and scoring in both matches against Aspley and Souths respectively.

In late August 2024 Mairangiatea Walker was named in the 2024 South Queensland Māori U16 Pango Representative squad.

In 2023 Mairangiatea Walker represented Waitako at the 2023 New Zealand U165 Championships including starting from the bench in the Championship Final against the South Island Scorpions.

Mairangiatea Walker contributes speed, elusiveness and a spark to his team’s attacking methodology with Mairangiatea Walker’s ability not to just run the ball himself but play as a second receiver and ball play for his team mates on the fringes of the ruck, with impressively for a junior player Mairangiatea Walker having the skill set to ball play on either side of the field.

Mairangiatea Walker can literally do it all in terms of attacking defenders, Mairangiatea Walker can slice through a gap or draw a create an overlap and pass to his support on his outside. When his team are bringing the ball out of their own territory Mairangiatea Walker hunts around behind the play the ball looking to exploit the situation when an opposition defender does not close any gaps quick enough.

From a defensive perspective Mairangiatea Walker moves forward quickly when a line break is made in front of him with Mairangiatea Walker’s intention being to reduce the time for his opponent to make a decision what to do and in those circumstances Mairangiatea Walker does not take any dummy and focusses solely on the player with the ball. When Mairangiatea Walker is required to move across in cover defence Mairangiatea Walker will show is opponent the sideline before accelerating across field looking to take his opponent into touch, which he does on a regular basis.

2025 will see Mairangiatea Walker CC Cup eligible once again with Mairangiatea Walker likely to line up for the Jets in that competition for the second season in a row. Mairangiatea Walker will also continue to play for the Easts Tigers in the GBJRL U17 Division One Nev Blair Shield competition. Mairangiatea Walker will also return to Marsden SHS in 2025 with Mairangiatea Walker set to break into the Marsden SHS Langer Cup side immediately.

Whilst Mairangiatea Walker operated at left centre for Marsden SHS and Easts in the 2024, no doubt Mairangiatea Walker could also play multiple other positions and to be honest I think that potentially Mairangiatea Walker’s best position may well be at fullback. Just to throw a spanner in the works I think that Mairangiatea Walker could also conceivably play in the dummy half role.

With his speed of the mark and his exceptional footwork, Mairangiatea Walker has a playing style that is not dis-similar to the Titans own and Queensland Stat of Origin fullback AJ Brimson. Both Brimson and Mairangiatea Walker have outstanding footwork and the speed, especially off the mark to exploit the smallest of gaps in a defensive line.

Mairangiatea Walker is an outstanding young player and is a great addition to the Titans JTS ranks.

 

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Rory McInnes. In September 2024 Rory McInnes was named in the 2025 Northern Rivers Titans U17 Academy Squad.

In late April 2024 Rory McInnes started from the bench for a Titans U16 JTS side in a match at Ipswich against an Auckland U16 side and after coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 24th minute Rory McInnes, in the 44th minute ran out of dummy half to his right from six metres inside his own territory to run the ball to seven metres into Auckland territory.

Rory McInness made his NRRRL U18 debut in the rescheduled Round One match when he started from the bench for the Casino Cougars against the Ballina Seagulls.

After coming onto the field to operate in the dummy role in the 23rd minute Rory McInness tackled everything that moved and in the 55th minute he ran out of dummy half to his right to carry the ball from thirty one metres from his try line to within two metres of the halfway mark.

In late September 2023 Rory McInnes was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad with Rory McInnes part of the Northern Rivers Titans U16 squad that defeated the Greater Northern Tigers in their first 2024 trial.

Round One of the 2024 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Rory McInnes named at hooker for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Rory McInnes making a line break in the 4th minute with a dummy half run to his right from twenty two metres from his own try line. After darting out of dummy half Rory McInnes targeted the area directly behind the play the ball with Rory McInnes stepping off his right foot on two occasions to get within ten metres of the halfway mark before getting an off-load away to his left.

Rory McInnes also ran out of dummy half to his right in the 9th minute to carry the ball from his own thirty metre mark to within ten metres of the halfway. Then a minute later in the 10th minute Rory McInnes picked up the ball from the play the ball on the run and after running down a short right blindside forty five metres from the try line Rory McInnes put up a high right foot bomb which bounced over the right touchline four metres out from the Newcastle try line.

Rory McInnes also started at hooker in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Rory McInnes running to his right out of dummy half in the 32nd minute to get the ball from seven metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Central Coast territory.

Rory McInnes also did well in the 40th minute when after receiving an off-load from Malachy Laarhaven thirty metres out form his own try line, Rory McInnes darted through the centre of the field and stepped twice off his right foot to get the ball to the halfway mark.

Rory McInnes also started at hooker in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Rory McInnes scoring in the 5th minute by way of a run out of dummy half to his right from a metre out to get the ball down under the posts.

Rory McInnes also ran out of dummy half in the 13th minute to his right from thirty two metres from his try line to forty two metres out but just as Rory McInnes looked as if he would make a lot more ground he unfortunately slipped.

Rory McInnes made a strong defensive effort in the 9th minute with a driving tackle on the Northern Tigers No. 12 to force a knock on thirty two metres from the try line.

Rory McInnes continued at hooker in the Round Five local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs with Rory McInnes scoring in the 13th minute when after running out of dummy half to his left when eleven metres from the try line Rory McInnes initially dummied to his left before going for the try line and was able to get the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.

Rory McInnes also started at hooker in the rescheduled Round Three match against the St George Dragons with Rory McInnes running out of dummy half to his left in the 13th minute from two metres out only to be held up over the try line next to the left goal post.

Rory McInnes ran out of dummy half to his right in the 2nd minute to run the ball straight through the centre of the field from thirty two metres from the try line to with nineteen metres. Then from the right of the play the ball in the 12th minute after running an underneath route Rory McInnes ran the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to a metre into Dragons territory.

In early March 2024 Rory McInnes started at hooker in the Lismore Diocese Open School Boy Rugby league Representative side out of Sy Mary’s Casino.

In 2023 Rory McInnes continued playing for the Casino Cougars in the Group One U15 competition with Rory McInnes starting at five eight in Casino’s Grand Final victory. Post the season Rory McInnes was named the 2023 Casino Cougars U15 Group One Best Back.

In early March 2023 Rory McInnes was named at halfback in the Lismore Diocesan U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative Team to attend the Northern Country selection trials at South West Rocks out of St Johns College Woodlawn

The Casino RSM Cougars youngster was part of the Titans JTS Elite Development Program and was part of the Titans 2022 U14 JTS High Performance Academy Group One squad that commenced training in November 2022 in Ballina on a weekly basis.

In early December 2022 Rory McInnes played for the Titans U14 Group One Academy squad in a trial against the Titans U14 Group 18 Academy squad in a trial match at Ballina with both teams wearing Titans jerseys. Rory McInnes in fact captained the Titans U14 Group One Academy side to a victory against the Group 18 Titans Academy Side in a high quality encounter.

Rory McInnes then continued on with the Titans Development Squad attending four sessions in February 2023 as part of a Titans combined Tweed – Ballina U14 Development Squad.

In early March 2023 Rory McInnes was named at halfback in the Lismore Diocesan U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative Team to attend the Northern Country selection trials at South West Rocks out of St Mary’s Catholic College Casino.

Rory McInnes played the 2022 season with Casino RSM in the Group One U14 competition with Rory McInnes starting the Grand Final at halfback and captain with Rory McInnes leading from the front and scoring a smart try as Casino RSM defeated the Ballina Seagulls 32 – 20 in the hotly contested Premiership decider.

In addition to his Grand Final try in 2022 in the Group One U14 competition Rory McInnes also scored against the Marist Rams Lismore in Round Six of the 2022 Group One U14 competition.

Rory McInnes also played for Casino RSM in 2021 in the Group One U13 competition with Rory McInnes finishing the season with an individual points haul of forty six points from ten tries and three conversions which Rory McInnes kicked in Round Two against the Kyogle Turkeys, Round Five against the Clarence Coast Magpies and Round Ten against the Marist Rams.

Rory McInnes scored a hat trick in Round Three against the Marist Rams and added a double in Round Seven against the Clarence Coast Magpies. Rory McInnes also scored against the Kyogle Turkeys in Rounds Two and Nine, against the Marist Rams in Rounds Six and Ten and in Round Five against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

Rory McInnes also played at halfback for Casino RSM in the 2020 Group One U12 competition with Rory McInnes scoring against the South Grafton Rebels in Rounds Six and Ten with Rory McInnes also scoring in Round Six against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

Rory McInnes also kicked two conversions in 2020 with the first of those conversions coming in Round One against the Ballina Seagulls with Rory McInnes’s other conversion coming in Round Six against the Kyogle Turkeys.

Whilst Rory McInnes’s forte is his game management and leadership abilities, Rory McInnes is a good ball runner in his own right with Rory McInnes possessing above average speed both off the mark and top end speed. Rory McInnes has the speed to be able to exploit even small gaps in the defensive line with a strong step off either foot and acceleration as well as outstanding balance and body control.

It is that speed trait which opens up Rory McInnes’s incredible ball playing skills as well. Teams start to focus heavily on Rory McInnes when he has the ball with outside defenders looking to come in to assist that they open up holes wider out in the defensive line that Rory McInnes can exploit by either popping a short ball to the outside or if the entire defensive line moves up and in Rory McInnes will throw a long hard flat cut-out pass to get his outside backs on the outside of the last opposition defender.

Rory McInnes has exquisite timing on his passes and is able to weight them perfectly as well and can do so from either side of his body. Adding in this is that Rory McInnes can stop on a dime even travelling at full speed and pop the short pass, thus it looks for all money that he is going to run the ball thus the defence converges and then the ball is delivered to a support runner who is through a hole before the defensive line can readjust.

Rory McInnes also runs with the ball in both hands which is another reason why the defensive line is unable to determine exactly what Rory McInnes is going to do on any given possession. If Rory McInnes sees a gap, he is through it before the defensive line can react also when a forward takes the ball up through the centre of the ruck, Rory McInnes is always in support and if he gets an off load he can accelerate through the resultant gap.

When he has broken through the initial defensive line Rory McInnes will run directly at the fullback to slow his lateral momentum and then swerve around him the second the fullback’s momentum stops or slows. Rory McInnes is also adept at setting up his support runners with Rory McInnes holding the ball to the last moment before passing the ball to ensure that the opposing fullback cannot move off him prematurely to tackle Rory McInnes’s support runner.

Defensively as Rory McInnes is a taller type of half back and he has the size and leverage to be a very good defender on the edge of the ruck and for want of a better term Rory McInnes is his team’s defensive quarter back. Rory McInnes controls and managers his team’s line speed and directs the defenders around him in terms of whether to employ a sliding defensive scheme or enact an up and in defensive methodology.

On an individual level Rory McInnes’s initial contact is strong and he will drive his shoulder through any size opponent that makes the decision to run directly at him with Rory McInnes then finishing the tackle by regularly driving his opponent into the ground and then Rory McInnes, with his high centre of gravity and length is able to slow the play the ball down by holding his opponent on the ground with his weight and body placement.

Against a backline opponent looking to take him on one on one on the fringes of the ruck Rory McInnes, with his high level lateral mobility is able to mirror the movement of the attacker and with his quick twitch feet Rory McInnes is rarely beaten by an opponent who is looking to beat him by stepping past him either on the outside or to the inside.

Rory McInnes will play the 2025 season with the Casino Cougars in the NRRRL U18 competition after making his debut as a 16 year old in 2024. Rory McInnes will also play school boy rugby league in Northern New South Wales for St Mary’s Catholic College Casino.

Simply put Rory McInnes is a hooker. The more the ball is in Rory McInnes hands the better for everyone. No doubt that Rory McInnes could play a number of different positions but why anyone would even consider moving such a talented young player from hooker would be absolutely beyond me.

With his ability to size up an opportunity in terms of whether to run or pass in an instant as well as his competitive nature, Rory McInnes is the prototypical new age rugby league hooker, and one who will certainly not crack under pressure, in fact Rory McInnes seems to thrive on it, the more the better.

Some players in key positions such as in the halves or fullback, want to not lose matches rather than to try to win them, Rory McInnes is on the absolute opposite end of the spectrum, he wants the ball in his hands with the game on the line, wanting to win the game rather than being worried about losing it. Very few players at any level of any sport, even at the professional level, have that sort of mentality. Only a very small handful of people really thrive under intense pressure (a lot say they do but...) Rory McInnes appears to be definitely one of them.

Rory McInnes is a superb organiser and game manager who has old head on young shoulders as the saying goes and Rory McInnes is ideally suited to the hooker role in rugby league.

An NRL player comparison for Rory McInnes proved to be an interesting exercise, but ultimately, I believe an appropriate player comparison for Rory McInnes is Cronulla Sharks hooker Blake Brayley. Rory McInnes has the same type of intensity, will to win, game management and leadership attributes as the Sharks hooker.

Team mates follow Rory McInnes through the sheer force of his will and pure effort, regardless of whether Rory McInnes is the captain or not. Rory McInnes’s leadership skills are far more than just being the captain of a top level team, Rory McInnes has all the hall marks of not just an NRL captain or even a club captain but a representative level one as well, including at the State and International level.

From a leadership perspective in rugby league, the best two leaders I have seen and probably has ever been Cameron Smith and Wally Lewis. Rory McInnes’s leadership skills are right up there in that same overall category, he will back his team mates no matter what but at the same time will let them know when they have to change their attitude, behaviour or the way that they are conducting themselves on the field from a playing or attitude perspective as the match progresses.

 

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Tyson MacDonald. Tyson MacDonald signed a multi-year contract with the Gold Coast Titans in early 2024.

In late September 2024 Tyson MacDonald started on the left wing for a Future Titans U16 side that defeated a Storm squad 36 – 22 with Tyson MacDonlad scoring in the opening period of the match when he stood up his opposing winger twelve metres from the try line to beat him down the touchline to score in the left corner.

Tyson MacDonald also scored in the second period when he also scored in the left corner after a Storm turnover.

Tyson MacDonald also started on the left wing in the Anthony Laffranchi Cup against the Wests Tigers.

In early December 2024 Tyson MacDonald was named in the 2025 Souths Logan Magpies U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup Summer Squad.

In late April 2024 Tyson MacDonald started at left centre (right centre in the second half) for a Titans U16 side against Auckland U16’s in Ipswich with Tyson MacDonald running onto the ball wide on the left side of the field in the 3rd minute to carry the ball from thirty seven metres from the try line to within nineteen metres.

From a Titans penalty restart in the 6th minute Tyson MacDonald carried the ball from the halfway mark to thirty nine metres from the try line, then in the 16th minute from the left of a Titans scrum win Tyson MacDonald’s yardage carry saw him promote the ball from six metres to eighteen metres from his own try line.

Early in the second half in the 35th minute also from a Titans penalty restart thirty six metres from the try line Tyson MacDonald was able to make eleven metres to within twenty five metres of the try line. Then in the 39th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and eleven metres from the try line Tyson MacDonald burst onto the ball and was able to get very very close to getting the ball over the try line.

Round One of the 2024 U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup competition saw Tyson MacDonald named on the Souths Logan Magpies extended bench for their home match against the Burleigh Bears.

Tyson MacDonald was then named on the left wing for the Magpies in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Tyson MacDonald running the ball to the right of the play the ball in the 16th minute from ten metres from his own try line before cutting off his right foot to target the area behind the marker and carry the ball to the twenty five metre mark as a result.

Tyson MacDonald did well in the 33rd minute when after running back inside his own ten metres area to collect a Tigers kick seven metres from his own try line near the left touchline Tyson MacDonald ran the ball towards the centre of the field to get the ball out to the twenty two metre mark.

Tyson MacDonald produced a smart piece of play in the 39th minute when a cut out pass was thrown in his wing and with the ball arriving very low Tyson MacDonald instead of taking the risk of trying to catch the low ball kicked the ball in mid-air with his left foot from ten metres from the try line and on the left touchline with the Tigers fullback knocking the ball on a metre from his own try line trying to collect Tyson MacDonald’s left foot kick.

Tyson MacDonald did well defensively in the 12th minute when after initially holding up the Brisbane Tigers right centre over the try line, Tyson MacDonald then forced the centre back into the field of play and subsequently over the left touchline.

Whilst defending in his left wing in the 43rd minute with a great take of a high Tigers kick to his wing with Tyson MacDonald leaping above his opposing winger who also contested the ball to take the ball on the full less than a metre from his own try line and five metres in from the left touchline.

Tyson MacDonald also made a good take of a Tigers kick-off on the full with Tyson MacDonald moving forward to take the kick-off low down on the full under pressure twenty three metres from his try line and ten metres in from the left touchline.

Tyson MacDonald then came off the bench to operate on the left wing in Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Tyson MacDonald scoring in the 47th minute when after the Magpies spun the ball to the left, Tyson MacDonald was confronted by his opposing winger looking to engage him as he received the ball but Tyson MacDonald deftly spun clockwise as he took possession of the ball to beat the opposing winger with Tyson MacDonald then having a two metre run to put the ball down in the left corner.

Tyson MacDonald also made a line break in the 49th minute when after receiving an off-load from his inside on the halfway mark Tyson MacDonald made a line break down the left touchline and got to within twenty eight metres from the try line with Tyson MacDonald doing well to stay in the field of play as he was tackled by the Seagull cover defence.

Tyson MacDonald then started from the bench in Round Five against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Tyson MacDonald coming onto the field in the 39th minute to operate on the left wing.

Tyson MacDonald then moved back into the Magpies starting line-up on the left wing for Round Six against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Tyson MacDonald making a good kick return in the 20th minute when after taking the ball on the full thirty four metres from his try line Tyson MacDonald was able to return the kick to within four metres of the halfway mark.

Tyson MacDonald also did well in the 32nd minute when after jumping high to take a cut-out pass above his head in both hands sixteen metres out and on the left touchline Tyson MacDonald did well to stay inside the field of play and even get the ball to within five metres of the try line.

2024 saw Tyson MacDonald attend Mabel Park SHS and played in the School Boy Rugby League Langer Reserve competition with Tyson MacDonald named on the bench in the 2024 Courier Mail Langer Reserve School Boy Rugby League Team of the Year.

Tyson MacDonald started on the right wing for Mabel Park SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Reserve Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Tyson MacDonald scoring on the stroke of half time in the 30th minute with a twenty two metre charge down the right touchline with Tyson MacDonald crashing straight through the attempted tackle of the Ipswich SHS fullback to slam the ball down in the right corner.

Inside the opening minute of the match and after taking an Ipswich SHS kick on the full seven metres from his try line Tyson MacDonald was able to return the ball to the twenty two metres mark. Then in the 6th minute from the right of the play the ball Tyson MacDonald carried the ball from fourteen to twenty seven metres of the try line.

After taking the Ipswich SHS second half kick-off on the full Tyson MacDonald returned the ball to the twenty metre mark and then in the 42nd minute after picking up a blocked Mabel Park SHS kick on the fly Tyson MacDonald ran the ball from forty two to twenty metres from the try line.

The 46th minute saw Tyson MasDonald well placed to take cleanly an Ipswich SHS grubber kick on his own try line and get the ball ten metres from his try line. Also in the 51st minute from the left of the play the ball a hard straight Tyson MacDonald charge saw the ball propelled from twenty six to forty metres away from his try line.

Tyson MacDonald did well in the 58th minute to chase a short Mabel Park SHS goal line drop-out to his wing and knock it backwards for his team to take possession and then a tackle later from the left of the play the ball Tyson MacDonald was able to break a tackle as he ran the ball from sixteen to thirty metres from his try line.

In 2024 Tyson MacDonald played his club rugby league for the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies in the GBJRL U16 Division One competition and after the Magpies had a Round One bye Tyson MacDonald started in the second row and scored in a big 54 – 8 victory against Logan Brothers.

Tyson MacDonald also started in the second row and scoring once again in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Tyson MacDonald also scoring in Round Five against the Aspley Devils. The Grand Final saw Tyson MacDonald start in the second row against Wynnum Manly.

Tyson MacDonald’s performance in 2024 in the GBJRL U16 Division One competition saw him receive the Souths Magpies Coaches Award.

In early June Tyson Macdonald (AWA) was named in the ANZMRL 17s Tama Tournament Team 2024.

In 2023 Tyson MacDonald in addition to playing for Ipswich Grammar School in the School Boy Rugby GPS U15A competition Tyson MacDonald was selected in the U15 Emerging Reds South East Queensland Representative side on the right wing (No. 14) with Tyson MacDonald scoring against Brisbane White at the Queensland U15 State Rugby Championships.

Tyson MacDonald was also part of the Met West U15 School Boy Representative Rugby side that won the 2023 Queensland School Boy Rugby U15 Championships with Tyson MacDonald scoring from the right wing (No. 14) for Met West against Met North.

One of the reasons Tyson MacDonald is so successful on a football field is his exceptional speed and elusiveness, he is the fastest player I have ever seen on a field and when you add in his elusiveness, he is a nightmare for opposing defences. In relation to his elusiveness the thing that makes it play even better is his ability to change direction with no loss of speed, this enables him to use the sideline exceptionally well with an in and away, all three of his first half tries against Ipswich in Round Thirteen last weekend are a testament to this skill.

When the opposing defender’s momentum slows just for a split second, Tyson MacDonald is away down the sideline and will not get caught and also regularly also beats the fullback who no matter how fast they are cannot recover the ground.

Tyson MacDonald is also adept at making ground out of dummy half. Once he has picked the ball up he simply explodes out of there and targets a gap between opposing forwards and looks to accelerate through it. If the defenders look to jersey grab or make an arm tackle, Tyson MacDonald simply bursts through it and into the space behind the ruck.

Tyson MacDonald is not a big player at all and the obvious question is whether he is strong enough to handle the defensive side of rugby league at the higher levels, I would argue that the answer is absolutely yes. In defence against the bigger outside backs running around, Tyson MacDonald looks to cut down the time that they have to gain momentum thus eliminating the size differential as a defensive aspect to take into consideration.

At the opposite end of the spectrum when opposing a quick winger, Tyson MacDonald will show them the side line and use his speed advantage to force the opponent towards the touch line, with their only real option to slow and try to come back inside towards Tyson MacDonald and the cover defence.

From a courage stand point Tyson MacDonald also passes any objective measurement that can be considered when evaluating this criterion. He will stand his ground under the high ball and is one of the first players to take a run out of dummy half when the ball needs to be brought out of his side’s own end.

Tyson MacDonald also has the speed to show his opponent the sideline and cut him down and has the recovery speed to turn and chase if a break is made either on his side of the field or for that matter the other side.

2025 will see Tyson MacDonald commence the season with the Souths Logan Magpies U17 CC Cup squad for the second season in a row. Tyson MacDonald will also return to Mabel Park where he will be in line for his School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup debut. Tyson MacDonald will also continue to line up for the Souths Magpies in the Greater Brisbane Junior Rugby League moving up to play in the U17 Nev Blair Shield competition.

Tyson MacDonald has played on the wing (primarily right wing) in rugby and ultimately I believe that Tyson MacDonald will also line up on the wing (likely left wing) as his rugby league career progresses in the coming years. In addition to likely being a try scoring winger with the capacity to score freakish tries in the corner regardless of competition level, Tyson MacDonald also has the size, speed, strength and power to be very effective at taking yardage carries from deep inside his own territory to help out his forward pack when they are under duress as they attempt to come off their own try line.

North Queensland Cowboys and Queensland State of Origin winger Murray Taulagi is for me an accurate playing style comparison for Tyson MacDonald as both Tyson MacDonald and Taulagi run the ball hard from an attacking perspective and hit just as hard defensively.

 

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Kingzen Lefono. In mid 2024 Kingzen Lefono signed a multi-year contract with the Titans.

In late September 2024 Kingzen Lefono started from the bench for a Future Titans U16 side that defeated a Storm squad 36 – 22 with Kingzen Lefono playing right second row in his time on the field.

Day One of the 2024 QSSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Championships saw Kingzen Lefono start at right second row for Met East against Met North with Kingzen Lefono making the second run of the match from the right of the play the ball to get from twenty one metres to thirty three metres from his try line. Then later in the same set of six tackles after receiving an off-load Kingzen Lefono ran the ball from six metres inside his own territory to five metres inside Met North territory.

Kingzen Lefoono also made a goody yardage carry in the 57th minute from from literally on his own try line to make a hard eighteen metres.

Kingzen Lefono also started at right second row on Day Two against Capricornia and in the 12th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and seven metres inside his own territory Kingzen Lefono carried the ball through the centre of the field from to four metres into Capricornia territory. Also in the 38th minute Kingzen Lefono’s kick-off return saw him get the ball out to the twenty metre mark.

Kingzen Lefono continued at right second row on Day Three against Met North with Kingzen Lefono breaking a tackle in the 13th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half as he ran the ball from forty six metres to thirty two metres of the try line. Then from the right of the play the ball once again in the 18th minute and thirty four metres out Kingzen Lefono got the ball to eighteen metres out from the try line.

Kingzen Lefono did well defensively in the 22nd minute to be involved in holding up the Met North No. 10 mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the right side of the field.

Kingzen Lefono also started at right second row on Day Four against South Coast with Kingzen Lefono making a strong run from a Met East penalty restart to carry the ball from thirty three metres to twenty metres from the try line.

Kingzen Lefono was able to make a half break in the 29th minute after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and charge forward from thirty seven metres to twenty metres from the try line with Kingzen Lefono then awarded a penalty after being held down too long.

At the conclusion of the 2024 U15 QSSRL School Boy Rugby League Championships Kingzen Lefono was named in the Queensland White U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative side to contest the 2024 QSSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Championships.

Day One of the 2024 ASSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Championships saw Kingzen Lefono come off the bench for Queensland White to operate at left second for the second half against Queensland Maroon and in the 29th minute from the right of the play the ball Kingzen Lefono carried the ball out to the thirty two metre mark.

Kingzen Lefono then started at left second row for Queensland White on Day Two of the ASSRL U15 Championships against NSW CCC and in the 15th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Kingzen Lefono was able to get the ball from thirty four metres to forty four metres of the try line.

Kingzen Lefono started from the bench for Queensland White against the ACT on the final day of the ASSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Championships and after coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the15th minute, Kingzen Lefono ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half in the 19th minute to run the ball from ten metres inside his own half to four metres into ACT’s territory.

After receiving a pass from his left in the 19th minute Kingzen Lefono ran the ball down the right channel from forty metres to thirty metres from the try line. Then in the 25th minute Kingzen Lefono ran the ball down a short right blindside to get the ball from the halfway mark to thirty eighty metres from the try line.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 30th minute Kingzen Lefono carried the ball from the halfway mark to thirty eight metres from the try line and also a minute later in the 31st minute from the left of the play the ball Kingzen Lefono got the ball from thirty two metres to eighteen metres from the try line.

2024 also saw Kingzen Lefono play for Logan Brothers in the GBJRL U15 Division One competition saw Kingzen Lefono starting matches in the second row and in the centres with Kingzen Lefono scoring in Rounds One and Four against Easts and Norths respectively.

2024 also saw Kingzen Legono play rugby including representing Met East in the U15 Queensland School Boy Rugby Championships at No. 7 including a Player of the Match performance against South Coast in the Semi Final.

Titans partnered Marsden SHS has been one of the best academic and sporting schools in Australia as well as being the largest and the partnership will continue benefit both the Titans and Marsden SHS students greatly and one young player to keep an eye on from Marsden SHS is rugby league and rugby stand-out Kingzen Lefono, the powerful young man will be one to keep an eye on in 2023 and beyond.

Kingzen Lefono played for Logan Brothers in 2023 in the GBJRL U14 Division One competition with Kingzen Lefono playing multiple positions in the Logan Brothers including front row, lock and second row as well as coming off the bench on a number of occasions.

Kingzen Lefono then started at lock in Logan Brothers 26 – 22 Preliminary Final victory against Norths. Kingzen Lefono then moved to the front row in Logan Brothers 2023 GBJRL U14 Division One Grand Final victory against Souths.

In early November 2023 Kingzen Lefono was named in the 2023 Velocity All Stars U14 Southside Bangers squad.

In May 2023 Kingzen Lefono was named in the Brisbane Junior Rugby U14 Representative squad.

In rugby Kingzen Lefono is an open side flanker (No. 7) including starting there for the Logan Saints in the 2022 BJRU U13 Grand Final against the Ipswich Rangers. In 2022 for the Logan Saints, Kingzen Lefono formed a potent right sided combination with fly half Sammy Samson with the two combining on multiple occasions to the immense benefit of their team.

2022 also saw Kingzen Lefono named in the U13 Brisbane Junior Rugby Representative side for the Queensland Junior Rugby State Championships.

Kingzen Lefono is a big powerful young man who whilst using his size to his advantage by running hard and straight, he does have quite decent footwork prior to the defensive line, which Kingzen Lefono uses to cut back behind the play the ball to take advantage of defenders who are slow to get back into the defensive line.

Where Kingzen Lefono’s game has really developed over the last couple of seasons his ability to play wider of the ruck, which is where he is primarily playing for the Logan Brothers and Marsden SHS this season. With his size and strength wider of the ruck Kingzen Lefono attracts defenders and thus is in a position to use his ball skills to set up his outside supports early in a match. When defences start to try to anticipate that Kingzen Lefono is going to pass then he can use his size and power to crash through the defensive line as no defender is going to be able to handle him one on one by themselves.

In defence Kingzen Lefono uses his size and strength to make very solid initial contact and certainly can take on all opposing forwards one on one. Kingzen Lefono is not averse to looking for the big hit but does have a good front on defensive technique, maintaining decent leverage and reasonable agility and lateral movement when looking to tackle smaller opponents on the edge of the ruck, although clearly he is more effective in the centre of the ruck, as most front rowers are.

2025 will see Kingzen Lefono line-up for the Brisbane Tigers in the CC Cup competition with Lingzen Lefono also CC Cup eligible in 2026. Kingzen Lefono will also continue at Brisbane State High School likely in the U16A School Boy Rugby U16A competition but do not be surprised if he forces his way into First XV reckoning sooner rather than later.

Kingzen Lefono is a big strong powerful young man with the speed and power to play either centre or second row on a rugby league field and even though I am of the opinion that Kingzen Lefono will ultimately end up in the second row, I think that the next couple of seasons will see Kingzen Lefono also play a lot in the centres.

With his height, size and speed, Kingzen Lefono has a very close similarity in playing style to North Queensland Cowboys second rower Heilum Luki. Both Luki and Kingzen Lefono are outstanding runners of the ball on the fringes of the ruck and both also can handle themselves in relation to their defensive duties.

 

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Sam Stephenson. In 2025 Sam Stephenson is on an NRL Development contract and in late 2024 as named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad for the second season in a row.

Sam Stephenson made his Queensland Cup debut in Round Sixteen of the 2024 season when he started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Hampson Cup.

Sam Stephenson came off the bench in the 54th minute to operate at right centre and a minute later in the 55th minute Sam Stephenson made his first run in the QCup from the left of the play the ball from ten to twenty four metres from the try line with Sam Stephenson also able to break a tackle.

From the left of the play the ball once again in the 75th minute Sam Stephenson ran the ball down the left channel from forty seven to forty metres from the try line before off-loading to his right winger. Also in the 76th minute from the left of the play the ball and thirty metres from his try line 60% of the sixteen metres that Sam Stephenson made were post contact.

Sam Stephenson also executed an outstanding tackle in the 74th minute to take his opposing centre over the side line eighteen metres from the try line to prevent a Dolphins try.

Playing twenty six minutes Sam Stephenson ran for forty three metres (seventeen post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.51 seconds and made four tackles.

In early January 2021 Sam Stephenson was part of a small group of Titans 2021 U15 players who after attending a Titans camp, trained with the Titans NRL squad. Post that Titans camp Sam Stephenson signed an official contract that will keep him with the Titans for the next couple of seasons.

In great news for the Titans Sam Stephenson resigned with the Titans in a three year deal that will see Sam Stephenson join the Titans NRL squad for the 2025 season with Sam Stephenson on a train and trial contract until that time.

On the 6th of November 2023 Sam Stephenson commenced his first train and trial opportunity with the Titans for the 2023/24 NRL pre-season.

In early January 2024 Sam Stephenson started at right centre for a Titans U19 side in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney.

In the 6th minute from fifteen metres out from the Penrith try line and in the centre of the field Zane Harrison put in a right foot ship kick into space into the in-goal with the Penrith fullback tackled in the in-goal to force the goal line drop out by Sam Stephenson and Sunny Kama.

Sam Stephenson’s best run of the trial against Penrith came in the 32nd minute with Sam Stephenson running onto the ball from a Titans penalty restart with Sam Stephenson carrying the ball from thirty six metres from the try line to the halfway mark. Then in the 32nd minute to the left of a Titans scrum win Sam Stephenson received the ball from the back of the scrum on the halfway mark and was able to make thirteen metres into Panthers territory.

Earlier in the 21st minute Sam Stephenson ran onto the ball for a yardage carry to the right of the dummy half with Sam Stephenson carrying the ball from eighteen metres out from his own try line out to the thirty metre mark.

Sam Stephenson also started at right centre for the Titans JTS U19 side a week later in the Titans annual match in Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights and in the 28th minute rom the left of a Titans scrum win Sam Stephenson was able to promote the ball from twenty four metres from the Titans try line to thirty eight metres out.

From the left of a Titans scrum win once again in the 33rd minute Sam Stephenson received the ball twelve metres out from his own try line and made a half break before being tackled twenty eight metres out. Then in the 41st minute Sam Stephenson ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball when thirty four metres out from his own try line and was able to run the ball to within three metres of the halfway mark.

In late May Sam Stephenson was named in the 2024 Queensland Rugby League U18 Emerging Boys Squad.

Sam Stephenson also started at left centre for the Queensland U19 State of Origin side in their annual match against New South Wales U19’s with Sam Stephenson recording a 41st minute try assist with a pass to his left to score in the corner after drawing the NSW right winger.

Sam Stephenson crossed the try line himself in the opening minutes however the pass to Sam Stephenson from his right was ruled forward.

The 41st minute saw Sam Stephenson make a half break from the left of the play the ball as he carried the ball from ten metres to thirty metres from his try line.

In early March 2024 Sam Stephenson was named in the Open South Coast 2024 School Boy Rugby League Representative squad with Sam Stephenson starting at right centre on Day One against Met North and in the 5th minute from the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson ran the ball from fourteen metres to twenty nine metres from his try line after targeting the area behind the markers.

In the 24th minute from the left of a South Coast scrum win Sam Stephenson took possession of the ball ten metres from his own try line and surged to twenty five metres out. Also in the 42nd minute from the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson got the ball from thirty metres to forty three metres from his try line.

From the left of the play the ball in the Sam Stephenson ran through the centre of the field from twenty metres to thirty six metres from the try line. Then in the 54th minute also from the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson carried the ball from thirty metres from his try line to within six metres of the halfway mark.

Sam Stephenson followed up in the 57th minute from the left of the play the ball and made a half break from twenty metres to the forty metre mark with the run including multiple tackle breaks. Also in the 60th minute from a South Coast penalty restart with South Coast leading by two points Sam Stephenson ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty three metres out to within three metres of the halfway mark.

Sam Stephenson did well defensively in the 16th minute to hold up the Met North left second rower (No. 12) over the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Sam Stephenson continued at right centre on Day Two against Met East with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 58th minute when he backed up a line break by Zane Harrison to receive the ball from his left twenty two metres out to dive over to score three metres to the right of the goal posts.

Sam Stephenson also recorded a line break assist in the 33rd minute when after running the ball to the right of the play the ball from twenty five metres to thirty eight metres from his try line Sam Stephenson got on the outside of the Met East right sided defensive line and was able to draw and pass to put Sunny Kama away down the right touchline.

In the 10th minute to assist his forwards Sam Stephenson moved to the opposite side of the field to take a hit-up to the left of the play the ball to run the ball down a left blindside from twenty metres to thirty three metres from his try line. Also in the 14th minute from the left of a South Coast scrum win Sam Stephenson made a half break as he ran the ball from forty five metres to within thirty metres of the try line.

From the left of the play the ball in the 24th minute Sam Stephenson utilised a counter clockwise spin not break a tackle as he ran the ball from thirty metres to forty metres away from his try line. Then in the 49th minute from the left of a South Coast scrum win Sam Stephenson made another half break as he carried the ball from twenty metres to thirty four metres away from his try line.

Sam Stephenson also started at right centre on Day Three against Northern and in the 2nd minute of the match from two passes to the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson was able to get the ball from thirty two metres from his ty line to within five metres of the halfway mark.

In the 13th minute Sam Stephenson ran the ball down a short right blindside from twenty metres to thirty one metres out, then in the 19th minute Sam Stephenson ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty five metres to thirty nine metres away from his try line. Also in the 23rd minute Sam Stephenson once again ran through the centre of the field from the right of the dummy half from twenty metres to thirty two metres away from the try line.

From a South Coast penalty restart in the 26th minute Sam Stephenson ran the ball from five metres inside his own territory to twelve metres into Northern territory. Also in the 41st minute from the right of the dummy half and thirty five metres from his try line Sam Stephenson targeted the area behind the ball the ball as he carried the ball to within three metres of the halfway mark. Also in the 48th minute from the left of the dummy half Sam Stephenson carried the ball through the centre of the field from twenty three metres to thirty three metres away from his try line.

Sam Stephenson continued at right centre on Day Four against Met North with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 8th minute when after receiving the ball twelve metres from the try line wide on the right Sam Stephenson straightened up the axis of the attack and even after being tackled just short of the try line Sam Stephenson reached out with the ball in his right hand to ground the ball over the try line three metres in from the right corner post.

Sam Stephenson also made a line break and line break assist in the 3rd minute when after receiving a cut-out pass from his left from Zane Harrison, Sam Stephenson made a twenty metre line break down the right channel and when he got to within twenty five metres of the try line Sam Stephenson drew a defender and passed to his right to put Sunny Kama away down the right touchline.

In the 18th minute from the right of a South Coast scrum win Sam Stephenson ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty six metres to within thirteen metres of the try line. Also in the 27th minute from the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson was able to make ten metres from his own twenty five metre mark.

At the conclusion of the 2024 QSSRL U18 School Boy Rugby League Championships Sam Stephenson was named in the 2024 Queensland School Boys side to contest the 2024 ASSRL U18 School Boy Rugby League Championships and just prior to the commencement of the Championships Sam Stephenson was named at No. 13 in the Top 50 2024 School Boy Rugby League Players by News Limited.

Day One of the 2024 Australian School Boys Rugby League Championships saw Sam Stephenson start at right centre for Queensland against NSW CCC and in just the 2nd minute from wide on the right side of the field Sam Stephenson was able to get the ball from twenty three metres to within six metres of the try line.

In the 17th minute Sam Stephenson ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball to get the ball from twenty four metres to thirty seven metres from the try line and in the 28th minute Sam Stephenson also carried the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball from twenty five metres from his try line to thirty six metres out.

From the right of a Queensland centre field scrum in the 32nd minute Sam Stephenson did well to carry the ball from eight metres to twenty four metres out after straightening up his run by way of a right foot step. The 40th minute then saw Sam Stephenson carry the ball down a right blindside from twenty three metres to thirty four metres from the try line. Then in the 46th minute anoth run from the right of a Queensland scrum win saw Sam Stephenson get the ball from thirty metres to the forty metre mark.

Sam Stephenson also started at right centre on Day Two against Combines Affiliated States (CAS) with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 9th minute when from the right of the play the ball and twelve metres from the try line Sam Stephenson cut back underneath Zane Harrison to burst between multiple defenders to score untouched under the posts.

Sam Stephenson also made a line break in the 29th minute when after the CAS five eight lost the ball when reaching for the try line Sam Stephenson picked up the ball on his own try line and charged down the right touchline to forty metres out but unfortunately his inside pass could not be held by his Queensland team mate.

In the 4th minute from the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson got the ball from the halfway mark to forty metres out and then in the 7th minute from the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson ran the ball from eight metres to twenty two metres from the try line. Also a Sam Stephenson run from a Queensland penalty restart saw the ball moved from forty seven metres to thirty three metres from the try line.

A run from the left of the dummy half in the 12th minute saw Sam Stephenson get the ball from twenty four metres to thirty five metres from the try line and also in the 27th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from the try line Sam Stephenson was able to get to within thirteen metres of the try line. Sam Stephenson also did well in the 41st minute when after taking a CAS goal line drop-out on the full above his head with both heads Sam Stephenson ran the ball back to thirty metres from the try line.

Sam Stephenson did exceptionally well defensively in the 23rd minute when whilst facing a two person overlap just ten metres out from his try line Sam Stephenson fly out of the defensive line to hit the CAS five eight who rushed his pass to his left when Sam Stephenson appeared in his face with the pass going over the touchline. Sam Stephenson then made a great ball and all tackle on his opposite centre to stop a dangerous attacking move in its tracks seven metres from the try line.

Sam Stephenson continued at right centre in the Semi-final against NSW CHS and in the 17th minute Sam Stephenson carried the ball through the centre of the field from his thirty eight metre mark to the halfway and from the right of a Queensland School Boys scrum win in the 21st minute Sam Stephenson got the ball to within ten metres of the try line after receiving the ball twenty two metres out.

In the 38th minute also from the right of a Queensland School Boys scrum win Sam Stephenson was able to get the ball from thirty two metres from his try line to three metres of the halfway mark. Also in the 40th minute from the right of the dummy half Sam Stephenson carried the ball from thirty four to forty seven metres from his try line. Then in the 51st minute from the right of the play the ball once again and fifteen metres from his try line Sam Stephenson got the ball out to the thirty one metre mark.

Sam Stephenson also started at right centre in Queensland School Boys Selection match against ACT and in the 2nd minute from the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson was able to get the ball from twenty four metres to thirty six metres from his try line.

The 14th minute saw Sam Stephenson run the ball down a short right blindside from eighteen metres to thirty metres from the try line and in the 26th minute from the right of a Queensland School Boys scrum win Sam Stephenson carried the ball from nine to twenty two metres from his try line.

Sam Stephenson, in the 27th minute got the ball from twenty nine metres to the forty metre mark after receiving the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball and then a Sam Stephenson ran from a penalty restart saw the ball moved from forty three to thirty one metres from the try line.

Sam Stephenson ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball in the 37th minute from twenty nine metres to forty two metres from his try line. Also in the 50th minute from the right of the play the ball once again Sam Stephenson carried the ball from sixteen metres to thirty metres from the try line with approximately 65% of his metres being post contact.

At the completion of the ASSRL Championships Sam Stephenson was named in the 2024 Australian School Boys Rugby League side with Sam Stephenson starting at left centre against France U19’s with Sam Stephenson scoring the first of his two tries in the 24th minute with a twenty metre, two tackle break run to score in the left corner.

Sam Stephenson scored his second try in the 49th minute by way of a hard straight twenty metre run to score twelve metres in from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson also started at left centre against the Junior Kumuls in PNG with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 46th minute when after the Kumuls lost the ball it was spun to the left with Sam Stephenson receiving the ball thirty six metres out and after dummying to his left Sam Stephenson beat his opposite number and charged downfield to score under the posts.

Sam Stephenson had come close to scoring in the 38th minute when after receiving a pass from his inside five metres from the try line it appeared that he had beaten his opposing centre on the outside but the PNG centre was just able to knock the ball from Sam Stephenson’s grasp a metre from the try line and six metres in from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson came close once again in the 58th minute when after receiving the ball ten metres out and ten metres in from the left touchline Sam Stephenson cut inside off his left foot only to be held up over the try line twelve metres in from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson also recorded a try assist in the 3rd minute when after a PNG kick bounced backwards and into Sam Stephenson’s hands on the halfway, Sam Stephenson raced down the left touchline to twenty metres from the try line before throwing an inside pass to Mason Barber who raced away to score.

Sam Stephenson almost set up a second try in the 54th minute when he drew the Kumuls right winger and passed to his right to Mason Barber with the line wide open but the referee (not the touch judge in line with the pass) ruled that the pass had travelled forward.

Sam Stephenson ran the ball down the left channel in the 25th minute to run from ten to thirty metres from the try line and then in the 32nd minute from the right of the dummy half Sam Stephenson carried the ball through the centre of the field from thirty seven metres from his try line to the halfway. Also in the 42nd minute from the right of the play the ball on his own try line Sam Stephenson did well to make ten hard metres.

Round One of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition saw Sam Stephenson start at fullback for PBC SHS against Ipswich SHS and inside the opening minute after taking a kick on the full eight metres from his try line just to the right of the uprights, Sam Stephenson ran to his right and after getting on the outside of the Ipswich left sided defence Sam Stephenson ran down the right touchline out to the twenty metre mark.

Then in the 2nd minute Sam Stephenson ran the ball down a short right blindside to get the ball from thirty two metres from his try line to within two metres of the halfway mark. Also in the 3rd minute Sam Stephenson took a quick tap from a PBC SHS twenty metre restart and as a consequence was able to get the ball to the thirty one metre mark.

From the right of the play the ball in the 9th minute a Sam Stephenson yardage carry saw him improve PBC SHS’s field position from eight metres from the try line to twenty metres out. Sam Stephenson followed that up in the11th minute with another yardage carry from literally on his own try line to the twenty metre mark.

From the left of a PBC SHS scrum win in the 17th minute Sam Stephenson was able to carry the ball from eight metres to twenty two metres from his try line. Then in the 37th minute from the right of a PBC SHS scrum win Sam Stephenson continued to run to his right to get within seven metres of the try line after taking possession twenty metres out.

Sam Stephenson moved to right centre for Round Two against Redcliffe SHS with Sam Stephenson recording a line break assist in the 15th minute with a smart catch and pass to his left to put Beau Hartmann away down the left touchline near the halfway mark.

In just the second minute of the match from the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson carried the ball from fifteen to twenty six metres from his try line. Then in the 4th minute Sam Stephenson made a half break after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half as he ran the ball from twenty two metres to forty two metres from his try line and in the 9th minute a Sam Stephenons yardage carry from the left of the play the ball saw him get the ball out to the twenty metre mark after taking possession ten metres out.

From a penalty restart in the 11th minute Sam Stephenson was able to carry the ball from thirty metres to forty one metres from the try line with Sam Stephenson then awarded a penalty for ruck interference. Also from the left of a PBC SHS scrum win in the 24th minute Sam Stephenson carried the ball from ten metres from his try line to twenty five metres out.

Sam Stephenson moved to left centre in Round Five against Marsden SHS with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 13th minute with a six metre charge to crash over three metres in from the left corner post from six metres out off a Kaleb Smith pass from his right.

Sam Stephenson appeared to have scored a second try in the 40th minute after cutting to his right from sixteen metres out and seemingly scored under the posts only for the referee to bizarrely rule that a Marsden SHS defender had been impeded in the lead up.

Sam Stephenson also recorded a line break assist in the 45th minute when after running the ball from two passes to the left of the play the ball from ten to twenty metres from his try line Sam Stephenson drew two defenders before passing to his left to put Beau Hartmann away down the left touchline.

In just the 2nd minute of the match from the left of a PBC SHS scrum win and ten metres inside his half Sam Stephenson carried the ball to six metres into Marsden SHS’s territory. Also in the 11th minute from the left of the play the ball and nineteen metres from his try line Sam Stephenson carried the ball to the thirty metre mark. Then from the left of a PBC SHS scrum Sam Stephenson ran the ball through the centre of the field from five to fifteen metres from his try line.

From the left of a PBC SHS scrum win in the 25th minute Sam Stephenson got the ball to within seventeen metres from the try line after receiving the ball thirty metres out. Additionally in the 42nd minute Sam Stephenson ran out of dummy half to his right from forty five metres and near the left touchline with Sam Stephenson getting the ball to thirty two metres from the try line.

Sam Stephenson started at right centre for PBC SHS in their Langer Cup semi-final against Keebra Park SHS and in the 3rd minute from the left of a PBC SHS scrum win Sam Stephenson ran the ball from the halfway to forty metres from the try line before receiving a penalty for ruck interference.

From the right of the play the ball in the 5th minute and seventeen metres from his try line Sam Stephenson got the ball out to the thirty metre mark. Then in the 11th minute a Sam Stephenson yardage carry from two passes to the right of the play the ball saw him move the ball from ten to twenty one metres from his try line. Also another Sam Stephenson yardage carry in the 22nd minute from the left of a PBC SHS scrum win saw him run the ball from five metres from his try line to eighteen metres out with Sam Stephenson winning a penalty for the Keebra Park SHS defensive line being caught off-side.

From the right of the play the ball in the 26th minute and after cutting back underneath Zane Harrison to the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson propelled the ball from twenty five to forty metres from his try line. Also in the 33rd minute from the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson ran the ball from twenty three to thirty six metres from the try line.

In the 36th minute a Sam Stephenson effort from the left of the dummy half saw him get the ball from forty seven to thirty one metres from the try line with more than 70% of the metres gained being post contact. Then in the 51st minute from the right of a PBC SHS scrum win and thirty five metres from the try line Sam Stephenson was able to get the ball to within eighteen metres.

Sam Stephenson also did well defensively in the 53rd minute when along with Zane Harrison and Sunny Kama he held up the Keebra Park SHS left centre eight metres in from the right corner post.

Sam Stephenson started at right centre for PBC SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Grand Final against Marsden SHS with Sam Stephenson scoring a ninety seven metre intercept try in the 6th minute to put the ball down ten metres to the right of the goal posts.

After making the third hit-up of the match from the right of the play the ball to carry the ball to twelve metres from his try line, Sam Stephenson, in the 15th minute after running an underneath route to the right of the play the ball in the halfway made thirteen metres into Marsden SHS territory. Also in the 24th minute from two passes to the left of a PBC SHS scrum win Sam Stephenson carried the ball from three metres in his own half to ten metres into Marsden SHS’s half.

A Sam Stephenson yardage carry from the right of the play the ball in the 30th minute saw the ball moved from thirteen metres from his try line to twenty three metres out and then in the 33rd minute Sam Stephenson from two passes to the left of the play the ball ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty six to ten metres from the try line.

In the 38th minute from the right of the play the ball and eleven metres from his try line Sam Stephenson broke a tackle as he carried the ball to twenty four metres from his try line and in the 44th minute Sam Stephenson ran the ball down a short left blindside from thirty to forty metres from his try line with Sam Stephenson then awarded a penalty for a dangerous tackle by the Marsden SHS defenders.

At the completion of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League season Sam Stephenson was named in the centres in the 2024 Courier Mail Langer Cup Team of the Year.

Sam Stephenson started at right centre for PBC SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Phil Hall Cup Final against Kirwan SHS to determine Queensland best 2024 School Boy Rugby League side and in the 2nd minute from the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson carried the ball from thirty to eighteen metres from the try line.

In the 12th minute from the left of the play the ball once again and forty metres from his try line Sam Stephenson got the ball eight metres inside Kirwan’s half and in the 17th minute from a PBC SHS penalty restart Sam Stephenson made it to the halfway after taking the tap thirteen metres in his half. Also in the 26th minute from the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson carried the ball ten metres inside Kirwan SHS’s territory to three metres in his territory. Then in the 40th minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty five metres from his try line Sam Stephenson moved the ball to thirty five metres out.

After taking possession of the ball from the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson stepped off his right foot to target the area behind the markers and as a result in the 42nd minute ran from thirty two metres from his try line and broke two tackles to make it to the halfway. Sam Stephenson then ran the ball down the right channel from twenty to within four metres of the try line near the right touchline. Also in the 54th minute from the right of the dummy half Sam Stephenson broke a tackle to get from twenty five to forty two metres from his try line.

Sam Stephenson continued at right centre in the 2024 National School Boy Rugby League Final for PBC SHS against Patrician Brothers Blacktown with Sam Stephenson making a line break in the 6th minute with a strong run from wide on the right side of the field with Sam Stephenson slicing between two defenders thirty seven metres from the try line and charge to within sixteen metres of the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 20th minute Sam Stephenson was able to move the ball from sixteen to twenty eight metres from the try line and in the 24th minute Sam Stephenson ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the dummy half to carry the ball from twenty five to forty three metres from the try line and Sam Stephenson then being awarded a penalty for an illegal strip.

In the 30th minute made a half break with a run from the left of the dummy half to get from ten to twenty two metres from the try line and also in the 57th minute from the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson ran the ball through the centre of the field from five to twenty two metres from his try line.

In late September 2023 Sam Stephenson was named in the 2024 Burleigh Bears U19 Mal Meninga (MM) Cup squad with Sam Stephenson also MM Cup eligible in 2025.

Round One of the 2024 MM Cup competition saw Sam Stephenson start at right centre for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Sam Stephenson recording a try assist in the 8th minute when after receiving a pass from his left from Junior Filimaua, Sam Stephenson carried the ball down the right channel from thirty seven metres out to within around ten metres of the try line and after drawing the Wynnum Manly fullback, Sam Stephenson threw a pass back inside and after the pass was knocked down by a Wynnum Manly defender and spilled into the in-goal Tyson Ploegsma was on hand to dive onto the ball to score.

Earlier in the 2nd minute Sam Stephenson made a strong yardage carry from the right of the play the ball to get the ball from twenty four metres to thirty seven metres from the try line. Then in the 11th minute from the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson carried the ball from twenty eight metres from his own try line to within eight metres of the halfway mark.

The 33rd minute then saw Sam Stephenson run the ball to the left of the dummy half from ten metres inside his own territory to two metres into Wynnum Manly territory. Then in the 41st minute after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half and thirty six metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson produced a brutal run to carry the ball two over into Wynnum Manly territory.

Sam Stephenson continued his strong match in the 47th minute with a run to the right of a Tweed Heads scrum win from ten metres out from his own try line and ran the ball down the right channel before being brought to ground thirty three metres out near the right touchline.

After missing a number of rounds due to HIA protocols Sam Stephenson returned at right centre for Round Four against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Sam Stephenson coming close to scoring in the 15th minute when as Tweed Heads spun the ball to their right Sam Stephenson cut back underneath Zane Harrison and from sixteen metres out Sam Stephenson crashed through multiple tackles to get the ball down next to the right goal post but the referee bizarrely ruled that there had been an obstruction earlier in the movement, I call BS!

In just the 2nd minute of the match Sam Stephenson ran the ball down the right channel from twenty two metres from the try line to with ten metres. Then in the 13th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and twenty five metres from the try line in the 13th minute Sam Stephenson was able to break a tackle as he got the ball to within eleven metres.

Sam Stephenson also did well in the 29th minute to jump high to take a contested Redcliffe goal line drop-out on the full eighteen metres out near the right touchline. From the left of the play the ball in the 35th minute Sam Stephenson was able to run the ball through the centre of the field from twenty metres out from his own try line to thirty two metres out.

From a Tweed Heads scrum win in the centre of the field thirty metres from their try line Sam Stephenson ran to his right after receiving the ball on that side of the scrum and was able to make fourteen metres downfield. Then in the 44th minute from the right of a Tweed Heads scrum win once again Sam Stephenson ran the ball through the centre of the field from eighteen metres from his own try line to thirty metres out.

Sam Stephenson continued at left centre in Round Six against the Souths Logan Magpies with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 57th minute off a great pass from his left from Zane Harrison to put his into space with Sam Stephenson having an easy nine metre run to put the ball down three metres to the right of the goal posts.

Sam Stephenson also came close to scoring (very close) in the 14th minute when after receiving the ball fourteen metres from try line and to the right of a Seagulls scrum win, Sam Stephenson continued to run to his right and got desperately close to the try line before being brought down short near the right corner post.

In the 4th minute from the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson was able to promote the ball from thirty four metres from his own try line to two metres into Magpies territory. Then in the 24th minute Sam Stephenson carried the ball down a short right blindside and made a half break as Sam Stephenson made sixteen metres from his own twenty metre mark.

A Sam Stephenson yardage carry from his own twenty metre mark and to the right of the play the ball in the 30th minute saw Sam Stephenson promote the ball out to the thirty two metre mark. Then in the 37th minute from the right of a Tweed Heads scrum win in the centre of the field Sam Stephenson ran straight over the top of one defender as he carried the ball from forty metres to within twenty five metres of the try line.

From two passes to the right of the dummy half in the 41st minute and from thirty three metres from his own try line Sam Stephenson dummied to his right before running the ball himself with Sam Stephenson then using a left arm fend to beat the Magpies fullback to get over the halfway mark but unfortunately Sam Stephenson’s inside pass was knocked down by a Souths Logan defender.

Against the Magpies Sam Stephenson was particularly effective in running the ball from Burleigh penalty restarts including in the 53rd minute with a great run from the restart from the halfway mark to nineteen metres from the try line. Sam Stephenson made another good run from a penalty restart in the 56th minute to get the ball from thirty metres to within seventeen metres of the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 64th minute Sam Stephenson made a good yardage carry from four metres from his own try line out to eighteen metres then three minutes later in the 67th minute also from the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty six metres from his own try line to within six metres of the halfway mark.

Sam Stephenson also started at right centre in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 35th minute by way of a four metre run wide on the right to get the ball down three metres in from the right corner post.

From the right of the play the ball in just the 3rd minute of the match from the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson made a yardage carry to get the ball out to the twenty metre mark after commencing his run ten metres out. Then in the 8th minute also from the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson from forty metres from the try line got the ball to the twenty eight metre mark. Sam Stephenson followed up with an effort to the left of the dummy half from ten metres from the try line to twenty one metres out.

Sam Stephenson then made a strong run down the right channel in the 45th minute to promote the ball from forty metres from the try line to twenty four metres out with Sam Stephenson breaking a tackle along the way. Then in the 47th minute after receiving an off-load from his right from Brock Lennox Sam Stephenson was able to wind his way from eleven metres from the try line to thirty metres out.

From the right of the play the ball in the 55th minute and ten metres inside his own territory Sam Stephenson ran the ball through the centre of the field to get the ball four metres into Burleigh territory. Then to round out a strong match Sam Stephenson, in the 58th minute from a Tweed Heads penalty restart was able to carry the ball from the halfway mark to within thirty eight metres of the try line.

Sam Stephenson made a good hit defensively in the 4th minute when along with Brock Lennox, Sam Stephenson hit the Burleigh left winger as he was looking to get the ball down over the try line after diving from the field of play and force the ball to be lost with Tweed Heads getting a twenty metre restart as a result.

Sam Stephenson continued at right centre in Round Ten against the Ipswich Jets with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 51st minute when after a Zane Harrison high bomb was dropped by the Ipswich left winger, Sam Stephenson scooped the ball up and burst twenty metres down the right touchline to score in the corner after beating the Jets fullback.

Sam Stephenson also recorded a try assist in the 32nd minute when after good interchange of passes to his left Sam Stephenson received the ball ten metres from the try line wider on the right with Sam Stephenson then drawing the Ipswich left winger to put Callum Bowles over to score in the right corner.

Sam Stephenson also made a line break in the 46th minute with a run from the right of a Tweed Heads centre field scrum when after receiving the ball just five metres from his own try line Sam Stephenson was able to get on the outside of the Jets left sided defence and charge thirty metres down the right touchline before getting a right arm off-load away to his inside to Callum Bowles.

In the 2nd minute from the right of a Tweed Heads penalty restart Sam Stephenson got the ball from forty metres to twenty two metres from the try line, then from another Seagulls penalty restart in the 7th minute Sam Stephenson was able to carry the ball from five metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Ipswich territory.

Sam Stephenson added another strong run in the 9th minute from the right of the play the ball with Sam Stephenson able to get to within two metres of the try line after taking possession of the ball eighteen metres out. Then in the 19th minute Sam Stephenson ran the ball down a short right blindside from the halfway mark to forty metres out.

Sam Stephenson’s strong match continued in the 33rd minute with a run to the right of the play the ball that saw him get the ball from thirty three metres from his try line to within three metres of the halfway mark. Sam Stephenson then ran the ball down a short blindside once again in the 36th minute to promote the ball from eighteen metres to thirty metres from his own try line. Then in the 59th minute a run down the right channel saw Sam Stephenson carry the ball from twenty two metres to thirty two metres from the try line.

Earlier Sam Stephenson was involved in a good Tweed Heads movement in the 59th minute when after running onto a Junior Filimaua off-load on the right side of the field Sam Stephenson got a pass away to his right to Callum Bowles who burst down the right touchline.

Sam Stephenson did well defensively in the 51st minute to race out of the Seagulls defensive line to hit the Ipswich halfway just as he was receiving the ball still deep inside Ipswich territory.

Sam Stephenson’s performance saw him named in the centres in the Round Ten Courier Mail MM Cup Team of the Week.

Sam Stephenson continued at right centre in Round Eleven against the Brisbane Tigers and in the 4th minute from the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson was able to get the ball from thirty four metres to twenty metres from the try line.

From the left of the play the ball in the 7th minute and ten metres from the try line Sam Stephenson’s yardage carry got the ball to the twenty three metre mark. Also in the 11th minute from the left of a Tweed Heads scrum win Sam Stephenson was able to run the ball from ten metres to twenty three metres from his try line. Then a Seagulls penalty restart on the forty five metre mark Sam Stephenson made fifteen metres to the thirty metre mark.

From the left of a Tweed Heads centre field scrum win Sam Stephenson was able to carry the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to seven metres into the Tigers half. Additionally in the 36th minute from the right of a Seagulls centre field scrum win Sam Stephenson broke a tackle whilst he was running the ball from five metres from his try line to twenty two metres out.

From the right of another Tweed Heads scrum Sam Stephenson made a half break as he carried the ball from forty five metres to twenty three metres from the try line in the 46th minute. Then in the 50th minute a Sam Stephenson yardage carry from the right of the play the ball saw him get the ball from eight metres to twenty six metres from his try line. Also in the 66th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson ran the ball from twenty metres to thirty two metres out.

Sam Stephenson’s performance saw him named in the centres in the Round Eleven Courier Mail MM Cup Team of the Week.

Sam Stephenson also started at right centre in the Preliminary Final against the Ipswich Jets with Sam Stephenson recording a try assist in the 14th minute from the right of a Tweed Heads scrum win and after carrying the ball from thirty to forty metres from his try line to his right to draw the Jets left winger and off-load to his right to put his winger away down the right touchline to score in the corner.

In the 5th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and ten metres inside his own territory Sam Stephenson engaged a defender on the halfway mark and after a hit and clockwise spin Sam Stephenson ran towards the centre of the field to ten metres into the Jets half.

In the 3rd minute a Sam Stephenson penalty restart saw him run the ball from five metres inside his own territory to seven metres into Ipswich’s half. Also in the 6th minute Sam Stephenson ran the ball down a very short right blindside form forty metres to twenty eight metres from the try line. Then in the 12th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson ran the ball from thirty to forty two metres from his try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 24th minute and just four metres from his own try line a Sam Stephenson yardage carry say the ball get to the twenty metre mark. Additionally in the 47th minute from the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson targeted the soft spot behind the markers as he ran the ball from eighteen metres to thirty nine metres from his try line.

Sam Stephenson also did well defensively in the 42nd minute to hold up his opposing centre over the try line ten metres in from the right corner post.

Sam Stephenson started at right centre for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the 2024 MM Cup Grand Final against the Burleigh Bears with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 61st minute when after receiving the ball twelve metres out and wide on the right side of the field from Zane Harrison, Sam Stephenson sliced between two defenders to score four metres in from the right corner post.

The 24th minute saw Sam Stephenson run out of dummy half to his right as he got the ball from twenty four to within eight metres of the try line just to the right of the goal posts and in the 37th minute from the left of a Tweed Heads scrum win thirty five metres from the try line Sam Stephenson was able to carry the ball to within two metres of the halfway mark. Also in the 43rd minute from a Seagulls penalty restart Sam Stephenson ran the ball from the halfway mark to forty metres from the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 48th minute Sam Stephenson’s yardage carry saw the ball promoted from ten to twenty metres from his try line. Additionally in the 58th minute Sam Stephenson’s twenty metre tap restart saw him charge into the defensive line and got halfway through it to get the ball out to the forty metre mark.

At the conclusion of the MM Cup competition Sam Stephenson was named in the centres in the 2024 Courier Mail Mal Meninga Cup Team of the Season.

In late January 2024 Sam Stephenson was named in the 2024 Queensland Rugby league U19 Emerging Origin squad.

In late July 2023 Sam Stephenson started from the bench for a Titans U19 side that travelled to Townsville to play a Cowboys U19 side in an NRL curtain-raiser with Sam Stephenson coming on to play right centre in the 26th minute with Sam Stephenson making his first run of the match almost immediately to get the ball twenty six metres out from his own try line after commencing his run deep inside his own twenty metre area.

The 47th minute then saw Sam Stephenson run onto the ball to the left of the dummy half to get the ball from twenty seven metres away from his own try line to thirty seven metres away with Sam Stephenson hit high and be awarded a penalty.

Sam Stephenson did well in the 57th minute when after the Cowboys put up a high kick towards Sam Stephenson who was situated on the right wing, Sam Stephenson contested the kick in the air against two opponents and was able to force a Cowboys knock on on the final tackle to force a change over. Then two tackles after the change over Sam Stephenson ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball to get the ball from fifteen metres out from his own try line to twenty seven metres out.

Sam Stephenson did well defensively in the 31st minute to corral the North Queensland left centre near the left touchline four metres out from the try line. Then the 53rd minute saw Sam Stephenson along with Elijah Tagiilima make a try saving tackle to stop the North Queensland left centre (No. 3) right on the try line and four metres in from the right corner post.

In January 2023 Sam Stephenson started at left centre for the Titans JTS U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Sam Stephenson recording a try assist in the 23rd minute when from inside the attacking twenty metre area Sam Stephenson received the ball in space and after drawing in the Newcastle right winger, Sam Stephenson pass to his left to put Izayah Petrichvich over to score in the left corner.

Sam Stephenson’s first strong run of the match came in just the second minute when he made eleven metres down the left channel to get the ball to the halfway mark before he was brought to ground.

Sam Stephenson made a further strong run in the 9th minute from just four metres out from his own try line and near the centre of the field Sam Stephenson ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and was able to get the ball out to the twenty metre mark.

Then in the 38th minute Sam Stephenson ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from within his own territory with Sam Stephenson making twelve metres to get the ball forty metres away from the try line.

Sam Stephenson also started at left centre a week later for the Titans U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s on the Gold Coast with Sam Stephenson scoring for the Titans mid-way through the first half.

With Brisbane trapped inside their own thirty metre area the Bronco’s five eight tried to kick low and hard down the left channel but Titans hooker Nayte Saaga did exceptionally well to take the ball on the full from very close range and after taking a couple of steps downfield Nayte Saaga realised that he would not have the speed and passed to his left to Sam Stephenson who raced around twenty five metres to dive over to score ten metres to the left of the uprights totally untouched.

Sam Stephenson also made a number of other strong runs down the left channel against the Bronco’s.

In early December 2022 Sam Stephenson took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL off-season training squad.

In late September 2022 Sam Stephenson was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U18 MM Cup Squad and Sam Stephenson was also MM Cup eligible in 2024.

Sam Stephenson started at left centre in the Bears third and final trial against the Brisbane Tigers with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 16th minute when after receiving a good ball out in front of him from Ryder Williams, Sam Stephenson had a twelve metre run to score in the left corner.

Sam Stephenson scored his second try of the trial in the 60th minute when with the Tigers attacking just twenty metres out from the Bears line, Sam Stephenson picked up an errant Tigers pass and ran eighty metres down the left touchline to put the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Then Sam Stephenson made a line break in the 11th minute when after receiving a cut-out pass from Ryder Williams Sam Stephenson made a twenty metre burst down the left touchline before being brought to ground forty two metres out from the try line.

Sam Stephenson made another line break in the 48th minute when from twenty five metres out from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson burst through the centre of the Tigers defensive line and was only caught from behind five metres short of the halfway mark.

Sam Stephenson made his first strong run of the match in just the 2nd minute with an eighteen metre burst down the left touchline to get the ball twenty metres away from the try line. Then in the 5th minute from the left of the play the ball and just ten metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson cur to his right and was able to get the ball to twenty five metres out.

Sam Stephenson was named to start at left centre in Round One of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with the first of strong runs for Sam Stephenson coming in the 3rd minute when from the left of a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and twenty metres out from the try line Sam Stephenson ran a hard straight line and got to seven metres out from the try line with three Seagulls forced to commit to the tackle to stop Sam Stephenson’s forward progress.

Then in the 6th minute with Burleigh deep inside their own twenty metre area Sam Stephenson looped around from the left to the right to take the ball off the dummy half with Sam Stephenson able to get the ball twenty two metres out from his own try line.

Four minute later in the 10th minute Sam Stephenson once again ran a hard straight running line from the left of a Burleigh scrum win three metres inside his own territory with Sam Stephenson bulldozing his way twelve metres inside Wynnum Manly territory dragging multiple defenders behind him as he went. Sam Stephenson was then awarded a penalty when the Wynnum Manly defenders would not allow Sam Stephenson to his feet in a timely fashion.

Sam Stephenson added a line break to his strong match in the 38th minute when with Wynnum Manly on the attack within twenty metres of the Burleigh try line, Sam Stephenson scooped up an errant Seagulls pass and broke two tackles as Sam Stephenson got to within ten metres of the halfway line.

Sam Stephenson also started at left centre in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Sam Stephenson scoring a double in a big Burleigh victory.

Sam Stephenson scored his opening try in the 30th minute when from nine metres out and to the left of the uprights Ryder Williams threw a hard flat cut-out pass to his left to put Sam Stephenson on the outside of the last Magpies right sided defender with Sam Stephenson crossing the try line wide out on the right before bringing the ball around and putting it down ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Sam Stephenson added his second try in the 35th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of a Bears scrum win twenty metres out, Sam Stephenson stepped off his left foot to easily beat the opposing defender with Sam Stephenson then beating two more defenders as he raced to score eight metres to the left of the uprights.

Sam Stephenson also recorded a try assist in the 65th minute when after receiving a great catch and pass off-load from his inside from Zyroam Tauwara-Herlihy when thirty seven metres out from the try line Sam Stephenson burst down the left side of the field and when ten metres from the try line Sam Stephenson drew the Magpies fullback and got the ball away to his left to Matari Donovan show scored in the left corner.

Sam Stephenson’s first strong run of the match came after just twelve seconds (yes seconds) when from the second play of the match Ryder Williams received the ball to the left of the dummy half inside his own twenty metre area and then threw a cut-out pass to his left to put left centre Sam Stephenson on a twenty metre run down the left side of the field. Sam Stephenson was then able to draw a Magpies defender and get the ball away to Matari Donovan who flashed down the left wing but unfortunately put a foot on the touchline near the halfway mark.

Sam Stephenson made another strong run in just the 2nd minute with a fourteen metre run on the left side of the field from his own thirty metre mark to get the ball over the forty metre mark. Then in the 26th minute Sam Stephenson ran a straight crash line from his own eighteen metre mark to the left of the play the ball with Sam Stephenson getting the ball thirty metres away from his own try line.

Then in the 33rd minute from a Bears penalty tap restart from five metres inside his own territory Sam Stephenson took the centre of the Souths Logan defensive line on and got the ball ten metres into Magpies territory.

Sam Stephenson’s performance saw him named in the centres in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Two Team of the Week.

Sam Stephenson continued at left centre in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Sam Stepheson scoring a double for the second round in a row.

Sam Stephenson scored his first try in the 35th minute when whilst defending his own try line Sam Stephenson swooped on a Tigers dropped ball with Sam Stephenson picking up the ball cleanly and racing ninety five metres untouched to put the ball down five metres to the left of the uprights.

Sam Stephenson completed his double in the 37th minute when from eight metres out Sam Stephenson ran a hard straight crash line off a good ball from his right from Nayte Saaga to burst between two defenders who were stuck on the ty line to score five metres in from the left corner post.

In fact Sam Stephenson could have scored twice more in the first half, with the first of those instances being in the 16th minute when after a strong twenty metre run Sam Stephenson was stopped agonisingly short of the try line five metres in from the left corner post. Then in the 29th minute Sam Stephenson crashed over the top of the Tigers fullback to get the ball down in the left corner but the touch judge adjudicated that Sam Stephenson had put his left foot into touch about a metre out from the try line.

Just three minutes later in the 40th Minute Sam Stephenson came close to scoring once again when from dummy half Nayte Saaga threw a flat hard cut-out pass to his left destined for Sam Stephenson four metres from the try line but the last Tigers defender got his hand to the ball to stop a certain try.

Sam Stephenson came close to scoring once again in the 65th minute when from the left of a Bears scrum win ten metres out from the try line Sam Stephenson made a hard straight charge onto the ball only to be held up less than a metre from the try line by four Tigers defenders ten metres in from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson also recorded a try assist in the 12th minute when after receiving a cut-out pass from his inside from Ryder Williams on the halfway mark, Sam Stephenson raced thirty metres down the left touchline and when he got to twenty metres out Sam Stephenson drew the Tigers fullback and passed the ball to his inside to Jac Finnigan who had an uninterrupted twenty metre run to score left metres in from the left corner post.

In addition to his try scoring and try assist exploits Sam Stephenson recorded a line break in the 6th minute when after receiving the ball from his inside thirty metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson got on the outside of his opposing centre and burst away down the left but unfortunately his off-load to his left on the halfway mark when to ground.

The 24th minute highlighted that Sam Stephenson will roll his sleeves up and make some of the hard metres when from two metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson ran the ball to the right of the play the ball with Sam Stephenson able to get the ball sixteen metres out from the Bears try line.

Sam Stephenson also did well in the 8th minute when along with Jac Finnigan and Matari Donovan, Sam Stephenson trapped the Tigers fullback in his in-goal from a Ryder Williams kick from forty metres out to force a goal line drop-out.

In the 48th minute Sam Stephenson made a great try saving tackle when whilst defending eight metres out from his own try line the Brisbane Tigers right centre got on the outside of Sam Stephenson but Sam Stephenson tracked back to grab the Tigers centre from behind and then flip onto his back as he crossed the try line to hold him up in the Bears left corner.

Sam Stephenson continued to do well in the 67th minute when he did well to take a short Tigers kick-off to his side of the field on the full when under pressure to maintain possession for the Bears.

Sam Stephenson’s performance saw him named at left centre in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Round Three Team of the Week for the second week in a row.

Sam Stephenson then started at left centre in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Sam Stephenson scoring the Bears only try of the match in the 22nd minute when Sam Stephenson ran onto a good short ball from his right from Ryder Williams to have a four metre run to score six metres in from the left corner post.



Sam Stephenson also made a number of line breaks against the Dolphins including in the 34th minute when from a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field and ten metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson ran onto the ball to the left of the scrum with Sam Stephenson breaking through the defensive line and getting within seven metres of the halfway mark before being caught from behind.

Sam Stephenson made a further line break in the 48th minute when after receiving an off-load on the halfway mark Sam Stephenson made a line break down the left channel to get to twenty two metres out from the try line.

Sam Stephenson made another line break in the 61st minute when from forty metres out from their own try line, Burleigh spun the ball to the left and after Sam Stephenson received the ball on the end of the movement Sam Stephenson shrugged off two defenders to get within seventeen metres of the try line.

Sam Stephenson made a strong run in the 4th minute when from the right of a Burleigh scrum win Sam Stephenson was able to get the ball from thirteen metres out from his own try line to twenty three metres out. Then in the 21st minute from five metres inside his own territory Sam Stephenson was able to get the ball ten metres inside Redcliffe territory.

Sam Stephenson also started at left centre in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Sam Stephenson recording a line break (well I am calling it a line break anyway) in the 66th minute when Burleigh put in a short kick-off to the left side of the field and just after the ball travelled the requisite ten metres Sam Stephenson jumped high after racing through at full speed to take the short kick-off on the full and as his as his feet hit the ground Sam Stephenson continued downfield at full speed and after stepping off his left foot back towards the centre of the field Sam Stephenson was finally brought to ground just five metres out from the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.

Sam Stephenson also did well in the 67th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball thirty four metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson got the ball to within two metres of the halfway mark.

The 2023 MM Cup season saw Sam Stephenson run for 982 metres (second in the competition) at a competition leading 192 metres per game. Sam Stephenson also finished second in the competition in total line breaks with eight.

Sam Stephenson’s performances saw him named in the centres in the 2023 Courier Mail MM Cup Team of the Year and in early September 2023 Sam Stephenson was also named in the centres in the Courier Mail’s PBC SHS School Boy Rugby League Team of the 2020’s to date.

In early March 2023 Sam Stephenson was named in the South Coast School Boy Rugby League Open Representative side with Sam Stephenson starting at left centre and scoring in the 56th minute on Day One of the Championships against Capricornia.

Sam Stephenson scored in the 56th minute with a strong run from eight metres out to score in the left corner after receiving the pass from his inside.

Earlier in the 36th minute Sam Stephenson made a good run from the right of the play the ball and twenty metres out from his own try line with Sam Stephenson promoting the ball to within twelve metres of the halfway mark.

Sam Stephenson also started at left centre on Day Two against Met East with Sam Stephenson scoring a double including the match winning try in the final minute of the match.

Sam Stephenson scored the first of his two tries in the 26th minute when after receiving a long cut-out pass from his inside from Ryder Williams, Sam Stephenson, from twelve metres out charged towards the left corner and was able to hold his running line after contact with one defender to get the ball down two metres in from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson scored the match winning try in the 59th minute when after once again receiving the ball from his inside from Ryder Williams, Sam Stephenson cut to his left to get on the outside of the Met East right winger and was able to get the ball down in the left corner with two defenders trying to force him touch in-goal to win the match for South Coast.

Sam Stephenson also made a good run in the 53rd minute from the left of the play the ball twelve metres out from his own try line and was able to get to the twenty eight metre mark.

Sam Stephenson continued at left centre on Day Three against Sunshine Coast with Sam Stephenson recording a try assist in the 31st minute when after receiving the ball down a left blindside thirty two metres out from the try line Sam Stephenson, after getting to within twenty metres of the try line got the ball away to his left to put Sunny Kama away down the left touchline but he was tackled into touch just five metres out from the try line.

Sam Stephenson also recorded a line break assist in the 4th minute when from thirty two metres from the try line Sam Stephenson was able to make twelve metres before getting an off-load away to Sunny Kama who raced down the left touchline only to be tackled into touch just five metres from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson recorded a second line break assist in the 43rd minute when from twenty three metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson got an off-load away to his left to put his left second rower away and get to within five metres of the halfway mark.

Sam Stephenson then started at left centre in the 2023 QSSRL Open School Boy Grand Final against Capricornia with Sam Stephenson coming close to scoring in the 5th minute when after running a hard straight crash line from twelve metres out, Sam Stephenson was brought to ground by multiple defenders just a metre out from the try line.

Sam Stephenson made a line break in the 59th minute when after picking up a dropped ball by the Capricornia five eight twenty metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson raced downfield to five metres inside Capricornia territory with Sam Stephenson then getting a pass away to his left to Ryder Williams.

Earlier in the match in the 15th minute Sam Stephenson ran the ball from thirty metres out from his try line to the left of the play the ball with Sam Stephenson able to get within four metres of the halfway mark.

Sam Stephenson finished the 2023 QSSRL Open School Boy Rugby League Queensland Championships as the Championships equal fourth leading points scorer with three tries.

At the completion of the Championships Sam Stephenson was named in the 2023 Queensland Open School Boys Rugby League side to contest the 2023 Australian Open School Boys Championships. Prior to the start of the Championships Sam Stephenson was named by the Courier Mail as the 20th best School Boy Rugby League Player in Australia.

Round One of the Australian Open School Boy Rugby League Championships saw Sam Stephenson start at left centre for the Queensland Open School Boys side against New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges with Sam Stephenson making a line break in the 17th minute when from seventeen metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson carried the ball thirty one metres down the left touchline with Sam Stephenson then being awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.

Earlier in the 5th minute with Queensland facing a rushing NSW CCC defensive line Sam Stephenson ran the ball from two metres from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball to get the ball to the twelve metres mark. Then in the 6th minute from the left of the play the ball and twelve metres from his own try line Sam Stephenson got the ball to the twenty eight metre mark after a strong run down the left touchline.

Sam Stephenson also started at left centre in Round Three against Combined Affiliated States (CAS) and in the 3rd minute Sam Stephenson, from the left of the play the ball and six metres out from his own try line was able to get the ball to the twenty six metre mark near the left touchline.

Then in the 7th minute from the left of the play the ball and twelve metres out from his own try line to get the ball to twenty four metres out. Then in the 10th minute also from the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson got the ball to within twenty metres of the try line with the run including a counter clockwise spin.

In the 21st minute Sam Stephenson from two passes to the left of the play the ball and just seven metres out from his own try line Sam Stephenson was able to rumble his way to twenty metres out from the try line. Then the 44th minute saw Sam Stephenson make twelve metres down the left channel to eight metres from the try line near the left touchline.

Sam Stephenson also did well in the 27th minute when he took a high bomb to his side of the field on the full under pressure whilst facing his own try line and twenty two metres out.

Sam Stephenson then started from the bench in Queensland School Boys final match of the Championships against ACT School Boys with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 56th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy in the centre of the field and four metres from his own try line, Sam Stephenson threw a long cut-out pass to his left to put his left winger away down the sideline and after backing up on the inside, Sam Stephenson received the ball back from the winger thirty five metres out and ran away to score next to the left upright.

The 35th minute saw Sam Stephenson cut underneath a play to the left to get the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to six metres into ACT territory. Then in the 41st minute from the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson ran the ball from ten metres inside ACT territory to twenty seven metres of the try line.

Just prior to scoring in the 54th minute Sam Stephenson ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and ran an underneath route to cut back towards the centre of the field from five metres inside Queensland territory to eleven metres into ACT territory.

Round One of the 2023 School Boy Langer Cup competition saw Sam Stephenson named at left centre for PBC SHS against Marsden SHS with Sam Stephenson making a good run in the 9th minute from the left of the play the ball with Sam Stephenson carrying the ball from thirty four metres from his try line to the halfway mark.

Sam Stephenson made a further strong run in the 22nd minute from eighteen metres out from his own try line to the thirty four metre mark after taking possession to the left of the play the ball. Then in the 35th minute from a PBC SHS penalty tap restart Sam Stephenson was able to get the ball three metres inside Marsden SHS territory after taking the tap ten metres inside his own territory.

After missing a number of rounds through injury Sam Stephenson was back at left centre for Round Four against Redcliffe SHS with Sam Stephenson scoring the opening try of the match in the 4th minute with a close range effort down a left blindside after getting a good ball from his inside from Bailey McConnell to crash over to score four metres in from the left corner post.

In the 15th minute Sam Stephenson came close to scoring a second try after making a twenty four metre run down the left touchline but unfortunately the ball was knocked from Sam Stephenson’s grasp as he was in the process of putting the ball down over the try line.

The 38th minute from the left of a PBC SHS scrum win saw Sam Stephenson carry the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to ten metres inside Redcliffe SHS territory.

After missing Round Five Sam Stephenson was back at left centre for the Round Six Gold Coast derby against Keebra Park SHS with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 45th minute when Sam Stephenson chased through a Bailey McConnell grubber kick and won the race to the ball in the in-goal to ground the ball ten metres in from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson had come close to scoring earlier in the match in the 19th minute only to be held up over the try line by three Keebra Park SHS defenders near the left corner after an eight metre run.

Sam Stephenson also recorded a line break assist in the 38th minute when after taking possession of the ball from the left of a PBC SHS scrum win ten metres out from his own try line, Sam Stephenson took the ball deep into the Keebra Park SHS defensive line before at the last moment getting a pass away to his right to put Zane Harrison into a gap with the halfback getting to within nine metres of the halfway mark.

In just the 5th minute of the match Sam Stephenson ran the ball from the left of a PBC SHS scrum win and got the ball from forty three metres from the try line to thirty metres out. Then in the 13th minute from a PBC SHS penalty restart Sam Stephenson ran the ball from fourteen metres out from his own try line to thirty metres out.

The 16th minute saw Sam Stephenson receive the ball on the left side of the field before running to his right all of the way across field from twenty one metres out with Sam Stephenson beating a number of defenders to get within three metres of the try line. Sam Stephenson continued his strong running match in the 23rd minute with a twenty two metres run down the left touchline commencing eighteen metres out from his own try line.

Sam Stephenson did well to prevent a Keebra Park SHS try in the 43rd minute when after one of the Keebra Park SHS play makers got a pass away when four metres from the try line with a two person overlap Sam Stephenson intercepted the pass and was able to carry the ball back to the twenty metre mark with Sam Stephenson then being awarded a penalty for an illegal strip of the ball.

Sam Stephenson was then named at right second row for Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Sam Stephenson coming close to scoring in the 39th minute when after cutting underneath Zane Harrison to the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson charged at the try line from twelve metres out to get the ball down five metres in from the left corner but on the advice of the linesman, the referee ruled double movement.

Sam Stephenson made his opening strong run of the match inside the opening minute with an eighteen metre run down the right channel to get the ball thirty eight metres out from his own try line. Then in the 7th minute Sam Stephenson ran an underneath route from the right of the dummy half to get the ball from his own thirty six metre mark to the halfway mark.

The 29th minute then saw Sam Stephenson take the ball from eighteen metres out from his own try line to thirty metres out after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball. Sam Stephenson followed up with a strong run from a PBC SHS penalty restart to get the ball from his own thirty four metre mark to three metres of the halfway mark.

Sam Stephenson timed his kick chase perfectly in the 3rd minute to smash the Ipswich SHS left winger just as he took a PBC SHS high bomb on the full ten metres out from his own try line. Sam Stephenson made another strong tackle in the 35th minute with a big hit over the top on the Wavell SHS No. 15 on the try line to prevent the replacement forward from twisting over to score four metres to the right of the uprights.

After PBC SHS finished fourth on the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup table after the completion of the regular season, Sam Stephenson started at left centre for PBC SHS in their Quarter Final clash against Keebra Park SHS.

Sam Stephenson in addition to scoring himself set up the match winning try for PBC SHS with less than two minutes remaining. Sam Stephenson also made two line breaks as he constantly terrorised the Keebra Park SHS defence.

Sam Stephenson set up the PBC SHS match winning try in the 58th minute when after PBC SHS swept the ball wide to the left Sam Stephenson received the ball twelve metres out and after continuing to run to his left Sam Stephenson was able to get on the outside of his direct opponent and then when he had drawn the Keebra Park SHS right winger in, Sam Stephenson timed his pass to Creedence Donovan to give his left winger a four metre run to dive over in the left corner to win the match for PBC SHS 14 - `12.

Sam Stephenson scored himself in the 22nd minute when after receiving the ball as PBC SHS spun the ball to the left and after taking possession ten metres to the left of the uprights and twenty two metres out from a PBC SHS scrum win, Sam Stephenson initially continued to run to his left and just prior to engaging his opposing defender, Sam Stephenson straightened up his run by way of a subtle left foot step to beat his opposing centre on the inside with Sam Stephenson then charging away to put the ball down twelve metres to the left of the uprights.

Sam Stephenson made the first of his two line breaks in the 44th minute with a strong left channel line break commencing from his own fifteen metre mark to within three metres of the halfway mark.

Sam Stephenson recorded another line break in the 54th minute when after running an underneath route to the left of the play the ball with Bailey McConnell, Sam Stephenson ran the ball from twenty seven metres out from the try line with Sam Stephenson getting to within two metres of the try line and ten metres in from the left corner post.

In just the 5th minute of the match and the right of the play the ball Sam Stephenson was able to promote the ball from eighteen metres out from his own try line to thirty metres out. Then in the 40th minute from the left of a PBC SHS scrum win Sam Stephenson was able to carry the ball from five metres out from his own try line to twenty metres out with Sam Stephenson then awarded a penalty for being held down too long.

Sam Stephenson was also named at left centre in the Langer Cup Semi-Final against Marsden SHS with Sam Stephenson scoring an outstanding double to propel PBC SHS into the Grand Final against Ipswich SHS.

Sam Stephenson scored his first try of the Semi-Final in the 26th minute when Sam Stephenson ran onto a Baylen Donald off-load from six metres out after his left second rower had made a line break to put the ball down three metres in from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson completed his double to seal the match for PBC SHS in the 45th minute when from the centre of the field twenty metres out Bailey McConnell put up a high bomb to his left with Creedence Donovan making a great catch on the full and then off-loading to his left as he was going to ground to Sam Stephenson who scored in the left corner.

In the 14th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half am Stephenson carried the ball from his own thirty two metre mark to within four metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 33rd minute from the left of the play the ball once again Sam Stephenson was able to carry the ball to within eleven metres of the try line before being awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle.

The 54th minute saw Sam Stephenson run the ball from the halfway mark to thirty eight metres from the try line after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half with Sam Stephenson then being awarded a penalty for being held down too long in the tackle. Sam Stephenson then took the penalty restart, making an additional twelve metres.

Sam Stephenson rounded out an outstanding match in the 59th minute with a run from a PBC SHS twenty metre restart to make fifteen metres against what was a set Marsden SHS defensive line.

Sam Stephenson also started at left centre in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Sam Stephenson making a line break inside the opening two minutes of the Grand Final when from ten metres inside his own territory Sam Stephenson broke a tackle and surged down the left touchline to get to thirty metres from the try line.

Sam Stephenson also made a good run in the 10th minute from the left of a PBC SHS scrum win to get the ball out to twenty metres from his own try line after taking possession of the ball just six metres out. Then in the 38th minute Sam Stephenson made nineteen metres down the left channel to get to within eight metres of the try line. Sam Stephenson made more metres down the left channel in the 52nd minute to carry the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to seven metres inside Ipswich SHS territory.

At the conclusion of the Langer Cup Sam Stephenson was named in the centres in the 2023 Courier Mail School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Team of the Year.

Sam Stephenson also started at left centre for PBC SHS against St Patrick’s College in Mackay in the Phil Hall Cup to determine the best Queensland School Boy Rugby League side of 2023 with Sam Stephenson scoring a powerhouse try in the 51st minute when after good work to his right from Zane Harrison and Ray Puru, Sam Stephenson received a pass from his right from Ray Puru twenty metres out and in the centre of the field with Sam Stephenson bursting through three attempted tackles to crash over to score under the posts.

Sam Stephenson made a strong impact on the match in just the 7th minute with a charge of the left of the play the ball with his run propelling him from his own thirty three metres mark to the halfway mark. Then in the 14th minute from the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson was able to carry the ball from his own forty metre mark to six metres inside St Patrick’s territory.

Sam Stephenson made a further strong run in the 32nd minute with a run from the left of the dummy half that saw Sam Stephenson promote the ball to the halfway mark from thirty three metres out from his own try line. Sam Stephenson made sixteen more metres from the left of the dummy half in the 37th minute after receiving the ball twenty two metres out from his own try line.

In the 47th minute from the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson ran the ball from thirty eight metres out from his own try line to ten metres into St Patrick’s territory.

Sam Stephenson made a good defensive effort in the 24th minute when along with Creedence Donovan, Sam Stephenson brought down the St Patrick’s right centre less than a metre from the try line near the left corner to save a near certain try.

Sam Stephenson made another good defensive read in the 47th minute when facing a two player overlap with St Patrick’s attacking the try line, Sam Stephenson raced out of the PBC SHS defensive line and hit his opposing centre just as he was receiving the pass.

Sam Stephenson also started at left centre in the NRL Australian School Boy Rugby League Grand Final against Westfield’s Sports High with Sam Stephenson recording a try assist in the 34th minute when after receiving the ball from two passes to the left of a PBC SHS scrum win twelve metres out from the try line, Sam Stephenson ran to his right and off-loaded to his left to Creedence Donovan to score in the left corner after drawing in the Westfield’s Sport High’s right winger.

Sam Stephenson also recorded a line break assist in the 19th minute when after receiving the ball from his right from Bailey McConnell, Sam Stephenson ran the ball down a short left blindside and when he got two metres inside Westfield’s Sports High territory, Sam Stephenson passed to his left to Creedence Donovan who charged down the left touchline after Sam Stephenson had drawn in the right winger.

In the 23rd minute from the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson was able to get the ball from just three metres out from his own try line to seventeen metres out and then in the 25th minute from the left of the play the ball once again Sam Stephenson carried the ball from ten metres out from his own try line to twenty four metres out.

Sam Stephenson followed up in the 33rd minute with a run two passes to the left of the play the ball to get the ball from six metres inside his own territory to six metres into Westfield Sports High territory.

In the 42nd minute from the left of a PBC SHS scrum win Sam Stephenson was able to carry the ball from eight metres out from his own try line to twenty two metres out. Then Sam Stephenson, from two passes to the left of the play the ball Sam Stephenson made a half break as he got the ball from fourteen metres out from his try line to twenty seven metres out.

At the end of the 2023 school boy rugby league season Sam Stephenson was equal third in the 2023 PBC SHS Craig Weston Medal with Sam Stephenson receiving eight votes.

In early September 2023 Sam Stephenson was named in the Queensland City U17 squad for their annual match against Queensland Country U17’s however Sam Stephenson was unavailable for the match due to injury.

At the conclusion of the 2023 School Boy sporting season Sam Stephenson was named the twentieth best School Boy across all sports by the Courier Mail. Sam Stephenson was also named one of the top 2023 School Boy Rugby league talents by the Courier Mail.

In late April 2023 Sam Stephenson was named in the Queensland Rugby League U18 Emerging Origin Squad.

In early April 2023 Sam Stephenson was named in the Queensland Rugby League U17 Positional Skills Day squad.

In late December 2023 Sam Stephenson was named by the Courier Mail as one of Queensland’s 2023 Top 100 Sporting Prodigies.

In late January 2022 Sam Stephenson started at left centre for the Titans U16 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Sydney Bulldogs with Sam Stephenson coming in-field in the 10th minute to take a hit-up to the right of the play the ball, making eight metres into the teeth of the Bulldogs defence to get the ball over thirty metres out from the Titans own try line.

Then in the 21st minute Sam Stephenson Sam Stephenson was able to make twelve metres down the left channel to get the play very close to halfway.

In early May 2022 Sam Stephenson also started at left centre for the Titans JTS U16 squad that took on a Northern Rivers Titans U17 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Fourteen against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 50th minute with a strong charge.

Sam Stephenson also recorded a try assist mid-way through the second half when he chimed into the backline from fullback to create an overlap and off-load to Anton Whaiapu to score on the left side of the field.

In late July 2022 Sam Stephenson was part of the U17 Future Titans Squad that defenders a Titans U18 Northern Rivers Squad 36 – 8 at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Round Twenty NRL match between the Titans and the Canberra Raiders with Sam Stephenson starting the match on the wing and deservedly being named Player of the Match.

In late September 2022 Sam Stephenson also started at left centre for a Titans U16 side against a Sydney Roosters U16 side at Pizzey Park with the Titans putting in an outstanding display to defeat the Roosters 32 – 8.

Sam Stephenson also started at left centre for the Titans U16’s in the annual Anthony Laffranchi Cup match against the Balmain Tigers with Sam Stephenson scoring a hat trick in the Titans big 40 – 8 victory.

Sam Stephenson scored the first of his three tries in the 14th minute when after receiving the ball from his inside from five eight Ryder Williams, Sam Stephenson had an eight metre run untouched to the line to dive over five metres in from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson scored his second try in the 16th minute with a great fifty metre line break emphasising Sam Stephenson’s speed and power.

Sam Stephenson completed his hat trick in the 40th minute when Sam Stephenson burst through the Balmain Tigers right sided defensive line off a good ball from his inside to score.

Sam Stephenson could/should have a fourth try in the 45th minute when the ball that put Sam Stephenson over the try line was ruled to have travelled forward out of the hands.

In mid-December 2021 Sam Stephenson had the opportunity to train with the Titans NRL squad in a joint training session between the Titans NRL squad and the Titans JTS Program Squads.

Sam Stephenson was named in the PNG U16 side for the 2021 QPICC Cultural Carnival that was held at Beenleigh in Brisbane’s south in October.

In October 2021 Sam Stephenson was named in the powerful Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad with Sam Stephenson in line to start with the only question in what position as Sam Stephenson is a stand out at fullback, centre, in the second row and has even played a fair bit of five eight in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition.

Round One of the 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup saw Sam Stephenson named at left centre for the Burleigh Bears against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Sam Stephenson scoring a strong solo try.

In the 42nd minute Sam Stephenson burst onto the ball down the left channel around forty metres out from the line breaking the line and set sail for the try line just short of the line Sam Stephenson was ankle tapped from before and went to ground, but before the Seagulls defence could put a hand on him, Sam Stephenson bounced to his feet and dove over around twelve metres in from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson had made an earlier strong run in the 29th minute from a Burleigh scrum win deep in their own territory Sam Stephenson made twelve metres to the left of the scrum after receiving the ball ten metres out from his own try line.

Sam Stephenson was also named at left centre for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies and crossed the line to score in the 12th minute of the match when after receiving the ball wide out on the left just three metres out from the line, Sam Stephenson stepped off his left foot to wrong foot one Magpies defender before diving over to score five metres in from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson almost scored a second try late in the first half, getting over the line but the ball was knocked from his grasp just prior to getting the ball down.

Sam Stephenson made his first line break of the match in the 4th minute when he took possession to the left of a scrum with a Burleigh feed at mid-field and twenty metres out from the Bears line. Sam Stephenson cut off his right foot to get around one defender before slicing through a gap between that defender and the next outside defender. Just as he was almost through the gap and accelerating, Sam Stephenson was ankle tapped from behind but he was able to maintain his feet and keep going before the Magpies cover defence got to him five metres inside Magpie’s territory thus Sam Stephenson’s line break accounted for an impressive thirty five metres.

Sam Stephenson made a further strong run in the eighth minute when after Burleigh were awarded a penalty, Sam Stephenson took the tap restart forty metres out from his own line and against a set Souths Logan defensive line, Sam Stephenson make a strong sixteen metres, more than 50% of which were post contact.

Such was the quality of Sam Stephenson’s performance that he was named as a reserve in the Courier Mail’s Cyril Connell Cup Round Two Team of the Week.

Sam Stephenson also started at left centre in Round Three against the Norths Devils and had a big match in the Bears 20 – 10 victory with Sam Stephenson scoring two of the Bears four tries.

Sam Stephenson scored his first try of the match in the 27th minute when he charged onto a good short ball by Amarni Wetini-Ngaropo down a very short left blindside from four metres out with Sam Stephenson crashing over three metres in from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson completed his double in the 46th minute when in his left centre position Sam Stephenson received the ball ten metres out immediately stepping off his left foot to beat one defender before cutting off his left once again to beat and second, before Sam Stephenson charged over to score with three defenders hanging off him to get the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson made a significant run in the 16th minute which accounted for seventeen metres down the left channel to get the ball to thirty metres away from his own try line.

Sam Stephenson, in the 26th minute was part of a good Bears team movement that almost saw Izayah Petrichvich score in the left corner. Amarni Wetini-Ngaropo took the ball down a wide left blindside throwing a great cut-out pass to his left to Sam Stephenson who executed a great catch and pass to put Izayah Petrichvich on a seventeen run down the left touchline but he was bundled into touch just two metres out from the left corner.

Sam Stephenson continued on his way in the 35th minute when he charged onto the ball to the left of the dummy half making fifteen metres to get the ball to within thirty metres of the Burleigh try line.

Sam Stephenson then continued at left centre in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and made a number of line breaks, with the first coming in just the 4th minute of the match when Sam Stephenson burst through the Wynnum Manly righted sided defensive line down the left channel, making twenty two metres.

Sam Stephenson made another line break in the 49th minute when he broke through the Wynnum Manly right sided defensive line making twenty five metres, breaking three tackles along the way.

Sam Stephenson also produced a strong defensive effort in the 47th minute when after Wynnum Manly put in a cross kick to their right, Sam Stephenson smashed the Seagulls right winger just after he took possession of the ball ten metres out from the line.

Sam Stephenson was named on the bench for the Bears opening 2022 trail against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Sam Stephenson operating at left centre in the second half after coming on at halftime.

In the 35th minute Sam Stephenson recorded a line break and try assist in the same run when he ran off a good ball from Amarni Wetini-Ngaropo. Sam Stephenson raced forty five metres before drawing the Seagulls fullback and passing to his right to send Nayte Saaga over for a great Burleigh long range try.

Sam Stephenson also made a strong run in the 40th minute when from the right of the dummy half Sam Stephenson took the ball on his own twenty metre line and made twenty five metres to get within five metres of the try line, breaking three tackles along the way.

Sam Stephenson made another fifteen metres of metres gained in the 51st minute when from the left of a Bears scrum win, Sam Stephenson was able to promote the ball over the Bears defensive twenty metre line.

In total in the 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition Sam Stephenson ran for the 5th most metres being 549 metres at an average of 137 metres per game and also made four line breaks.

Sam Stephenson was also named the 2022 Burleigh Bears CC Cup Best and Fairest.

Sam Stephenson then started at left centre for Burleigh in their final 2022 trial against the Western Clydesdales operating on the left side of the field.

Sam Stephenson was named to make his Langer Cup Open A debut on the left wing for Round Two against Redcliffe State High School.

Sam Stephenson made a line break in the 25th minute after receiving a long cut-out pass from his inside from Josh Lynn and after a twenty metre burst down the left touchline got a pass away to his inside to Michael Roberts.

Sam Stephenson made a further strong run in the 29th minute when from a twenty metre tap after a Redcliffe SHS kick went dead Sam Stephenson charged through the defensive line making a thirty metre line break before off-loading the ball on halfway to Jett Forbes.

Sam Stephenson maintained his compose in the 45th minute when a short goal line drop out was put up towards his left wing with Sam Stephenson taking the ball on the full under intense pressure.

Sam Stephenson then did very defensively in the 54th minute when after Redcliffe SHS had made a break down the opposite wing Sam Stephenson raced across the field to tackle the Redcliffe SHS left centre just a minute from the try line on the final tackle. Sam Stephenson did not rest on his laurels, taking the hit-up from the changeover, getting the ball twelve metres away from the line before being awarded a penalty.

Sam Stephenson returned to PBC State High School in 2022 starting Round One of the Walters Cup School Boy competition against Marsden SHS at fullback and scored a great solo try in the 26th minute.

In the 26th minute Sam Stephenson received the ball to the right of the play the ball fifty five metres out from the line and broke through the Marsden SHS left sided defence as a result of a strong left arm fend before veering to his right to round the fullback and race away to put the ball down under the posts.

In the 9th minute Sam Stephenson also threw the final pass for the PBC right winger after Sam Stephenson had received the ball after a PBC SHS scrum win thirty metres out.

Sam Stephenson’s initial strong effort in the match came in the 5th minute when after a Marsden SHS went astray Sam Stephenson picked up the ball fifteen metres out from his own line and was able to promote the ball to forty metres away from the line to ease the pressure on PBC SHS.

Sam Stephenson then made a strong run out of dummy half in the 8th minute when he ran to his left and was able to make fourteen metres before being tackled on the halfway mark. Sam Stephenson ran out of dummy half once again in the 16th minute when he ran to his left from five metres inside his own territory and was able to get the ball ten metres into Marsden SHS territory.

Just a minute later in the 17th minute tracked back to take a Marsden SHS kick which had tip toe’d along the touchline in the left corner, immediately running the ball towards the centre of the field, returning the ball twenty five metres.

Sam Stephenson also did well in the 45th minute when after joining the backline on the right had to dive forward to take an errant pass but had the foresight to quickly get back to his feet and off-load the ball as he was being taken to ground.

After the mid-season break, Sam Stephenson started at fullback in Round Four against Ipswich State High School with Sam Stephenson scoring a double and recording two try assists in a big PBC SHS victory.

Sam Stephenson scored his opening try in the 19th minute when after receiving the ball from his right from the base of a PBC SHS scrum win, Sam Stephenson from near the halfway mark burst between would be defenders and raced away to score under the posts.

Sam Stephenson completed his double in the final minute of the match when after getting an off-load from his inside Sam Stephenson had an easy ten metre run to score in the left corner.

The first of Sam Stephenson’s two try assists came in the 23rd minute when after receiving an off-load from his left Sam Stephenson got the ball away to his right to put Sunny Kama over to score wide out on the right.

Sam Stephenson recorded a second try assist in the 37th minute when after lining up to the left of a PBC SHS scrum win, Sam Stephenson received the ball thirty metres out near the centre of the field and ran the ball to his left and got halfway through a gap before getting an off-load away to his left for his winger to score in the left corner.

Sam Stephenson also made a line break in the 25th minute when Sam Stephenson ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball twenty metres out from his own try line and burst straight through an attempted arm tackle and forty five metres down the left channel before his inside pass went to ground.

The first of Sam Stephenson’s strong runs in the match came in the 3rd minute when after taking an Ipswich SHS kick on the full eight metres out from his own try line and to the right of the goal posts Sam Stephenson got the ball thirty metres away from his own line.

Sam Stephenson also did well in the 29th minute when he picked up the ball near his own try line in the right corner and after running towards the centre of the field, straightened up and was able to promote the ball to twenty five metres out.

Sam Stephenson also started at fullback in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Sam Stephenson scoring in the 27th minute when after joining the PBC SHS backline on the left side of the field and sliced between two defenders from twelve metres out to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson also threw the final pass to a PBC SHS try in the 31st minute when after once again chiming into the PBC SHS backline and after drawing in the Mabel Park SHS right winger passed to his left to put his left winger over to score in the corner.

Whilst Sam Stephenson was one of PBC SHS’s try scorers, Sam Stephenson’s best moment of the match came in the 36th minute with what can only be described as a magnificent try scoring tackle. One of the giant Mabel Park SHS front rowers broke through the PBC SHS defensive line and looked certain to score but Sam Stephenson flew across to his right and hit the front rower on the try line and flipped him onto his back to hold him up next to the right upright, it was a truly spectacular tackle.

Sam Stephenson’s first run of the match came in just the 2nd minute when he ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball from ten metres out from his own try line with Sam Stephenson getting the ball a metre over his twenty metre mark.

Sam Stephenson then did well in the 10th minute when he came forward off his own try line to take a grubber kick cleanly at speed and made twenty metres by way of a stepping run.

Sam Stephenson continued at fullback in Round Six against Keebra Park SHS with Sam Stephenson making a great kick return in the 28th minute when after taking a Keebra Park SHS clearing kick on the bounce Sam Stephenson charged onto the ball twenty five metres from his own try line with Sam Stephenson getting the ball five metres into Keebra Park SHS territory.

Sam Stephenson made another strong run in the 43rd minute making twenty metres from the left of the play the ball and from thirty metres out from his own thirty metre line to the halfway mark.

Then in the 48th minute Sam Stephenson threw the final pass to his left centre to score in the corner.

Sam Stephenson continued at fullback in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Sam Stephenson making a line break in the 20th minute when after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball, Sam Stephenson broke through multiple tackles to make twenty metres from twelve metres out from his own try line.

Then in the 36th minute Sam Stephenson from the left of the play the ball made sixteen metres whilst bringing the ball out of his own twenty metre area.

2022 also saw Sam Stephenson play for the Burleigh Bears White side in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League U16 Division One competition, leading the Bears to a Grand Final appearance against the Helensvale Hornets with Sam Stephenson starting the Grand Final at left centre.

Perhaps Sam Stephenson’s best moment of the Grand Final came in the 13th minute when Sam Stephenson made a lien break when he cut back underneath his five eight on the left side of the field thirty three metres out from the try line with Sam Stephenson bursting through three attempted tackles to get the ball to within ten metres of the try line and even though he had been engaged at that time by three Helensvale defenders Sam Stephenson was still able to get the ball away to his left to his five eight.

Sam Stephenson made another strong run in the opening minute of the second half when after receiving an off-load from the second half kick-off twenty eight metres out from his own try line, Sam Stephenson was able to make a line break down the left touchline to be tackled two metres inside Helensvale territory.

The one tackle later Sam Stephenson was on hand to receive another off-load on the left side of the field with Sam Stephenson running towards the centre of the field making sixteen more metres downfield.

Even though he was still U15 eligible in June 2021, Sam Stephenson was a member of the Titans JTS U16 side that drew with a Titans U17 Northern Rivers Academy side at Cbus Stadium in a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL fixture against Manly, playing in the centres in his time on the field. Sam Stephenson was one of only two 15 year old’s in the Titans U16 JTS squad with the other being fellow Gold Coast local Cooper Bai.

Early February 2021 saw Sam Stephenson make it through the first stage of the South Coast U15 QSSRL trials when he was named in the U15 Oceania school boy U15 squad. Following the final round of trials, Sam Stephenson was named in the 2021 South Coast U15 school boy QSSRL squad starting the Championship Final against Met West from the bench.

Interestingly in early June 2021 Sam Stephenson started at fullback for the PBC SHS Year Nine side against Keebra Park SHS and the powerful young man made a very good fist of the custodian role including a sixteen metre charge in the 5th minute.

Sam Stephenson also started at fullback in Round Six of the 2021 Hancock Cup school boy competition against Coombabah State High School with the powerful young man scoring a double.

Sam Stephenson’s first try came in the 22nd minute when he looped around to the left side of the field, receiving the ball from his five eight eighteen metres from the line, after pushing off one defender Sam Stephenson burst through a gap between two defenders to power over.

Sam Stephenson’s second try came in the 33rd minute with Sam Stephenson racing away to score under the posts. The try scoring movement started when from deep in their own territory PBC kicked downfield. It looked as if the ball would go into touch but the PBC centre got to the ball and whipped back inside to Sam Stephenson who to be fair was not expecting the ball, but he was able to take the ball and run away to score.

Sam Stephenson also started at fullback for PBC in their Hancock Cup semi-final win against Marsden State High School with Sam Stephenson scoring the match winning try in the 46th minute. With PBC down by four points with just minutes to go, Sam Stephenson received an off-load eight minutes from the running to his left as soon as he took possession. Sam Stephenson was initially held by one leg just metres from the line and even when being held by one leg shrugging off one defender before diving forward to get the ball down adjacent to the left upright. The subsequent PBC conversion put PBC in front 10 – 8 and they held on from there.

Sam Stephenson was also named to start at fullback in the 2021 Hancock Cup Grand Final against local rivals Keebra Park State High School with Sam Stephenson scoring a key try in the last minute of the first half as PBC held on to win 16 – 12.

After a smart run from PBC hooker Ayden Byrnes which got the ball just into Keebra Park SHS territory, Sam Stephenson charged onto the ball to the left of the dummy half with the play still forty five metres from the line. As he got to the back peddling Keebra Park SHS defensive line, Sam Stephenson produced a show and go to his left to slice through the defensive line and from there Sam Stephenson was simply too fast for the Keebra Park SHS defence to dive over nest to the right upright.

Even though Sam Stephenson ran the ball exceptionally well in the Grand Final it was his defence that stood out in the opening minutes. In just the 2nd minute of the Grand Final Sam Stephenson did a great job to hold up a rampaging Keebra Park SHS No. 10 near the left upright and then in the 5th minute, Sam Stephenson charged across to his left to affect a second try saving tackle on the Keebra Park SHS right winger.

After the completion of the Hancock Cup Grand Final Sam Stephenson was named on the bench in the Courier Mail Team of the Grand Finals.

Earlier in the 2021 Renouf Cup competition Sam Stephenson had a huge match in the regular season rounds against Marsden SHS, scoring twice and throwing the last pass to Sunny Kama’s 38th minute try down the right channel.

Sam Stephenson scored his first try of the match in the 54th minute when he received the ball around twenty metres out in space down the right channel. A slight straightening by Sam Stephenson saw him wrong foot the sliding Marsden SHS defence with Sam Stephenson comfortably putting the ball down mid-way between the corner post and left goal post.

Sam Stephenson completed his double in the final minute of the match when after chiming into the backline fifteen metres out on the right side of the field, through a straightening of his run saw Sam Stephenson break the line and cross the try line fifteen metres from the left goal post.

2021 also saw Sam Stephenson play in the Gold Coast Rugby League U15 Division One competition for Burleigh including starting the 2021 Grand Final at five eight against Burleigh Maroon.

Sam Stephenson who operated on the right in the Grand Final made some strong runs, including a line break in the 18th minute, when he made thirty metres to get the ball into Burleigh Maroon territory after running onto an off-loading just outside his own twenty metre area.

Sam Stephenson also had a solid Grand Final from a defensive perspective including in the 49th minute when he stood his ground and was able to hold up a charging Burleigh Maroon front rower over the line after he had charged onto the ball from close range neat the play the ball.

Sam Stephenson also had a strong match in Round Ten against the Coomera Cutters when he started at right centre and provided near impossible to stop in the Bears 42 – 12 victory including a strong solo try mid-way through the second half. Initially Sam Stephenson ran the ball to the left side of the field after receiving the ball from the dummy half. After bumping off two defenders however, Sam Stephenson cut back to his right and was able to force his way over the try line with three defenders hanging off him to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Sam Stephenson continued his strong form in Round Eleven, once again starting at right centre against the Helensvale Hornets including scoring in just the 3rd minute of the match when after he received the ball on the right side of the field around thirty five metres out Sam Stephenson ran over the top of his opposite number before outpacing the Hornets cover defence to dive over five metres in from the right corner post.

Whilst he started the match at right centre, Sam Stephenson also spent time in the first half at fullback and it was in that position that Sam Stephenson made a try saving tackle late in the first half. The Helensvale five eight broke the line forty metres out down the left channel. Sam Stephenson showed the five eight the left side line, impacting the Hornets player around the chest and then dragged him over the sideline ten metres out from the try line to stop the movement in its tracks.

The powerful Titans contracted left second rower or centre was a constant handful for opposing sides in the 2020 Renouf Cup school boy side and Sam Stephenson was one of the reasons that PBC made it all the way to the Renouf Cup Grand Final. Unfortunately PBC went down in heart breaking fashion 10 – 8 to Marsden State High School with the Brisbane based school scoring a late try in the left corner saw PBC lose in heart breaking fashion.

As noted above 2020 saw Sam Stephenson play for PBC in the 2020 Renouf Cup school boy competition, including starting at left second row in the Grand Final against fellow Titans partnered school, Marsden State High School.

Sam Stephenson was prominent for PBC throughout the regular season rounds of the 2020 Renouf School Boy Cup scoring or recording a try assist (on three occasions both) in each of the five 2020 Renouf Cup regular season rounds.

In Round One as PBC SHS went down to eventual their Grand Final opponents Marsden State High School, Sam Stephenson showed the rest of the competition what they would be up against when in the first half he broke the Marsden Right side defensive line with a powerful run that started in his own territory and was able, under heavy pressure get a great pass away to his left on the halfway mark to centre Tyler Small who ran fifty metres to score in a tough 44 – 20 loss.

Round Two as PBC defeated Keebra Park State High School 22 – 20 saw Sam Stephenson score a try as well as recording another try assist. The try assist resulted from powerful surge to break through the Keebra Park SHS right side defence around seventy metres out with Sam Stephenson charging forty metres down field before drawing the fullback and passing to his left to send Tyler Small away down the left touch line.

Sam Stephenson’s Round Two try came in the second half. PBC threw the ball from one side of the field to the other, Sam Stephenson received the ball as PBC started to through the ball back to the right, shaking off one attempted tackle before veering to his right and charging fifteen metres to score five metres to the left of the uprights.

Sam Stephenson added two tries and two try assists to his outstanding 2020 Renouf Cup season in Round Three as PBC defeated Coombabah State High School 40 – 12.

Sam Stephenson’s first try assist of the match came after he broke through the Coombabah defence around seventy metres out before drawing the fullback and passing to his right to his half back who was able to score under the posts. Sam Stephenson’s second try assist came after another long break, this time starting sixty metres out with Sam Stephenson charging down field and then drawing the fullback and passing to his left to send Tyler Small away to score.

Sam Stephenson’s first try of the match came through sheer brute strength and power. Sam Stephenson took the ball from a PBC penalty tap ten metres out from the Coombabah line and charged straight and hard to crash over five metres to the left of the uprights.

Sam Stephenson’s second try of the match was scored near where he put the ball down for his fist one. After sending the ball to the right, the ball came back to the ball, finding Sam Stephenson in space and he ran twelve metres to dive over.

PBC defeated Forest Lake State High School 22 – 4 with Sam Stephenson scoring and adding another try assist in Round Four. Sam Stephenson’s try assist was as a result of a one armed offload to his left winger to score after Same Stephenson broke through the line.

Sam Stephenson scored in the match when he broke through the line on the left side of the field, before veering to his left away from the cover defence to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Sam Stephenson finished off the 2020 Renouf Cup regular season in Round Five against Wavell, PBC won the match 28 – 12 with his fifth try of the season when he did what he had done all season and that was to break through the oppositions right side defence. Against Wavell, Sam Stephenson broke the line from around thirty metres and was unstoppable on his way to score PBC’s first try of the match.

In early October 2020 Sam Stephenson was part of the Titans Gold Coast based U14 side that played a trial match against a Titans NRRRL U14/U15 squad with the match being played at Cbus Stadium, giving the young players a great experience in Titans colours with the added bonus that they played in Titans jerseys.

In 2019 Sam Stephenson played for Burleigh in the Gold Coast Rugby League U13 Division One competition starting the Grand Final against Helensvale at left centre. Unfortunately Burleigh went down in the Grand Final 26 – 22.

In taking into account his Grand Final loss Sam Stephenson had an outstanding 2019 Gold Coast U13 Division One season which saw him finish with 100 points from fifteen matches and finish second on the competitions try scoring list in the regular season.

In only one game in the regular season being against Ormeau did Sam Stephenson did not score in 2019, scoring twenty four tries in his other fourteen games for a strike rate of 160%. Sam Stephenson also kicked two goals in Round One against Coomera to hit the 100 point on the season mark.
Sam Stephenson recorded four tries in consecutive rounds against Ormeau and Southport as well as scoring a hat trick against Coomera mid-season.
Sam Stephenson also scored three doubles coming against Coomera in two matches and Ormeau with tries against Currumbin twice, Nerang, Runaway Bay twice and Ormeau accounting for the remainder of his 2019 tries.

Also in 2019 Sam Stephenson represented the Gold Coast Vikings U13 representative side at the Hill Stumer Championships which were held in Ipswich with Sam Stephenson named on the bench for the Vikings.

In 2018 in the GCRL U12 Division One competition Sam Stephenson recorded a 100% strike rate from fourteen matches.

Sam Stephenson is a powerfully built young left second rower, which makes him quite difficult to tackle as Sam Stephenson is also adept at dropping his shoulder into defenders as he impacts the defensive line.

There is no subtlety to his game, Sam Stephenson runs straight and hard, with the only concession to this being a slight step off his left foot in occasion prior to impacting the defensive line. One thing that Sam Stephenson does do will however is continuing to pump his legs once his initial momentum is halted by the defensive line.

Sam Stephenson makes more metres than he should as a result and also forces defending teams to commit multiple defensive assets to stopping his forward progress. Sam Stephenson is also adept at getting a quick play the ball regardless of the number of defenders that are involved in tackling him.

For a big strong young man Sam Stephenson also has impressive speed, I would say in the plus category for a second rower, when he breaks through the defensive line and is also very good at setting up his support runners once through the initial defensive line.

Like his attacking game, Sam Stephenson’s defensive methodology is simply constructed and enacted. Sam Stephenson moves up and hits the ball carrier as hard as he can, as often as he can, full stop. Sam Stephenson is best suited to defending in the centre of the ruck and that is where you will almost always find him and for a powerfully built young player.

Sam Stephenson moves well in terms of moving up and back in defence. Sam Stephenson’s lateral movement is also actually more than reasonable for a big second rower or centre as well.

In 2025 Sam Stephenson will line-up in the U19 Mal Meninga Cup competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls for the second season in a row. Post the MM Cup Sam Stephenson may well immediately move to the Queensland Cup after making his Queensland Cup debut as an 18 year old in 2024.

Sam Stephenson played the 2019 season at left centre for Burleigh but in 2020 played exclusively at left second row especially for PBC in the Renouf Cup school boy competition and with his size, speed and strength it seems likely that Sam Stephenson’s move to the second row will eventually become permanent but likely for the next couple of seasons at least Sam Stephenson is more than likely to spend time in other positions which to be fair is a great situation which will help Sam Stephenson to enhance his skill set and develop his undoubted potential.

In the interests of completeness I note that Sam Stephenson played in the centres for the Titans and also spent time at fullback for PBC in the school boy Hancock Cup competition in 2021 and at five eight and in the centres for Burleigh White in the GCRL U15 Division One competition as well as on the wing for a Titans U17 JTS side in 2022.

To be honest when I saw Sam Stephenson run onto the field and line-up at fullback in 2021 for PBC SHS I scratched my head and wondered what was going on, but to be fair the move was a master stroke with Sam Stephenson roaming around on both sides of the field and over the course was exceptionally damaging for PBC SHS from the fullback position.

I must admit that whilst I think that ultimately Sam Stephenson ends up in the second row, Sam Stephenson’s performances in the centres in 2023 and 2024 has changed my opinion quite dramatically. I certainly believe now that there is a significant change that Sam Stephenson may well just stay in the centres for the duration of his ruby league career.

With his beautifully balanced running style, elite speed, tackling breaking ability and the fact that he plays the game with just a natural affinity, Sam Stephenson’s playing style may well compare very well in the end to being similar to that of Manly, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International fullback or centre Tom Trbojevic as a taller player with outstanding speed and strength as well as the ability to be an elite tackle breaker and regular try scorer. Like Trbojevic, Sam Stephenson plays far stronger than he looks and has proved to be near impossible to be brought down in a one on one situation by any opponent.

Like Tom Trbojevic, Sam Stephenson just looks like he is playing at a pace far far quicker than the players around him, both teammates and the opposition alike and Sam Stephenson has the same explosiveness off the mark as Trbojevic has and his sense of timing, anticipation and plus top end speed present as similar to Trbojevic as well. Sam Stephenson is just as natural on a rugby league field, it is literally as simple as that.

 

[Titanic]

Well done, now go and put your typing fingers in ice to cool them down.

 

[mdrew]

Nelson Makaafi. The young backrower deservedly signed a multi-year contract with the Titans in early 2022 after a strong 2021 season at the Titans partnered Palm Beach Currumbin (PBC) State High School.

In late 2024 Nelson Makaafi was named in the 2025 Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad with Nelson Makaafi also MM Cup eligible in 2026.

In early January 2024 Nelson Makaafi started at left second row for a Titans U17 side that played in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney.

In the first of the two trials against the Penrith Panthers Nelson Makaafi made a strong run in the 14th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Nelson Makaafi stepped off his left foot when ten metres from the halfway mark and as a result Nelson Makaafi was able to carry the ball seven metres inside Penrith territory.

Nelson Makaafi then came off the bench in the second trial of the day against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Nelson Makaafi coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 15th minute.

In the 18th minute Nelson Makaafi ran an underneath route from the right of the dummy half and after taking possession of the ball thirty one metres out from his own try line Nelson Makaafi was able to break three tackles as he got the ball to within six metres of the halfway mark.

Then in the 23rd minute from two passes to the left of a Titans scrum win Nelon Makaafi did exceptionally well to promote the ball from just seven metres out from his own try line to twenty four metres out with Nelson Makaafi breaking one tackle and with approximately 75% of his metres being post contact with the Souths Sydney defensive line.

Also in the 35th minute after receiving the ball on the left side of the field Nelson Makaafi cut back inside from sixteen metres out and was able to break three tackles before being stopped less than a metre from the try line and three metres to the left of the goal posts.

In January 2023 Nelson Makaafi started from the bench for the Titans JTS U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Nelson Makaafi coming off the bench to operate at left second row in the 27th minute.

Nelson Makaafi made a strong run in the 62nd minute. After running an underneath route Nelson Makaafi took possession of the ball forty metres out and in a show of strength and power Nelson Makaafi just kept pumping his legs whilst in contact with defenders and was able to get the ball to within seventeen metres of the try line before he was eventually brought to ground by multiple defenders.

Nelson Makaafi also started from the bench a week later for the Titans U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s U17’s on the Gold Coast with Nelson Makaafi coming onto the field mid-way through the opening half to operate at left second row with Nelson Makaafi making a number of strong runs down the left channel.

Nelson Makaafi also lined up in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Nelson Makaafi started in the front row for a Titans U16 JTS squad that played a touring Auckland U16 side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Seven match against the Brisbane Bronco’s with Nelson Makaafi making the fifth hit-up of the match from two passes to the left of the dummy half to carry the ball to the halfway mark.

The 7th minute then saw Nelson Makaafi charge onto the ball to the right of the play the ball from thirty seven metres from the try line and run through the centre of the field to within twenty metres of the try line. Nelson Makaafi made another strong run in the 31st minute getting the ball to the halfway mark after commencing his run thirty five metres from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball.

In late September 2023 Nelson Makaafi was part of the Titans JTS U16 side in their Antony Laffranchi Cup victory against the Balmain Tigers in Northern New South Wales.

In early April Nelson Makaafi was named in the 2024 Queensland U17 City Representative side for their annual match against Queensland Country U17’s with Nelson Makaafi starting the match at right second row.

In the 4th minute from the right of the play the ball and forty metres from his own try line Nelson Makaafi was able to get the ball to the forty metre mark. Then in the 8th minute Nelson Makaafi had a hard straight run from thirteen metres from the try line to within two metres wide out on the right side of the field.

Also from the right of the play the ball in the 19th minute Nelson Makaafi pushed off one defender before cutting his left when Nelson Makaafi pushed off a second defender to get the ball from twelve metres from the try line to four metres out.

In the 56th minute from the right of the play the ball ran the ball from twenty five metres from the try line to within eleven metres of the try line with Nelson Makaafi then being awarded a penalty when his leg was lifted. Nelson Makaafi then took the hit-up from the penalty restart to get within five metres of the try line.

Playing forty four minutes Nelson Makaafi ran for thirty six metres (twenty four post contact), broke a tackle and made eight tackles of his own.

In early March 2024 Nelson Makaafi was named in the Open South Coast 2024 School Boy Rugby League Representative squad with Nelson Makaafi starting from the bench on Day One against Met North with Nelson Makaafi doing well in the 59th minute with South Coast leading by two points, when along with Kaleb Smith and Cooper Bai, Nelson Makaafi hit the Met North hooker on the try line and force a knock on after a run out of dummy half.

After coming onto the field to operate at left second half for the second half Nelson Makaafi did well in the 36th minute from a South Coast penalty restart to carry the ball from thirty metres to six metres from the halfway mark.

Nelson Makaafi continued off the bench on Day Two against Met East and after coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 12th minute Nelson Makaafi’s initial run saw him get to within a metre of the try line.

Nelson Makaafi ran the ball down the left channel in the 30th minute to carry the ball from thirty two metres from his try line to within two metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 35th minute after picking the ball up from a Met East knock on Nelson Makaafi was able to get the ball from six metres inside his own territory to eleven metres into Met East territory. Also in the 44th minute Nelson Makaafi collected another lost Met East ball twenty metres from the try line and crashed and barged his way to within three metres of the try line in front of the left goal post.

Nelson Makaafi moved into the South Coast starting side at left second row on Day Three against Northern.

Nelson Makaafi started from the bench on Day Four against Met North with Nelson Makaafi playing left second row in the second half and in the 24th minute Nelson Makaafi ran the ball to the left of the play the ball from fourteen metres to twenty five metres from his try line. Then in the 37th minute from a South Coast penalty restart Nelson Makaafi charged onto the ball forty six metres from the try line to make ten metres.

Round One of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup saw Nelson Makaafi start from the bench for PBC SHS against Ipswich SHS with Nelson Makaafi operating at left second row in the second half.

Nelson Makaafi then started at left second row in Round Two against Redcliffe SHS and in the 49th minute whilst defending on his own try line Nelson Makaafi ran forward and after picking up an errant Redcliffe SHS pass four metres from the try line Nelson Makaafi broke two tackles as he surged out to the eighteen metre mark.

In October 2023 Nelson Makaafi was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup squad after moving over from the Burleigh Bears.

Round One of the 2024 U17 Cyril Connell Cup season saw Nelson Makaafi start at right second row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Nelson Makaafi running an underneath route to the right of the play the ball inside the opening minute of the match to carry the ball from thirty seven metres from the try line to within twenty four metres.

Nelson Makaafi continued at right second row in Round Three against the Norths Devils with Nelson Makaafi scoring in the 45th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and eleven metres out with Nelson Makaafi breaking two tackles to crash over ten metres in from the right corner post.

In just the 3rd minute of the match from the right of the play the ball Nelson Makaafi carried the ball from the halfway mark to within thirty four metres of the try line with 70% of Nelson Makaafi’s metres being post contact. Then in the 9th minute Nelson Makaafi ran an underneath route to the right of the play the ball from the halfway mark to thirty eight metres out.

The 44th minute saw Nelson Makaafi ran the ball two passes to the left of a Seagulls scrum win through the centre of the field from three metres from his own try line to thirteen metres out. The 48th minute then saw Nelson Makaafi receive an off-load from his left and as a result Nelson Makaafi was able to promote the ball from thirty metre mark to twenty metres out before being tackled from behind.

Nelson Makaafi continued at right second row in Round Five against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Nelson Makaafi scoring in the 52nd minute when from two passes to the right of the play the ball and ten metres from the try line Nelson Makaafi was engaged by one defender eight metres out and after easily disposing of him Nelson Makaafi shrugged off another defender who tried to tackle Nelson Makaafi around the chest with Nelson Makaafi crashing over to score twelve metres in from the right corner post.

Nelson Makaafi had come close to scoring earlier in the match in the 15th minute only to be held up mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field after a four metre run to the right of the play the ball.

Nelson Makaafi made a strong run down a short right blindside in the 17th minute from forty three metres from the try line to withing twenty two metres before Nelson Makaafi got an off-load away to his right to Beau Hartmann. In the 52nd minute after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Nelson Makaafi easily bumped off one defender as he carried the ball from twenty two metres from the try line to within ten metres.

At the conclusion of the 2024 CC Cup competition Nelson Makaafi was noted by the Courier Mail as a Player they were looking to see more of.

Nelson Makaafi made his first appearance for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 Division One competition in Round Eight against the Burleigh Bears with Nelson Makaafi coming off the bench in the 20th minute to operate at right second row and immediately Nelson Makaafi carried the ball down a short right blindside from thirty two to forty eight metres from his try line with Nelson Makaafi then awarded a penalty after being held down too long by the Bears defenders.

In the 22nd minute Nelson Makaafi ran an underneath route to the right of the play the ball from twenty seven to within eleven metres of the try line with more than 70% of his metres of the post contact variety. Then in the 27th minute from the left of the play the ball Nelson Makaafi was able to get the ball from thirty to within eighteen metres of the try line. Also from the right of the play the ball in the 42nd minute Nelson Makaafi carried the ball from the halfway mark to thirty nine metres of the try line.

In the 47th minute from two passes to the right of the dummy half and twenty six metres from his try line Nelson Makaafi rumbled downfield to within eight metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 58th minute from a Currumbin penalty restart ten metres inside his own half a Nelson Makaafi effort saw him move the ball to two metres into the Bears half.

Nelson Makaafi then started at right second row in Round Ten against the Helensvale Hornets and in the 2nd minute after running an underneath line to the right of the play the ball Nelson Makaafi got the ball from thirty four to eighteen metres from the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 8th minute a Nelson Makaafi right foot step enabled him to carry the ball from eighteen to twenty eight metres from the try line. Then in the 36th minute from another underneath line to the right of the play the ball (two passes) Nelson Makaafi broke two tackles including running straight over the top of one defender to get the ball from thirty to eighteen metres from the try line.

After picking up a poor Currumbin pass in the 45th minute Nelson Makaafi did well to get the ball to within ten metres of the try line after breaking three tackles in an eleven metre run. Also in the 57th minute Nelson Makaafi ran the ball through the centre of the field from two passes to the right of a Currumbin scrum win and fifteen metres from is try line Nelson Makaafi was seemingly stopped by two defenders just three metres into his run but broke clear and then broke two more tackles on a run out to the forty metre mark.

Nelson Makaafi did well defensively in the 12th minute when along with Dylan Watkins and Brodie Saunders, Nelson Makaafi held up the Hornets dummy half No. 9 near the right goal post after he had tried to sneak over the try line out of dummy half.

Nelson Makaafi started from the bench in Round Thirteen against the Burleigh Bears and immediately after coming off the field to play in the front row in the 23rd minute Nelson Makaafi carried the ball from the right of the play the ball from twenty five to thirty eight metres from his try line.

From two passes to the right of the play the ball in the 28th minute and thirty metres from the try line Nelson Makaafi broke four tackles as he ran to his left to the centre of the field to get within nineteen metres of the try line. Then in the 35th minute Nelson Makaafi’s kick-off return saw him get the ball out to the twenty metre mark. Also in the 40th minute from the right of the play the ball and from the halfway mark Nelson Makaafi carried the ball through the centre of the field fifteen metres inside the Bears half with Nelson Makaafi able to break two tackles.

Nelson Makaafi came off the bench for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 Division One Week Two Elimination Final against the Burleigh Bears and after coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 18th minute Nelson Makaafi ran an underneath line to the left of the play the ball in the 22nd minute Nelson Makaafi stepped off his right foot as he charged from twenty to forty metres from his try line with approximately 80% of his metres being post contact.

A Nelson Makaafi kick-off return saw the ball promoted to the twenty two metre mark through the centre of the field in the 26th minute and then in the 39th minute from the left of the play the ball Nelson Makaafi was able to carry the ball from thirty eight metres from his try line to two metres inside the Bears half. Also in the 54th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and thirty eight metres from the try line Nelson Makaafi broke two tackles to get the ball to within twenty two metres of the try line.

After coming off the bench in the 13th minute to operate at left second row in the 13th minute for Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 Division One Preliminary Final against the Helensvale Hornets Nelson Makaafi scored in the 50th minute when he ran onto a pass from his left from Harrison Doherty fourteen metres from the try line to score midway between the corner post and goal post on the left side of the field.

In the 17th minute from the left of the play the ball Nelson Makaafi was able to carry the ball through the centre of the field from eight metres inside his half to eight metres into Hornets territory after stepping off his left foot. Then in the 25th minute to the right of a Currumbin penalty restart fourteen metres from the try line Nelson Makaafi got within a metre of the try line ten metres in from the right corner post. Also in the 40th minute from two passes to the right of a Currumbin scrum win Nelson Makaafi surged forward from thirty eight to twenty one metres from the try line after breaking a tackle with approximately 75% of the metres being post contact.

Nelson Makaafi showed his strength in the 28th minute when he grabbed the Helensvale left winger eight metres from the try line and rag dolled him back into the in-goal to force a Hornets goal line drop-out.

In early December 2022 Nelson Makaafi took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL off-season training squad.

In late September 2022 Nelson Makaafi was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup representative squad.

Nelson Makaafi was named to start at right second row in Round One of the 2023 U16 Cyril Connell Cup competition for the Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Nelson Makaafi making a number of strong defensive efforts including in the 31st minute with a driving tackle on the Wynnum Manly No. 16 driving him back five metres near the halfway mark. Then in the 41st minute Nelson Makaafi made another strong driving tackle, on this occasion against the Seagulls No. 17 moving to his right with Nelson Makaafi’s initial contact significantly altering the Seagulls players forward momentum.

Nelson Makaafi’s performance saw him named in the second row in the 2023 CC Cup Round One Team of the Round.

Nelson Makaafi also started at right second row in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies with Nelson Makaafi twice inside the opening twenty minutes engaging the Souths Logan left sided defensive line and getting an off-load away.

Nelson Makaafi made a line break in the 30th minute when from twenty metres out from his own try line Nelson Makaafi took possession to the right of the play the ball with Nelson Makaafi using his speed to run around the Magpies left sided defensive line with Nelson Makaafi charging twenty four metres for the right touchline before cutting inside to prevent being taken into touch.

Nelson Makaafi also made a strong run in the 24th minute down the right channel with Nelson Makaafi taking possession on his own thirty and breaking two tackles as he promoted the ball to forty five metres out from his own try line.

Nelson Makaafi then took a strong hit-up being the second hit-up of the second half with Nelson Makaafi getting the ball twenty eight metres from his own try line after Nelson Makaafi’s run started inside his own twenty metre mark.

Then in the 39th minute Nelson Makaafi charged eleven metres also down the right channel making eleven metres to get to twenty one metres out from the try line. Then in the 56th minute Nelson Makaafi received the ball to the right of the play the ball twenty one metres out from his own try line with Nelson Makaafi making thirteen metres with at least 60% of those being post contact.

Nelson Makaafi’s performance earned him a sport in the second row in the Courier Mail Cyril Connell Cup Round Two Team of the Week for the second round in a row.

Nelson Makaafi also started at right second row in Round Three against the Brisbane Tigers with Nelson Makaafi making a strong twenty metre run down the right channel in the 38th minute to get the ball ten metres inside Tigers territory.

Then in the 44th minute Nelson Makaafi made a strong tackle on the Tigers No. 8 that forced a Tigers knock on.

Nelson Makaafi then started at right second row in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Nelson Makaafi making his first strong run of the match in the 4th minute when Nelson Makaafi charged down the right channel from his own thirty metre mark out to within seven metres of the halfway mark.

Then in the 11th minute Nelson Makaafi, from thirty five metres out from his own try line, ran the ball to the left of the dummy half with Nelson Makaafi able to get the ball to within four minutes of the halfway mark.

Nelson Makaafi also made his mark against the Dolphins defensively including a great try saving one on one try saving tackle on the Redcliffe No. 15 just three metres out from the try line and in front of the right upright.

Nelson Makaafi finished the 2023 CC Cup season running for an average of ninety two metres per game and made an average of 14.75 tackles per game.

Round Two of the 2023 School Boy Walters Cup competition saw Nelson Makaafi start at right second row for PBC SHS against Caloundra SHS with Nelson Makaafi scoring a double in a big PBC SHS victory.

Nelson Makaafi scored his first try in the 8th minute with a ten metre burst down the right after getting on the outside of his direct opponent with Nelson Makaafi getting the ball down right metres in from the right corner post.

Nelson Makaafi completed his double in the 36th minute when from twenty metres out and two passes to the right of the play the ball Nelson Makaafi, after receiving the ball, continued to run to his right to get the ball down near the right corner post.

Nelson Makaafi also recorded a try assist in the 12th minute when after Nelson Makaafi ran the ball down a right blindside Nelson Makaafi got an off-load away to his right to Skye Adams who raced down the right touchline to score.

Impressively Nelson Makaafi had made a line break from just the third hit-up of the match when after receiving the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball five metres inside his own territory, Nelson Makaafi continued to run to his right and after beating the Caloundra SHS fullback, Nelson Makaafi carried the ball down the right touchline and was only brought down by multiple defenders within eight metres of the try line.

Then in the 57th minute from the right of the play the ball and still four metres inside his own territory Nelson Makaafi was able to get the ball twelve metres inside Caloundra SHS territory.

Nelson Makaafi continued at right second row in Round Three against Mabel Park SHS with Nelson Makaafi’s first run of the match coming inside the opening minute and was the third hit-up of the match with Nelson Makaafi commencing his run from fourteen metres out from his own try line to thirty eight metres out.

Nelson Makaafi made another good run in the 5th minute from thirty metres from his try line to six metres of the halfway mark down the right channel. Then Nelson Makaafi made his best run of the match in the 39th minute with a charge to the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from his own try line with Nelson Makaafi breaking two tackles as he surged to the halfway mark.

Nelson Makaafi did well in the 3rd minute when he chased through a PBC SHS grubber kick into the in-goal with Nelson Makaafi grabbing hold of the Mabel Park SHS fullback and marching him back over the dead ball line to force a Mabel Park SHS goal line drop-out.

Nelson Makaafi also started at right second row in Round Four against Redcliffe SHS.

Nelson Makaafi continued at right second in Round Five against Stretton State College with Nelson Makaafi scoring in the 49th minute when after a PBC SHS line break through the centre of the field Nelson Makaafi loomed up on the left and after receiving the off-load Nelson Makaafi ran forty metres to put the ball down over the try line mid-way between the try line and goal posts on the left side of the field.

Nelson Makaafi also made a line break in the 17th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and twenty two metres from his own try line, Nelson Makaafi skipped to his right and rumbled downfield to the forty three metre mark

Nelson then recorded a second line break in the 28th minute when after picking up a Stretton State College knock on two metres inside their territory Nelson Makaafi showed very food speed to race downfield and was only brought to ground four metres out from the try line and three metres in from the right touchline.

Earlier in the match in the 8th minute from the right of the play the ball and three metres inside his own territory, Nelson Makaafi ran the ball to eleven metres inside Stretton State College territory. Then in the 28th minute from the left of the play the ball Nelson Makaafi was able to get the ball from his own thirty metre mark to within nine metres of the halfway mark.

Nelson Makaafi also started at right second row in the Round Six Gold Coast School Boy Rugby League local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Nelson Makaafi coming close to scoring in the 36th minute from a PBC SHS penalty tap restart with Nelson Makaafi being held up over the try line eight metres in from the right corner post after a thirteen metre charge.

Nelson Makaafi ran onto the ball strongly to the right of the play the ball in the 11th minute from twenty two metres out from the try line. After cutting back to his left to target the area behind the play the ball Nelson Makaafi surged to within two metres of the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post in the right side of the field.

The 13th minute then saw Nelson Makaafi charge onto the ball to the left of the play the ball, beating three defenders as Nelson Makaafi cut inside from twenty four metres out from his own try line and get the ball to within four metres of the halfway mark.

Then in the 25th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Nelson Makaafi carried the ball from twenty eight metres out from the try line to three metres of the halfway mark with Nelson Makaafi then awarded a penalty for being held down too long before being allowed to his feet to play the ball.

Nelson Makaafi rounded out a strong match in the 53rd minute with a good run from a PBC SHS penalty tap restart from forty two metres from the try line to twenty eight metres out.

Nelson Makaafi continued at right second row in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Nelson Makaafi making the first of a number of strong runs in the 14th minute from two passes to the left of the dummy half twenty metres out from his own try line and after cutting inside towards the centre of the field Nelson Makaafi carried the ball three metres inside Wavell SHS territory after breaking five tackles with 70% of Nelson Makaafi’s metres being post his contact with the Wavell SHS defensive line.

Then in the 36th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball once again Nelson Makaafi got the ball to three metres of the halfway mark from his own twenty metre mark with 60% of Nelson Makaafi’s metres being post contact.

Nelson Makaafi continued his strong match in the 50th minute with a run to the left of the play the ball from eighteen metres out from his own try line with Nelson Makaafi cutting to his left on three occasions to get the ball to the thirty five metre mark but unfortunately Nelson Makaafi’s pass to his right going to ground with PBC SHS in space.

Nelson Makaafi rounded out a very strong match in the 52nd minute with another carry from two passes to the left of the play the ball from sixteen metres out from his own try line to the forty metre mark.

Nelson Makaafi also started at right second row in the Semi-final against Marsden SHS with Nelson Makaafi making the opening tackle of the match along with Brodie Saunders.

The 2nd minute saw Nelson Makaafi ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half from thirty metres out with Nelson Makaafi able to carry the ball through the centre of the field to thirteen metres out. Nelson Makaafi followed up in the 16th minute with a run to the left of the play the ball from twenty two metres out from his own try line to thirty six metres out. From two passes to the right of the play the ball in the 24th minute Nelson Makaafi was able to carry the ball from the halfway mark to the thirty metre mark.

Nelson Makaafi then did well in the 47th minute to chase a PBC SHS attacking kick and grab the Marsden SHS left centre No. 3 four metres from the try line and manhandle him back into the in-goal to force a Marsden SHS goal line drop-out.

Nelson Makaafi also started at right second row in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Walters Cup Grand Final against Wavell SHS with Nelson Makaafi being the best player on the field as PBC SHS won the Grand Final 12 – 8.

Nelson Makaafi made his initial run of the match in the 3rd minute from the right of the play the ball from eighteen metres from the try line to within five metres, then in the 14th minute from the right of the dummy half once gain Nelson Makaafi was able to promote the ball from thirty two metres from the try line to eleven metres out.

From the right of the play the ball in the 22nd minute Nelson Makaafi made a strong yardage carry to get the ball from twelve metres from his own try line to twenty six metres out. The 33rd minute then saw Nelson Makaafi carry the ball through the centre of the field to within nine metres of the try line from the right of the play the ball with Nelson Makaafi initially taking possession of the ball twenty eight metres out.

From the right of the play the ball in the 37th minute Nelson Makaafi charged onto the ball from thirty metres from his own try line to four metres of the halfway mark then to round out an exceptionally Grand Final performance Nelson Makaafi made twenty metres down the right channel from eighteen metres from his own try line to thirty eight metres out.

Nelson Makaafi did well in the 25th minute to chase through a PBC SHS attacking grubber kick into the in-goal to affect a tackle on the fullback to force a Wavell SHS goal line drop-out.

At the completion of the competition Nelson Makaafi was named in the second row in the Courier Mail 2023 Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League Team of the Year.

2023 also saw Nelson Makaafi continue playing for the Currumbin Eagles in the Gold Coast Rugby League U16 Division One competition with Nelson Makaafi starting at right second row in the Grand Final against the Beaudesert Kingfishers with the Eagles avenging their 2022 Grand Final loss to the Kingfishers with a strong 40 – 0 victory.

Nelson Makaafi was (for me) the best player in the field including scoring a second half double amongst other very impressive moments in the Grand Final.

Nelson Makaafi scored his opening try in the 45th minute of the Grand Final when after receiving the ball two passes to the right of a Currumbin scrum win twenty three metres out from the try line, Nelson Makaafi cut back to his right after running an underneath route to his left and after pushing past one defender Nelson Makaafi burst towards the try line to score twelve metres in from the right corner post.

Nelson Makaafi completed his second half Grand Final double in the 51st minute with a big run after the Eagles had swung the ball from wide out on the left to the right with Nelson Makaafi receiving the ball twenty metres out with Nelson Makaafi immediately stepping off his right foot and executing a left arm fend to beat one attempted tackle and then broke another tackle as Nelson Makaafi surged forward to score a great solo try under the posts.

Nelson Makaafi, in the 20th minute, from the left of play the ball and twenty metres out from the try line, cut to his right after receiving the ball and as a result Nelson Makaafi was able to charge to within five metres of the try line and six metres in from the right touchline.

Also in the 28th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Nelson Makaafi was able to promote the ball from seventeen metres out from his own try line to thirty one metres out. The 54th minute then saw Nelson Makaafi make a strong kick-off return from his second try out to the twenty two metre mark.

Nelson Makaafi played to the final siren with a good run from a Currumbin penalty restart in the final minute of the Grand Final with a run to his left from ten metres in from the right touchline with Nelson Makaafi running to his left to carry the ball from thirty metres out from his own try line to forty metres out.

Nelson Makaafi did well defensively in the 15th minute when along with Dylan Watkins they held up the Beaudesert left second rower No. 11 over the try line eight metres in from the Currumbin left touchline.

Nelson Makaafi also did well in the 19th minute when along with Dylan Watkins once again they chased through a Currumbin kick into the in-goal to tackle the Beaudesert fullback there and force a Kingfishers goal line drop-out.

In early May 2022 Nelson Makaafi started from the bench for the Titans JTS U16 squad that took on a Northern Rivers Titans U17 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Fourteen against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs.

In late September 2022 Nelson Makaafi started at left second row for a Titans U16 side against a Sydney Roosters U16 side at Pizzey Park with the Titans recording a great 32 – 8 victory. Nelson Makaafi was also part of the Titans U16 squad that defeated the Balmain Tigers a week later 40 – 8 to win the annual Anthony Laffranchi Cup.

In late May 2022 Nelson Makaafi represented the South Coast U15 School Boy side at the QSSRL U15 Championships starting Match One against Northern at right second row and scoring a great forty metre try in the 40th minute and after crossing the try line near the right corner was able to bring the ball around to put it down near the right goal post.

Nelson Makaafi also started at right second row in Match Two against Met North and for me was South Coast’s best in a tough loss. Nelson Makaafi almost scored in South Coast’s opening run of the match when he got within two metres of the try line near the right corner after South Coast’s opening kick-off went into touch.

Nelson Makaafi then made a great try saving tackle in the 15th minute when after the Met North fullback broke through the South Coast defensive line from deep inside his own territory, it looked as if he would race seventy metres to score but Nelson Makaafi chased hard through centre field and caught the fullback from behind in a great display of speed and effort.

Nelson Makaafi also produced an outstanding chase in the 17th minute of the abridged match when with South Coast deep on the attack the Met North right centre took an intercept and raced away. Initially the Met North centre tried to cut in from the right touchline towards centre field but once again Nelson Makaafi chased hard through centre field and kept forcing the Met North centre wider and wider out.

As a result of his performance for South Coast, at the conclusion of the Championships Nelson Makaafi was named in the 2022 QSSRL U15 Maroon School Boy Representative side and just prior to the commencement of the Championships, Nelson Makaafi was named by the Courier Mail as one of the Top 50 U15 Rugby League players in Australia.

Nelson Makaafi started at right second row in the opening match of the Championships against NSW CHS with Nelson Makaafi producing a number of strong runs, especially in the second half of a tight Qld Maroon victory.

Nelson Makaafi also started at right second row in Match Two against NSW CCC and right on halfway Nelson Makaafi made a strong tackle on the NSW CCC hooker to stop him from scoring mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the Queensland right side of the field after the hooker had tried to sneak over from dummy half.

Nelson Makaafi also started at right second rower in Queensland Maroon’s golden point extra time semi-final loss against NSW CIS.

At the conclusion of the ASSRL U15 Championships, Nelson Makaafi was named by the Courier Mail as a “Wildcard Player to Watch”.

2022 also saw Nelson Makaafi once again play for PBC State High School starting at right second row in Round One of the School Boy Hancock Cup competition against Marsden State High School with Nelson Makaafi making the first of his telling runs in the 12th minute when from two passes to the right of a PBC scrum win twenty metres out Nelson Makaafi ran to his right and got within six metres of the try line before multiple defenders were forced to engage him and bring him to ground.

Nelson Makaafi made another strong run in the 41st minute when from thirty five metres out and two passes to the right of another PBC SHS scrum win, Nelson Makaafi burst downfield to make an impressive twenty five metres, breaking two tackles along the way.

Nelson Makaafi also started at right second row in Round Two against Ipswich State High School as well as in Round Three against Redcliffe State High School.

Nelson Makaafi also started at right second row in Round Five against Wavell State High School with Nelson Makaafi recording an outstanding double.

Nelson Makaafi’s opening try came in the 11th minute when Nelson Makaafi received the ball around twenty one metres out and just to the right of the uprights. Nelson Makaafi used a strong left arm fend to beat one defender before switching the ball to his other arm and then executing a strong right arm fend to get rid of a defender just short of the try line with Nelson Makaafi then bringing the ball around to dive over under the posts.

Nelson Makaafi completed his double in the final minute of the match when after receiving the ball five metres in from the right touchline and right on the halfway mark, Nelson Makaafi burst away down the right touchline, leaving multiple Wavell SHS defenders in his wake. Whilst Nelson Makaafi crossed the try line wide out on the right he was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the goal posts.

Nelson Makaafi also started at right second row in Round Six against Keebra Park SHS with Nelson Makaafi scoring in the 14th minute when after receiving the ball from his left twenty five metres out from the try line Nelson Makaafi stepped off his right foot to beat the initial Keebra Park SHS defender before a left foot step saw Nelson Makaafi beat the full to score a powerhouse try under the posts.

Earlier in the match in the 6th minute Nelson Makaafi made a sixteen metre run to get the ball over the halfway mark after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball. Nelson Makaafi then made a further strong run in the 11th minute with another sixteen metre effort to forty metres of the try line with 60% of his run from the right of the play the ball, made up of post contact metres.

Nelson Makaafi also started at right second row in the 2022 Hancock Cup Semi-Final against Ipswich SHS with Nelson Makaafi scoring in the 11th minute when from a PBC SHS scrum win twenty metres out, the PBC SHS halfback ran to his right with Nelson Makaafi running a straight underneath line with Nelson Makaafi crashing over to score next to the right upright.

The 2022 School Boy Hancock Cup Grand Final saw Nelson Makaafi start at right second row for PBC SHS against Marsden SHS with the match being played at Suncorp Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Round Twenty Four NRL match between the Brisbane Bronco’s and Parramatta Eels.

2022 also saw Nelson Makaafi continued to play for the Currumbin Eagles in the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League U15 Division One competition, leading the Eagles to a Grand Final appearance against the Beaudesert Kingfishers with Nelson Makaafi starting the Grand Final at left second row and setting up the Eagles match winning try in the 59th minute.

In the final minute of the Grand Final with the scores locked at 20 all Nelson Makaafi received the ball from his right forty two metres out from the try line and immediately ran to his left with Nelson Makaafi then stepping off his left foot to beat two Kingfishers defenders with Nelson Makaafi then taking on another defender twenty metres out with Nelson Makaafi then getting away a right arm off-load in the tackle to his left to Dylan Watkins who scored untouched wide out on the left side of the field.

Nelson Makaafi had made a line break earlier in the match in the 34th minute when after receiving a pass from his left from Dylan Watkins whilst thirty six metres out from the try line, Nelson Makaafi stepped off his left foot to beat one defender before a second left foot step saw Nelson Makaafi get on the outside of another before Nelson Makaafi spun around and ran back to his left when still thirty metres out from the try line. Nelson Makaafi then beat two more Beaudesert defenders before being tackled just seven metres out from the try line.

Nelson Makaafi’s first strong run of the match came in the 14th minute when from a Currumbin penalty tap restart on the halfway mark Nelson Makaafi ran the ball to his left before stepping off his left foot to make sixteen metres with approximately 50% of those metres made post contact.

Nelson Makaafi showed that he is more than capable of making the hard runs in the 25th minute when from a Currumbin scrum win just ten metres out from their own try line, Nelson Makaafi received the ball to the left of the scrum and after executing a left foot step promoted the ball to twenty two metres out from his own try line.

Then in the 29th minute Nelson Makaafi charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball with Nelson Makaafi rumbling to within four metres of the try line. Nelson Makaafi was on his feet in a heartbeat to execute a quick play the ball with the Eagles hooker taking the ultimate advantage to crash over from dummy half.

Nelson Makaafi also had a strong match against Beaudesert in Round Two including two outstanding line breaks, the first of which came in the 12th minute when after receiving the ball on the right side of the field forty five metres out from his own try line Nelson Makaafi cut back towards the centre of the field and burst between two defenders with Nelson Makaafi then charging thirty five metres downfield before getting an off-load away after Nelson Makaafi had engaged the Kingfishers fullback.

Nelson Makaafi made another great line break in the 17th minute when from thirty metres out from his own try line Nelson Makaafi burst onto the ball to the left of the play the ball with Nelson Makaafi then cutting towards the left touchline before stepping off his left foot to beat the Beaudesert right winger with Nelson Makaafi able to get the ball within twenty metres of the try line before he was brought to ground.

In 2021 Nelson Makaafi was part of the Titans Partnered PBC State High School’s Renouf Shield School Boy rugby league side and started the Grand Final at right second row against fellow Titans partnered Marsden State High School and executed a key try saving tackle in the dying moments of the match to preserve PBC SHS’s tight 8 – 4 lead which they ultimately held onto to for the remainder of the match.

The speed and power in terms of how Nelson Makaafi runs the ball is the outstanding feature of his game, he takes the ball to the line with speed, especially off the mark, but he does not just put his head down and rush forward, Nelson Makaafi uses quick and subtle footwork prior to the line and seems to target the gaps between defenders and will actively seek out opposing forwards who are slow to move up or are sitting back on their heels.

When the opposition are on the back foot Nelson Makaafi will target the smaller defenders on the edge of the ruck, looking to isolate them and burst through and for a young bloke of his size Nelson Makaafi has very good speed over the medium term and has the strength to drag defenders with him post contact.

I would consider that Nelson Makaafi’s speed would be above average for a backrower/front rower but plays faster as a result of him timing his runs so well that the dummy half can present a flat pass to him and also as a result of the power that Nelson Makaafi runs at. What is also in the above average to plus category in relation to Nelson Makaafi is his speed off the mark.

Nelson Makaafi’s offloading ability is also improving as he refines his game and gains experience. Earlier in his junior career, he was almost too good at offloading compared to his team mates as he would pop some passes that they were not expecting but as he has matured and the quality of the opposition and his own team has increased so has the selective nature of his off-loading.

The defensive side of Nelson Makaafi’s game is similarly impressive, Nelson Makaafi does not just charge wildly up looking for a huge hit but is calculating in where and when to hit. Nelson Makaafi drives hard with his legs and always uses his shoulder, placing it correctly and then uses his core body strength to drive into his opponent.

Nelson Makaafi sets a strong lower base by setting his legs and generating force by driving through the tackle with his lower body, gaining leverage and momentum to complete the tackle. Nelson Makaafi is also comfortable making contact with either shoulder and maintains good head position regardless of the type of tackles he makes.

Nelson Makaafi will play the 2025 season for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 Division One competition and Nelson Makaafi will line up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the U19 MM Cup this year and is also MM Cup eligible in 2026.

Nelson Makaafi will also attend PBC SHS once again in 2025 where Nelson Makaafi will be a key member of the PBC SHS School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition after making his Langer Cup debut in 2024.

With his speed, both off the mark and over extended distances definitely in the plus category for a forward I think that Nelson Makaafi has the attributes to be very effective in the second row (likely on the right) for a number of years if not for the duration of his rugby league career.

Nelson Makaafi has outstanding physical attributes and a rapidly developing skill set and it is just a matter of time for him to figure out how best to use them to dominate on a rugby league field and when he does opposition teams regardless of quality should look out.

Even though he may play on the opposite side of the field at present, Nelson Makaafi’s playing style is similar to that of Titans NRL left/right second rower David Fifita, both have above average to plus speed for a second rower and similarly both have just a natural overall feel for playing in the second row in rugby league.

 

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Torino Jackson. In October 2023 Torino Jackson signed a three year with the Titans and was subsequently named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup squad and after moving over to the Gold Coast Torino Jackson will attend PBC SHS in 2024 and 2025 before moving into the Titans NRL set-up.

In late 2024 Torino Jackson was named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad and Torino Jackson is also MM Cup eligible in 2026.

Round One of the 2024 U17 Cyril Connell Cup season saw Torino Jackson start in the front row for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Torino Jackson running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half inside the opening minute of the match to get the ball from twenty six metres from the try line to within thirteen metres after charging through the centre of the field.

Then in the 10th minute from the left of the play the ball Torino Jackson was able to get the ball to within six metres of the try line after taking possession of the ball twenty two metres out with approximately 70% of the metres that Torino Jackson being post contact with the Wynnum Manly defensive line.

In his second stint on the field Torino Jackson in the 53rd minute made a strong kick-off return out to the thirty metre mark before being hit high and awarded a penalty. Then in the 55th minute after running an underneath route to the right of the play the ball Torino Jackson carried the ball from thirty four metres from the try line to twenty metres out.

Torino Jackson then started from the bench in Round Three against the Norths Devils and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row late in the first half Torino Jackson made a line break in the 37th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball twenty metres out from his own try line Torino Jackson stepped off his right foot to target the soft spot behind the markers with Torino Jackson bursting straight through the defensive line with Torino Jackson then rumbling through the centre of the field down to within twenty seven metres of the try line.

Torino Jackson made a strong kick-off return in the 47th minute to get the ball out to the twenty three metre mark and in the 49th minute from the left of the play the ball Torino Jackson ran the ball from thirty metres from the try line to forty metres out with Torino Jackson then awarded a penalty for ruck interference. Then in the 55th minute from the left of the play the ball Torino Jackson executed a left foot step to carry the ball through the centre of the field from thirty metres to within sixteen metres of the try line.

Torino Jackson then started at lock in Round Five against the Redcliffe Dolphins and in the 6th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball carried the ball from forty five metres from the try line to thirty two metres out.

In the 32nd minute from the left of the play the ball Torino Jackson produced a yardage carry from his own twenty metre mark to thirty metres out. Then 48th minute from the left of the play the ball once again Torino Jackson was able to make eleven metres through the centre of the field with Torino Jackson winning a six again for the Seagulls. Torino Jackson also ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half from ten metres from his own try line out to the twenty metre mark before getting a right arm off-load away.

In the 56th minute after running to his right Torino Jackson from forty metres from the try line carried the ball all of the way to within eighteen metres with Torino Jackson then getting a right arm flick off-load away to his right to Beau Hartmann. Then after receiving an off-load from his left whilst stationary Torino Jackson ran from forty metres to twenty seven metres out through the centre of the field.

Torino Jackson then started from the bench in Round Six against the Souths Logan Magpies and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 18th minute Torino Jackson made his initial run of the match momentarily from the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from forty two metres from the try line to thirty one metres out. Then in the 35th minute also from the left of the play the ball and thirty four metres from his own try line Torino Jackson got the ball to within three metres of the halfway mark.

Torino Jackson then started in the front row in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears and in the 6th minute from the left of the dummy half and after juggling the ball Torino Jackson carried the ball through the centre of the field from thirty metres from his try line to forty three metres out.

In the 16th minute to the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from the try line Torino Jackson carried the ball through the centre of the field to the forty one metre mark then a tackle later Torino Jackson made a further ten metres to get the ball ten metres inside Burleigh territory.

Torino Jackson did well defensively in the 49th minute when he rag dolled the Burleigh interchange dummy half No. 17 initially grabbing him and holding him up in the in-goal area midway between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field before Torino Jackson threw him back into the field of play.

Torino Jackson made his School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup debut in Round Three of the 2024 competition for PBC SHS against Mabel Park SHS. After starting from the bench and coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 20th minute Torino Jackson ran out of dummy half to his right in the 25th minute and after carrying the ball to within thirty four metres of the try line Torino Jackson was able to execute a right arm off-load with his back towards the try lien to his left to Isaac Harrison.

In the 27th minute a strong Torino Jackson run from the left of the play the ball saw the ball promoted from forty seven metres to thirty seven metres from the try line. A Torino Jackson kick-off return in the 31st minute saw Torino Jackson carry the ball out to the twenty one metre mark.

Torino Jackson also started from the bench in Round Four against Caloundra SHS with Torino Jackson coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 21st minute and shortly after from the right of a PBC SHS penalty restart Torino Jackson carried the ball from thirty metres to fourteen metres from the try line. Additionally in the 29th minute from the left of the play the ball Torino Jackson ran the ball through the centre of the field from twenty eight metres to thirteen metres of the try line before being awarded a penalty after not being allowed to play the ball in a timely fashion.

From the right of the play the ball in the 31st minute Torino Jackson ran the ball from twenty five metres to thirty six metres of the try line. Also in the 33rd minute also from the right of the dummy half Torino Jackson carried the ball from thirty four metres to nineteen metres from his try line.

Torino Jackson made his career first Langer Cup start for PBC SHS in Round Five against Marsden SHS when he started in the front row with Torino Jackson making a strong impression in just the 2nd minute of the match with a charge from the right of the play the ball from the halfway to thirty nine metres from the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 11th minute a surge from Torino Jackson saw him make twelve metres from his own twenty eight metre mark with approximately 70% of the metres being post contact. Then in the 19th minute Torino Jackson ran out of dummy half to his right from twenty metres from the try line and got to ten metres out. Then from a standing start in the 45th minute Torino Jackson did well to quickly accelerate and carry the ball from forty five to thirty five metres from the try line.

Torino Jackson did well defensively in the 44th minute when along with Jai Billish, Torino Jackson held up one of the Marsden SHS forwards over the try line next to the left post.

Torino Jackson continued in the front row in Round Six against Wavell SHS with Torino Jackson heavily involved in Beau Hartmann’s 14th minute try when after running the ball from sixteen to ten metres from the try line from the right of the play the ball and after a right foot step, Torino Jackson drew in three defenders before off-loading to his left to Marley McLaren who subsequently put Beau Hartmann over to score in the left corner.

In the 5th minute from the left of the play the ball Torino Jackson did well to get the ball from the forty metre mark to halfway. Also in the 13th minute saw Torino Jackson run the ball through the centre of the field from three passes to the left of the play the ball from twenty two to within ten metres of the try line. Then a Torino Jackson kick-off return saw the ball get out to the twenty two metre mark.

From the right of the play the ball in the 55th minute and twenty eight metres from his try line Torino Jackson carried the ball to the forty two metre mark. Torino Jackson ran the ball through the centre of the field once again in the 46th minute from two passes to the left of a restart after a Zane Harrison 40/20 with Torino Jackson carrying the ball from twenty one to within ten metres of the try line. It was once again through the centre of the field that Torino Jackson ran in the 53rd minute from the left of the play the ball from twenty nine to eighteen metres from the try line.

Torino Jackson also started in the front row in the Round Seven local derby against Keebra Park SHS and in the 5th minute from the right of the play the ball Torino Jackson was able to get the ball from the halfway mark to thirty eighty metres from the try line.

After running an underneath route to the left of the play the ball in the 11th minute Torino Jackson got to within six metres in from of the posts after running onto the ball eighteen metres out. Also in the 40th minute from the right of the play the ball Torino Jackson ran the ball to thirty four metres from his try line before getting an off-load away to his right with Torino Jackson then getting the ball back later in the same play and ran the ball from thirty eight metres from the try line to the halfway mark.

After picking up a Keebra Park SHS kick-off on the bounce five metres from his try line Torino Jackson powered back to the twenty metre mark. Then in the 53rd minute Torino Jackson broke three tackles from another kick-off return as he ran the ball out to the twenty two metre mark.

PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final saw Torino Jackson start in the front row against Stretton State College with Torino Jackson making the third hit-up of the match from the right of the play the ball to get from thirty three metres from his try line to within four metres of the halfway mark.

From a PBC SHS penalty restart in the 4th minute saw Torino Jackson break a tackle as he carried the ball from thirty five to within twenty metres of the try line. Also in the 47th minute after receiving an off-load from his right twenty four metres from the try line Torino Jackson, from a standing start, charged through the centre of the field to within eleven metres of the try line with more than 80% of the metres being post contact. Then in the 48th minute Torino Jackson surged forward from the right of the play the ball to carry the ball from thirty five to fourteen metres from the try line to then generate a quick play the ball with Jai Billish scoring out of dummy half as a result.

Torino Jackson also did well in the 53rd minute when after chasing through a PBC SHS kick-off that bounced off the legs of a Stretton State College player Torino Jackson showed tenacity to get to the ball first and get from twenty to within five metres of the try line and twelve metres in from the left touchline.

Torino Jackson started in the front row for PBC SHS in their Langer Cup semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Torino Jackson making a half break in the 36th minute off a charge through the centre of the field from two passes to the right of the play the ball off an underneath pass from Zane Harrison with Torino Jackson crashing and barging his way to within three metres of the try line just to the left of the posts after commencing his run thirty six metres out.

After cutting underneath Zane Harrison to the left of the play the ball in the 40th minute Torino Jackson was able to get the ball from eight metres inside PBC SHS territory to four metres into Keebra Park SHS’s half. Then in the 56th minute from the left of the play the ball and thirty metres from the try line Torino Jackson charged to nineteen metres from the try line.

Torino Jackson put a big defensive shot on one of his opposing front rowers in the 6th minute with Torino Jackson forcing him back at least seven metres.

Torino Jackson started in the front row for PBC SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Grand Final against Marsden SHS and in the 2nd minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from his try line Torino Jackson crashed his way eleven metres downfield.

From two passes to the right of a PBC SHS penalty restart in the 12th minute Torino Jackson did well to get the ball to the halfway after his run commenced thirteen metres inside his territory and in the 45th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Torino Jackson made fourteen metres to get within eight metres of the try line with more than 70% of his metres gained being post contact with the Marsden SHS defensive line.

Torino Jackson did well defensively in the 6th minute to stop the Marsden SHS lock just short of the try line with a hard hitting ball and all tackle ten metres in from the tight touchline.

Torino Jackson started in the front row for PBC SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Phil Hall Cup Final against Kirwan SHS to determine Queensland best 2024 School Boy Rugby League side with Torino Jackson running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half in the 13th minute from thirty to eighteen metres from the try line.

From the left of the play the ball once again in the 17th minute Torino Jackson moved the ball from the halfway mark to thirty nine metres from the try line and in the 43rd minute a Torino Jackson effort from a PBC SHS penalty restart saw the ball promoted from twenty to ten metres from the try line. Also in the 47th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Torino Jackson ran the ball through the centre of the field from the halfway to thirteen metres into Kirwan SHS territory.

After receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball in the 51st minute Torino Jackson cut back to his right to run the ball from thirty to forty six metres from the try line before off-loading to his right to Marley McLaren. Also in the 54th minute from the left of the play the ball and sixteen metres from his try line Torino Jackson ran the ball to twenty eight metres out and in the 57th minute Torino Jackson ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty to twenty metres from the try line.

At the completion of the 2024 Queensland School Boy Rugby League season Torino Jackson was named as a player of Raw Talent by the Courier Mail in the 2024 Courier Mail Langer Cup Team of the Year discussion.

Torino Jackson continued in the front row in the 2024 National School Boy Rugby League Final for PBC SHS against Patrician Brothers Blacktown with Torino Jackson making the fifty hit-up of the match to run the ball from thirty five to forty seven metres from the try line.

In early January 2024 Torino Jackson started in the front row for a Titans U17 side in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney.

Against the Penrith Panthers Torino Jackson took the opening hit-up of the match from the Panthers kick-off and after carry the ball up to the twenty five metre mark Torino Jackson was able to get a right arm off-load away whilst facing his own try line to Jimmy McCombie who was able to dart eight metres downfield.

Then in the 2nd minute from a Titans penalty restart Torino Jackson carried the ball from twenty two metres out from the try line to within ten metres.

Torino Jackson also started in the front row in the second trial of the day against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs and in the 8th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half Torino Jackson promoted the ball from twenty eight metres inside his own territory out to the forty metre mark.

Torino Jackson executed a heavy front on tackle on his opposite number from a Rabbitohs penalty restart in the 11th minute with the tackle resulting in a lost ball by the Souths Sydney front rower.

In September 2024 Torino Jackson started in the front row for U17 New Zealand Toa against New Zealand Tu with Torino Jackson held up over the try line three metres to the left of the posts to the 42nd minute after a close range charge to the left of the dummy half.

In the 6th minute after backing up a line breaks by his hooker through the centre of the field Torino Jackson took a pass from his left and ran from twenty seven to within four metres of the try line before being brought down from behind in front of the posts.

A strong Torino Jackson kick-off return saw him get the ball out to the twenty five metre mark in the 23rd minute and in the 68th minute from the left of the play the ball Torino Jackson ran the ball through the centre of the field from forty metres from his try line to two metres into NZ Tu’s half.

Torino Jackson started at right second row for the Southport Tigers in Round Ten of the GCRL U18 Division One competition against Beaudesert Kingfishers with Torino Jackson making a line break in the 18th minute when with the play the ball near the right touchline and thirty eight metres from his try line Torino Jackson ran out of dummy half to his left and then stepped off his right foot and crashed through three attempted tackles before veering to his left to beat the fullback and then beat another defender with a left arm fend and he charged to within ten metres of the try line and directly in front of the posts.

Torino Jackson collected the opening kick-off on the bounce sixteen metres from his own try line on the right touchline and was able to break two tackles as he ran the ball back to the thirty seven metre mark. Then from two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 10th minute Torino Jackson surged forward from eighteen metres from the try line to within three metres of the try line and ten metres to the left of the goal posts. Another kick-off return in the 13th minute after taking the ball on the first bounce saw the ball move from twenty to thirty four metres from the try line.

In the 22nd minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and twenty metres from the try line Torino Jackson was able to make eleven metres and then in the 33rd minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and after initially juggling the pass Torino Jackson carried the ball from thirty one metres from the try line to within four metres of the halfway mark.

After taking possession wide on the right side of the field in the 35th minute Torino Jackson stepped off his right foot as he promoted the ball from thirty eight to twenty three metres from the try line. Then in the 41st minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Torino Jackson was able to step out of one low tackle and he got the ball from twenty to within four metres of the try line ten metres to the right of the posts. Also in the 44th minute from two passes to the right of the dummy half once again Torino Jackson’s effort saw him run the the ball from twenty to thirty four metres from the try line with more than 75% of his metres gained being post contact.

Torino Jackson made a smart play in the 29th minute when defending on his won try line Torino Jackson anticipated a Kingfishers grubber kick into the in-goal from the dummy ahlf to Torino Jackson retrieving the ball cleanly and getting back into the field of play and then was awarded a penalty when the Beaudesert defence was too aggressive when trying force back into the in-goal area.

Round Eleven of the 2024 Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition saw Torino Jackson start at right second row for the Southport Tigers against the Currumbin Eagles.

Torino Jackson ran an underneath line to the right of the play the ball in the 6th minute and as a result propelled the ball from forty metres from his try line to eight metres into the Eagles half and in the 9th minute from the right of the play the ball Torino Jackson ran the ball from twenty to thirty one metres from his try line before getting a right arm off-load away to his left to Tama Darlington whilst engaged with three defenders. Then a Torino Jackson effort from a Southport penalty restart in the 14th minute saw Torino Jackson move the ball from forty eight to thirty four metres from the try line.

Torino Jackson did well defensively in the 36th minute to chase down from behind one of the Eagles replacement forwards after he had made a line break with Torino Jackson dragging him down a metre from behind and in front of the posts.

Torino Jackson moved to left second row in Round Twelve against the Burleigh Bears with Torino Jackson making the second hit-up of the match down the left channel from sixteen to twenty eight metres from the try line.

In the 6th minute from the right of the play the ball and on the halfway Torino Jackson made it ten metres into the Bears half before being tackled and then in the 10th minute from the left of the play the ball a Torino Jackson yardage carry saw him get the ball from ten metres from the try line to twenty metres out. Also in the 13th minute from the right of the dummy half Torino Jackson was able to get the ball from thirty one to eighteen metres from the try line.

From the right of the play the ball and three metres inside his half Torino Jackson carried the ball fourteen metres into Burleigh’s half, then in the 26th minute from the left of the play the ball Torino Jackson made thirteen metres to within three metres of the halfway near the left touchline.

From the left of the play the ball once again in the 38th minute a Torino Jackson hit and spin clockwise saw him move the ball from four metres inside his half into the Bears half before Torino Jackson got a right off-load away to his right to Tama Darlington. Then in the 43rd minute from a Southport penalty restart Torina Jackson made eleven metres from his own twenty and then in the 46th minute from the right of the play the ball Torino Jackson brought the bell forward from ten to twenty two metres away from his try line.

The rescheduled Round One GCRL U18 Division match saw Torino Jackson started at right centre for the Southport Tigers against the Currumbin Eagles and in the 22nd minute from the right of the play the ball a Torino Jackson yardage carry saw him carry the ball from fourteen to thirty two metres from the try line with more than 75% of his metres gained being post contact.

Two minutes later in the 24th minute after receiving an off-load thirty two metres from his try line Torino Jackson crashed past three defenders to get the ball three metres into Eagles territory. Then in the 32nd minute from the left of the dummy half and twenty metres from his try line Torino Jackson surged to within ten metres of the halfway.

Also in the 39th minute from the left of a Southport penalty restart Torino Jackson was able to run the ball from twelve metres inside his half to eight metres into Currumbin’s with approximately 80% of the metres being post contact.From the left of another Southport penalty restart in the 42nd minute Torino Jackson carried the ball from thirty seven to twenty metres from the try line with more than 75% of the metres being post contact.

Torino Jackson was back in the front row for the Southport Tigers in Round Fourteen of the GCRL U18 Division One competition against the Helensvale Hornets with Torino Jackson scoring in the 41st minute when he backed up a Tigers line break to receive a pass from his left and run fifteen metres to score under the posts.

Torino Jackson also made a line break in the 48th minute from three passes to the right of the play the ball with Torino Jackson charging onto the ball forty two metres from his try line and due to a hard straight running line Torino Jackson charged through a big gap to get within twenty seven metres of the try line before off-loading to his left to his five eight.

Torino Jackson also recorded a line break assist in the 10th minute when after running the ball to the right of the play the ball through the centre of the field from seven metres inside his half to eight metres into Helensvale Hornets Torino Jackson produced a great right arm flick off-load to his right when engaged by multiple defenders to Tama Darlington who burst downfield.

In the 17th minute from the left of the play the ball a Torino Jackson run where 75% of the metres were post contact saw the ball promoted from eleven to thirty metres from his try line and then a tackle later from the left of the play the ball Torino Jackson ran from seven metres inside his half to seven metres into the Hornets.

A Torino Jackson kick-off return in the 26th minute saw him get the ball to the thirty metre mark and then another kick-off return in the 26th minute saw him get the ball out to the thirty two metre mark. Also in the 31st minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and twenty metres from his try line Torino Jackson was able to make twelve metres.

Torino Jackson came off the bench to operate in the front row in the 15th minute in the Week Two GCRL U18 Division One Final for the Southport Tigers against the Helensvale Hornets and in the 18th minute from a Southport penalty restart Torino Jackson broke two tackles to get the ball from thirty to within eleven metres of the try line.

From another Tigers penalty restart in the 36th minute Torino Jackson carried the ball from thirty to sixteen metres of the try line and then in the 49th minute Torino Jackson ran the ball through the centre of the field from five metres inside his half to six metres into the Hornets. Also in the 58th minute from the right of the play the ball Torino Jackson was able to get the ball from thirty to forty metres from the try line.

Torino Jackson executed a huge defensive hit in the 39th minute when he came over the top in a tackle on the Hornets left centre and force a knock on twenty metres from the try line.

In late August 2024 Torino Jackson was named in the 2024 South Queensland Māori U18 Tane representative squad and in late September 2024 Torino Jackson was named in the 2024 Gold Coast Tonga Open Men’s Rugby League squad. Early October saw Torino Jackson named in the 2024 Queensland Māori U18 Representative Squad.

In early June Torino Jackson (Kōtahitanga) was named in the ANZMRL 17s Tama Tournament Team 2024 with Torino Jackson starting from the bench for New Zealand Māori at the 2024 Pasifika Youth Cup in New Zealand.

The young front rower arrived on the Gold Coast from Otago, New Zealand and in 2023 Torino Jackson was a member of the South Island Scorpions U16 representative side that won the New Zealand U16 National Rugby League Championships with Torino Jackson starting in the front row in the Championship Final against Waikato.

Torino Jackson was selected in the South Islands Scorpions representative side after standing out in the trials for the Otago U16 Representative side.

The former Kings High School student was named the 2023 South Island Scorpions U16 Most Promising Player.

At the completion of the Championships Torino Jackson was named in the New Zealand Rugby League Aoteeroa Whaanui Boys U16 representative side for a match against an Auckland U16 Invitational side with Torino Jackson starting the match for Aoteeroa Whaanui in the front row.

Torino Jackson scored one of the easiest tries that he will ever score in the 18th minute when after the New Zealand fullback lost the ball whilst trying to bring the ball out of his own in-goal, his attempted pass went to ground in front of Torino Jackson who just had to reach down and put downward pressure on the ball with both of his hands to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Torino Jackson was subsequently named in the 2023 New Zealand U16 Rugby League Representative side.

2023 also saw Torino Jackson line up in the King’ High School First XV School Boy Rugby side.

Torino Jackson started playing rugby at just three years old for the Zingari-Richmond Rugby Club before his move to rugby league twelve years later.

Torino Jackson is in short a big strong powerful young man who runs with pace and power into the defensive with no thoughts of preservation. When purely metres need to be made, Torino Jackson will not sue footwork and just power into the defensive line, but he also certainly can use subtle footwork to aim at the gaps between the opposing forwards.

With the power that Torino Jackson has in his legs when opposing defenders try to tackle him around the legs, it is almost impossible for them to bring Torino Jackson down quickly which enables him to either break the tackle completely or to off load to his support runners. When they look to tackle Torino Jackson around the chest his upper body strength enables him to absorb the initial contact and also to maintain his balance and momentum.

Defensively Torino Jackson is able to engage and defeat opposing attacker one on one regardless of size. Torino Jackson does not just charge up trying to hit attacker’s chest on but Torino Jackson is clinical about how and where he hits the opponent and sets a solid base with his legs and drives directly into their body. In short Torino Jackson is a difference marker with his defence. With his strength and technique Torino Jackson should likely always be considered a plus defender regardless of the quality of opponent that he is up against.

Even though Torino Jackson does not necessarily have plus straight speed overall, Torino Jackson’s lateral movement is very good and on the majority of occasions Torino Jackson is able to mirror the movement of smaller attackers looking to exploit a perceived speed and/or mobility difference between them and Torino Jackson.

Torino Jackson will start in the 2025 season as a member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad with Torino Jackson also MM Cup eligible in 2026.

Torino Jackson will also return to PBC SHS in 202 5 and no doubt Torino Jackson will be a mainstay of the PBC SHS School Boy Rugby League Open A Langer Cup side after making his debut in 2024.

Torino Jackson is certainly one heck of an athlete with everything that you would want to see if you were building a modern day rugby league front rower from scratch in a laboratory. Torino Jackson has size, speed, strength, mobility and power and the ability to continue to develop all of those already impressive characteristics in the future.

Torino Jackson is not just an outstanding athlete however, Torino Jackson is also one heck of a young front rower with exceptional rugby league skills around when and how to engage defenders and Torino Jackson is also rapidly developing an elite one arm (right arm on the majority of occasions) off-load. Couple those rugby league attributes with a good front on hard hitting tackling technique and you have one heck of a front row prospect in Torino Jackson.

New Zealand International front rower Joseph Tapine also from the Canberra Raiders, being one of the best current front rowers in the world is a great player comparison for Torino Jackson. Like Tapine, the opposition repeatedly struggles to get Torino Jackson down to the ground, with his quick play-the-balls resulting in plenty of momentum for his team’s play makers to scheme off.

Also like Tapine, not only does Torino Jackson get through a mountain of work with his metre gaining ability and hunger and intensity in defence, but Torino Jackson also offers plenty in a wider attacking role with his ability to offload and break tackles seemingly at will.

It is quite incredible that Torino Jackson only played one year in rugby league before signing a three year contract with the Titans.

 

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Finn Laffranchi. The young man is the son of former Titan and current Titans NRL manager Anthony and the young brother of Titans contracted front rower Oscar Laffranchi, but unlike his father and older brother, Finn Laffranchi is not a solidly built front rower or second rower but a quick stepping and elusive play making fullback, five eight or halfback.

In early 2024 Finn Laffranchi signed a multi-year contract with the Titans.

In late 2024 Finn Laffranchi was named in the 2025 Burleigh Bears CC Cup squad with Finn Laffranchi also CC Cup eligible in 2026.

In late September 2024 Finn Laffranchi started at fullback for a Future Titans U16 side that defeated a Future Storm side 36 – 22 with Finn Laffranchi strong in relation to his kick returns.

Finn Laffranchi was also part of the Titans U16 side for the Anthony Laffranchi Cup against the Wests Tigers.

In late April 2024 Finn Laffranchi was part of a Titans U16 side against Auckland U16’s in Ipswich with Finn Laffranchi coming onto the field to operate in the halves (fullback in the second half) in the 24th minute with Finn Laffracnhi making a stepping run from the right of the play the ball in the 29th minute from eighteen metres out from his try lien to thirty one metres out. The 44th minute then saw Finn Laffranchi run out of dummy half to his right to get the ball from forty four metres from the try line to thirty two metres out.

In early March 2024 Finn Laffranchi was named in the South Coast 2024 School Boy Rugby League U15 Representative squad with Finn Laffranchi starting at five eight on Day One of the Championships against Met West with Finn Laffranchi making a stepping run in the 35th minute to run from twenty metres to thirty metres from his try line.

Finn Laffranchi continued at five eight on Day Two against Darling Downs and in the 26th minute from the right of the play the ball Finn Laffranchi stepped his way from forty metres out to the halfway mark.

In the 37th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and forty metres from the try line Finn Laffranchi stepped off his left foot and after making twelve metres Finn Laffranchi was able to get his left arm fend and get an off-load away to his right. Also in the 44th minute Finn Laffranchi cut inside off his left foot as he ran the ball from forty five metres to thirty metres from the try line. Also in the 47th minute Finn Laffranchi ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball from twenty metres to thirty two metres from his try line.

Finn Laffranchi then moved to fullback on Day Three against the Sunshine Coast and in the 24th minute from two passes to the left of a South Coast scrum win Finn Laffranchi ran the ball from forty eight metres to thirty five metres from the try line. Also in the 48th minute from the left of the play the ball and thirty metres from his try line Finn Laffranchi was able to make ten hard metres.

Finn Laffranchi continued at fullback on Day Four against Met East with Finn Laffranchi running the ball from a kick-off return through the centre of the field out to the twenty five metres mark.

In the 11th minute from two passes to the left of a South Coast scrum win in the 11th minute Finn Laffranchi was able to carry the ball from ten metres inside his own half to two metres into Met East’s half. Also in the 20th minute from the left of the play the ball Finn Laffranchi stepped off his left foot and he ran the ball from thirty metres to forty metres out from his try line. Then a minute later in the 21st minute from two passes to the right of the dummy half and ten metres inside his territory Finn Laffranchi carried the ball three metres into Met East territory.

In early June 2024 Finn Laffranchi was named in the South Queensland Sharks U16 NYC Touch Squad and in early June 2024 Finn Laffranchi was selected in the Queensland Fury U15 Oztag squad for the 2024 Queensland Oztag Super Series. Finn Laffranchi was subsequently named in the 2024 U15 Queensland Oztag State of Origin squad.

2024 saw Finn Laffranchi continue to play Oztag with Fin Laffranchi named in the Queensland All School’s Year Ten Oztag competition’s Year Ten Merit Team.

In September 2023 Finn Laffranchi played for a Titans U14 side that played against another Titans U14 side in a match in Ipswich which saw the two sides both wear Titans jersey to give the players a great experience.

Finn Laffranchi started the trial at five eight for Titans White against Titans Blue and in the 13th minute after receiving an off-load from his left sixteen metres from the try line Finn Laffranchi stepped inside off his right foot to come close to come close to scoring only to be tackled less than a metre from the try line next to the right goal post.

Then in the 23rd minute Finn Laffranchi took possession of the ball to the right of the play the ball on the halfway mark and after dummying to his right Finn Laffranchi was able to promote the ball a further ten metres.

Finn Laffranchi played Oztag in 2023 with Finn Laffranchi named in the 2023 Super Series Queensland Rebels U14 Representative squad. Finn Laffranchi was also named in the 2023 Queensland Schools Oztag Year Ten Boys All Stars School Merit Team.

In late 2023 Finn Laffranchi was named in the Miami 2024 U15 Boys Oztag team for the 2024 Queensland State Oztag Championships.

In 2022 Finn Laffranchi played for the Burleigh Bears in the GCRL U13 Division One competition including starting for the Bears in the 2022 Grand Final against the Coomera Cutters with Finn Laffranchi scoring in the 35th minute when Finn Laffranchi stepped his way through numerous members of the Coomera forward pack from ten metres out and to the left of the play the ball to get the ball down under the posts with a defender trying to vain to prise the ball free of his grasp as Finn Laffranchi got the ball down much to his and his team mates delight.

In early 2023 Finn Laffranchi was named in the 2023 Palm Beach Stingrays U14 Touch side to compete in the Titans Junior Touch Series Events as well as the 2023 Junior State Cup to be held in Rockhampton. In 2022 Finn Laffranchi was also a South Coast School Boy Touch Representative Player out of Marymount College on the Gold Coast.

Quick stepping and intuitive are two attributes that you can immediately attribute to Finn Laffranchi when he see him play for the first time. Whilst Finn Laffranchi projects as an organising type of halfback, he can certainly exploit holes in an opposition defensive line or defenders that at slow to cover across field himself by way of the ability to step exceptionally well of either foot and I am talking a Shaun Johnson like side step.

I used the term intuitive above and that stands out when Finn Laffranchi is taking the ball at the defensive line. Unfortunately these days it appears that some coaches are almost “over-coaching” their halves and five eights are requiring them to stick to the nominated game plan no matter what.

What I like about Finn Laffranchi however is that as he is running the ball at the defensive line with the ball out in front of his body in both hands, if he sees an opportunity to either run the ball himself as defences “cheat out” to engage his outside support runners, or grubber for himself in behind the defensive line, he will take it. Of course halves or five eights must only execute that type of play judicially and from what I have seen that is exactly what Finn Laffranchi does.

From a kicking perspective Finn Laffranchi is a solid tactical kicker with decent range and accuracy with Finn Laffranchi also able to progress through his kicking procedures quickly to reduce the prospect of his kick being charged down. Finn Laffranchi excels though from an attacking kicking perspective with Finn Laffranchi able to put the ball exactly on target whether he is putting in a short grubber kick into the in-goal or a chip kick designed to come down onto the head of a defender right on the try line.

Defensively Finn Laffranchi holds up well on the fringes of the ruck against larger forwards running directly at him as a result of a solid front on defensive technique and strong functional strength. Finn Laffranchi commits immediately to making the necessary tackle and is adept at bringing the attacker to the ground as quickly and efficiently as possible. Finn Laffranchi is not a defender who is going to make many dominant tackles, but he makes the ones that are needed to be made against opposition attackers eight his own size and larger forwards efficiently and effectively.

Finn Laffranchi will commence the 2025 season as a member of the Burleigh Bears Cyril Connell Cup squad with Finn Laffranchi also CC Cup eligible in 2026. 2025 will also see Finn Laffranchi continue to play for the Burleigh Bears with Finn Laffranchi moving up to the Gold Coast Junior Rugby League U16 Division One competition. Finn Laffranchi will also play for Marymount College in 2025 in their various School Boy Rugby League competitions, including the well represented Titans Cup School Boy Rugby League Competition.

Finn Laffranchi is a talented ball player and is a very good side stepper in traffic and thus Finn Laffranchi is likely to continue to operate at either halfback or five eight for the foreseeable future. Finn Laffranchi also seems such a calm and assured player and therefore being one of team’s primary play makers in pressure situations will not faze him at all.

With his ability to quickly determine whether to run or pass, I can see aspects of how North Queensland Cowboy and Queensland State of Origin half Tom Dearden plays in relation to Finn Laffranchi. Both Dearden and Finn Laffranchi have the ability to move across the field and either draw a player out of the defensive line and pass to a support runner or slice between two defenders and break the defensive line himself.

 

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Kalani Patu. In early 2022 Kalani Patu signed a multi-year year contract with the Titans that runs through until the end of the 2025 season which is also be the end of Kalani Patu’s schooling at Keebra Park SHS as well as Kalani Patu’s U18 eligibility and in August 2024 Kalani Patu extended his contract with the Titans for four more years.

In late 2024 Kalani Patu was named in the 2025 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 CC Cup squad.

In late September 2024 Kalaniu Patu started at right second row for a Future Titans U16 side that defeated a Storm squad 36 – 22 with Kalani Patu having a barnstorming match.

Kalani Patu made his Langer Cup debut in Round Six of the 2024 season when he came off the bench for Keebra Park SHS against Mabel Park SHS to operate at right second row.

Kalani Patu also started from the bench in the Round Seven local derby against PBC SHS with Kalani Patu lining up at right second row in the second half and in the 44th minute from the right of the play the ball a strong Kalani Patu run saw him promote the ball from thirty three metres from his try line to with two metres of the halfway mark. Also in the 54th minute from the right of the dummy half and twenty four metres from the try line Kalani Patu was able to get the ball to ten metres from the try line.

Kalani Patu came off the bench the bench for Keebra Park SHS in their Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS and after coming off the bench to operate at right second row in the 23rd minute Kalani Patu ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball in the 27th minute to carry the ball from twenty to thirty metres from his try line.

Kalani Patu made a strong run to the right of the play the ball from forty two to within eighteen metres of the try line with Kalani Patu breaking three tackles with more than 75% of Kalani Patu’s metres being post contact with the Mabel Park SHS defensive line.

Kalani Patu made his Langer Cup starting debut at right second row for Keebra Park SHS in their Langer Cup semi-final against PBC SHS and in the 4th minute from the right of the play the ball Kalani Patu made a yardage hit-up that saw him get the ball from nineteen to twenty nine metres from his try line.

When after receiving an off-load from his left in the 6th minute Kalani Patu did well from a standing start to make ten metres to get the ball eight metres into PBC SHS’s half. Also from two passes to the right of a Keebra Park SHS scrum win in the 11th minute Kalani Patu got the ball out to forty metres from the try line after receiving the ball thirty metres out. Then in the 13th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and thirty one metres from the try line Kalani Patu made it to within twenty metres before being brought to ground.
Kalani Patu did well defensively in the 42nd minute to hold up the PBC SHS five eight over the try line twelve metres in from the right corner post.

Round Three of the 2024 Langer Reserve School Boy Rugby League competition saw Kalani Patu start in the second row for Keebra Park SHS against Redcliffe SHS.

Kalani Patu lined up in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Kalani Patu started from the bench for a Titans U16 JTS squad that played a touring Auckland U16 side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Seven match against the Brisbane Bronco’s and after coming onto the field in the 18th minute to operate at left second row Kalani Patu scored in the 27th minute when after a Jimmy McCombie grubber kick towards the in-goal area the ball came off a New Zealand leg, Kalani Patu scooped up the ball five metres out and burrowed his way over to get the ball down four metres to the right of the goal posts.

In October 2023 Kalani Patu was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup squad with Kalani Patu also CC Cup eligible in 2025.

In early March 2023 Kalani Patu was named in the 2023 South Coast School Boy Rugby League U15 Representative side out of Keebra Park SHS with Kalani Patu starting at left second row on Day One of the QSSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Championships against Sunshine Coast.

Kalani Patu scored for South Coast in the 23rd minute with a hard straight crash line from five metres out and to the left of the play the ball and after Kalani Patu engaged the Sunshine Coast defenders on the try line he spun counter clockwise to get the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.

Kalani Patu also started at left second row on Day Two against Northern with Kalani Patu making a line break in the 22nd minute when Kalani Patu ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball with Kalani Patu breaking two tackles with Kalani Patu then running straight over the top of the fullback with Kalani Patu getting to twenty three metres from the try line after rumbling forty three metres downfield.

Kalani Patu continued at left second row on Day Three against Met North with Kalani Patu recording a try assist in the 7th minute to put Simione Tauelingi over to score in the left corner after Kalani Patu had charged to within ten metres of the try line and drawn the fullback after being put into a gap from twenty five metres out by Gazniah To’omaga.

Kalani Patu then started at left second row in the 2023 QSSRL U15 School Boy Grand Final against Met East with Kalani Patu doing well in the 4th minute when with Met East deep on the attack Kalani Patu came out of the defensive line and after putting pressure on the Met East ball carrier Kalani Patu picked up an errant pass and charged downfield to get the ball twenty metres away from his own try line.

In the 11th minute from the right of the play the ball and just ten metres in from his own try line Kalani Patu was able to carry the ball over the twenty metre mark. The in the 18th minute from eight metres inside his own territory Kalani Patu was able to get the ball eight metres into Met East territory.

Kalani Patu made a strong run in the 29th minute when from the left of a South Coast scrum win thirty metres out from the try line Kalani Patu was able to carry the ball to around fourteen metres from the try line with 60% of the metres post contact.

Then in the 46th minute from the left of a South Coast scrum win and thirty six metres out from his own try line Kalani Patu carried the ball two metres into Met East territory.

Kalani Patu made a great run in the 49th minute when from a South Coast penalty tap restart from eight metres out from the try line Kalani Patu charged onto the ball and dragged defenders with him as Kalani Patu got to within twelve metres of the try line.

At the completion of the Championships Kalani Patu was named in the 2023 Queensland U15 Maroon School Boys Rugby League side to contest the 2023 Australian U15 School Boys Championships.

Kalani Patu started at right second row in Match One against ACT School Boys with Kalani Patu running onto the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball from thirty six metres out with Kalani Patu only stopped when he was four metres out from the try line.

Kalani Patu then started from the bench in Match Two against New South Wales Combined Independent Schools and after coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the second half Kalani Patu made a good kick-off return in the 26th minute to carry the ball out to the twenty nine metre mark.

Kalani Patu then started at right second row in the Semi-final against Queensland White with Kalani Patu scoring in the 28th minute when after bursting onto the ball from twelve metres out and to the right of the play the ball, Kalani Patu forced his way past two would be defenders but was tripped up, Kalani Patu then bounced to his feet to slam the ball down in his right hand ten metres to the right of the goal posts.

In the 16th minute Kalani Patu made a good kick-off return to get the ball out to the twenty four metre mark. Kalani Patu also made a strong kick-off return in the 38th minute to carry the ball out to the twenty eight metre mark.

Kalani Patu started at right second row for Queensland Maroon in the Final of the 2023 U15 ASSRL School Boy Rugby League Championships against New South Wales Combined Independent Schools (CIS) with Kalani Patu’s best run of the match coming in the 45th minute with a charge to the left of the play the ball to break a tackle to get the ball from fifteen metres out from his own try line to thirty metres out.

In the 36th minute from a Queensland Maroon penalty restart Kalani Patu carried the ball from five metres inside his own territory to ten metres into NSW CIS territory.

Defensively in the 7th minute Kalani Patu made a crunching tackle over the top on the NSW CIS No. 17 twenty metres out from the try line, then in the 35th minute Kalani Patu made a great one on one tackle on a quick stepping NSW CIS fullback in space ten metres out from the try line.

Round One of the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Walters Cup School Boy competition saw Kalani Patu named at left second row for Keebra Park SHS against Ipswich SHS with Kalani Patu making a strong run in the 2nd minute with a fourteen metre charge down the left channel to get within twenty eight metres of the try line.

Kalani Patu also started at left second row in Round Two against Marsden SHS with Kalani Patu making a strong ten metre run from a Keebra Park SHS penalty tap restart on his own thirty metre mark in the 18th minute.

Then in the 39th minute from the left of the play the ball Kalani Patu carried the ball from fourteen metres out from his own try line to thirty eight metres out.

Kalani Patu continued at left second row in Round Three against Redcliffe SHS with Kalani Patu taking the opening hit-up of the match from the kick-off with Kalani Patu getting the ball out to the twenty two metre mark. Kalani Patu made a further strong kick-off return in the 13th minute with Kalani Patu promoting the ball to the twenty seven metre mark.

Kalani Patu also started at left second row in Round Four against Caloundra SHS with Kalani Patu scoring in the 41st minute with a big charge from forty two metres on the left side of the field off a short ball from his inside by Gazniah To’omaga. After charging downfield, Kalani Patu was grabbed by the Caloundra SHS fullback, Kalani Patu dragged him ten metres before reaching up and slamming he ball down with his right arm midway between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Kalani Patu continued at left second row in Round Five against Wavell SHS with Kalani Patu recording a line break assist in the 35th minute when after engaging the Wavell SHS defensive line on the left of the play the ball, Kalani Patu carried the ball from forty metres out to thirty two metres out before getting a great off-load away to his left to put five eight Gazniah To’omaga away downfield.

The 28th minute saw Kalani Patu mark seventeen metres down the left channel to the thirty seven metre mark, then in the 29th minute Kalani Patu made sixteen metres from the right of the play the ball to twenty metres from the try line after cutting back inside after receiving the ball.

Kalani Patu also started at left second row in the Round Six Gold Coast School Boy derby against PBC SHS and inside the opening minute of the match from a Keebra Park SHS penalty tap restart Kalani Patu got the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to three metres into PBC SHS territory. The 16th minute then saw Kalani Patu, from the left of the play the ball get the ball from six metres inside his own territory to seven metres inside PBC SHS territory.

Kalani Patu made a good defensive read in the 12th minute to come out of the defensive line and crunched the PBC SHS halfback as he was looking to ball play twenty metres out from the try line.

Kalani Patu continued at left second row in Round Seven against Mabel Park SHS with Kalani Patu running an underneath route to the left of the dummy half in the 2nd minute to get the ball from thirty eight metres from the try line to twenty four metres out and then Kalani Patu was able to get an off-load when being engaged by multiple defenders. Kalani Patu ran another underneath route in the 13th minute to get the ball from twenty eight metres from his own try line to forty metres out.

Kalani Patu, in the 41at minute from the left of a Keebra Park SHS scrum win ran the ball from his own six metre mark and get the ball out to the twenty two metre mark. Then in the 53rd minute from the left of the play the ball Kalani Patu ran the ball from his own eleven metre mark to the twenty four metre mark.

Kalani Patu continued at left second row in the Semi-final against Wavell SHS and in the 15th minute from the left of the play the ball Kalani Patu was able to promote the ball from forty one metres from the try line to twenty nine minutes out.

Earlier in the 3rd minute Kalani Patu executed a huge front on tackle on the Wavell SHS No. 13 forcing a knock on in the centre of the field and eighteen metres from the try line.

At the 2023 Keebra Park SHS Sports Specialisation Awards Presentation Kalani Patu was named in the second row in the 2023 Keebra Park SHS School Boy Rugby League Team of the Season.

2023 saw Kalani Patu continue at the Southport Tigers in the GCRL U15 Division One competition including starting at right second row in the Grand Final against the Burleigh Bears with Kalani Patu making a line break in the 40th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half Kalani Patu cutting back to his left on the halfway mark with Kalani Patu beating two defenders including one with a powerful left arm fend to get the ball to twenty nine metres out from the try line.

Kalani Putu made the first of his strong runs in the 7th minute from the left of the play the ball with Kalani Patu able to promote the ball from thirteen metres out from his own try line to thirty metres out.

In the 24th minute Kalani Patu made a good kick-off return to get the ball out to the twenty four metre mark then later in the same set of six tackles Kalani Patu ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball to get the ball from five metres inside his own territory to eight metres inside Burleigh territory.

Then in the 27th minute after receiving the ball from an off-load thirty eight metres out from his own try line Kalani Patu was able to get the ball three metres into Bears territory before Kalani Patu was able to get a right arm off-load away to his left.

Kalani Patu continued his good Grand Final in the 33rd minute when after being on hand to take a pass from a team mate thirty four metres out from his own try line Kalani Patu broke four tackles as he got to within twelve metres of the try line before being able to get an off-load away to his left.

In the Grand Final the Burleigh players just did not protect the ball with Kalani Patu executing a number of one on one steals with the first coming in the 10th minute when after the Bears left second rower No. 11 was returning a kick-off Kalani Patu stripped the ball one on one twelve metres out from the try line. Kalani Patu made another one on one steal in the 21st minute to gain possession for Southport thirty metres out from the try line.

Kalani Patu was part of the Titans JTS Elite Development Program and was part of the Titans 2022 U14 JTS High Performance Academy Gold Coast squad that commenced training in November of 2022.

In early December 2022 Kalani Patu played for the Titans U14 Gold Coast JTS Academy against the Titans U14 JTS Logan Academy in a high quality trial match on the Gold Coast with both teams wearing Titans jerseys in a great Titans initiative.

The talented young man played the 2022 rugby league season with the Southport Tigers with Kalani Patu starting the 2022 GCRL U15 Division One Grand Final at right second row for the Tigers in their tough and pulsating 18 – 14 Grand Final victory over the Burleigh Bears with the match literally going down to the last minute with the result in the balance.

Kalani Patu’s first run of the Grand Final came in just the 2nd minute of the match when Kalani Patu charged onto a ball from his inside from his halfback ZJ Watene with Kalani Patu receiving the ball twenty three metres out from the try line with Kalani Patu then able to promote the ball to within thirteen metres up the try line.

Kalani Patu made another strong run in the 4th minute when after receiving the ball three passes to the right of the play the ball and twenty five metres out from the try line, Kalani Patu was hit hard almost immediately upon receipt of the ball but he bounced off the attempted tackle and continued his progression towards the try line and then in contact with two defenders Kalani Patu executed a great right arm flick off-load to his right to fullback Calais Hallett-Wharewaka who was able to promote the ball further down the field for the Tigers.

Kalani Patu highlighted that he is also a very good defender when in the 5th minute of the Grand Final Kalani Patu raced out of the defensive line and hit the Burleigh lock just as he was receiving the ball with Kalani Patu’s heavy initial contact forcing the ball loose for a knock on inside the Burleigh defensive twenty metre mark and in the centre of the field. Southport scored from the resultant set of six tackles.

Kalani Patu charged onto the ball once again in the 14th minute when he burst onto a short ball from his left from ZJ Watene and after Kalani Patu took the pass thirty metres out he was able to break two tackles as Kalani Patu promoted the ball to within fifteen metres out the try line.

Kalani Patu produced a great piece of play in the 17th minute when Kalani Patu raced out of the defensive line and was able to charge down an attempted clearing kick by the Burleigh halfback with the ball rebounding off Kalani Patu and almost go straight up in the air. Southport lock Gaznaih To’omaga was able to take possession and race away downfield, with Southport being tackle around thirteen metres out from the try line.

From the subsequent play the ball Kalani Patu charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball down a short blindside. As soon as he took possession, Kalani Pati cut back inside and got the ball to within two metres of the try line.

Then in the 29th minute Kalani Patu charged into a short ball from his left from his five eight and after taking the pass thirty eight metres out from his own try line with the power and speed and Kalani Patu’s run taking over the halfway mark.

Kalani Patu’s strong Grand Final continued in the 30th minute when from forty five metres out from the try line Kalani Patu ran the ball down a short right blindside with Kalani Patu then cutting inside off his left foot with Kalani Patu then spinning 360 degrees counter clockwise to break contact with three defenders before Kalani Patu was then tackled thirty two metres out from the try line.

Then early in second half in the 36th minute Kalani Patu ran onto the ball to the right of a Southport scrum win in the centre of the field and just twenty metres out from the try line. As soon as he received the ball from his left Kalani Patu cut inside off his right foot with Kalani Patu able to get the ball within four metres of the try line and directly in front of the goal posts before he was eventually tackled.

Kalani Patu’s strong running in the Grand Final continued in the 43rd minute when from the right of the play the ball Kalani Patu from thirty metres out from his own try line cut inside his halfback back towards the centre of the field with Kalani Patu able to get the ball to within four metres of the halfway mark.

Kalani Patu made another strong run in the 55th minute from the right of a Tigers scrum win forty two metres away from the try line. Kalani Patu surged onto the ball to run a straight hard crash line to crash into the Burleigh left centre and subsequently burst past them. Kalani Patu then utilised a strong left arm fend to beat another defender with Kalani Patu getting to around twelve metres from the try line. Southport were then able to score on the left side of the field as a result of Kalani Patu’s exceptionally quick play the ball.

Kalani Patu also strong some defensive moments in the Grand Final including a strong crunching tackle on the Burleigh five eight who had looked to slip a gap in the Tigers defensive line just a few metres out from the try line. Kalani Patu moved quickly to his right to make the tackle the Kalani Patu driving the five eight hard into the ground.

2022 also saw Kalani Patu attend Keebra Park SHS with Kalani Patu playing multiple matches off the bench for Keebra Park SHS in the School Boy Hancock Cup Rugby League competition.

Kalani Patu is a powerful runner of the ball and once he has generated momentum he is very difficult to stop and regularly has been able to drag defenders with him after initial contact has been made.

Once he is in space, Kalani Patu actually has very good speed, I would consider it above average when analysing his speed from a rugby league forward’s perspective, to add to the difficulties for the defensive line, he runs with a high knee lift and also has a powerful right hand fend.

Defensively the most impressive aspect of Kalani Patu’s play is his ability to make effective tackle after effective tackle.

Whilst his stamina is impressive, so is Kalani Patu’s initial contact, he uses his strength and leverage to hit the ball carrier hard forcing critical momentum changes to the ball carriers running line.

Kalani Patu is also adept at wrapping up the ball and preventing offloads as he uses his functional strength to engage ball carriers. Defensively in a covering role he is also very effective as even though he is a big strong forward Kalani Patu has very good catch up speed and a solid low tackling technique from a side aspect.

Kalani Patu will commence the 2025 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 CC Cup squad.

2025 will also see Kalani Patu line up for the Southport Tigers once again in the GCRL U18 Division One competition.

Kalani Patu will also continue at Keebra Park SHS with Kalani Patu starting the 2025 School Boy Rugby League season in the Keebra Park SHS Open A School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup squad.

With his speed and power running on the fringes of the ruck to go along with good footwork, Kalani Patu seems to have all of the right ingredients to develop into a very very good rugby league second row prospect, if Kalani Pati is not one already.

A near perfect NRL player comparison for Kalani Patu is boom Melbourne Storm and former New Zealand Warriors rookie and New Zealand International second rower Eliesa Katoa. Both Kalani Patu and Katoa are big strong and powerful and can break tackles seemingly at will as a result of their size, strength, speed and power.

Similarly both Katoa and Kalani Patu are hard hitters defensively but also have a solid tackling technique including placing their head correctly and driving their shoulder through the attacking player running the ball and then finishing off the tackle on the ground.