My take on our top juniors

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Malachy Laarhaven. In late 2024 Malachy Laarhaven was named in the 2025 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad with Malachy Laarhaven starting at lock in the opening 2025 trial against the Northern Tigers with Malachy Laarhaven also U18 eligible in 2026.

In late September 2023 Malachy Laarhaven was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U17 Development Academy squad with Malachy Laarhaven part of the Northern Rivers Titans Development squad that defeated the Greater northern Tigers in their first 2024 trial.

Round Two of the 2024 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Malachy Laarhaven start from tehe bench for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Central Coast Roosters with Malachy Laarhaven coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 19th minute.

Almost immediately after coming onto the field Malachy Laarhaven made his first run of the match when from the right of the play the ball Malachy Laarhaven was able to get the ball five metres into Central Coast territory. Then in the 27th minute from the right of the play the ball Malachy Laarhaven broke a tackle as he carried the ball from fifteen metres out from the try line to less than a metre out through the centre of the field with approximately 75% of Malachy Laarhaven’s metres being post contact with the Roosters defensive line.

The 30th minute saw Malachy Laarhaven charge onto the ball to the right of the play the ball to get the ball from seven metres inside his own territory to five metres inside Central Coast territory. Malachy Laarhaven made an additional strong carry in the 36th minute from two passes to the left of the dummy half to get the ball to the halfway mark after taking possession of the ball eleven metres inside his own territory.

Malachy Laarhaven also did well in the 40th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball on his own twenty metre mark Malachy Laarhaven was able to make ten metres to the thirty metre mark before getting an off-load away “out the back” to hooker Rory McInnes who stepped off his right foot on two occasions to get the ball to the halfway mark.

Malachy Laarhaven showcased his defensive ability in the 49th minute when along with Noah Reti, Malachy Laarhaven hit and drove the Central Coast No. 18 three metres backwards through the centre of the field before dumping him on his back eight metres out from his own try line.

Malachy Laarhaven then started from the bench in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Malachy Laarhaven coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the 17th minute.

Malachy Laarhaven continued from the bench in the Round Five local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs with Malachy Laarhaven coming onto the field in the 21st minute and in the 41st minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half Malachy Laarhaven carried the ball from twenty metres from his own try line to thirty one metres out.

Malachy Laarhaven also started from the bench in the rescheduled Round Three match against the St George Dragons with Malachy Laarhaven coming onto the field in the 43rd minute.

From the right of the play the ball in the 43rd minute Malachy Laarhaven was able to get the ball from twenty six metres from his own try line to forty metres out. Then in the 44th minute after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half eleven metres from the try line Malachy Laarhaven dummied in the same direction before targeting the area behind the markers and as a result Malachy Laarhaven was able to get the ball within a metre of the try line.

Even though he was still U16 eligible Malachy Laarhaven started at right second row for the Kyogle Turkeys in Round Four of the 2024 NRRRL U18 competition against the Mullumbimby Giants with Malachy Laarhaven making a strong run in the 4th minute from the left of the play the ball to get the ball from forty four metres to within thirty two metres of the halfway mark.

In the 12th minute from the right of the play the ball Malachy Laarhaven’s yardage carry saw him get the ball from nine metres from his own try line to twenty three metres out. Then in the 59th minute after cutting underneath his halfback to the right of the play the ball Malachy Laarhaven carried the ball from nine metres inside his own territory to nine metres into Mullumbimby with his run incorporating a clockwise spin to wrong foot a number of Giants defenders.

Malachy Laarhaven then started from the bench in Round Six against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and after coming onto the field to play at left second row in the 15th minute Malachy Laarhaven immediately made his presence felt with a run to the left of the play the ball that saw Malachy Laarhaven run the ball from twenty seven to within fifteen metres of the try line.

In the 17th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty five metres from his try line Malachy Laarhaven was able to carry the ball ten metres downfield. A minute later in the 18th minute from the left of the dummy half Malachy Laarhaven ran the ball from twenty four metres to thirty six metres from the try line. Then in the 46th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Malachy Laarhaven stepped off his right foot as he ran the ball from thirty one metres from his try line to within four metres of the halfway mark.

Malachy Laarhaven did well defensively in the 58th minute to fly out of the defensive line and absolutely smash his opposite number forty metres from the try line to force a knock-on.

Malachy Laarhaven continued off the bench in Round Seven against the Casino Cougars and after coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 9th minute Malachy Laarhaven recorded a try assist in the 21st minute when after receiving a pass from his right six metres from the try line Malachy Laarhaven continued to run to his left and after drawing in the Casino right winger Malachy Laarhaven passes to his left to put Tyler Moore over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Just prior to his try assist Malachy Laarhaven carried the ball from two passes to the right of the play the ball from forty metres to within thirty metres of the try line. Then in the 56th minute from the right of the dummy half once again Malachy Laarhaven carried the ball from twelve metres from his own try line and was able to break three tackles in a damaging run that saw Malachy Laarhaven get the ball out to the thirty metre mark. Malachy Laarhaven then ran the ball through the centre of the field in the 58th minute from the right of the play the ball from the halfway mark to forty metres from the try line.

Malachy Laarhaven also started from the bench in the rescheduled Round Three match against the Ballina Seagulls with Malachy Laarhaven coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 12th minute and in the 14th minute from the left of the play the ball Malachy Laarhaven carried the ball through the centre of the field from twenty one metres to thirty two metres from his try line.

From two passes to the left of a Kyogle penalty restart in the 24th minute Malachy Laarhaven was able to get the ball from ten metres inside his own half to two metres to Ballina’s territory. Also in the 39th minute from the right of the play the ball Malachy Laarhaven ran the ball from twelve metres to thirty metes from the try line. Then in the 42nd minute a Malachy Laarhaven kick-off return saw the ball returned to the twenty two metre mark.

Malachy Laarhaven then started at right second row in for Round Eight against Marist Brothers and in the 5th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Malachy Laarhaven got the ball from twenty three metres to ten metres from the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.

A Malachy Laarhaven run from a Turkeys penalty restart saw the ball moved from thirty six metres to within twenty four metres of the try line. Also in the 42nd minute from the left of the dummy half and fourteen metres from his try line Malachy Laarhaven did well to promote the ball out to the twenty seven metre mark.

Another Malachy Laarhaven run from a Kyogle penalty restart in the 43rd minute saw him carry the ball from thirty metres from his try line to within six metres of the halfway mark and in the 52nd minute from the right of the play the ball Malachy Laarhaven ran the ball from twenty to thirty two metres away from his try line.

Malachy Laarhaven made another carry in the 56th minute from the left of the play the ball to get the ball from twenty to thirty metres from his try line and also in the 58th minute Malachy Laarhaven run from a penalty restart saw him carry the ball from twenty four metres out to the thirty eight metre mark.

Malachy Laarhaven started from the bench in Round Nine against the Bilambil Jets and after coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the 15th minute Malachy Laarhaven, in the 31st minute ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball from eighteen to thirty metres from the try line. Malachy Laarhaven also ran the ball through the centre of the field on this occasion to the left of the dummy half in the 37th minute from sixteen to thirty one metres from the try line. Also in the 42nd minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty four metres from the try line Malachy Laarhaven carried the ball to twenty one metres from the try line.

Malachy Laarhaven moved into the Kyogle Turkeys starting side at left second row in Round Ten against the Cudgen Hornets with Malachy Laarhaven scoring in the 11th minute with a six metre run from two passes to the left of the play the ball to get on the outside of the opposing defender to get the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.

Malachy Laarhaven also recorded a try assist in the 27th minute when after cutting back underneath his five eight to the right of the play the ball thirteen metres from the try line a right arm fend beat one defender with Malachy Laarhaven then dummying to his left before bouncing away from another defender before drawing a defender and off-loading to his left centre who score from four metres out and five metres in from the left corner post.

Malachy Laarhaven also had a line break assist in the 6th minute with a lightening quick catch and pass to his left thirty five metres from his own try line to put his left centre away down the left touchline to deep into Hornets territory.

In the 9th minute after taking a Marist kick-off on the full Malachy Laarhaven made a half break when brining the ball back and out to the thirty nine metre mark. Then from the right of the play the ball Malachy Laarhaven made ten metres from his forty metre mark and also form the right of the play the ball in the 54th minute Malachy Laarhaven ran from eighteen to thirty metres from his try line.

Malachy Laarhaven continued from the bench in Round Eleven against the Byron Bay Devils and after coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 20th minute Malachy Laarhaven immediately ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball to get from thirty to forty metres from his try line.

In the 32nd minute from the right of the dummy half Malachy Laarhaven stepped off his right foot as he ran from forty one to twenty nine metres from the try line and also in the 45th minute from the right of the play the ball once again Malachy Laarhaven made a half break to get the ball from thirty to forty four metres from the try line. Then in the 47th minute from the right of the play the ball Malachy Laarhaven broke two tackles to get from forty metres from his try line to two metres into the Devil’s half.

Malachy Laarhaven also started from the bench in Round Thirteen in wet conditions against the Murwillumbah Mustangs and immediately after coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the 25th minute Malachy Laarhaven charged into the ball from a Turkeys penalty restart to get the ball from forty three to twenty seven metres from the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 45th minute Malachy Laarhaven broke a tackle with a run from twelve to twenty six metres from the try line. Also in the 47th minute Malachy Laarhaven ran the ball though the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball from twenty two to thirty five metres from the try line. Then in the 53rd minute from the left of the play the ball and ten metres inside his half Malachy Laarhaven got the ball six metres inside Mustangs territory.

Malachy Laarhaven started from the bench in Round Fourteen against the Casino Cougars and after coming onto the field to operate at left second row in the 13th minute Malachy Laarhaven scored in the 26th minute by way of a twelve metre run wide on the left side of the field to get the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.

Immediately after coming onto the field Malachy Laarhaven ran the ball down the left channel from twelve to twenty four metres from the try line.

Malachy Laarhaven continued off the bench in the rescheduled NRRRL U18 Round One match for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Lower Clarence Magpies and after coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the 10th minute Malachy Laarhaven scored the Turkeys only try of the match in the 33rd minute when he ran off an Oliver Walker pass from his left from twelve metres out to run an outside shoulder line to score twelve metres to the left of the posts.

Malachy Laarhaven also recorded a line break assist in the 49th minute when from wide on the left side of the field after a Kyogle penalty restart Malachy Laarhaven carried the ball to thirty two metres from the try line and off-loaded to his left to Tyler Moore after drawing a defender to enable his left centre to get the ball within twelve metres of the try line.

In the 15th minute from the right of the play the ball Malachy Laarhaven ran from twenty six to thirty eight metres from the try line and then in the 16th minute also from the right of the play the ball Malachy Laarhaven ran the ball through the centre of the field from twelve to twenty three metres from the try line.

Malachy Laarhaven came off the bench to operate at left second row in the 6th minute of Round Fifteen against the Mullumbimby Giants and scored in the 52nd minute when after receiving a pass from his left seven metres from the try line Malachy Laarhaven continued to run to his left to score six metres to the left of the posts.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball and down a short left blindside in the 21st minute Malachy Laarhaven stepped off his left foot to beat two defenders as he ran the ball from forty six to thirty metres from the try line.

Malachy Laarhaven came off the bench in the 12th minute of Round Sixteen to operate at left second row against the Ballina Seagulls with Malachy Laarhaven scoring in the 32nd minute when after running into a gap from two passes to the left of the play the ball nineteen metres from the try line and after crashing over the top of the Seagulls fullback Malachy Laarhaven got the ball down eight metres in from the left corner post.

From the right of the play the ball in the 16th minute Malachy Laarhaven did well to run the ball from thirty to sixteen metres from the try line and in the 22nd minute down a left blindside Malachy Laarhaven got the ball from forty six to thirty metres from the try line before off-loading with his left arm inside.

Two minutes later in the 24th minute from the left of the play the ball Malachy Laarhaven carried the ball from twenty five to eleven metres from the try line and then in the 34th minute Malachy Laarhaven ran the ball down the left channel from thirty to forty one metres from the try line.

Malachy Laarhaven also played for the Kyogle Turkeys in the 2024 Group One U16 competition with Malachy Laarhaven receiving the 2024 Kyogle Turkeys Ken Nagas Award for Highest Achievement. Malachy Laarhaven was also named the player who shows determination, commitment and potential.

The Kyogle Turkeys 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.

2023 saw Malachy Laarhaven represent the Northern Region U15 School Boy Rugby League Representative side at the New South Wales Combined High School trials.

In early December 2022 Malachy Laarhaven played for the Titans U14 Group One Academy against the Titans U14 Group 18 Academy in a trial match at Ballina with both teams wearing Titans jerseys with the Titans U14 Group One Academy side recording a strong victory against the Group 18 Titans Academy Side in a very high quality encounter.

Malachy Laarhaven started at lock and scored a hat trick for the Kyogle Turkeys in their 2022 Group One U14 Round One match against Casino RSM.

Malachy Laarhaven made it two Group One U14 rounds in a row with a hat trick in Round Two of the 2022 season against Lismore Marist Brothers after once again starting the match at lock. Malachy Laarhaven then scored doubles in Round Six against the South Grafton Rebels and Round Eight against the Ballina Seagulls, with Malachy Laarhaven starting both matches at lock as well.

Malachy Laarhaven also scored in Round Eleven against the South Grafton Rebels and Round Twelve against the Marist Rams Lismore.

In Week One of the 2022 Group One Junior Rugby League U14 Finals series Malachy Laarhaven started at five eight for the Kyogle Turkeys against Casino RSM with Malachy Laarhaven scoring in the Turkeys tough 28 - 14 loss against the Cougars.

Malachy Laarhaven also started at five eight in the Preliminary Final against the Ballina Seagulls with Malachy Laarhaven scoring a hat trick in a tough Turkey’s four point loss.

Malachy Laarhaven finished the 2022 Group One U14 season as the competition’s leading try scorer with eighteen tries at a strike rate of well over 100% and the competition’s third leading points scorer with seventy two points from those eighteen tries.

Impressively in Week One of the 2022 Group One U15 Finals series Malachy Laarhaven started from the bench for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

The talented young Kyogle Turkeys junior and Kyogle High School student started at lock in Round One of the 2021 Group One U13 competition for Kyogle against the South Grafton Rebels and scored for the Turkeys as they defeated the Rebels 36 – 4.

Malachy Laarhaven also started at lock in Round Two against the Kyogle Turkeys and Round Three against the Ballina Seagulls when he scored a double as the Turkeys defeated Ballina 28 – 10.

Malachy Laarhaven also started at lock and was one of Kyogle’s try scorers in their two point Round Four loss to Casino RSM and after starting at lock in Round Six against South Grafton, Malachy Laarhaven added a double to his already impressive 2021 try scoring tally.

Round Eight against South Grafton saw Malachy Laarhaven continue to lock and he also started at lock in Round Nine against Casino RSM, a match that saw Malachy Laarhaven score a double.

Malachy Laarhaven continued at lock in Round Ten against Ballina and scored yet another double in his impressive 2021 campaign and added a further try from lock in Round Eleven against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

Malachy Laarhaven continued at lock in Round Twelve against the Marist Rams scoring another double and continued at lock in Round Thirteen against Casino RSM, scoring yet another double in the Turkeys 34 – 22 victory.

Malachy Laarhaven finished the abridged 2021 Group One U13 regular season as the competitions fourth leading try scorer with eighteen seven tries.

At the 2021 Kyogle Turkeys Junior Rugby League Awards Presentation Malachy Laarhaven was named the 2021 Kyogle Turkeys Group One U13 Most Valuable Player.

Malachy Laarhaven made his Group One U14 debut off the bench in Round Three of the 2021 season against the Ballina Seagulls and also came off the bench in Round Eleven against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

In 2021 Malachy Laarhaven represented Kyogle High School at the Northern Zone U15 Touch Zone trials and even though he was two years younger than the majority of other participants, Malachy Laarhaven was one of the better players.

Malachy Laarhaven had a very good 2020 Group One U12 season for the Kyogle Turkeys including starting in the centres in the Grand Final against the Ballina Seagulls.

Malachy Laarhaven did not play in many 2020 Group One U12 matches due to Covid 19 but he made the most of the matches that he did play in scoring eight tries. Malachy Laarhaven also kicked a conversion, converting his own try which came in Round Ten against the Grafton Ghosts to finish the 2020 season scoring thirty four points.

Malachy Laarhaven scored a hat trick against the Grafton Ghosts in Round Eight and doubles in Rounds Five and Nine against Casino RSM and Clarence Coast respectively. Malachy Laarhaven’s other 2020 Group One U12 try came against the Grafton Ghosts in Round Ten.

Malachy Laarhaven is a quick centre/second rower with a fluid running style with a classic centres build with the ability to stand up his direct opposite and then beat him with pace on the outside. In term of his play, the in and away is his bread and butter, Malachy Laarhaven has very good speed off the mark and can break to the outside quickly, couple that with long arms, which he uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes him difficult to tackle. When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, Malachy Laarhaven usually is able to maintain his balance and keeps an arm free, looking to offload regularly.

Malachy Laarhaven has more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if he is pushing to the outside too early. What Malachy Laarhaven is also adept at doing is timing his pass to his outside supports if the outside defender looks to come in and help defend him allowing an overlap to develop.

Malachy Laarhaven will not necessarily hit hard in defence, but he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all. Malachy Laarhaven is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Malachy Laarhaven seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage.

Malachy Laarhaven will play the 2025 season with the Kyogle Turkeys in the NRRRL U18 competition for the second season in a row as well as continue to play school boy rugby league in Northern New South Wales for Kyogle High School. Malachy Laarhaven will commence the 2025 season as part of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad and is also U18 eligible in 2026.

Malachy Laarhaven, with his ability to run the ball and his ball playing ability to be a great link between for forwards and back, looks an ideal modern day lock. To be honest Malachy Laarhaven could literally line-up anywhere on the field and be very productive.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Malachy Laarhaven, think along the lines of someone like Souths Sydney Rabbitohs and New South Wales State of Origin lock Cameron Murray.

Like Murray, Malachy Laarhaven is developing into a very solid ball playing forward who can pop a short pass to his supports both prior to the line and when engaged with the defensive line as well as running the ball effectively as well. I would argue however that Malachy Laarhaven is a better ball runner than the afore mentioned Murray.

Malachy Laarhaven just looks to be a natural footballer with an innate ability to know where and when to pass or run the ball as well as having a hard edge in defence. In many respects I do not think that it matters what position that he plays, it is just a matter that Malachy Laarhaven is on the field and making an impact on the match for his team.

 

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Noah Vakararawa. In late 2024 Noah Vakararawa was named in the 2025 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad with Noah Vakararawa starting from the bench in the opening trial against the Northern Tigers in early January 2025.

Round Four of the 2024 NRRRL U18 competitions saw Noah Vakararawa named on the bench for the Byron Bay Devils against Northern United and after coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role mid-way through the first half, Noah Vakararawa scored in the 21st minute with a run out of dummy half to his left from nine metres out to force his way over to score under the posts.

Earlier in the same set of six as his try after getting an off-load from his left five metres inside his own territory Noah Vakararawa darted forward and after an exaggerated dummy to his right Noah Vakararawa was able to get the ball twelve metres inside Northern United territory.

The 48th minute saw Noah Vakararawa run out of dummy half to his left and run the ball through the centre of the field from thirty metres to eighteen metres from the try line. Then in the 55th minute after running out of dummy half to his left and dummying to his left and also stepping off his left foot Noah Vakararawa beat a defender with a left arm fend before getting a right arm flick off-load away in the same direction.

Noah Vakararawa then started at hooker in Round Six against the Mullumbimby Giants with Noah Vakararawa recording a try assist in the 51st minute when after running out of dummy half to his left from twenty one metres out Noah Vakararawa got within ten metres of the try line before getting a right arm flick off-load away to his right to Will Sheridan who was able to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Noah Vakararawa also made a line break in the 56th minute with a run out of dummy half to his left that saw him break five tackles as Noah Vakararawa surged from ten metres inside his own half to within thirty metres of the try line.

Noah Vakararawa made his first run out of dummy half in the 6th minute to his left and after carrying the ball from thirty eight metres from his try line to within two metres of the halfway mark Noah Vakararawa got a right arm flick off-load away to his right to Jimmy McCombie.

Noah Vakararawa also started at hooker in Round Eight against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Noah Vakararawa recording a try assist in the 14th minute when from dummy half with the play the ball two metres out and to the left of the goal posts Noah Vakararawa threw a hard flat pass to his right to lead a support runner onto the ball to crash over to score under the posts.

In the 16th minute after a Tweed Heads kick-off went out on the full, Noah Vakararawa took the tap from the centre of the halfway mark and was able to get the ball to thirty five metres from the try line. Then in the 60th minute (the last play of the match) Noah Vakararawa took a missed Tweed Heads penalty kick on the full four metres inside the in-goal to the right of the goal posts, Noah Vakararawa ran the ball down the right channel to twenty five metres out.

Noah Vakararawa continued at hooker in Round Nine against the Casino Cougars (played left centre in the second half) with Noah Vakararawa scoring in the 41st minute with a run out of dummy half to his right from two metres out to dive over to score three metres to the right of the goal posts.

Noah Vakararawa made his initial foray out of dummy half in the 5th minute with a run to his right from thirty to twenty metres from the try line with Noah Vakararawa then running to his left out of dummy half in the 9th minute from the halfway mark to forty metres from the try line. Also in the 53rd minute when operating at left centre Noah Vakararawa ran the ball from twenty four to thirty six metres from the try line.

Noah Vakararawa also started at hooker in Round Ten against Lismore Marist and in the 7th minute Noah Vakararawa ran out of dummy half to his left and run the ball from ten metres inside the Devils half to four metres into Lismore’s half.

Noah Vakararawa then started at fullback in Round Eleven against the Kyogle Turkeys with Noah Vakararawa recording a try assist in the 21st minute when after receiving the ball to the right of a Byron Bay scrum win six metres inside his half Noah Vakararawa broke two tackles as he charged to within twenty two metres of the try line before off-loading to his right to put Will Sheridan away and bring the ball around to score under the posts.

Noah Vakararawa also made a line break in the 58th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball Noah Vakararawa continued to run to his left and after dummying to his left on two occasions Noah Vakararawa dummied to his left before slicing between two defenders to get the ball within twenty metres of the try line.

Defending at fullback in the 36th minute Noah Vakararawa did well to hold up coming forward to tackle the Kyogle left winger who had made a line break down the touchline and force the winger to make a decision with Noah Vakararawa then well placed to be the first back when the winger tried to chip over the top with Noah Vakararawa collecting the ball two metres from his own try line.

Noah Vakararawa also started at fullback in Round Twelve against the Cudgen Hornets before moving into the dummy half role ten minutes into the match.

Noah Vakararawa recorded the first of his two try assists in the 28th minute when from dummy half less than a metre from the try line and ten metres in from the left corner post Noah Vakararawa stepped to his right and threw a flat pass in the same direction to put his interchange forward No. 15 over to score.

Noah Vakararawa recorded a second try assist in the 56th minute when also from dummy half a metre from the try line Noah Vakararawa looked right but played left with a short pass to No. 20 to score next to the left goal post.

The 29th minute saw Noah Vakararawa back up his five eight an after receiving an off-load from his right Noah Vakararawa got the ball from thirty to fifteen metres from the try line. Noah Vakararawa then ran out of dummy half to his right in the 56th minute to carry the ball from twenty four to within seven metres of the try line.

Noah Vakararawa was back at hooker in Round Thirteen against the Bilambil Jets with Noah Vakararawa running out of dummy half to his right through the centre of the field in the 46th minute to run from twenty eight to forty three metres from the try line.

Noah Vakararawa did well defensively in the 49th minute when he chased a Bilambil line break after breaking from the back of the scrum with Noah Vakararawa racing to his right in cover defence to bring down the Jets left centre five metres inside his half near the rigfht touchline.

Noah Vakararawa also started at hooker in Round Fourteen against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Noah Vakararawa coming close to scoring in the 17th minute when he tried to burrow over the try line from a metre out from dummy half only to be held up under the goal posts.

In the 32nd minute Noah Vakararawa looked left but ran to his right out of dummy half from seven metres inside his own half and after stepping off his left foot Noah Vakararawa was able to get the ball fifteen metres inside Tweed Coast’s half. Noah Vakararawa also ran out of dummy half to his right in the 49th minute to carry the ball through the centre of the field from twenty eight to forty seven metres from his try line after running over the top of one defender.

Noah Vakararawa did well in the 20th minute with a one on one steal on one of the Raiders front rowers to get the ball back for Byron Bay twenty metres from the try line. Noah Vakararawa also did well in the 23rd minute when from marker he charged down a Tweed Coast kick in the centre of the field and thirty six metres from the try line. It appeared that Noah Vakararawa would retrieve the ball and score under the posts but the ball took a horror bounce instead.

Noah Vakararawa started from the bench in the rescheduled Round Five match against the Ballina Seagulls and after coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 5th minute Noah Vakararawa scored in the 21st minute when a run out of dummy half to his left from a metre out to force his way over to score ten metres to the left of the posts.

Noah Vakararawa also made a line break in the 20th minute when a run out of dummy half to his right from thirty metres from his own try line with Noah Vakararawa carrying the ball through the centre of the field to twenty metres from the try line after using a left foot step to beat the Seagulls fullback.

Earlier in the 18th minute Noah Vakararawa ran out of dummy half to his right and broke a tackle as he carried the ball from forty one to twenty six metres from the try line.

Noah Vakararawa started at hooker in Round Sixteen against the Cudgen Hornets with Noah Vakararawa scoring the first of his two first half tries in the 2nd minute with a big dummy to his right out of dummy half from a metre from the try line to dive over to score twelve metres to the left of the posts.

Noah Vakararawa scored his second try in the 20th minute with another big dummy to his right from dummy half to dart over to score from a metre out to get the ball down four metres to the right of the posts.

Noah Vakararawa made the first of his two line breaks in the 44th minute with a burst out of dummy half to his left from the halfway mark with Noah Vakararawa dummying to his left to wrong foot a number of defenders and charge to within twenty two metres of the try line after hitting and spinning clockwise.

Noah Vakararawa made a second line break in the 50th minute when after running out of dummy half to his right from forty two metres from the try line Noah Vakararawa broke an impressive four tackles as he surged to twenty metres of the try line before off-loading to his left to his halfback.

In the 37th minute after receiving an off-load from his right from his halfback Noah Vakararawa charged through the centre of the field from thirty five to seventeen metres from the try line.

Noah Vakararawa started at hooker for the Byron Bay Devils in the Week Two NRRRL U18 Major Semi-final against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Noah Vakararawa scoring an impressive double as the Devils progressed directly to the Grand Final.

Noah Vakararawa scored his opening try in the 44th minute with a burst out of dummy half to his left from six metres out to crash over to score five metres to the right of the goal posts.

Noah Vakararawa competed his double in the 55th minute with a ten metre effort after running out of dummy half to his right with Noah Vakararawa holding the ball out in front of his body in two hands threatening to pass to his right before running himself and scoring under the posts.

In the 30th minute Noah Vakararawa ran out of dummy half to his left and ran from ten metres inside his half to ten metres into the Raiders territory. Noah Vakararawa then ran out of dummy half to his right in the 48th minute to get from forty to twenty eight metres from the try line.

Noah Vakararawa started at hooker for the Byron Bay Devils in the 2024 NRRRL U18 Grand Final for the Byron Bay Devils against the Bilambil Jets with Noah Vakararawa scoring in the 47th minute of the Devils victory when after moving into dummy half with the play the ball a metre from the try line Noah Vakararawa threw a big dummy to his left before ediving over to get the ball down six metres to the left of the goal posts.

Noah Vakararawa made his initial foray out of dummy half in the 9th minute when he ran to his right through the centre of the field from thirty seven to forty seven metres from the try line before getting a left arm off-load away to his right as he was going to ground in a tackle.

Noah Vakararawa did well defensively in the 40th minute when he was involved in holding up the Bilambil lock forward four metres to the right of the goal posts.

In early March 2024 Noah Vakararawa was named on the bench in the Lismore Diocese Open School Boy Rugby league Representative side out of St John’s College Woodlawn. Noah Vakararawa was then named on the bench for the Northern Country U18 side for the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) U18 School Boy Rugby League trials.

In late September 2023 Noah Vakararawa was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U17 Development Academy squad with Noah Vakararawa part of the Northern Rivers Titans Development squad that defeated the Greater Northern Tigers in their first 2024 trial.

In October 2022 Noah Vakararawa was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad.

Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Noah Vakararawa named on the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Noah Vakararawa coming onto the field in the 22nd minute.

Noah Vakararawa, in the 39th minute made a great tackle on one of the Knights front rower being No. 10 justcentre metres from the try line and five metres to the left of the uprights.

Noah Vakararawa was then named on the Northern Rivers Titans extended bench for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters as well as for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons.

Noah Vakararawa then started from the bench in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Noah Vakararama coming onto the field to operate at lock in the 20th minute and almost immediately making a strong fourteen metre run to the right of the play the ball to get to the halfway mark.

Noah Vakararawa then did well in the 25th minute when he chased through a short Northern Rivers Titans goal line drop-out with Noah Vakararawa jumping high to take the ball on the full and then charge out to the thirty metre mark.

At the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans Awards presentation Noah Vakararawa received the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup Encouragement Award.

In Round One of the 2022 Group One U15 competition Noah Vakararawa started at lock for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Casino RSM Cougars and scored a hat trick in the Turkeys strong first up victory.

Noah Vakararawa then scored in Round Six against the South Grafton and then followed up with a double in Round Seven also against the South Grafton Rebels and Noah Vakararawa also scored twice in Round Nine against Casino RSM.

In Week One of the 2022 Group One U15 Finals series Noah Vakararawa started at lock for the Kyogle Turkeys against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

Noah Vakararawa started at lock in the 2022 Group One U15 Grand final for the Turkeys as they went down 32 – 18 to the Clarence Coast Magpies with Noah Vakararawa scoring one of the Turkey’s tries.

Noah Vakararawa finished the 2022 Group One U15 season as the competitions fifth leading try scorer with thirteen tries and also finished as the competition’s seventh leading point’s scorer with fifty two points.

In 2022 Noah Vakararawa, after starting in the second row for the Lismore/Armidale representative squad at the U15 Northern Country trials at Tamworth, following Lismore Diocesan selection trials at Xavier College, Ballina, Noah Vakararawa was named in the 2022 U15 Northern College Combined Catholic College School Boy Rugby League Representative squad for the New South Wales U15 School Boy Championships.

The St Johns College Woodlawn student also played for the Turkeys in 2021 and in fact was named the Kyogle Turkeys 2021 Group One U14 Best and Fairest Player.

From an attacking stand point, Noah Vakararawa has solid distribution skills in relation to his passing skills to either side of his body and uses a solid, repeatable passing technique to ensure consistency, thus enabling his forwards and play makers have confidence that his passes will find the mark with the appropriate velocity attached on every occasion.

From a speed perspective I would consider that his speed when running out of dummy half is above average to plus for a hooker but plays faster as Noah Vakararawa has become adept at running at the right time and focusses heavily when the markers are out of position, thus Noah Vakararawa either makes ground putting his team on the front foot or draws a penalty, in both scenario’s Noah Vakararawa generates momentum for his side through the skill and intelligence he has in spades.

The impressive thing about when Noah Vakararawa runs out of dummy half is the fact that he does not run to the same side all of the time, he will make a judgement on where the defence is the weakest and respond accordingly.

From a defensive perspective Noah Vakararawa is a very solid tackler who makes good initial contact and is able to generate momentum through his core and drive into his opponent with enough force to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier. Noah Vakararawa has both a solid low tackling technique as well as having the functional strength to make ball and all tackles effectively against the biggest of forwards looking to target him in the defensive line.

Noah Vakararawa is also very quick out of the marker position and will get to forwards how are running one out before they can generate any momentum. In short he defends like a backrower and certainly if he finds himself on the fringes of the ruck, Noah Vakararawa has the lateral movement and anticipation to also defend against smaller quicker halves looking to exploit a perceived speed advantage.

Noah Vakararawa also has an intensity about his play which cannot be coached and is on display each and every time that Noah Vakararawa walks onto the field.

Noah Vakararawa will play the 2025 season with the Byron Bay Devils in the NRRRL U18 competition for the second season in a row after commencing the 2025 season as a member of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad.

Noah Vakararawa will also line-up for St Johns College Woodlawn in their various school boy competitions in northern New South Wales and beyond in 2025.

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, Noah Vakararawa is a dummy half prospect of immense potential, and one who will certainly not crack under pressure, instead thriving on it. Noah Vakararawa also has the ability to play a number of other positions if needed.

North Queensland Cowboys (and soon to be Roosters) NRL hooker Brandon Robson is a good player comparison for Noah Vakararawa. Both Robson and Noah Vakararawa just have that innate ability to know when to run the ball out of dummy half and whilst that is their best trait, both also are very good distributions out of dummy half and both are also very strong defenders in the centre of the field. For me however Noah Vakararawa has a lot more speed out of dummy half than the afore mentioned Brandon Robson, a heck of a lot more speed.

 

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Will Sheridan. In late 2024 Will Sheridan was named in the 2025 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad with Will Sheridan starting at right centre in the opening 2025 trial against the Northern Tigers.

After Round One of the 2024 NRRRL U18 competition was rained up Will Sheridan started at fullback (played five eight in the second half) for the Byron Bay Devils against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Will Sheridan scoring in the 53rd minute when after Kai Saric made a great kick return for the Devils through the centre of the field, Will Sheridan was on hand to receive the ball forty eight metres of the try line with Will Sheridan outpacing the cover defence to score three metres in from the left corner post.

Will Sheridan also recorded a try assist in the 10th minute when after receiving a great catch and pass from his left from Elliott Farrell ten metres from the try line Will Sheridan carried the ball to within five metres of the try line and after drawing the Murwillumbah left winger Will Sheridan passed to his right to put his winger over to score in the right corner.

Will Sheridan moved to start at right centre in Round Three against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Will Sheridan scoring in the 36th minute when after receiving a pass from his left from his fullback Kai Saric ten metres from the try line and seven metres in from the right touchline Will Sheridan veered to his left to engage two defenders on the try line with Will Sheridan gaining separation by spinning clockwise before absorbing contact from another defender to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

It appeared as if Will Sheridan had scored earlier in the match in the 30th minute when he chased through a Byron Bay chip kick inside from the right touchline to towards the posts with Will Sheridan grounding the ball under the posts however the referee ruled that one of the Lower Clarence players had grounded the ball just prior to Will Sheridan.

Will Sheridan also recorded a try assist in the 12th minute when after a Byron Bay line break Will Sheridan ran out of dummy half to his right thirty eight metres from the try line and whilst being dumped in a heavy tackle Will Sheridan got a great left arm off-load away to his right for his five eight who was able to dive over to score in the right corner.

Will Sheridan’s initial strong impact on the match came in the 7th minute when after running the ball down the right centre from thirty two metres from his own try line Will Sheridan pushed away from one defender before running the ball towards the centre of the field and get the ball to the forty two metre mark. Will Sheridan also did well in the 42nd minute when after receiving an off-load twenty eight metres from his own try line Will Sheridan ran to his left to get within three metres of the halfway mark before off-loading to his left to his winger to continue the attack.

Will Sheridan did well defensively in the 49th minute to race out of Devils defensive line to hit the Lower Clarence front rower No. 10 low and hard to drop him to the ground immediately twenty three metres from the try line.

Will Sheridan continued at right centre in Round Four against Northern United with Will Sheridan scoring in the 48th minute when after running into a gap twenty two metres from the try line wide on the right side of the field and twenty two metres from the try line, Will Sheridan after bursting into space and being held by the back of his jersey, Will Sheridan kept powering towards the try line and score in the right corner.

Will Sheridan then made a line break from the subsequent Northern United kick-off with Will Sheridan bursting through the Northern United defensive line and breaking three tackles as Will Sheridan carried the ball to the forty metre mark.

Will Sheridan made the first of multiple line breaks inside the opening minute of the match when after receiving the ball forty metres out, Will Sheridan ran the ball down the right touchline to get within twenty metres of the try line and then passing inside to his halfback.

Will Sheridan made a further strong kick-off return in the 55th minute to carry the ball out to the thirty metre mark.

Will Sheridan also started at right centre in Round Six against the Mullumbimby Giants with Will Sheridan scoring the first of his two tries in the 51st minute when after receiving a right arm flick off-load from his left from Noah Vakararawa then metres from the try line Will Sheridan spun clockwise to gain separation from one defender with Will Sheridan then engaging three defenders just short of the try line and was able to force his way over to score mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the right side of the field.

Will Sheridan completed his double in the 54th minute with a comfortable run from twenty two metres out after backing up a line break to score untouched under the posts.

Will Sheridan ran the ball through the centre of the field in the 6th minute from the left of the play the ball from eighteen metres to thirty metres from his try line. In the 46th minute Will Sheridan ran out of dummy half to his right and broke two tackles as Will Sheridan carried the bell to within eight metres of the try line after receiving the ball thirty metres out.

Will Sheridan made a good defensive read in the 25th minute when facing an overlap Will Sheridan raced out of the defensive line and hit the Mullumbimby half just as he was catching the ball eighteen metres from the try line.

Will Sheridan moved to five eight in Round Seven against the Tweed Coast Raiders and in the 2nd minute after running out of dummy half to his right Will Sheridan ran through the centre of the field from thirty seven metres to twenty five metres from the try line.

Will Sheridan started at fullback in Round Eight against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and in the 3rd minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and thirty two metres from the try line Will Sheridan stepped off his right foot and burst through the centre of the field to within eight metres of the try line in front of the posts with Will Sheridan then awarded a penalty for ruck interference.

Will Sheridan also did well defensively in the 19th minute when facing a line break by the Tweed heads replacement forward No. 19 Will Sheridan raced to his right to ankle tap him and bring him down a metre short of the ty line near the left corner post.

Will Sheridan continued at fullback in Round Nine against the Casino Cougars with Will Sheridan twice in the opening fifteen minutes coming close to setting up two tries for his left centre after chiming into the Byron Bay backline wide on the left however on the first occasion the referee ruled an obstruction and on the second occasion his left centre was taken into touch desperately short of the left corner post.

Will Sheridan crossed the try line himself in the 55th minute wide on the left however the pass to Will Sheridan from his right was ruled forward by the referee.

Will Sheridan did exceptionally well defensively in the when he charged across in cover defence to his right and tackle the Casino left winger into touch three tries from the right corner post.

Will Sheridan also started at fullback in Round Ten against Lismore Marist with Will Sheridan making the second hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball from sixteen to twenty seven metres away from his try line with Will Sheridan also making the fifty run of the match when he chimed into the backline to the right to run the ball from forty metres from his try line to three metres into Marist’s half. Then from two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 8th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball down a short left blindside to get the ball from ten metres inside his half to twelve metres into Lismore territory.

Will Sheridan did well defensively in the 15th minute when he ran to his left and was able to ankle tap the Lismore right centre ten metres from the try line to prevent a try. Then in the 49th minute when facing a Lismore line break through the centre of the field with Will Sheridan not falling for the dummy to drive his right shoulder through the Marist lock and dump him on his back thirty eight metres from the try line.

Will Sheridan moved to right centre in Round Eleven against the Kyogle Turkeys with Will Sheridan having a day out on the way to scoring four tries.

Will Sheridan scored the first of his four tries inside the opening minute of the match when he chased through a Devils kick that took a horror bounce for the Kyogle fullback but a perfect bounce for Will Sheridan to take the ball seven metres out and bring the ball around to score under the posts.

Will Sheridan scored his second try in the 15th minute when after received the ball wide on the right side of the field Will Sheridan dummied to his right and ran himself from twenty eight metres out to score five metres in from the right corner post.

Will Sheridan made it three tries in the 21st minute when he backed up a line break from inside Devils territory by Noah Vakararawa to get the ball from his fullback from his left and run twenty two metres to score under the posts.

Will Sheridan scored his fourth try in the 38th minute by running an underneath route to the right of the play the ball cutting underneath Finn Spencer from ten metres out with Will Sheridan breaking through one attempted tackle to crash over to score three metres to the right of the uprights.

Will Sheridan came close to scoring a fifty try when he chased through a Byron Bay grubber kick into the in-goal but the ball just rolled over the dead ball line before Will Sheridan was able to get to it.

In the 7th minute from the right of the play the ball Will Sheridan ran the ball down the right channel from thirty eight metres from his try line to thirteen metres into Turkeys territory and then in the 11th minute Will Sheridan ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of a Devils scrum win to get from ten metres in his own territory to four metres into the Turkey’s half.

Also from the right of the play the ball in the 13th minute and twelve metres from his try line Will Sheridan broke three tackles to surge his way to the thirty four metre mark. A minute later in the 14th minute from the right of the dummy half Will Sheridan broke two more tackles to carry the ball from ten to forty metres from his try line.

Will Sheridan continued at right centre in Round Twelve against the Cudgen Hornets with Will Sheridan scoring in the 29th minute when after receiving a pass from his left from his five eight metres from the try line Will Sheridan stepped inside off his right foot to beat the Hornets fullback and get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Will Sheridan also started at right centre in Round Thirteen against the Bilambil Jets and whilst Will Sheridan did not score himself he did set up three tries.

Will Sheridan recorded his initial try assist in the 14th minute when from wide on the right side of the field Will Sheridan took the ball deep into the defensive line to draw the Jets left winger and off-load to his right to put his winger over to score from ten metres in the right corner.

Will Sheridan added a second try assist in the 19th minute with an outstanding catch and pass to his right six metres from the try line to once again send his right winger over to score in the corner.

Will Sheridan made it three try assists in the 43rd minute when after making a lien break down the right touchline to within ten metres of the try line and for the third time in the match Will Sheridan off-loaded to his right to complete a hat trick for his right winger.

Will Sheridan made a great try saving tackle in the 7th minute when he raced to his left in cover defence to tackle in the Bilambil halfback in space four metres from the try line and twelve metres in from the left touchline.

Will Sheridan continued at right centre in Round Fourteen against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Will Sheridan scoring the match winning try in the 56th minute when after receiving the ball wide on the right to run seven metres untouched with Will Sheridan then bringing the ball around to place it down ten metres to the right of the posts.

Will Sheridan ran the ball down the right channel in the 5th minute to run the ball from ten metres inside his half to nine metres into Tweed Coast’s. Then in the 7th minute chased a Devils attacking kick into the in-goal and tackle the Raiders fullback in-goal near the right corner to force a goal line drop-out.

In the 54th minute Will Sheridan produced a try saving (and potentially match saving tackle) when he chased down from behind the Tweed Coast halfback to catch him a metre from the try line with Will Sheridan then twisting the Raiders halfback onto his back to prevent him from reaching out to get the ball over the try line.

Will Sheridan started at right centre in the rescheduled Round Five match against the Ballina Seagulls with Will Sheridan scoring in the 7th minute when after chasing through a Byron Bya kick from inside their own territory Will Sheridan got to the ball first and picked up the ball cleanly when at full speed a metre from the try line to score twelve metres to the right of the posts.

In the 13th minute from wide on the right side of the field and ten metres inside his own half Will Sheridan carried the ball ten metres into Ballina’s territory.

Will Sheridan continued at right centre in Round Sixteen against the Cudgen Hornets with Will Sheridan scoring a second half hat trick in a 52 – 6 Devils victory.

Will Sheridan scored his initial try in the 47th minute when after receiving a pass from his left thirty three metres from the try line Will Sheridan carried the ball to within four metres of the try line before getting a pass away to his inside. From the subsequent play the ball Will Sheridan received the ball from the dummy half from his left and had an easy four metre run to cross the try line and bring the ball around to put it down seven metres to the right of the posts.

Will Sheridan scored his second try in the 54th minute when after backing up a line break by his right second rower Will Sheridan received an off-load from his left and raced forty four metres down the right touchline and then was able to bring the ball around to place it down ten metres to the right of the goal posts.

Will Sheridan completed his hat trick in the 57th minute by way of an eighteen metre burst down the right channel to score six metres in from the right corner post.

Will Sheridan also recorded a line break assist in the 42nd minute when after running the ball down a right blindside from forty six to thirty metres from the try line Will Sheridan drew a defender and passed to his right winger who burst down the right touchline only to be tackled three metres short of the right corner post.

Will Sheridan started at right centre for the Byron Bay Devils in the 11th minute of the Week Two NRRRL U18 Major Semi-final against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Will Sheridan recording a try assist in the 30th minute when after running the ball down the right channel from eighteen to six metres from the try line Will Sheridan was able to draw the Tweed Coast left winger and pass to his right to put his own winger over to score in the right corner.

In the 3rd minute from a Byron Bay penalty restart in the 3rd minute saw Will Sheridan carrying the ball from eight metres inside his half to four metre inside the Raiders. Then from two passes to the right of the play the ball Will Sheridan ran an underneath line through the centre of the field from twenty six to fifteen metres from the try line.

Will Sheridan started at right centre for the Byron Bay Devils in the 2024 NRRRL U18 Grand Final against the Bilambil Jets with Will Sheridan scoring the match winning try under the posts in the final minute of the match to reward the Devils with the 2024 NRRRL U18 Premiership. Will Sheridan took a short Bilambil kick off on the full and spun counter clockwise to gain separate and run sixty metres down the right touchline before bringing the ball around to put it down under the posts.

Will Sheridan also made a line break in the 45th minute when from wide on the right side of the field and forty metres from his own try line Will Sheridan made a line break down the right channel to carry the ball to within thirty two metres of the try line at the opposite end of the field.

Round One of the 2023 NRRRL U18 season saw Will Sheridan start from the bench for the Byron Bay Devils against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Will Sheridan operating on the right side of the field when he came off the bench.

Will Sheridan was also named on the bench in Round Three against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Will Sheridan coming onto the field to operate on the left side of the field late in the first half with Will Sheridan doing well in the 42nd minute with a run out of dummy half to his left with Will Sheridan making eighteen metres down to within twenty two metres of the try line.

Will Sheridan also came off the bench in Round Four against the Cudgen Hornets with Will Sheridan scoring in the 25th minute with a run out of dummy half to his left from close range with Will Sheridan twisting clockwise to get the ball down three metres to the left of the uprights.

Will Sheridan came close to scoring a second try in the 36th minute when from twenty three metres out from the try line Will Sheridan ran to his left out of dummy half and after breaking four tackles Will Sheridan got to within less than a metre from the try line eight metres to the left of the uprights.

A minute earlier in the 24th minute Will Sheridan made a line break from five metres inside his own territory Will Sheridan ran to his right out of dummy half with Will Sheridan then stepping off his right foot to beat one defender with a left arm fend then beating a second. Will Sheridan then pushed past two more defenders and then when he was twelve metres inside Hornets territory Will Sheridan got an off-load away to his right.

Will Sheridan also started from the bench in Round Five against the Tweed Heads Seagulls coming onto the field in the 22nd minute to operate at dummy half with Will Sheridan making a smart run out of dummy half to his right from four metres inside Seagulls territory making fourteen metres in the 36th minute.

Will Sheridan started Round Seven against the Lower Clarence Magpies at lock with Will Sheridan scoring the first of his two tries in the 13th minute when after receiving the ball from his left nine metres out from the try line and to the right of the play the ball and after receiving the ball whilst stationary, Will Sheridan subtly glanced to his right before exploding off the mark to outwit two defenders and score under the posts.

Will Sheridan then scored his second try of the match in the 50th minute when from the right of the play the ball and ten metres from the try line, Will Sheridan after receiving the ball from his left ran to his right and just to the right of the uprights Will Sheridan straightened up his run and whilst being tackled was able to reach out with the ball in his right hand to get the ball down as he was being spun onto his back three metres to the right of the uprights.

Will Sheridan then started at lock in Round Eight against Northern United.

Will Sheridan continued at lock in Round Nine against the Mullumbimby Giants with Will Sheridan scoring in the 48th minute when after running out of dummy half to his right down a short right blindside from sixteen metres out, Will Sheridan stepped off his left foot to beat one defender before using a right arm fend to beat a second with Will Sheridan then backing his way towards the try line, Will Sheridan reached out with the ball in his right hand to get the ball down four metres in from the right corner post.

Will Sheridan also started at lock in Round Ten against the Kyogle Turkeys with Will Sheridan scoring in the 38th minute when with the play the ball seventeen metres out, Will Sheridan ran out of dummy half to his right down a short blindside and after being hit by three defenders nine metres out Will Sheridan spun away from them clockwise before crashing into three defenders on the try line, this time spinning counter clockwise to get the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Will Sheridan almost scored a second try in the 50th minute when after running out of dummy half from sixteen metres out, Will Sheridan looked to have dived over to score in the left corner but the referee ruled that Will Sheridan had lost possession of the ball just prior to the try line.

Will Sheridan continued at lock in Round Eleven against the Casino Cougars.

Will Sheridan then started from the bench in Round Twelve against the Ballina Seagulls with Will Sheridan coming onto the field in the 20th minute.

Will Sheridan then moved to left centre in Round Fourteen against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Will Sheridan then continued at left centre in Round Sixteen against the Ballina Seagulls with Will Sheridan making a line break in the 3rd minute when after running out of dummy half to his right from twenty two metres out from his own try line, Will Sherdna broke two tackles to break into open space before being dragged to ground twenty six metres out from the try line near the right touchline.

Will Sheridan also started at left centre in the Week One Elimination Final against Northern United with Will Sheridan running the ball to the right of a Devils scrum win from forty six metres from the try line to thirty metres out with approximately 60% of the metres that Will Sheridan gained being post contact with the defensive line.

Will Sheridan then moved to right centre in the Week Two Elimination Final against the Bilambil Jets with Will Sheridan making a line break in the 16th minute when whilst defending twenty metres out from his own try line Will Sheridan trapped a Bilambil grubber kick with his left foot and after picking up the ball Will Sheridan ran down the right touchline before being brought to ground thirty metres out from the try line at the opposite end of the field.

Earlier in the 11th minute Will Sheridan took a penalty tap restart on the halfway and ran the ball to within thirty seven metres of the try line.

2023 also saw Will Sheridan continue to play for Byron Bay Lennox Head in the Group 18 U16 competition with Will Sheridan starting at five eight in the Grand Final against the Murwillumbah Colts.

After the completion of the 2023 season Will Sheridan was named the 2023 Byron Bay Lennox Head International Player of the Year.

The young man who started at five eight in the Group 18 U15 Grand Final victory for Byron Bay/Lennox Head over the Murwillumbah Colts, played for a Titans Invitational U15 NRRRL selection in a match against a Titans U14 JTS squad in September 2022 and whilst the Titans U14 side won the match, Will Sheridan was one of a number of strong performers for the NRRRL U15 Titans Invitational side as they more than held their own for long portions of the match.

WIll Sheridan has very good and explosive speed off the mark, which I would consider above average to plus for a centre and can break to the outside quickly, couple that with long arms, which WIll Sheridan uses to great effect with a powerful fend makes him difficult to tackle in any one on one situation.

When opposing centres are able to get hold of him, WIll Sheridan usually is able to maintain his balance and keeps an arm free, looking to offload to either his inside or outside support.

WIll Sheridan has more tools though than just an in and away, he will also use his size and strength to run straight over smaller opposing centres as well as also having the skill to step back inside of the defender if the defender is pushing to the outside too early.

WIll Sheridan also has a powerful fend which has served him well in recent seasons with his natural strength is just another impressive attribute in his arsenal.

A real positive for me is that WIll Sheridan can also run a good inside shoulder line due to the fact that he maintains his spacing in the back line and will quickly identify where his direct opponent is ling up to determine whether it is appropriate to run an inside or outside shoulder line or a “crash” line for that matter, WIll Sheridan certainly has the courage to run that line regularly which not everybody has.

As you would expect, due to his size and strength, WIll Sheridan is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard but is definitely aggressive and WIll Sheridan is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all.

WIll Sheridan is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, WIll Sheridan seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage in though he can be an intimidating presence when WIll Sheridan chooses to come out of the line to interrupt the attacking movement immediately prior to its development.

In 2025 Will Sheridan will continue to play for the Byron Bay Devils in the NRRRL U18 competition which will be his third season in that competition after staring the 2025 season as a member of the Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad,

With his deceptive speed, ability to beat his direct opponent with a variety of moves and solid and repeatable defensive reads and technique Will Sheridan has all of the attributes you want to see in a modern day rugby league centre.

The Titans own Phillip Sami is for me a good comparison for Will Sheridan, both are hard to tackle and both are more that happy to go into the centre of the field and make tough yardage carries of the ball out of their own half.

 

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Jimmy McCombie. Jimmy McCombie deservedly signed a multi-year contract with the Titans in early 2022 after excelling at rugby league and rugby in multiple seasons in Northern New South Wales.

In late 2024 Jimmy McCombie was named in the 2025 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad with Jimmy McCombie starting from the bench in the team’s first 2025 trial against the Northern Tigers.

In early January 2024 Jimmy McCombie started at halfback and captain 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 Jimmy McCombie took the ball from the Panthers kick-off and after off-loading to his left to Viliami Fifita, Jimmy McCombie received an off-load from his big front rower around twenty five metres from his own try line with Jimmy McCombie darting to his left to get the ball to the thirty three metre mark before being awarded a penalty after Jimmy McCombie was hit by a high tackle. Jimmy McCombie then found touch just short of the halfway mark from his subsequent kick for touch.

Jimmy McCombie also did well in the 29th minute when after receiving a pass on his own try line from Donte Tahuhu-Wilson, Jimmy McCombie produced a stepping run to his left to carry the ball out to the thirty two metre mark with Jimmy McCombie coming very close to slicing between two defenders and making significant ground downfield.

The 4th minute saw Jimmy McCombie force a Penrith error when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball, Jimmy McCombie ran the ball to within ten metres before putting in a right foot grubber kick when parallel to the Panthers defensive line with the Penrith fullback knocking the ball on right on his own try line to give the Titans the scrum feed ten metres out with the Titans scoring through Dallas Ingram from the subsequent set of six tackles.

Jimmy McCombie made an outstanding solo try saving tackle in the 8th minute when he raced to his left to bring down the Penrith giant left centre who had made a line break down the Titans right channel with Jimmy McCombie bringing his opponent down thirty five metres out from the try line.

Jimmy McCombie then started at fullback in the second trial against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Jimmy McCombie making a great try saving tackle in the 4th minute of the match. Souths Sydney made a line break from deep inside their own territory on the Titans right but Jimmy McCombie who had stationed himself in the centre of the field chased hard to his right and would not be denied and tackled the Rabbitohs left centre over the touchline three metres from the try line to prevent what seemed to be a certain try.

Jimmy McCombie came close to scoring himself in the 35th minute only to in stopped less than a metre from the try line after running out of dummy half to his right from twelve metres out.

In the 5th minute Jimmy McCombie received an inside pass from his left and was able to get the ball from twenty eight metres from the try line to within fifteen metres. Then in the 27th minute when operating at halfback Jimmy McCombie ran the ball from the right of the play the ball from ten metres inside his own territory and after stepping and darting his way past four defenders and carrying the ball ten metres into Rabbitohs territory Jimmy McCombie was able to get a pass away to his left.

In the 25th minute to the left of a Titans scrum win Jimmy McCombie continued to run to his left from his own twenty metre mark to get the ball out to the thirty two metre mark.

Jimmy McCombie made another great defensive play in the 38th minute when with the scores locked at eight all and less than two minutes to go with Souths Sydney attacking the Titans try line from close range Jimmy McCombie raced off his own try line and hit the Souths Sydney five eight just as he received the ball in a ball and all tackle with the Rabbitohs having a huge overlap on the outside of their five eight.

Jimmy McCombie also started at halfback and captain the following week in the Titans JTS U17 match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Jimmy McCombie leading from the front once again.

In late 2023 Jimmy McCombie was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad and Jimmy McCombie is also U18 eligible in 2025.

Round One of the 2024 U18 Laurie Daley Cup competition saw Jimmy McCombie named at halfback for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Jimmy McCombie kicking five conversions from seven attempts in a comprehensive Northern Rivers Titans victory.

Jimmy McCombie kicked his first conversion in the 12th minute when he converted Elliott Farrell’s try out of dummy half from eight metres in from the left corner post. Jimmy McCombie then kicked his second conversion from three metres in from the left touchline in the 24th minute to convert Noah Waldock’s try. Jimmy McCombie added his third conversion in the 51st minute from eight metres in from the right touchline before kicking his fourth conversion from four metres to the left of the goal posts in the 54th minute with Jimmy McCombie then converting Robert Smith’s try in the 64th minute from two metres to the right of the goal posts.

Jimmy McCombie was also heavily involved in Noah Waldock’s 24th minute try when from a Northern Rivers scrum wing ten metres from the try line and in the centre of the field Jimmy McCombie ran the ball to his left and once again ran deep into the Knights defensive line and when three metres from the try line Jimmy McCombie was able to draw two defenders and then get a smart pass away to his left to Elliott Farrell who then put Noah Waldock over to score in the left corner.

Jimmy McCombie did well in just the 2nd minute of the match when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball ten metres from the try line Jimmy McCombie took the ball deep into the Newcastle defensive line before putting in a short right foot grubber kick and was then awarded a penalty when he was hit late by a Knights defender.

In the 6th minute Jimmy McCombie ran the ball to the left of the dummy half and was able to promote the ball from twenty nine metres out from his own try line to the forty metre mark. Jimmy McCombie then did well defensively in the 45th minute with a driving right shoulder tackle on the Newcastle five eight on the last tackle four metres from the try line to force a change over.

Jimmy McCombie also started at halfback and captain in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Jimmy McCombie kicking a great 40/20 in the 44th minute when from the right of the play the ball and thirty two metres out from his own try line Jimmy McCombie put in a low hard driving right foot kick that rolled into touch just two metres out from the Titans left corner post.

In the 52nd minute after a Central Coast kick went over the dead ball line Jimmy McCombie raced to the twenty metre mark to take a quick tap and was able to make ten metres but unfortunately Jimmy McCombie as injured when he was tackled.

After Jimmy McCombie made the opening tackle of the match from the Titans kick-off, Jimmy McCombie made another good tackle in the 23rd minute when along with Aaron Singh-Goesel, Jimmy McCombie executed a driving tackle on the Central Coast right winger (No. 2) that forced him back from fourteen metres from his own try line to within nine metres in dominant fashion.

Jimmy McCombie continued at halfback in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Jimmy McCombie scoring in the 63rd minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half twelve metres from the try line Jimmy McCombie continued to run to his left threatening to pass to his left the entire time but at the last possible moment Jimmy McCombie cut back inside off his left foot and after ducking under one attempted tackle Jimmy McCombie got the ball down mid-way between the uprights and corner post on the left side of the field.

Jimmy McCombie also kicked two conversions with the first coming in the 48th minute to convert Ayden Byrnes’s try from three metres to the left of the goal posts. Jimmy McCombie then kicked his second conversion from eight metres in from the right touchline in the 57th minute.

Jimmy McCombie also made a line break in the 68th minute when after Robert Smith had torn open the Northern Tigers defensive line from a kick-off return he passed to his left to Jimmy McCombie who made a line break down the left channel from thirty metres from his own try line to five metres into Tigers territory but unfortunately Jimmy McCombie’s off-load to his left was knocked down by a Tigers defender.

Jimmy McCombie also forced a Tigers goal line drop-out in the 66th minute with a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal from sixteen metres out and to the left of the play the ball with the Tigers fullback forced to ground the ball in-goal.

Jimmy McCombie had an instant impact on the match when along with Elliott Farrell, Jimmy McCombie hit the Northern Tigers player returning the Titans kick-off, held him off the ground and then forced him over the touchline twenty one metres from the try line to put Northern Rivers immediately onto the attack.

Jimmy McCombie ran the ball himself in the 22nd minute to the left of a Titans scrum win with Jimmy McCombie continuing to run to his left to get the ball from thirty metres from the try line to nineteen metres out before getting an off-load away to his left.

Then in the 46th minute Jimmy McCombie diffused a Tigers attacking grubber kick by diving on the ball just out from his own try line just to the left of the goal posts but Jimmy McCombie was not done, he jumped to his feet to run to his right and three left foot steps later Jimmy McCombie had gotten the ball out to the twenty three metre mark.

Jimmy McCombie put in a driving right foot kick from seven metres inside his own territory in the 59th minute with Jimmy McCombie the first Titans player downfield to smash the Northern Tigers left and force a knock on thirty metres from the try line.

Jimmy McCombie produced a smart “heads up” effort in the 40th minute when after Northern Rivers were awarded a penalty deep inside their own territory, Jimmy McCombie took a quick tap and ran directly at the back peddling Tigers defenders with the Tigers No. 8 unable to help himself by tackling Jimmy McCombie without completely retiring the required ten metres to earn himself ten minutes in the sin bin.

Jimmy McCombie also started at halfback in the Round Five local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs with Jimmy McCombie scoring in the 56th minute with Jimmy McCombie backing up a lien break by Robert Smith from inside Northern Rivers territory with received the ball from a great right arm flick off-load from Robert Smith and as a result Jimmy McCombie had a fort metre run to score under the posts untouched.

Jimmy McCombie also recorded the first of his two line break assists in the 10th minute when from the left of the play the ball and deep inside his own territory Jimmy McCombie threw a cut-out pass to his left to Elliott Farrell who was able to make a twenty metre line break down the left touchline. Jimmy McCombie paid for taking the ball deep into the defensive line before throwing the pass with Jimmy McCombie hit from behind after releasing the ball.

Jimmy McCombie added his second line break assist in the 65th minute when from the right of the play the ball and around twenty three metres from the try line Jimmy McCombie ran the ball to the defensive line before throwing an inside pass to fullback Kai Saric who was able to get within five metres of the try line as a result of Jimmy McCombie’s deceptive inside pass.

Jimmy McCombie continued at halfback in the rescheduled Round Three match against the St George Dragons

In early March 2024 Jimmy McCombie was named at halfback in the Lismore Diocese Open School Boy Rugby league Representative side out of St Johns College Woodlawn. Jimmy McCombie was then named at halfback for the Northern Country U18 side for the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) U18 School Boy Rugby League trials.

Jimmy McCombie made his NRRRL First Grade debut at five eight for the Byron Bay Devils in the 2024 rescheduled Round Five match against the Ballina Seagulls and in the 43rd minute from the left of the play the ball Jimmy McCombie from ten metres out put in a right foot stab grubber kick which was initially mis-handled by the Ballina fullback but he was able to ground the ball in the in-goal area to require a Seagulls goal line drop-out.

In the 51st minute Jimmy McCombie came close to setting up a try for the Devils with a great twenty five metre cut-out pass to his left but his left centre and left winger had a mix-up with the try line wide open.

From the right of the play the ball in the 60th minute and eighteen metres from his try line Jimmy McCombie stepped off his right foot and as a result made ten metres before Jimmy McCombie was hit high and received a penalty.

Jimmy McCombie highlighted his defensive attributes in the 68th minute when whilst defending at marker Jimmy McCombie got under the ribs of the Seagulls hooker who ran out of dummy half with Jimmy McCombie driving him back and dumping him onto his back in front of the posts six metres out from the try line.

Twice in the final five minutes of the match Jimmy McCombie put up high right foot bombs from near the halfway and on both occasions the Ballina left winger was not able to take the ball cleanly to give the Devils another set of six tackles deep on the attack.

After Round One of the 2024 NRRRL U18 competition was rained up Jimmy McCombie started at halfback for the Byron Bay Devils against the Murwillumbah Mustangs.

After receiving the ball to the left of a Byron Bay centre field scrum thirty metres from the try line Jimmy McCombie continued to run the ball to his left and after dummying twice to inside runners Jimmy McCombie ran between two defenders to within six metres of the try line before off-loading the ball to his left to his winger.

After receiving an off-load in the 24th minute from his right eight metres inside his own territory Jimmy McCombie went on a stepping run to get the ball nine metres inside Murwillumbah territory. Unfortunately, Jimmy McCombie was injured when tackled and did not take any further part in the Byron Bay victory.

Jimmy McCombie then started at five eight in Round Three against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Jimmy McCombie running out of dummy half to his left down a very very short blindside to get the ball from thirty three metres from his own try line to within six metres of the halfway mark.

Jimmy McCombie also recorded a try assist in the 8th minute when to the left of a Byron Bay scrum win six metres inside their own territory, Jimmy McCombie from a set play put in a right foot chip kick which was collected by Elliott Farrell who raced away to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Jimmy McCombie continued at five eight in Round Four against Northern United with Jimmy McCombie recording a try assist in the 12th minute with a right foot grubber into the in-goal area from eight metres out and to the left of the play the ball to be grounded by his left winger in the corner.

Jimmy McCombie then recorded a second try assist in the 33rd minute with a short pass to his left down a short left blindside to put his left winger over to score in the left corner.

Jimmy McCombie also made a line break in the 51st minute when after backing up Jimmy McCombie received the ball from his right ten metres inside his own territory and made a thirty metre line break down the left touchline.

Jimmy McCombie did well in the 17th minute to chase down a line break down the left touchline by the Northern United fullback with the pressure applied by Jimmy McCombie forcing the fullback to kick the ball forward before Jimmy McCombie put him over the left touchline.

Jimmy McCombie also started at five eight in Round Six against the Mullumbimby Giants with Jimmy McCombie recording a try assist in the 26th minute with a right foot bomb from the right of the ball and thirty five metres from the try line and after the ball was lost by the Mullumbimby fullback a Byron Bay player was on hand to collect the ball and score next to the left goal post.

Jimmy McCombie did well in the 14th minute to get in the way of Mullumbimby attacking raid to take an intercept forty metres from the try line and after getting het ball back to within four metres of the halfway mark Jimmy McCombie was able to get an off-load away. After backing up a Banjora Porch run Jimmy McCombie received the ball from his left forty five metres from the try line and darted downfield before being brought to ground thirty three metres out. Then in the 47th minute a stepping Jimmy McCombie run saw the ball moved from forty six metres to thirty one metres from the try line.

Jimmy McCombie then came off the bench in Round Nine against the Casino Cougars and after coming onto the field late in the first half to player in the halves (played in the dummy half role in the second half) with Jimmy McCombie scoring in the 50th minute when with the play the ball in the centre of the field and twenty five metres from the try line Jimmy McCombie ran out of dummy half to his right before stepping off his right foot to target the soft spot behind the markers with Jimmy McCombie stepping off his right foot a second time to wrong foot a defender with Jimmy McCombie then dummying to his left to beat another and dart over the try line to get the ball down six metres to the left of the goal posts.

The 30th minute saw Jimmy McCombie make a strong run from a Byron Bay penalty restart to carry the ball from forty seven to twenty three metres from the try line.

Jimmy McCombie started at five eight (spent time at fullback late in the second half) in Round Ten against Lismore Marist with Jimmy McCombie recording a try assist in the 42nd minute with a chip kick to the left wing from ten metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball with the Devils left winger taking the chip on the full in the in-goal to get the ball down in the left corner.

In the 4th minute a stepping Jimmy McCombie run from twelve metres out saw him tackled less than a metre from the try line eleven metres in from the right corner post and then in the 22nd minute saw Jimmy McCombie make a half break with a left foot step after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half from ten metres inside his half with Jimmy McCombie breaking two tackles to get the ball eight metres into Lismore’s half before off-loading the ball to his right. Then a minute later in the 23rd minute after dummying to his left Jimmy McCombie ran the ball from forty five to thirty four metres from the try line.

In the 48th minute after tracking back to collect a poor Byron Bay pass thirty metres from the try line Jimmy McCombie ran to his right to get back to within ten metres of the try line in front of the posts.

Jimmy McCombie also did well to chase the Byron Bay kick-off to get the second half underway and retrieve the ball with it bounced backwards thirty five metres from the try line.

Jimmy McCombie moved to hooker in Round Eleven against the Kyogle Turkeys and in the 9th minute Jimmy McCombie ran out of dummy half to his left when forty metres from his try line Jimmy McCombie dummied to his left and simultaneously stepped off his left foot and as a result beat two defenders as he ran the ball eight metres into Kyogle territory.

The 15th minute saw Jimmy McCombie run to his right out of dummy half and after stepping off his right foot twice to beat two defenders, a Jimmy McCombie hit and spin beat a third as Jimmy McCombie ran from thirty seven to twenty metres from the try line. Jimmy McCombie continued to run out of dummy half in the 40th minute to his left to get from the halfway to thirty seven metres from the try line.

Jimmy McCombie was back at halfback in Round Twelve against the Cudgen Hornets with Jimmy McCombie scoring in the 35th minute when from the left of the play the ball two metres inside his half Jimmy McCombie shaped to kick downfield before running the ball down a left blindside to thirty nine metres from the try line to draw the Cudgen right winger and pass to his left. Jimmy McCombie then continued to back up on the inside and when nine metres from the try line received a pass back from his left winger (No. 19) to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

In the 19th minute from twenty five metres from the try line Jimmy McCombie dummied to his left then right after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half and broke a tackle to run to within ten metres of the try line.

Jimmy McCombie made an immediate impact on the match when his opening right foot kick-off to his left bounced over the dead ball line to force a Hornets goal line drop-out. Jimmy McCombie then in the 50th minute from ten metres from the try line and in front of the posts put in a right foot chip kick towards the left corner which was taken dead by Cudgen to force a second goal line drop-out.

Jimmy McCombie continued at halfback in Round Thirteen against the Bilambil Jets with Jimmy McCombie recording a try assist in the 4th minute with a high bomb towards the left wing from twelve metres out and to the left of the play the ball with the Devils left winger taking the kick on the full to score in the left corner.

Jimmy McCombie then started at five eight in the rescheduled Round Five match against the Ballina Seagulls.

Jimmy McCombie, even though he was wearing the No. 14 jersey started at five eight in Round Sixteen against the Cudgen Hornets with Jimmy McCombie scoring in the 45th minute when after receiving an off-load from his team mate nine metres from the try line with Jimmy McCombie running to his right and stepping off both his right and left foot to dive over to score three metres to the left of the posts.

Jimmy McCombie also recorded a try assist in the 11th minute when from the right of a Devils scrum win Jimmy McCombie pushed away from one defender fourteen metres from the try line and running to within ten metres of the try line before throwing a cut-out pass to his right to put his winger over to score in the right corner.

In the 9th minute from the right of the play the ball Jimmy McCombie stepped off his right foot on three occasions to beat three defenders as he moved the ball from forty five to twenty metres from the try line. Then in the 16th minute after taking a Hornets kick on the full twenty six metres out and in from of his posts Jimmy McCombie was able to return the ball to the halfway. Also in the 17th minute from the right of the play the ball Jimmy McCombie stepped his way to within a metre of the try line in front.

Jimmy McCombie started at five eight for the Byron Bay Devils in the 11th minute of the Week Two NRRRL U18 Major Semi-final against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Jimmy McCombie recording a try assist in the 49th minute with a smart right foot chip kick to the left corner from ten metres out and to the left of the dummy half with Elliott Farrell out jumping his Tweed Coast opponent to take Jimmy McCombie’s kick on the full to score in the left corner.

In the 40th minute Jimmy McCombie was able to force a Tweed Coast goal line drop-out when from two passes to the right of the play the ball in the centre of the field Jimmy McCombie ran the ball to within ten metres of the try line and put in a right foot grubber kick between the posts with the ball taken dead by the Raiders to require the goal line drop-out.

Jimmy McCombie started at five eight for the Byron Bay Devils in the 2024 NRRRL U18 Grand Final for the Byron Bay Devils against the Bilambil Jets with Jimmy McCombie scoring in the 10th minute when after taking possession of the ball twelve metres from the try line and two passes to the left of the play the ball Jimmy McCombie and ran at the defensive line with the ball in front of his body in both hands before diving over to score ten metres to the right of the goal posts.

Jimmy McCombie came close to setting up a try for Elliott Farrell inside the opening minute of the Grand Final when from twelve metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Jimmy McCombie put up a high right foot chip kick towards the left corner with Elliott Farrell taking possession of the ball a metre from the try line before grubbering into the in-goal to force an early Bilambil goal line drop-out.

Jimmy McCombie came close to also setting up another try for Elliott Farrell in the 52nd minute from a set move. From the left of a Byron Bay scrum win twenty metres from the try line Elliott Farrell immediately kicked downfield towards the left touchline with Elliott Farrell initially winning the race to the ball, toeing it forward into the in-goal but the Jets fullback was able to race back, take possession of the ball but with Elliott Farrell in close proximity had to run the ball over the dead ball line.

In the 18th minute after collecting the ball from a Byron Bay knock back thirty five metres from the try line Jimmy McCombie broke two tackles by way of a right foot step as he got the ball back to the twenty metre mark before off-loading to his left to Elliott Farrell.

2024 also saw Jimmy McCombie return to St John’s College Woodlawn with Jimmy McCombie lining up for Woodlawn in the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges (CCC) Plate competition with St John’s College Woodlawn defeating Sydney’s Marcellin College Randwick in the Final with Jimmy McCombie named Player of the Competition.

In January 2023 Jimmy McCombie started from the bench for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Jimmy McCombie coming onto the field to operate at halfback late in the second half.

Jimmy McCombie also started from the bench a week later for the Titans U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s U17’s on the Gold Coast.

Jimmy McCombie also lined up in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Jimmy McCombie started at halfback 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 Jimmy McCombie recording three try assists in a solid 28 – 16 Titans victory.

Jimmy McCombie recorded his initial try assist in the 24th minute when after receiving the ball wide on the left, Jimmy McCombie ran at the defensive line and held up the ball to the last possible moment before throwing a perfectly weighted pass to his left to put Titans left centre Beau Hartmann into space and subsequently score in the left corner from twenty six metres out.

Jimmy McCombie recorded his second try assist in the 27th minute when from the left of the play the ball and nine metres from the try line Jimmy McCombie put through a left foot grubber back to his left and after the ball ricocheted around with Kalani Patu picking the ball up and crashing over to score four metres to the right of the goal posts.

Jimmy McCombie recorded his third hat trick in the 33rd minute with a good inside pass from twelve metres out and to the left of the dummy half to Donte Tahuhu-Wilson who darted over to score eight metres to the left of the goal posts.

In late September 2023 Jimmy McCombie was part of the Titans U16 side in their Anthony Laffranchi Cup victory against the Balmain Tigers in Northern New South Wales.

In late September 2023 Jimmy McCombie was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup squad with Jimmy McCombie also U18 eligible in 2025.

In October 2022 Jimmy McCombie was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad with Jimmy McCombie starting at halfback in the Northern Rivers Titans opening 2023 trial against the Northern Coast Bulldogs in Coffs Harbour.

Round One of the 2023 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Jimmy McCombie named at halfback for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights with Jimmy McCombie kicking well at the end of the opening set of six tackles of the match when to the left of the dummy half Jimmy McCombie drove his right foot kick hard and low deep into Newcastle territory with the Knights fullback tackled inside his own ten metre area.

Jimmy McCombie put in another outstanding long tactical kick in the 18th minute when from on the halfway mark Jimmy McCombie once again drove his kick into the left corner with all that the Knights fullback could do was collect the ball near the corner and dive infield and submit to the tackle just out from his own try line.

Jimmy McCombie showcased his passing game in the 33rd minute when to the left of the play the ball and just inside Newcastle territory Jimmy McCombie threw a good ball to his left to a charging Jed Mulcahy who made twenty metres, the majority of which were post contact metres.

Unfortunately Jimmy McCombie had to leave the field through injury early in the second half but thankfully Jimmy McCombie was able to return to the field and play the final ten minutes of the match.

Jimmy McCombie was also named to start at halfback in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Jimmy McCombie making a stepping run of ten metres in the 24th minute after taking possession to the left of the play the ball near the halfway mark.

Jimmy McCombie almost recorded a try assist in the 30th minute when from six metres out and to the left of the play the ball Jimmy McCombie threw a great cut-out pass to his left to his winger who was brought down just centremetres short of the try line.

Jimmy McCombie was also named at halfback for Round Three against the South Coast Dragons with Jimmy McCombie scoring in the 53rd minute when he chased through a Riley Loughland grubber kick into the in-goal to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Jimmy McCombie was in fact the reason that the Northern Rivers Titans had that field position as from the kick-off to a minutes earlier Dragons try Jimmy McCombie put in a hard low deliberate kick-off to find touch thirty metres out to his right. Jimmy McCombie scored from the subsequent set of six tackles.

Whilst Jimmy McCombie started the match at halfback he played the second half at fullback.

Jimmy McCombie continued as captain and halfback in Round Four against the Northern Tigers with Jimmy McCombie recording two try assists in a big Northern Rivers Titans victory.

Jimmy McCombie’s initial try assist came in just the 2nd minute when from eight metres out from the try line and just to the left of the uprights Jimmy McCombie threw a great long cut-out pass to his left to put Owen Woods over to score in the left corner.

Jimmy McCombie added his second try assist in the 48th minute when he ran the ball to the left of the play the ball and when he was thirty five metres out from the try line Jimmy McCombie drew a defender out of the defensive line and threw a great short ball to his left to Jed Mulcahy who burst through a gap, beat the fullback to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Jimmy McCombie made a good run in the 34th minute when from twenty two metres out and to the right of the play the ball Jimmy McCombie dummied and stepped his way to six metres out in the centre of the field.

Jimmy McCombie highlighted the efficiency of his kicking game in the opening minute of the match when from five metres inside his own territory Jimmy McCombie put in a searching right foot kick into the right corner with the kick too good for the Tigers fullback who knocked the ball on with the Titans scoring from the subsequent set of six tackles.

Jimmy McCombie made a strong tackle in conjunction with Beau Hartmann in the 33rd minute on the Tigers right centre (No. 4), driving him backwards three metres.

Jimmy McCombie also started at halfback in Round Five against the North Coast Bulldogs with Jimmy McCombie making a strong tackle on the North Coast No. 11 in the 39th minute forty metres out from the try line. Jimmy McCombie made another good tackle in the 47th minute on his stepping opposite thirty metres out from the try line.

Jimmy McCombie then made one of the tackles of the match with a try saving effort in the 53rd minute on the North Coast left centre just two metres from the try line after he had burst through the initial defensive line.

At the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans Awards presentation Jimmy McCombie received the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup Players Player Award.

Even though he was still U16 eligible in 2023 Jimmy McCombie was named to make his NRRRL U18 debut in Round Four for the Byron Bay Devils when Jimmy McCombie started at halfback against the Cudgen Hornets with Jimmy McCombie recording two try assists in a ten point Devils victory.

Jimmy McCombie recorded his first try assist in the 37th minute with a good short ball to his left from twelve metres out from the try line to put his left second rower over to score.

Jimmy McCombie added a second try assist four minutes later in the 41st minute when to the left of the play the ball Jimmy McCombie took the ball deep into the defensive line and then at the last moment when he was around ten metres out Jimmy McCombie put in a left foot grubber kick into the in-goal with his outside support winning the race to dive onto the ball in the in-goal mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Jimmy McCombie also recorded a line break in the 28th minute with a run to the left of the play the ball from forty metres out from his own try line Jimmy McCombie initially shaped to pass but instead Jimmy McCombie ran the ball himself and beat three defenders when he was six metres inside Hornets territory and even after that Jimmy McCombie cut back towards the centre of the field to make a further ten metres.

Jimmy McCombie also recorded a line break assist in the 17th minute when from the left of the play the ball thirty eight metres out from the try line Jimmy McCombie took the ball right to the defensive line and at the last moment threw a smart inside short ball to his right to put his left second rower through a gap.

Earlier in the 13th minute Jimmy McCombie jumped high to take a Hornets bomb to the Devils left on the full twelve metres out from the try lien under pressure. Then in the 36th minute from the left of the play the ball and four metres from the try line Jimmy McCombie put in a grubber kick which was blocked by Cudgen with Byron Bay getting the ball back with another attacking set of six tackles with Jimmy McCombie setting up a try in that same set of tackles.

Round Seven against the Lower Clarence Magpies saw Jimmy McCombie don the No. 12 jersey for the Devils with Jimmy McCombie all over the field in a good Devils victory including a line break in just the 3rd minute of the match when from six metres inside his own territory Jimmy McCombie took possession of the ball to the right of a Byron Bay penalty tap restart with Jimmy McCombie executing a stutter step near the halfway mark to break through the Lower Clarence defensive line with Jimmy McCombie stepping off his right foot to beat the fullback and then getting to within twenty metres of the try line before getting a right arm of-load away to his left.

Jimmy McCombie made a second line break in the 52nd minute when from twenty metres from his own try line and after receiving an off-load from his right, Jimmy McCombie ran to his left and after using his speed to get between two defenders, Jimmy McCombie ran to ten metres inside Lower Clarence territory before getting an off-load back inside to prevent Jimmy McCombie from being dragged over the left touchline.

The 17th minute saw Jimmy McCombie make a further good run from another Byron Bay penalty tap restart with Jimmy McCombie carrying the ball from eight metres inside Lower Clarence territory to within twenty three metres of the try line.

Jimmy McCombie continued at halfback in Round Nine against the Mullumbimby Giants with Jimmy McCombie scoring in the 36th minute with Jimmy McCombie starting and finishing the try scoring movement. Jimmy McCombie received the ball to the left of the play the ball four metres inside his own territory and after running the ball to five metres inside Mullumbimby territory threw a good inside pass to his hooker who burst through the defence and after drawing the fullback he got the ball away to his left back to Jimmy McCombie had continued to back the play up with Jimmy McCombie then running twenty five metres to score under the posts untouched.

Jimmy McCombie also recorded a try assist in the 11th minute when from twenty metres out and to the right of the play the ball but on the left side of the field, Jimmy McCombie put in a hard right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the ball sitting up perfectly for his left centre to take possession and score five metres to the right of the uprights.

Jimmy McCombie then recorded a line break assist in the 59th minute from thirty five metres out form his own try line and to the left of the play the ball and after dummying to an inside runner Jimmy McCombie drew in the Giants right winger and got the ball away to his right centre who broke away down the touchline.

Jimmy McCombie also made a good run in the 34th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball around twenty three metres from his own try line, Jimmy McCombie shoved off one defender and then after cutting back towards the centre of the field, Jimmy McCombie was able to carry the ball to within nine metres of the halfway mark.

Jimmy McCombie also started at halfback in Round Ten against the Kyogle Turkeys and in the 25th minute from the left of the play the ball five metres out Jimmy McCombie put in a right foot grubber kick to his right with the ball being knocked on by Kyogle a metre from the try line five metres from the uprights.

Jimmy McCombie then started at five eight in Round Eleven against the Casino Cougars with Jimmy McCombie kicking a conversion in the 5th minute from ten metres in from the left touchline.

Jimmy McCombie also started at halfback in Round Twelve against the Ballina Seagulls with Jimmy McCombie making a line break in the 53rd minute when after receiving a pass from the dummy half from his left Jimmy McCombie, after continuing to run to his right, showed the ball to his right bore straightening up off a right foot step to make a line break between two defenders on the halfway mark with Jimmy McCombie then stepping off his right foot to look to beat the fullback before being brought to ground thirteen metres out from the try line.

Jimmy McCombie had an impact on the match inside the opening minute when from the Devils kick on the final tackle of the opening set of six of the match, Jimmy McCombie was the first Byron Bay player downfield and was able to affect a one on one strip of the ball from the Seagulls left winger thirty five metres from the try line.

The 7th minute saw Jimmy McCombie put up a mid-field bomb from ten metres inside his own territory with the swirling bomb too good for the Ballina defenders who could not get to the ball on the full with Byron Bay able to retake possession from the kick.

Jimmy McCombie did well defensively in the 27th minute to make a cover defending tackle after a Ballina line break with Jimmy McCombie bringing down his opponent from behind ten metres from the try line with Jimmy McCombie’s tackle also forcing a Ballina knock on.

Jimmy McCombie had run the ball well earlier in the match in the 27th minute from the left of the play the ball with Jimmy McCombie able to get the ball from his own thirty nine metre mark to three metres into Ballina territory after initially threatening to pass the ball to his left.

Jimmy McCombie continued at halfback in Round Fourteen against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Jimmy McCombie recording a line break assist in the 58th minute when after taking possession of the ball thirty nine metres out from his own try line and to the right of the play the ball, Jimmy McCombie continued to run the ball to his right and when he had gotten two metres inside Seagulls territory Jimmy McCombie got a pass away to his right to put his winger on a long run down the right touchline.

Earlier in the 9th minute after taking possession of the ball from an off-load from one of his forwards forty two metres from the try line, Jimmy McCombie immediately ran to his left and ran to within eight metres of the try line and ten metres in from the right touchline.

Jimmy McCombie did well defensively in the 12th minute when after the Tweed Heads hooker ran to his right out of dummy half in the last tackle, Jimmy McCombie hit the hooker just as he was able to kick the ball to force a change over just inside his own territory. Then in the 40th minute Jimmy McCombie executed a bit hit on the Seagulls No. 8 and then again in the 44th minute Jimmy McCombie affected a good tackle on the Tweed Heads fullback five metres out from the try line.

Jimmy McCombie then started from the bench in the Week One Elimination Final against Northern United with Jimmy McCombie coming onto the field in the 15th minute and in the 19th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half Jimmy McCombie was able to get the ball from five metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Northern United territory.

Jimmy McCombie scored in the 47th minute when after taking possession of the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball and sixteen metres from the try line and just to the left of the goal posts, Jimmy McCombie threatened to pass to his left before steeping inside off his left foot before straightening off his run by way of a right foot step with Jimmy McCombie breaking two tackles to score under the posts.

Jimmy McCombie continued from the bench in the Week Two Elimination Final against the Bilambil Jets with Jimmy McCombie coming onto the field to operate in the halves in the 21st minute and in the 48th minute Jimmy McCombie made a strong front on driving tackle on one of the Bilambil replacement front rowers twenty two metres out from the try line in the centre of the field with Jimmy McCombie dumping his opponent on his back.

In early March 2023 Jimmy McCombie was named at halfback in the Lismore Diocesan Open School Boy Rugby League Representative Team to attend the Northern Country selection trials at South West Rocks out of St Johns College Woodlawn.

2023 also saw Jimmy McCombie continue to play for Byron Bay Lennox Head in the Group 18 U16 competition with Jimmy McCombie starting at halfback in the Grand Final victory against the Murwillumbah Colts.

In 2022 Jimmy McCombie attended ST John’s College Woodlawn and after starting at halfback for the Lismore/Armidale representative squad at the U15 Northern Country trials at Tamworth, following Lismore Diocesan selection trials at Xavier College, Ballina, Jimmie McCombie was named in the 2022 U15 Northern College Combined Catholic College School Boy Rugby League Representative squad for the New South Wales U15 School Boy Championships.

2022 also saw Jimmy McCombie play for Byron Bay/Lennox Head in the Group 18 U15 competition including starting in the No. 14 jersey in the Grand Final against the Murwillumbah Colts.

In late September 2022 Jimmy McCombie was named in the New South Wales Country U15 CCC Rugby touring squad.

The outstanding young half prospect certainly had a 2021 season to remember in both rugby and rugby league.

Early in 2021 Jimmy McCombie captained from inside centre (No. 12) the Far North Coast U14 Representative Rugby side that played in the King of Country Rugby Tournament that was held on the Gold Coast with Jimmy McCombie scoring a double on Day Two in a 24 – 12 victory over the Maroochydore Swans. Jimmy McCombie then was very unlucky not to be named in the King of Country All-Tournament Team as a result of his outstanding performances over the three days of the Tournament.

In addition in 2021 Jimmy McCombie at just 14 years old was named in the New South Wales Combined Catholic Colleges (NSWCCC) U15 school boy rugby league representative side. Jimmy McCombie started his 2021 Combined Catholic College selection journey as part of the Lismore Diocese U15 school boy representative side and then Jimmy McCombie represented the Combined Colleges Northern Region side at the New South Wales State Trials, excelling at all levels of the NSWCCC selection process, a great achievement for a young man a year younger than 99% of the other trialists.

Also in 2021 the Byron Bay/Lennox Head Devils junior was selected in the New South Wales Country U14 Representative Rugby Side after dominating the trials whilst representing the North Coast U14 Representative Rugby Team.

From a club rugby perspective in 2021 Jimmy McCombie played a couple of matches for the Lennox Head Trojans in the Far North Coast U14 Rugby Competition including scoring a double from the outside centre position (No. 13) in Round Ten against Wollongbar Alstonville.

From a club rugby league perspective, in 2021 Jimmy McCombie played in the Group 18 U14 competition for Byron Bay/Lennox Heads.

Jimmy McCombie’s first taste of representative honours came in 2019 when he was selected in the North Coast Primary School Rugby League Representative Side.

Jimmy McCombie’s calling card from an attacking perspective is his passing and game management abilities. In terms of his running game, he is not going to be known as someone that is going to beat a defender with speed, but Jimmy McCombie does very good foot work that he uses to good effect in tight spaces.

Jimmy McCombie has a very good step off both feet and can put together combinations of steps over a short distance to break free of situations where he is seemingly surrounded by defenders. Also maybe it’s only me, but Jimmy McCombie seemed to rarely take a big hit when running through the centre of the ruck.

Going back to his speed briefly, as noted Jimmy McCombie is not overly quick, but he does have some reasonable speed off the mark, which is complemented by the fact that he runs at the right moment, for example when he is drifting across field he will dummy and run when defenders anticipate the pass rather than focussing on him running the ball. Jimmy McCombie’s running skills compliment his ability to put runners into holes rather than the other way around.

As you would expect, due to his size and strength, Jimmy McCombie is a very good defender regardless of position. He will not necessarily hit hard but is definitely aggressive and he is very good at mirroring the movement of the opposing centre and wrapping him up ball and all. He is also quick enough to recover and chase if the opposing centre gets on the outside and his long reach is also a positive attribute in those situations.

From a team defensive methodology stand point, Jimmy McCombie seems to be very comfortable in a sliding defensive scheme where he can use his speed and body control to their best advantage in though he can be an intimidating presence when he chooses to come out of the line to interrupt the attacking movement immediately prior to its development.

2025 will see Jimmy McCombie play for the Byron Bay Devils in the NRRRL U18 competition for the third season in a row. Jimmy McCombie will also start the 2025 season off as part of the U18 Laurie Daley Cup Northern Rivers Titans squad for the second season in a row.

Jimmy McCombie will also return to St Johns College Woodlawn in 2025 and of course Jimmy McCombie will be involved in their multiple Northern New South Wales School Boy Rugby League competitions.

Jimmy McCombie started his junior rugby league career in the centres but over the last couple of seasons he has more than stamped himself as a junior rugby league half or five eight with outstanding potential. In saying that it would be interesting to see how Jimmy McCombie would go in the dummy half role.

With his ability to size up what is going on around him and subsequently seemingly always taking the right option whether that is to run, pass or kick, Jimmy McCombie has a playing style similar to Melbourne Storm and New Zealand International halfback and former Titan Jahrome Hughes. Both Hughes and Jimmy McCombie seem to be everywhere on the field in an attacking sense and invariably both are at the centre of all of the good attacking moments of their respective teams. Whilst both Hughes and Jimmy McCombie race around the field and are seemingly everywhere, at the same time it is as if they also have all of the time in the world to make the correct decision in both attack and defence.

 

[mdrew]

Judah Marsden. In late 2024 Judah Marsden was named in the 2025 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 CC Cup squad and Judah Marsden is also CC Cup eligible in 2026.

Round One of the 2024 QSSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Championships saw Judah Marsden start at left centre for South Coast against Met West and in the 31st minute after receiving an off-load wide on the left Judah Marsden cut inside by way of a left foot step to run from twenty one metres to within nine metres of the try line.

From the left of a South Coast scrum win in the 36th minute Judah Marsden broke two tackles as he cut back to his right to get the ball from twenty eight metres to forty metres from the try line. Then in the 49th minute Judah Marsden stepped off his right foot after carrying the ball from the right of the dummy half and from thirty metres to fourteen metres from the try line.

Judah Marsden then moved to lock on Day Two against Darling Downs with Judah Marsden scoring in the 19th minute by way of a six metre run off a Cornelius Kelsall pass from his right to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

In the 21st minute after taking possession of the ball wide on the left Judah Marsden broke two tackles as he was able to get the ball from forty eight metres to within thirty two metres of the try line. Also in the 32nd minute from the left of the play the ball and ten metres from his try line Judah Marsden was able to make twelve metres after cutting to his right to target the area directly behind the Darling Downs markers.

Judah Marsden then started at left centre on Day Three against the Sunshine Coast and in the 6th minute after the Sunshine Coast fullback dropped a South Coast bomb Judah Marsden, after picking up the ball broke three tackles as he ran the ball from twenty two metres to ten metres of the try line.

The 8th minute saw Judah Marsden run the ball from a South Coast penalty restart run the ball from six metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Sunshine Coas territory. Then in the `15th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Judah Marsden was able to run the ball from sixteen metres and get within two metres of the try line. Also from the left of the play the ball in the 22nd minute Judah Marsden carried the ball from fifteen metres to twenty five metres out.

From a South Coast penalty restart in the 22nd minute Judah Marsden produced an outstanding run that saw him propel the ball from the halfway mark to thirty metres out and from another South Coast penalty restart in the 42nd minute Judah Marsden produced an equally impressive effort to run the ball from forty six metres to thirty two metres from the try line.

The 46th minute saw Judah Marsden run the ball to the left of the dummy half from twenty two metres to ten metres from the try line, then in the 48th minute also from the left of the dummy half and seventeen metres from his try line Judah Marsden got the ball to thirty metres out.

Judah Marsden continued at left centre on Day Four against Met East with Judah Marsden making a line break in the 35th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the play the ball thirty seven metres from the try line Judah Marsden broke two tackles as he surged down the left channel to get within fifteen metres of the try line.

Earlier in the 18th minute Judah Marsden ran the ball down the left channel from forty metres to twenty five metres from the try line. Then in the 23rd minute from the left of the dummy half Judah Marsden was able to run the ball from thirty metres to forty two metres from the try line.

Then the 32nd minute saw Judah Marsden run the ball down a short left blindside from thirty five metres from his try line to within three metres of the halfway mark. Also the 37th minute saw Judah Marsden run the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the dummy half from thirty three metres to forty six metres from his try line.

2024 saw Judah Marsden returned to TSS with Judah Marsden starting at inside centre (No. 12) in the TSS U15A’s second GPS rugby trial against Ipswich Grammar School with Judah Marsden continuing at inside centre 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 U15A competition saw Judah Marsden start at inside centre for TSS against St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace with Judah Marsden also starting at inside centre in Round Two away to St Joseph’s Nudgee College. Judah Marsden then moved to fullback for Round Three against Toowoomba Grammar School before moving to inside centre for Round Four against Brisbane Boys College.

In Round Five at home against Brisbane State High School Judah Marsden started at outside centre (No. 13) with Judah Marsden moving to inside centre (No. 12) in Round Six away to Ipswich Grammar School as well as in TSS’s bye week in a match against Downlands College.

Judah Marsden continued at inside centre (No. 12) in Round Eight at home against Anglican Church Grammar School as well as the final round being Round Nine against Brisbane Grammar School.

In September 2023 Judah Marsden 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.

Judah Marsden started the trial at left second row for Titans Blue with Judah Marsden recording a try assist in the 4th minute when after receiving the ball down a short left blindside Judah Marsden was able to draw two defenders to him before getting a good short ball away to his left four metres from the try line to put Leo Briggs over to score wide out on the left.

Judah Marsden recorded a line break in the 26th minute when Judah Marsden burst between two defenders off a Darnell Stagg short ball from his right to charge from thirty six metres from the try line to within twelve metres.

In just the 3rd minute of the trial Judah Marsden ran onto the ball to the left of the dummy half and as a result got to within eight metres of the try line before being tackled after taking possession twenty two metres out.

Then in the 34th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Judah Marsden broke two tackles as he was able to carry the ball from twenty seven metres from the try line to with twelve metres.

Impressively even though he is still U14 eligible in 2023 Judah Marsden was named in the South Coast U15 QSSRL School Boy Rugby League Representative Team with Judah Marsden starting at left centre on Day One against Sunshine Coast.

Judah Marsden also started at left centre on Day Two against Northern with Judah Marsden making a good run in the 2nd minute when from the left of the play the ball and twenty five metres from the try line, Judah Marsden broke three tackles as Judah Marsden got within ten metres of the try line.

2023 saw Judah Marsden move to The Southport School (TSS) with Judah Marsden starting at outside centre (No. 13) in Round Five against Brisbane Boys College (BBC) and in Round Six against Anglican Church grammar School. Judah Marsden then moved to fly half (No. 10) for Round Seven against Toowoomba Grammar School.

With TSS having a Round Eight bye, Judah Marsden was named at inside centre (No. 12) for the TSS U14A side in a trial against Downlands College. Judah Marsden was then named at outside centre in the final round being Round Nine against St Joseph’s College Nudgee.

2023 also saw Judah Marsden selected in the Queensland Samoa U14 representative side for the 2023 annual QPICC Cultural Carnival with Judah Marsden named in the centres in Round One against PEGA U14 Invitational with Judah Marsden Kelsall scoring in a solid Qld Samoa 26 – 6 first up victory.

Judah Marsden also started in the centres in Round Two against the Cooks Islands.

Judah Marsden continued in the centres had a big match including scoring a hat trick against Queensland PNG. Judah Marsden also started in the centres in Round Four against Queensland Māori with Judah Marsden scoring twice more.

Judah Marsden also started in the centres in Queensland Samoa’s Semi-Final against Queensland Niue.

The 2023 QPICC U16 Grand Final saw Judah Marsden start in the centres for Queensland Samoa against the Cook Island in a tough 10 – 4 Grand Final loss.

Judah Marsden finished the 2023 QPICC Carnival as the U14 Division’s equal first leading try scorer with six tries and as a result also finished as the Division’s equal second leading points scorer.

In early November 2023 Judah Marsden was named in the 2023 U14 Southside Bangers rugby league squad with Judah Marsden Sando starting at right centre against the U14 Velocity All Stars with Judah Marsden recording a line break assist in the 65th minute when after running the ball from forty metres from his own try line to the halfway mark Judah Marsden got a ball away to his left to put Leo Briggs away down the left touchline.

Earlier in the 32nd minute Judah Marsden from the left of the play the ball stepped off his left foot as he carried the ball to within three metres of the try line after commencing his run sixteen metres out.

The exceptionally talented lock or on occasion front rower plays for the Helensvale Hornets and was one of a number of standouts for the Hornets in the Gold Coast Rugby League U13 Division One competition in 2022.

Judah Marsden has had some truly exceptional matches for the Hornets in 2022 including an outstanding match against the Southport Tigers which saw Judah Marsden score multiple tries as well as record two line breaks.

Judah Marsden scoring his opening try of the match against the Tigers when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball around sixty metres out, Judah Marsden utilising a strong left arm fend to beat one defender before running over the top of two defenders near the halfway mark to charge into open space down the left touchline with Judah Marsden beating the Tigers fullback with another powerful left arm fend to score in the right corner.

Judah Marsden scored his second try when he charged onto the ball from six metres out and to the right of the play the ball with Judah Marsden proving to be just too big and strong for the defence to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Judah Marsden completed his hat trick as a result of another strong run, on this occasion from twenty five metres out and to the left of the play the ball, with Judah Marsden breaking six tackles to score ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Judah Marsden added a fourth try with a twenty metre surge to the try line after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball with Judah Marsden getting the ball down adjacent to the left upright.

Judah Marsden has played exceptionally well in multiple matches this year and below I try to capture some (definitely not all) of his best moments in both the U13 GCRL Grading competition as well as the GCRL U13 Division One competition.

Against the Burleigh Bears, Judah Marsden scored two powerhouse tries as well as a twenty five metre line break when after receiving the ball three passes to the left of a Helensvale scrum win, Judah Marsden utilised a left arm fend to beat defenders.

Judah Marsden scored his opening try from thirty five metres out and three passes to the left of the play the ball with Judah Marsden used three right arm fends to beat defenders as he raced down the right touchline. Judah Marsden was in fact tackled just short of the try line but was able to roll over with momentum to get the ball down in the left corner.

Judah Marsden’s second try was a close range effort when he ran out of dummy half to his left to crash over mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Judah Marsden added three more tries and a try assist against the Ormeau Shearers with his opening try as a result of a thirty metre run on the left side of the field after Judah Marsden had taken possession on the bounce from his inside with Judah Marsden bursting straight through the defensive line with Judah Marsden then able to bring the ball around to under the goal posts.

Judah Marsden second his second try when he ran down a left blindside from ten metres out with Judah Marsden running over the top of two defenders to get the ball down five metres in from the right corner post.

Judah Marsden added a third try with a run from ten metres out from the left of the play the ball with Judah Marsden cutting back to his right after taking possession and broke four tackle in a powerful run to get the ball own under the posts.

Judah Marsden also recorded a try assist when after running the ball down a short left blindside from forty metres out, Judah Marsden drew the Shearers and then passed to his right to put his support runner away to score under the post.

Judah Marsden’ first line break was as a result of a sixty charge through the centre of the field with Judah Marsden breaking five tackles before off-loading to his halfback.

Judah Marsden’s second line break was a sixty five metres charge down the left channel before being tackled twenty metres out from the try line.

Judah Marsden’s strong 2022 season was also evident against the Runaway Bay Seagulls with Judah Marsden adding a double to his already impressive list of 2022 tries with the first of Judah Marsden’s tries coming when Judah Marsden ran onto the ball thirty five metres out and to the left of the play the ball. Judah Marsden stepped off his right foot before shrugging off two defenders with Judah Marsden then executing a right arm fend to beat a fourth defender with Judah Marsden then stepping off his left foot to beat the Seagulls right winger before Judah Marsden pushed off the fullback to score mid-way between the corner post and goal post on the right side of the field.

Judah Marsden’s second try came from a dummy half run to his right with the play the ball five metres out and ten metres in from the left touchline. After running to his right, Judah Marsden stepped off his right foot cutting back to the area behind the play the ball with Judah Marsden beating four defenders in a very short space of time to score five metres in from the left corner post.

The Beaudesert Kingfishers are another team to feel Judah Marsden’s sting with Judah Marsden scoring on four occasions against them with Judah Marsden also adding a line break which came very close to making it five tries in the match.

Judah Marsden’s opening try against Beaudesert was an outstanding solo effort that commenced on the halfway mark with Judah Marsden utilising multiple left arm fends to beat defenders as he surged down the left touchline before Judah Marsden stepped of his left foot to beat the fullback with Judah Marsden then bringing the ball around to score under the posts.

Judah Marsden’s second try was a thirty five metre effort when he ran the ball to the left of the play the ball with Judah Marsden executing a left arm fend to beat the Kingfishers right winger before a second left arm fend beat the fullback with Judah Marsden racing down the left touchline before stepping inside just before the left corner as two defenders came across with Judah Marsden’s step enabling him to get past them to score three metres in from the left corner post.

Judah Marsden added a third try with a twenty two metre run from the right of the play the ball when after Judah Marsden took possession of the ball on the first bounce with Judah Marsden running to his right before shaping to pass in the same direction. Judah Marsden then straightened up on his run to break through four tackles to dive over five metres to the right of the uprights.

Judah Marsden scored his fourth try and what an outstanding try it was. Beaudesert were on the attack and put in a grubber kick which Judah Marsden collected cleanly in from of the posts and two metres out from his own try line. Upon collecting the ball, Judah Marsden ran to his right, bumping off one would be defender before Judah Marsden raced ninety eight metres downfield to score under the posts.

Judah Marsden almost scored a fifty try when from forty two metres out, Judah Marsden utilised a right foot step to beat one defender before veering to his right to beat the fullback only to be caught from behind two metres out in front of the posts.

Late in the 2022 GCRL U13 Division One regular season Judah Marsden had another outstanding match against the Jimboomba Thunder late in the regular season with Judah Marsden scoring four tries and kicking five conversions.

Judah Marsden’s first try against the Thunder came after Judah Marsden ran the ball to the right of the play the ball with Judah Marsden initially shaping to pass to his right from six metres out before taking on the defensive line with Judah Marsden able to reach out to get the ball down in his right hand. Judah Marsden then converted his own try.

Judah Marsden’s second try was a sixty metre effort when Judah Marsden put in a right foot kick downfield with Judah Marsden the first one to the ball with Judah Marsden then kicking the ball off the ground with his right foot before collecting the ball on the bounce just before the try line to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field. Judah Marsden then once again converted his own try.

Judah Marsden then scored his third try when he ran the ball to the left of the play the ball from thirty five metres out with Judah Marsden using a left arm fend to break through the defensive line to score five metres to the left of the uprights and then for the third time in the match, Judah Marsden converted his own try.

Judah Marsden completed his try scoring in the match with a ten metre run to his right out of dummy half to crash over twelve metres in from the right corner post.

Judah Marsden started at lock in the 2022 U13 Division One Week One Final against the Southport Tigers with Judah Marsden scoring twenty four of his team’s points in a 32 – 6 victory.

Judah Marsden scoring his first try early in the first half when Judah Marsden passed the ball to his left out of dummy half with Judah Marsden then then on hand to get the ball back on the bounce with Judah Marsden breaking through the Tigers defensive line before stepping the fullback to score next to the left upright. Judah Marsden then stepped up to convert his own try.

Judah Marsden scoring his second try in the 29th minute when after getting the ball from an off-load twenty six metres out, Judah Marsden ran the ball towards the left corner with Judah Marsden able to cross the try line wide out on the left and then bring the ball around to put it down ten metres to the left of the uprights with Judah Marsden once again converting his own try.

Judah Marsden added a third try in the 34th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball but still to the right of the uprights and thirty eight metres out, Judah Marsden executed two right arm fends to get on the outside of the Southport right sided defensive line with Judah Marsden then scoring in the left corner.

Judah Marsden scored his fourth try in the 48th minute from a Helensvale scrum win thirty metres out. After receiving the ball Judah Marsden ran to his left and then utilising a right foot step to beat one opponent before a right arm fend beat a second with Judah Marsden getting the ball down four metres to the left of the uprights. Judah Marsden then once again stepped up to convert his own try.

Judah Marsden also recorded a try assist in the 45th minute when Judah Marsden identified that the Southport fullback was up in the defensive line with from two metres inside his own territory and to the right of the play the ball, Judah Marsden put in a right foot kick downfield with one of the Hornets chasers the first player downfield to regain possession and dive over to score adjacent to the right upright. Judah Marsden then stepped up to convert the try.

Judah Marsden also made a line break in the 40th minute when from a Helensvale scrum twenty metres out and in the centre of the field, Judah Marsden ran the ball to his right and after breaking three tackles was held just two metres out from the try line in the right corner with the Hornets then scoring in the same corner from Judah Marsden’s quick play the ball.

In September 2022 Judah Marsden was named in the South Queensland Māori U14 Tiena representative squad. September 2022 also saw Judah Marsden named in the Queensland Samoa Southern Sharks representative side. Post the 2022 Queensland Samoa Championships, Judah Marsden was named in the Queensland Samoa U14 representative side to play in the 2022 QPICC Carnival.

Judah Marsden also played rugby and in 2022 Judah Marsden played for his school rugby side, being Kings Christian College at the U13 School Boy Ballymore Cup with Kings Christian College going through the competition undefeated, including winning their Division Grand Final 48 – 0 with Judah Marsden being named the 2022 Ballymore Cup U13 Most Valuable Player of the Tournament.

In 2021 Judah Marsden was named in the 2021 Queensland Har E Wha Maori U12 Rugby League Merit Team.

Judah Marsden is an outstanding athlete and this can be seen when he is running with the football. In his carries Judah Marsden rarely takes a hit up without movement, he uses foot work prior to the line to look to break through as well as cutting either cutting back in behind the play the ball or cutting out towards the smaller defenders on the fringes of the ruck.

Judah Marsden runs ‘fast’ into the defensive and his foot work prior to the line enables him to get partly through the line quite often, certainly more so than you would expect for a backrower taking the ball through the centre of the ruck. One reason for this is that he is a smart footballer, Judah Marsden does not try to run over defenders, but Judah Marsden runs at the gaps between defenders and uses his running speed to break through if defenders only use their arms on the tackle.

Judah Marsden does not necessarily have a great top end speed, but he is certainly more than fast enough to get through to the full back prior to the arrival of the cover defence.

Playing on the left hand side of the field seemingly more often (although he can certainly play on the right), means that his left foot step and his fending using his right hand are the effective attributes, but based on his physical attributes, his skill set and his understanding of how to play the game means that I have no doubt that these attributes are transferrable to playing on the right hand side of the field.

In defence Judah Marsden regularly is the first player up to target the ball carriers, even though he is not always one of the bigger forwards in his team and will make solid initial contact as well as having the ability of defending one on one.

When the opportunity presents Judah Marsden has the ability to hit very hard, by setting a good base and driving through his lower body and core into his opponent. Ultimately though Judah Marsden is a strong defender with a good front on technique and good lateral movement to track and defend against smaller opponents either on the fringes or centre of the ruck.

Judah Marsden is also a solid goal kicker but it is too early to make a concrete determination as to whether Judah Marsden will be a team’s primary goal kicking option, but at the very least Judah Marsden should be a very solid back-up option.

Judah Marsden also has a solid long tactical kicking game and in fact Helensvale scored a number tries off Judah Marsden kicks in 2022 when Judah Marsden identified that the opposition fullback was out of position and kicked downfield accordingly.

Judah Marsden will commence the 2025 season as a member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 CC Cup squad and Judah Marsden is also CC Cup eligible in 2026. Judah Marsden will also return to TSS in 2025 and while Judah Marsden will likely start the season off in the GPS School Boy Rugby U16A competition, do not be surprised to see Judah Marsden on the bench for the TSS First XV early in the season for what would be his First XV debut.

play the 2023 Gold Coast Rugby League season with the Helensvale Hornets in the U14 Division One competition. Judah Marsden will also continue to play school boy rugby with Kings Christian College in 2023 with rugby representative honours once again likely for the outstanding talent.

Judah Marsden plays primarily at lock for the Hornets, no doubt with a roving commission to inject himself where and when he sees an opportunity and I have no doubt that this scenario will continue into the future.

The question is what is Judah Marsden’s best position? For me it really does not matter what the answer to that question is. As long as Judah Marsden gets the ball where and when he wants it, nothing else really matters.

Ultimately I think that Judah Marsden will continue in the centres in the short term but ultimately I believe that lock is where Judah Marsden may well just re-define how the lock forward position is played in rugby league in the years to come.

Regardless of what position Judah Marsden ends up playing, Judah Marsden is some sort of elite talent and very very quickly is right up there in terms of being one of my favourite players in the entire Gold Coast Junior Rugby League competition and for that matter beyond.

If I am looking for a player comparison for Judah Marsden, I will go back a couple of years to Canberra Raiders, New South Wales State of Origin and Australian International lock Bradley Clyde. Clyde redefined the lock position when he played and I have no doubt that Judah Marsden has the potential and temperament to do exactly the same thing in the coming years.

 

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Kingston Mua. The powerhouse centre from the Toowoomba region was a member of the Titans 2024/25 U14 JTS Program.

In 2024 Kingston Mua played for Toowoomba Southern Suburbs in the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League U14 competition with Kingston Mua starting in the centres in Souths 26 – 12 victory over the Dalby Devils. Kingston Mua also impressively played a number of matches for Southern Suburbs in the U15 competition.

Running with the ball, Kingston Mua has good footwork prior to the line and does not often just put his head down and run straight but uses his solid footwork to try to work the gaps between defenders rather than trying to simply run over them.

Kingston Mua has very good speed off the mark but not necessarily great high end speed, but he will work hard and make the most of his ability. The key to his running is his ability to drop his shoulder into the defenders at the right moment, to go along with his late foot work. These attributes make Kingston Mua very difficult to tackle and he can rarely be stopped one on one.

Throw in a decent turn of pace off the mark and you have a player who is difficult for a defensive line to combat. Opponents had all sorts of trouble defending against him and he seemed to break at least one tackle every time he ran the ball in 2024.

Defensively Kingston Mua hits very hard and usually aims for just under the ribcage and is certainly someone opposing forwards look for when running the ball up and is adept at making sure the opposition do not get quick play the balls, read that Kingston Mua is very good at winning the wrestling battle in the ruck, he is a naturally strong young man. Kingston Mua defends on the fringe of the ruck and seems best suited in the long run defending there and adds a degree of intimidation to any forward pack he plays for.

Kingston Mua really does know how to tackle effectively, as he sets a strong base to create the necessary leverage to defend against larger forwards and then explodes through his core. Throw in a touch of aggression and you have someone in Kingston Mua who can dominate a game defensively and is able to seal off one side of the ruck on his own.

2025 will see Kingston Mua play for Southern Suburb in the Toowoomba Junior Rugby League U15 competition.

Kingston Mua is big, strong, powerful young man with outstanding speed and mobility for his size and strength and Kingston Mua also has a mean aggressive streak and Kingston Mua is ideally suited to playing in the centres on a rugby league field both now and well into the future.

The way that Kingston Mua handles himself on the football field reminds me of St Goerge Dragons centre Moses Seuili as a big strong hard as nails centre with a skill set that belies the intimidating presence that he projects on the field both in attack and defence.

 

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Blake Togo-Murphy. Blake Togo-Murphy continued to attend PBC SHS in 2024 and was part of the PBC SHS Titans Cup School Boy Rugby League Open Advanced side starting on the wing in multiple matches.

Round Eight of the 2024 NRRRL U18 competition saw Blake Togo-Murphy start from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Byron Bay Devils with Blake Togo-Murphy coming onto the field to operate at fullback in the 18th minute and in the 20th minute after taking a Byron Bay kick-off on the full thirty metres from his try line and near the left touchline Blake Togo-Murphy executed multiple left foot steps as he ran the ball to the right side of the field to the halfway mark.

From two passes to the left of a Seagulls scrum win in the 49th minute Blake Togo-Murphy, from forty five metres from the try line bumped away from two attempted tackles before running to his right to get the ball to thirty five metres from the try line.

Blake Togo-Murphy moved into the Tweed Heads Seagulls starting line up on the left wing for the rescheduled Round Three match against the Bilambil Jets and in just the 2nd minute from the right of the play the ball Blake Togo-Murphy got the ball from twenty eight to forty metres from his try line. Also in the 15th minute after taking a Bilambil clearing kick on the full twenty metres from his try line and on the left touchline Blake Togo-Murphy carried the ball to his right to the centre of the field and to within three metres of the halfway mark with Blake Togo-Murphy then receiving a penalty for Jets ruck interference.

Blake Togo-Murphy made the tackle (and play) of the match in the 58th minute with a try saving and match saving tackle when after Jets five eight Harry Chadburn made a line break and looked set to score to win the match Blake Togo-Murphy came from the clouds and to catch him from behind and strip the ball four metres from the try line in front of the left goal post.

Blake Togo-Murphy continued on the left wing in Round Ten against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Blake Togo-Murphy scoring in the Blake Togo-Murphy got the ball out to the thirty two metre mark when he grounded a Bobby Smith grubber kick in the in-goal in the left corner.

Blake Togo-Murphy also made a line break in the 19th minute when after receiving a pass from his inside when hemmed in twenty metres from his try line on the left touchline Blake Togo-Murphy cut inside off the touchline and beat five defenders with five foot steps with Blake Togo-Murphy breaking two more tackles after he had straightened up to get to two metres into Mustangs territory.

Blake Togo-Murphy made a second line break in the 40th minute with a twenty two metre effort down the left touchline from a Seagulls move to their left from a Seagulls scrum win.

From the left of the play the ball in the 13th minute and twenty metres from his try line and in the 34th minute Blake Togo-Murphy ran an underneath line to the right of the play the ball to get the ball from fourteen to twenty six metres from his try line and then a tackle later from the left of the dummy half Blake Togo-Murphy carried the ball from thirty to forty metres from his try line.

Blake Togo-Murphy moved to right centre in Round Eleven against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Blake Togo-Murphy making a line break in the 13th minute when after being put away down the right touchline by Bobby Smith still twelve metres inside his own territory Blake Togo-Murphy slipped under one tackle as he cut inside and when ten metres from the try line Blake Togo-Murphy got a left arm off-load away to his right.

In the 7th minute from the left of the play the ball and thirty metres from his try line Blake Togo-Murphy ran the ball to within six metres of the halfway. Also in the 56th minute also from the left of the play the ball and six metres in his own half Blake Togo-Murphy got the ball nine metres into Lower Clarence’s half.

Blake Togo-Murphy did well defensively in the 27th minute when he drove the Lower Clarence left winger over the touchline two metres from the Seagulls right corner post and then from the left of the Tweed Heads play the ball restart Blake Togo-Murphy carried the ball from eight metres from his try line to twenty three metres out.

Blake Togo-Murphy moved to left centre continued at halfback in Round Twelve against Northern United with Blake Togo-Murphy scoring in the 25th minute when he dived out of dummy half down a very very short blindside from close range to get the ball down in the left corner.

Blake Togo-Murphy looked as if he had scored a second try in the 28th minute when Blake Togo-Murphy chased through a by his five eight to take the kick on the full thirty metres from the try line with Blake Togo-Murphy running away to put the ball down under the posts however the referee ruled no try due to some sort of interference in the kick chase.

Blake Togo-Murphy also made a line break in the 49th minute when after picking up a poor Seagulls pass on the first bounce thirty six metres from his try line with Blake Togo-Murphy running to his right and broke two tackles by way of a spin to get to within eight metres of the try line directly in front of the posts.

In the 15th minute from a Tweed Heads penalty restart Blake Togo-Murphy carried the ball from thirty to sixteen metres from the try line and in the 18th minute from the right of the play the ball Blake Togo-Murphy broke two tackles as he carried the ball ten metres inside Northern United from ten metres inside his half. Then in the 23rd minute Blake Togo-Murphy ran out of dummy half to his right and after a hit and clockwise spin from ten metres inside his half he ran the ball to four metres into Northern United’s half.

In the 30th minute after receiving the ball wide on the left side of the field thirty two metres from his try line Blake Togo-Murphy stepped off his left foot twice and broke a total of four tackles to run the ball to within seventeen metres of the try line. Then in the 49th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and still ten metres inside his half Blake Togo-Murphy stepped off his left foot to beat one tackle and carry the ball thirteen metres into Northern United territory. Also in the 52nd minute from a penalty restart Blake Togo-Murphy ran the ball from thirty to eighteen metres from the try line.

Blake Togo-Murphy started on the left wing in Round Thirteen of the NRRRL U18 competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Ballina Seagulls with Blake Togo-Murphy scoring in the 18th minute with a sixteen metre run down the left touchline before cutting inside to beat the fullback and score three metres in from the left corner post.

Blake Togo-Murphy also made a line break in the 51st minute when after receiving the ball wide on the left side of the field Blake Togo-Murphy ran the ball down the left touchline from forty metres out before cutting inside to bump off the Ballina fullback before being brought to ground ten metres from the try line.

In the 22nd minute after picking up a Ballina kick ten metres from his own try line Blake Togo-Murphy ran to his right towards the centre of the field and to the twenty four metre mark. Then in the 37th minute from the left of the play the ball and after stepping off his left foot Blake Togo-Murphy got the ball from forty two to thirty metres from the try line. Also in the 42nd minute from the left of the play the ball Blake Togo-Murphy slipped between two defenders to get the ball from forty metres from his try line to six metre into Ballina’s half.

Blake Togo-Murphy continued on the left wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Fourteen of the NRRRL U18 competition against the Cudgen Hornets with Blake Togo-Murphy scoring in the 32nd minute when after tapping the ball to restart play after Tweed Heads were awarded a penalty twenty metres from the try line Blake Togo-Murphy stepped off his left foot back towards the left touchline and then used a right arm fend to beat a defender and score seven metres in from the left corner post.

Blake Togo-Murphy also recorded a line break in the 23rd minute with a run out of dummy half to his right and run through the centre of the field from five metres inside his half with Blake Togo-Murphy beating the marker by way of a right foot step and then beat another with a left foot step before being tackled thirty one metres from the try line.

In the 55th minute after scooping up the ball on the first bounce Blake Togo-Murphy made twenty five metres after commencing his run five metres inside Hornets territory.

Blake Togo-Murphy also started on the left wing 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.

Blake Togo-Murphy scored inside the opening minute of the match with a fifty five metres run down the left touchline off a Ricco Waitititi pass from his right with Blake Togo-Murphy cutting inside off his left foot to beat the Giants fullback fifteen metres from the try line and run around to put the ball down under the posts.

Blake Togo-Murphy also recorded a try assist in the 6th minute with a burst down the left touchline once again on this occasion off a Bobby Smith pass with Blake Togo-Murphy running the ball from twenty three metres from his try line to within thirty four metres of the try line at the opposite end of the field before drawing the fullback and passing to his right to Brock Tighe who ran around to score under the posts.

Blake Togo-Murphy continued on the left wing in Round Fifteen against the Bilambil Jets.

Blake Togo-Murphy moved to the right wing in Round Sixteen against the Mullumbimby Giants with Blake Togo-Murphy making the third run of the match from the left of the play the ball to run from fifteen to twenty five metres from the try line.

After making a kick return in the 9th minute to get the ball out to the twenty two metre mark Blake Togo-Murphy in the 12th minute ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball from thirty one to thirteen metres from the try line. Also in the 38th minute after taking a Giants bomb on the full in his in-goal area Blake Togo-Murphy ran the ball to the twenty metre mark and after taking a quick tap Blake Togo-Murphy was able to make fourteen metres after making a half break.

Blake Togo-Murphy started on the left wing for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Week Two NRRRL U18 Elimination Final against the Bilambil Jets with Blake Togo-Murphy scoring in the 43rd minute when on the left touchline and seven metres from the try line Blake Togo-Murphy jumped in the air to take a pass from his right from Ricco Waitititi in two hands above his head with Blake Togo-Murphy immediately stepping inside off his left foot when he hit the ground and carried two defenders over the try line to get the ball down in the left corner.

Blake Togo-Murphy also made a line break in the 32nd minute when after taking a long Jets kick on the full twenty metres from his own try line and six metres in from the left touchline Blake Togo-Murphy beat his opposing winger down the touchline and then carried the ball to within nine metres of the halfway mark.

In the 5th minute from the right of the play the ball Blake Togo-Murphy carried the ball through the centre of the field from thirty to forty one metres from the try line. Then in the 40th minute from the right of a Seagulls scrum win Blake Togo-Murphy ran the ball through the centre of the field from ten to twenty one metres from his try line. Also in the 58th minute after receiving a pass when on the left touchline Blake Togo-Murphy cut inside off the touchline as he ran the ball from forty five to thirty metres from the try line.

In 2023 Blake Togo-Murphy played for the Currumbin Eagles in the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition and started at left centre in the Eagles Grand Final victory against the Burleigh Bears.

In early August 2022 Blake Togo-Murphy was deservedly named as one of the 2022 Tom Searle Scholarship winners at a ceremony attended by the likes of Greg Ingles.

Blake Togo-Murphy started the 2022 season as a member of the Premiership wining Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad with Aaron Singh-Goesel playing in six of the seven Northern Rivers Titans matches including starting on the left wing in both of the Northern Rivers Titans finals being the semi-final against the Dragons and the Grand Final win against the Wests Tigers.

Blake Togo-Murphy scored three times for the Northern Rivers Titans in the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup with Blake Togo-Murphy scoring his first try in the 22nd minute of Round One against the Wests Tigers, the second in the 50th minute of Round Four against the Central Coast Roosters with Blake Togo-Murphy scoring his third and final try in Week One of the Finals series against the St George Dragons.

In Round Four against the Central Coast Magpies Blake Togo-Murphy scored in the left corner after receiving a pass from his inside from Ricco Waitatiti and against the Dragons in Week One of the finals, Blake Togo-Murphy backed up a long Northern Rivers Titans long line break to get the ball to his left from Zane Harrison with Blake Togo-Murphy then wrong footing the St George fullback to dive over to score four metres in from the left corner post.

2022 also saw Blake Togo-Murphy play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Group 18 U16 competition including starting on the left wing in the Grand Final against the Murwillumbah Colts.

Blake Togo-Murphy also attended St joseph’s College Benora Point High School in 2022 and played for them in a number of New South Wales School Boy rugby league competitions.

From a running perspective, Blake Togo-Murphy just seems to glide across the field and it appears effortless, no matter who is chasing him, they will not catch Blake Togo-Murphy, I am talking near James Roberts type of pace but he has a much more effortless running style to that of the former Titan.

Blake Togo-Murphy does not necessarily have a side step per say, it is more of a swerve and he has a number of variations, with the scary part being that there is absolutely no loss of speed at all, making him incredibly difficult to stop when Blake Togo-Murphy is in open space and is moving towards a fullback who is near stationary.

Defensively Blake Togo-Murphy also stands out, with his closing speed and recovery speed he makes an impact on that side of the ball as well. With his speed, Blake Togo-Murphy has the luxury of being able to stand a touch deeper than some fullbacks yet still be able to close quickly to negate breaks by reducing the decision making time of the attacking player.

Similar to the attributes that make Blake Togo-Murphy such an effective defender, Blake Togo-Murphy is as you would expect a great returner of the ball. His sense of timing, speed and anticipation means that he gets to a lot of kicks on the full and then accelerates looking to exploit any gaps on the kick chase or takes as many metres as possible that are on offer.

Blake Togo-Murphy exceptional lateral movement and sure hands means that he is a danger to make a large amount of ground from short attacking kicks by the opposition as he comes forward at full speed and retrieves with absolutely no loss of momentum and then will surprise the attacking team well before they can reorganise the defensive line.

Blake Togo-Murphy is U19 eligible in 2025.

Blake Togo-Murphy played exceptionally well for the U16 Northern Rivers Titans on the left (and right) wing and whilst no doubt Blake Togo-Murphy could also play in the centres on either side of the field as well, with his ability to find the try line on a regular basis on the wing, left wing would appear to be Blake Togo-Murphy’s best position moving forward.

Talented former Penrith Panthers left winger Taylan May is for me an ideal NRL player comparison for Blake Togo-Murphy, both May and Blake Togo-Murphy, in addition to having the ability to find the try line on a very regular basis, including making the insanely difficult type of tries look easy.

Also both May and Blake Togo-Murphy will come off their wing and help bring the ball out of their own territory whether that be from dummy half or a pass from the dummy half, either way Blake Togo-Murphy is fearless in that respect taking the ball into the defensive line.

 

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Tyler Harper. Round One of the ultimately postponed 2024 NRRRL U18 competition saw Tyler Harper named at halfback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Mullumbimby Giants.

Tyler Harper was also named at halfback in Round Two against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Tyler Harper kicking an outstanding conversion from the left touchline in the 25th minute.

Tyler Harper in the 52nd minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and sixteen metres from the try line and after dummying to his right Tyler Harper stepped off his right foot and got within less than a metre of the try line five metres to the right of the goal posts.

Tyler Harper came close to setting up a Tweed Heads try a minute later in the 53rd minute with a smart long cut-out pass to his right to put his centre into a gap but the referee ruled that the Seagulls centre was held up over the try line.

Tyler Harper also started at halfback in Round Four against the Casino Cougars with Tyler Harper kicking three first half conversions in a solid Seagulls victory.

Tyler Harper kicked his first conversion in the 8th minute to convert Ricco Waitititi’s try from two metres in from the left corner post. Tyler Harper kicked his second conversion in the 24th minute from ten metres in from the right touchline in pouring rain, then Tyler Harper kicked a conversion from the left touchline in the 28th minute.

Tyler Harper recorded a try assist in the 40th minute with a right foot grubber into the in-goal area from thirty metres out and to the right of the play the ball with the Tweed Heads right winger putting downward pressure on the ball just prior to the dead ball area.

Tyler Harper also made a line break in the 39th minute when after backing up a dummy half run by the Seagulls hooker, Tyler Harper received a pass from his right forty five metres out and ran to within twenty two metres of the try line before getting an off-load away to his right to his fullback.

Tyler Harper continued at halfback in Round Six against the Kyogle Turkeys with Tyler Harper kicking four conversions with the initial conversion coming in the 11th minute from mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field to convert Ricco Waitititi’s try. Typer Harper converted another Ricco Waitititi try in the 24th minute from twelve metres in from the left touchline with Tyler Harper adding a third conversion in the 35th minute from directly in front. Tyler Harper’s fourth conversion was his best when in the 49th minute he converted a Seagulls try from the left touchline.

Tyler Harper also started at halfback in Round Seven against the Cudgen Hornets with Tyler Harper kicking a conversion in the 4th minute from ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

The 37th minute saw Tyler Harper force a Hornets goal line drop-out with a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal from ten metres out and to the right of the play the ball with the Cudgen fullback trapped in-goal to require a goal line drop-out.

Tyler Harper also started at halfback in Round Eight against the Byron Bay Devils with Tyler Harper kicking two conversions from as many attempts as well as a penalty goal in the 6th minute from in front of the goal posts and ten metres out.

Tyler Harper kicked his initial conversion in the 11th minute also from in front to covert a try that he set up for Ricco Waitititi. Tyler Harper added a second conversion from as many attempts in the 44th minute from the right touchline with his kick hitting the cross bar before bouncing over.

Tyler Harper also recorded a try assist in the 11th minute when after receiving the ball down a short left blindside Tyler Harper ran the ball to twelve metres out before throwing a cut-out pass to his left to put Ricco Waitititi away with his left centre then able to bring the ball all of the way around to under the posts.

Tyler Harper continued at halfback in the rescheduled Round Three match against the Bilambil Jets with Tyler Harper scoring a try and kicking a conversion in a hard fought Seagulls victory.

Tyler Harper scored in the 3rd minute when after running the ball to the left of the play the ball from sixteen to ten metres from the try line Tyler Harper put in a right foot grubber kick that was mishandled by the Jets fullback with Tyler Harper getting to the ball in the in-goal first to put downward pressure on the ball seven metres in from the right corner post.

Tyler Harper kicked his conversion in the 17th minute to convert Bobby Smith’s try from directly in front. Tyler Harper had come agonisingly close to kicking an earlier conversion in the 10th minute but his conversion attempt from the right touchline hit the cross bar and bounced out.

Tyler Harper also forced a Bilambil goal line drop-out in the 48th minute with a great right foot low hard kick into the in-goal from forty seven metres out from the try line in the centre of the field and to the right of the play the ball with the Bilambil fullback unable to get out of the in-goal area.

Tyler Harper also started at halfback in Round Ten against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Tyler Harper kicking a conversion in the 8th minute from four metres to the right of the goal posts. Tyler Harper also kicked a penalty goal in the 36th minute from ten metres to the left of the goal posts and fifteen metres from the try line.

In the 14th minute after running the ball down a short right blindside, Tyler Harper when twenty three metres from the try line drove a right foot grubber kick towards the right corner with the Murwillumbah fullback forced to come across and knock the ball into touch two metres from the corner post to give the Seagulls six more tackles in a great attacking position.

Tyler Harper also started at halfback in Round Eleven against the Lower Clarence Magpies with Tyler Harper kicking the first of his three conversions in the 24th minute from directly in front to convert Bobby Smith’s first try with Tyler Harper adding a second conversion in the from the right touchline in the 48th minute. Tyler Harper then added a third conversion in the 55th minute from five metres to the left of the posts.

In just the 2nd minute from the left of the play the ball but wide on the right side of the field and eighteen metres from the ty line Typer Harper put a right foot bomb up towards the left corner in the ball taken by the Lower Clarence halfback just in the field of play and forced back into the in-goal to force a Magpies goal line drop-out.

Tyler Harper continued at halfback in Round Twelve against Northern United with Tyler Harper kicking four conversions in a Seagulls 36 – 6 victory.

Tyler Harper kicking his first conversion in the 10th minute from three metres in from the left touchline with Tyler Harper adding a second conversion in the 21st minute from this time four metres in from the left touchline. Tyler Harper made it three conversions in the 54th minute from three metres to the right of the posts before kicking his fourth conversion from the left touchline in the 57th minute. It could easily have been five conversions in the match for Tyler Harper but his 46th minute attempt from the right touchline hit the left goal post and bounced away.

Tyler Harper recorded the first of his two try assists in the 37th minute by way of a twenty metre cut-out pass from ten metres from the try line from the right of the play the ball to put his winger over to score in the right corner.

Tyler Harper recorded his second try assist in the 46th minute with a lightning quick catch and pass to his right from eight metres out to put his right winger over to score in the corner.

Tyler Harper also started at halfback in Round Thirteen of the NRRRL U18 competition for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Ballina Seagulls with Tyler Harper kicking the first of his three conversions in the 18th minute to covert Blake Togo-Murphy’s try from three metres in from the left touchline. Tyler Harper kicked his second conversion in the 43rd minute from the right touchline with Tyler Harper making it three conversions in the 57th minute from eight metres in from the right touchline.

Tyler Harper recorded the first of his two try assists in the 43rd minute with a high bomb from the centre of the field and to the right of the play the ball twenty metres out with the Tweed Heads right winger out jumping his opposing winger to score in the right corner.

Tyler Harper recorded his second try assist in the 57th minute when after running the ball down a short right blindside Tyler Harper carried the ball to within eight metres of the try line before throwing a short pass to his right for Tweed Heads to score eight metres in from the right corner post.

Tyler Harper continued at halfback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in Round Fourteen of the NRRRL U18 competition with Tyler Harper scoring a try and kicking five conversions in a big Seagulls victory.

Tyler Harper scored in the 48th minute when from the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from the try line Tyler Harper chipped for himself and retrieved the ball the metres out and then was able to bring the ball around to score under the posts.

Tyler Harper kicked the first of his conversions in the 13th minute from in front and added a second in the 17th minute from nine metres to the right of the posts and kicked a third the 32nd minute to convert Blake Togo-Murphy’s try from seven metres in from the left touchline. Tyler Harper kicked his fourth conversion in the 36th minute from ten metres from the right of the posts and made it five conversions in the 48th minute also from in front of the posts.

Tyler Harper also made a line break in the 17th minute when Tyler Harper ran out of dummy half to his left from eight metres inside his half to ran the ball down the left touchline to get within four metres of the try line.

Tyler Harper also started at halfback 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.

Tyler Harper kicked four conversions with the first arriving in the 2nd minute from directly in front to convert Blake Togo-Murphy’s first minute try with Tyler Harper adding a second conversion in the 6th minute also from directly in front. Tyler Haper made it three conversions in the 14th minute from a great strike from three metres in from the left touchline before kicking his fourth in the 20th minute from twelve metres in from the right touchline.

Tyler Harper also recorded three try assists, the first arriving in the 9th minute when from the right of the play the ball and after dummying to an inside runner Tyler Harper threw a twenty metre cut-out pass to his right winger who scored in the right corner as a result.

Tyler Harper added a second try assist in the 16th minute with a high right foot chip towards the right corner with the kick taken on the full by his right centre four metres out who immediately pass to his right to Ricco Waitititi who scored in the right corner.

Tyler Harper recorded his third try assist in the 20th minute when from the right of the play the ball but to the left of the posts Tyler Harper threw a cut-out pass to his right to put his right centre into space and subsequently over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Tyler Harper continued at halfback in Round Fifteen against the Bilambil Jets with Tyler Harper kicking a conversion in the 22nd minute from directly in front.

Tyler Harper also recorded a line break assist in the 32nd minute when from the right of the play the ball Tyler Harper carried the ball to within thirty six metres of the try line before throwing a cut-out pass to his right to put Brock Tighe away down the right touchline.

Tyler Harper started at five eight for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the NRRRL U18 Elimination Final against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Tyler Harper kicking the first of his two conversions in the 11th minute from twelve metres to the right of the posts. Tyler Harper then added a second conversion in the 19th minute from ten metres in from the right touchline. Tyler Harper also kicked a penalty goal on the stroke of halftime from forty metres out and directly in front.

In the 12th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from the try line Tyler Harper put in a right foot bomb towards the right corner and it was only a horror bounce that prevented his right winger from scoring but ultimately the Murwillumbah left winger collected the ball only to be tackled in goal to force a goal line drop-out.

Tyler Harper started at five eight for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Week Two NRRRL U18 Elimination Final against the Bilambil Jets with Tyler Harper kicking a conversion from the left touchline to convert Blake Togo-Murphy’s try from the left touchline in the 43rd minute. Also after the final siren with the Seagulls down 12 – 10 Tyler Harper’s penalty attempt from thirty eight metres out and ten metres to the left of the posts agonisingly hit the left upright and bounced out.

Tyler Harper also recorded a try assist in the 30th minute when from the right of the play the ball Tyler Harper ran through the centre of the field from twenty to ten metres from the try line before throwing a cut-out pass to his left to enable Ricco Waitititi to score eight metres in from the left corner post.

Tyler Harper did well in the 4th minute when defending on his own try line Tyler Harper trapped an attacking Jets grubber kick with his right foot and regathered the ball and then was able to maintain his position in the field of play.

2022 saw Tyler Harper play for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Group 18 U16 competition including starting at five eight in the Grand Final against the Murwillumbah Colts.

The young northern New South Wales half back was a member of the 2021 Titans U15 Elite Academy squad and also is enrolled at PBC State High School as part of their Titans partnered Rugby League Excellence Program.

In late 2021 Tyler Harper was named in the Tweed Coast Oztag side for the 2022 Queensland U16 Junior State Cup.

In mid-February 2021 Tyler Harper played in a Titans U15 Invitational Trial at Burleigh, a trial which included only the best of the 2021 Titans U15 squad members. Tyler Harper started the match at halfback for the Titans Blue side operating on his usual right side of the field.

Tyler Harper also started his 2021 school boy season off well kicking three conversions from as many attempts against Wavell State High School as PBC dominated in the Year Nine match to win 18 – 0 with Tyler Harper starting the match at halfback.

Tyler Harper also had a try assist in the match when a cross field bomb that he put up fell perfectly for the PBC five eight who took the ball on the full as it came down right on the goal line to score easily next to the right upright.

Tyler Harper also started at halfback for the PBC school boy Year Nine side in their win against Keebra Park with Tyler Harper kicking the conversion to PBC opening try of the match.

In 2020 Tyler Harper played half back 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 a fraction above twenty five points per match.

As a result of their outstanding season the Tweed Heads Seagulls Group 18 U14 side qualified for the Grand Final against the Tugun Seahawks. Tweed Heads prevailed in the 2020 Group 18 U16 decider 30 – 4 with Tyler Harper starting the Grand Final at half back.

In the 2020 Group 18 U14 Grand Final Tyler Harper operated primarily on the right side of the field and had a try assist in the Grand Final as well as converting the Seagulls third try from close to the right upright in the first half. Tyler Harper’s try assist came in the second half when he took the ball to the line before putting in a short stab kick which he weighted correctly for his right winger to dive on the ball in the in goal.

Tyler Harper was also heavily involved in another Tweed Heads try in the second half when a long cut out pass to his right put his right centre into space who was then able to set up his support runner to score.

Tyler Harper also attends PBC as part of their Elite Rugby League Program and in 2020 started at half back for the PBC Renouf Cup School Boy Grand Final side that went down in heart breaking fashion 10 – 8 to Marsden State High School.

In the 2020 Renouf Cup Grand Final, Tyler Harper had a big game kicking two from two and also recording a try assist for PBC’s sole try of the match. In the second half with Marsden leading 6 – 0, Tyler Harper who was operating on the left, put in a deft grubber kick in to his left with the kick sitting up perfectly for PBC left centre and fellow Titans linked Tyler Small to fly through to take the ball and score next to the posts.

Tyler Harper converted the try that he set up for Tyler Small and then kicked a late second half penalty goal to put PBC in front 8 – 6 before the heart break of seeing Marsden score in the last seconds of the match to snatch victory.

Tyler Harper also had a number of outstanding Renouf Cup regular season matches for PBC in 2020 including a stand out Round Five against Wavell State High School, recording two try assists and being involved in another two.

Tyler Harper’s first try assist of the match, in fact also resulted in the opening try of the match. Operating on the left, Tyler Harper received the ball two passes off the ruck before sending a pass to his left for left second rower Sam Stephenson to charge over from forty metres out. The key from the perspective of Tyler Harper’s contribution to the try was that Tyler Harper did not just catch and pass. Tyler Harper received the ball and moved towards the defensive line before taking a step to his left before off-loading

If Tyler Harper had not run towards the defensive line before passing, the defence would have been able to slide to their right and have additional numbers in front of Sam Stephenson, but by running at the line Tyler Harper forced the defenders to hold their spacing and keep a defender tasked with honouring the threat of Tyler Harper running the ball.

Tyler Harper’s second try assist come in the second half when he put in a right foot chip kick from thirty five metres out towards the left corner. The kick sat up perfectly for PBC left centre Tyler Small to run through and take the ball with no momentum loss to score on the left side of the field.

As noted Tyler Harper was also involved in two additional tries in the match, one on each half with Tyler Small scoring on both occasions. On both occasions, Tyler Harper did not throw the final pass for the try, but if he was not involved earlier in either play then it is unlikely Tyler Small scores either try.

On both occasions Tyler Harper received the ball on the left, sized up the situation perfectly (and quickly) and threw long cut out passes to runners in space who then could draw a defender and pass to Tyler Small. If on either occasion, Tyler Harper had either not thrown the pass as quickly (and accurately) or had gone through the hands then his outside support would not have had the time to take Tyler Harper’s pass in space and having the time to make the correct decision to draw and pass to set up a PBC try.

Tyler Harper was also more than solid In Round Three as PBC defeated Coombabah State High School 40 – 12. The match saw Tyler Harper record a try assist, two line break assists, both leading to Tyler Small tries and kicking three conversions, one in the first half and two in the second. Tyler Harper’s conversion in the first half was from just to the right of the uprights and in relation to his two second half conversions, one from just from the left of the uprights and the other, just to the right.

Tyler Harper’s try assist came in the second half, when under extreme pressure, after receiving the ball on the left, threw a perfect pass to Sam Stephenson who charged ten metres to score. Tyler Harper also had a line break assist in each half. In the first half Tyler Harper took the ball towards the line on the left side of the field, putting Sam Stephenson into a big gap fifty metres out, Sam Stephenson was then able to off load to Tyler Small. In the second half, Tyler Harper called the ball off the dummy half down a fifteen metre left blind side on around the half way mark. Tyler Harper held the ball up nicely before throwing the pass out the back to his fullback who had looped around to the left and was able to take the pass in a big gap and then offload to Tyler Small.

In Round Four against Forest Lake State High School Tyler Harper continued his solid impressive Renouf Cup season on the way to recording three more try assists and also converted PBC’s final try of the match from directly in front in a 26 – 4 victory.

Tyler Harper’s first try assist of the Round Four match came early in the first half, when, as usual Tyler Harper was operating on the left side of the field. Tyler Harper received the ball down a short blind side and at the line put in a short right foot stab kick which sat up ideally for Tyler Small who flew through to score.

Tyler Harper’s second try assist of the match was an impressive effort by the young half. As soon as he received the ball on the left side of the field, Tyler Harper stepped off his right foot to get on the outside shoulder of the immediate Forest Lake defender and then popped an exquisite short pass to his left to a straight running Sam Stephenson who charged through the gap that Tyler Harper had established to score.

Tyler Harper’s third and final try assist of the match was a heads up play from around forty five metres out. After a long PBC break down the right touch line the ball came back to the left to Tyler Harper who kept his eyes down field and as soon as he say a lot of space down field put in a kick down field angled to the left corner post. PBC left centre Tyler Small raced through to take the ball on the bounce and was able to bring the ball around to put it down under the posts. Tyler Harper then stepped up to kick the conversion.

Post the completion of the Renouf Cup school boy competition Tyler Harper was awarded a Future Reds Award at the 2020 PBC Sports Awards night.

Tyler Harper also played Oztag in 2020 making the U14 Boys Queensland Fury side for the Queensland Oztag Super Series after representing the Tweed Coast Giants. In late 2020 Tyler Harper was named in the 2021 Tweed Coast Giants U14/15 Boys Oztag squad.

In 2019 Tyler Harper was part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls Black side that took on Tweed Heads Seagulls White in the Group 18 U13 Grand Final, starting the match at halfback. In the tough Grand Final loss Tyler Harper was the Seagulls Black goal kicker and in the first half, kicked a good goal from the left side of the field to convert Riley Buchanan’s long range try.

In the 2019 Group 18 U13 Preliminary Final, Tyler Harper started at halfback, kicking three conversions and recording two try assists as the Seagulls qualified for the Grand Final.

Tyler Harper’s first try assist came in the 6th minute of the match when he ran the ball to the line on the right side of the field and threw a long cut-out pass to his right to put his winger into acres of space and get him a saloon passage to get the ball down in the right corner.

Tyler Harper’s second try assist came in the 25th minute of the second half when he put in a right foot grubber from ten metres out with the kick sitting up perfectly for Zane Harrison to run through and retrieve the ball and put it down under the posts.

Late in the 2019 Group 18 U13 regular season, Tyler Harper recorded another try assist against the Bilambil Jets.

Tyler Harper received the ball from the dummy half fifteen metres out in front of the posts and kicked with his right foot to the right corner. The ball was dropped b Bilambil with the Tweed Heads right centre on the spot to score out wide.

Tyler Harper also played for Tweed Heads in the 2018 U12 Group 18 Grand Final.

Tyler Harper is only slight of build but do not take his lack of size in any way as a lack of ability or courage, Tyler Harper has a lot of both, which is on display each time he runs onto the field. With the ball he is a very good distributor and will take the ball to the line in an effort to set up his supports. Tyler Harper is adept at drawing an opposing defender out of the defensive line and then putting his support runner through the resulting gap.

In terms of his speed, I would suggest that an appropriate definition of Tyler Harper’s speed would be that he is quick off the mark but does not have an extra gear when he breaks into open space.

Regardless of the state of the game Tyler Harper will back his judgement and take the game on. Assisting his play is the fact that he makes the decision what to do with the ball quickly thus enabling the ball to get out wide quickly. Tyler Harper’s passing game is solid but seems to be slightly better when he is passing to the left side of the field. Tyler Harper’s ability to dummy and go also seems slightly more effective when he is running to the right side of the field.

Tyler Harper has a good short kicking game but he does not have the strongest leg in terms of kicking deep but is accurate and regularly finds the ground to enable the chasers to get down field.

In defence, due to his size Tyler Harper is obviously not going to come up with the big hit but reads the play well and can hold his own when defending much bigger players. Tyler Harper is also very vocal on the field always talking and encouraging his side both in attack and defence.

Defensively I like the way that Tyler Harper takes the line on, he is aggressive and attacks the ball carrier rather than waiting for the attackers to come to him. Tyler Harper clearly looks to limit the time opposition players have to generate momentum before they get to him. Against players similar in size or reasonably close to it, Tyler Harper is very aggressive and makes sure that he finishes off every tackle in an effort to win everyone on one individual battle against his opponent.

Tyler Harper is U19 eligible in 2025.

Tyler Harper has a small physical frame but is courageous and competitive and has a good football brain on his shoulders and thus I believe that half back position suits him perfectly both now and into the future.

With his smaller frame and his undoubted courage to take the ball right to the line before he executes the play, whether that be kicking or passing as well as his intelligence, for me Tyler Harper has an uncanny playing style that resembles that of Sydney Roosters and New South Wales State of Origin five eight Blake Keary.

Both Keary and Tyler Harper have the strength of personality and toughness to take on any challenge on a rugby league field no matter how big the challenge (or opponent) is compared to how big they are.

 

[mdrew]

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas. Round Three of the 2024 NRRRL U18 competition saw Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas start at five eight for the Lower Clarence Magpies against the Byron Bay Devils with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas making a line break in the 39th minute when after a good tackle from Tyrelle Waters, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas picked up a Byron Bay knock on twenty metres from his own try line and near the left touchline and was able to make a line break down the touchline and get within five metres of the halfway mark.

In the 26th minute Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran out of dummy half to his left to get to the halfway mark from thirty eight metres out with around 65% of the metres that Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas gained being post contact. Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also did well in the 60th minute to create space to the left of the play the ball fifteen metres out from his own try line with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas holding up his pass before putting his left centre into space.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas continued at five eight in Round Seven against Northern United with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas recording a try assist in the 25th minute with a great sleight of hand from ten metres out and to the left of the play the ball to dummy to his left to allow one defender to go past the ball before throwing a pass to his left to allow his fullback to score wide out on the left.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also started at five eight in the rescheduled Round Six match against the Bilambil Jets and in the 18th minute when after feeding a Lower Clarence scrum on the left side of the field and thirty metres from the try line and after picking up the ball from the back of the scrum Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran to his right before being tackled thirteen metres from the try line near the right touchline. Then in the 53rd minute after receiving an off-load twenty metres from the try line Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran to his left and after breaking a tackle Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas got to within less than a metre from the try line six metres in from the left corner post.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas continued at five eight in Round Eight against the Ballina Seagulls with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas recording a try assist in the 11th minute when from the left of the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran the ball from ten metres to within four metres of the try line and whilst going to ground in a tackle Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas got a right arm off-load away to his left to Jasper Whalley who scored in the left corner as a result.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas recorded a second try assist in the 17th minute when from the left of the play the ball twenty two metres from the try line and after dummying to an inside runner, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas threw a no look short pass to his left to hit his lead runner in space to score four metres in from the left corner post.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also made a line break in the 10th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half thirty two metres from his try line, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas dummied to an inside runner and then after dummying to his left Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas sliced through a gap and ran the ball to four metres into Ballina territory before getting a right arm off-load away to his left to Jasper Whalley.

In the 3rd minute from the left of the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas dummied twice to his left as he ran the ball from ten metres inside his own half to two metres into Ballina territory.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also started at five eight in Round Nine against the Mullumbimby Giants with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas recording a try assist in the 38th minute when from dummy half with the play the ball a metre from the ty line and mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas looked as if he was going to look right and pass to a straight runner but at the last possible second Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas moved quickly to his left and threw a cut-out pass in the same direction to put Tyrelle Waters over to score.

In the 20th minute to the left of a Magpies scrum win in the centre of the field and on the halfway mark Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas, after a good pick-up of a low (very) pass broke three tackles including one due to a counter clockwise spin as he ran the ball eighteen metres into Mullumbimby territory. Then after picking up a Giants knock on in the 26th minute twenty seven metres out from their try line Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas was able to break two tackles as he surged to within ten metres of the try line ten metres to the right of the posts.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas continued at five eight in Round Ten against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas recording a try assist in the 8th minute with a fifteen metre hard flat cut-out pass to his left from ten metres out to put his left centre over to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

In the 6th minute after receiving an off-load from his right Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran to his left to run the ball from forty three to thirty metres from the try line. Then in the 10th minute after a Tweed Coast kick-off dropped late in front of him, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas juggled the ball but was still able to get the ball out to the twenty five metre mark.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas did well in the 14th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball thirty five metres from his try line Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas put in a right foot chip over the top and then chased his own kick and then crunched the Tweed Coast fullback after he had taken possession of the ball to force a knock-on thirty seven metres from the try line.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also started at five eight in Round Eleven against the Tweed Heads Seagulls.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas started at five eight for the Lower Clarence Magpies in Round Twelve of the NRRRL U18 competition with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas coming close to scoring in the 4th minute with a run to the left of the play the ball from eight metres out only to be held up by three defenders over the try line six metres in form the left corner post.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas continued at five eight for the Lower Clarence Magpies in Round Thirteen of the NRRL U18 competition against Marist Brothers with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas scoring the first of his two tries in the 43rd minute when from the left of the play the ball thirty five metres from his try line and after dummying to an inside runner Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas put his left second rower into a gap with a pass to his left and then continued to back up on the inside to get a pass from Grant Byers-Brown and run six metres to put the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas scored his second try in the 46th minute when after Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas put up a huge mid-field floating bomb from the centre of the field and forty metres out the Marist right wing dropped the ball which was recovered by Lower Clarence Magpies. From the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran onto the ball from twelve metres out and to the right of the play the ball with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas dimmying to his right before stepping off his right foot and breaking through three attempted tackles to crash over to score ten metres to the left of the posts.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas had earlier come close to scoring in the 5th minute after running the ball from the left of the play the ball from sixteen metres out and after a right foot step Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas got within a metre of the try line seven metres to the left of the uprights.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also recorded a try assist in the 18th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the right of the play the ball ten metres out and in front of the posts, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas dummied to an inside runner as he ran to his right before putting in a right foot chip to his right that was taken on the full by Grant Byers-Brown who scored six metres in from the right corner post.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also made a line break in the 52nd minute when after receiving an inside pass from his right on the halfway Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas burst downfield to get within thirteen metres of the try line.

In the 32nd minute from the left of the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas dummied to two inside runners as he continued to run to his left from five metres inside his half before running himself to carry the ball eleven metres into Marist’s half near the left touchline. Then in the 46th minute from the right of the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas carried the ball through the centre of the field from twenty four to thirty seven metres from the try line.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also started at five eight for the Lower Clarence Magpies in Round Fourteen of the NRRRL U18 competition against Northern United with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas scoring in the 41st minute when after taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half twenty metres from the try line Kennyon Elisaia-Thomasdummied to his left fourteen metres from the try line to slice between two defenders with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also dummying to his left to beat the fullback and score twelve metres in from the left corner post.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also recorded a try assist in the 51st minute when from the left of the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran to within ten metres of the try line and then when deep in the defensive line put in a short right foot grubber into the in-goal with his left second rower grounding the ball in the in-goal ten metres in from the left corner post.

In the 6th minute from the left of a centre field Lower Clarence scrum win Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran the ball from ten to twenty metres from the try line. Then in the 38th minute from the left of the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran from forty metres from the try line and after being brought to ground but not held thirty metres out Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas bounced back to his feet near the centre of the field to within twenty three metres of the try line.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas started at five eight in the NRRRL U18 rescheduled Round One match against the Kyogle Turkeys with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas recording two first half try assists which were similar in execution.

The first of Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas’s try assist came in the 19th minute with a grubber kick with the outside of his right foot into the in-goal from nineteen metres out and to the left of the play the ball with Maison Simmons getting to the ball first to score ten metres to the left of the posts.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas made it two try assists in the 25th minute with another grubber kick into the in-goal from the left of the play the ball and once again it was Maison Simmons who got to the ball first to score five metres in from the left corner post.

In the 7th minute from the left of the play the ball and ten metres from the try line Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas put a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the Kyogle right winger trapped there to force a Turkeys goal line drop-out.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also recorded a line break assist in the 57th minute when after running the ball to the left of the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas threw a cut-out pass to his left to put his left winger away down the touchline.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas started at five eight for the Lower Clarence Magpies in the rescheduled Round Five NRRRL U18 match against the Murwillumbah Mustangs with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas scoring in the 33rd minute when from a straight hard run through the centre of the field from sixteen metres out with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas bursting through three attempted tackles and stepping off his left foot and when held up the Magpies fullback Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas reached out with the ball in his right hand to get the ball down eight metres to the right of the posts.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas could easily have scored a handful of tries including in the 22nd minute when dummying twice to inside runners to the left of the play the ball from ten metres out Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran himself only to be held up six metres in from the left corner post.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas was also held up over the try line a minute later in the 23rd minute when after jumping to take a pass from his dummy half from his right eight metres from the try line, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas immediately stepped inside off his left foot and then off his right but once again was held up ten metres in from the left corner post.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas was held up over the try line for a third time in the 55th minute when after stepping off his left foot from ten metres from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas was held up three metres to the left of the posts.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also recorded a line break assist in the 35th minute when after running the ball from thirty eight to forty six metres from his try line to the left of the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas held a good ball up before off-loading to his left to Maison Simmons who burst away to get within twenty two metres of the try line.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also started at five eight for the Lower Clarence Magpies in Round Fifteen of the U18 NRRRL competition against the Casino Cougars with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas scoring in the 8th minute when after backing up a Lower Clarence lien break down the left touchline Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas received a pass from his right from Grant Byers-Brown and ran thirteen metres to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas recorded the first of his two try assists in the 33rd minute when after running the ball down a short left blindside from ten to six metres from the try line Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas threw a flat but-out pass to his left to put Grant Byers-Brown over to score four metres in from the left corner post.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas recorded a second try assist in the 37th minute when from the left of the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran from twelve to six metres from the try line before throwing a hard flat cut-out pass to his left to put his centre into a gap and over to score wide on the left side of the field.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas recorded the first of his three line break assists inside the opening minute of the match when on the third tackle from the left of the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas from thirty five metres from his try line dummied to an inside runner before throwing a spiral cut-out pass to his left to Grand Byers-Brown who made a line break down the left with touchline and after backing up on the inside Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas got the ball back from his left centre thirty two metres out and after running to twenty metres from the try line Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas off-loaded to his right to his right winger.

A second line break assist arrived in the 36th minute by way of a short pass to his right to Maison Simmons after running the ball to thirty metres of the try line with Maison Simmons ultimately held up over the try line next to the left goal post.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas made it three line break assists in the 41st minute when after receiving a pass from his right thirty seven metres from the try line to forty four metres out Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas got a superb off-load away to his left with two defenders on him to Grant Byers-Brown who burst downfield before off-loading to Maison Simmons who scored just to the left of the posts.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas continued at five eight in Round Sixteen against Lismore Marist with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas recording a try assist in the 46th minute when from the left of the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran from twenty five to within twelve metres from the try line and then held up a great pass to his left to put his left centre into a big gap and subsequently over to score in the left corner.

From the left of a Lower Clarence scrum win in the 3rd minute Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas dummied twice to inside runners to carry the ball from thirty six to twenty eight metres from the try line before off-loading to his right to his fullback. Then in the 26th minute from the left of the play the ball and forty metres from the try line Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas stepped off his left foot twice to run the ball from forty to twenty one metres from the try line.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas started at five eight for the Lower Clarence Magpies in the NRRRL U18 Week One Elimination Final against the Bilambil Jets and in the 5th minute from the right of the play the ball in the centre of the field and thirty nine metres from his try line Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas kicked a 40/20 with a low hard driving right foot kick with the ball bouncing once before bouncing over the right touchline ten metres from the try line.

Round One of the 2023 NRRRL U18 competition saw Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas named at five eight for the Lower Clarence Magpies against the Mullumbimby Giants with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas making a line break in the 13th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and thirty metres out from his own try line, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas dummied to his left before charging down the left channel to get twelve metres inside Giants territory however Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas’s pass back inside went to ground.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also started at five eight in Round Two against the Kyogle Turkeys with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas scoring in the 26th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and around fourteen metres from the try line above his head, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas continued to run the ball to his left and after dummying to his left on two occasions, slide between two defenders to score ten metres in from the left corner post.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also recorded a try assist in the 46th minute when Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas was able to get a pass away to his right to Tyrell Waters who stood up a defender and darted over to score in the right corner.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas continued at five eight in Round Three against Casino with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas recording a try assist in the 8th minute when from in front of the posts and twelve metres out Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas put up a right foot bomb towards the left and after the Casino fullback lost the ball, Magpies fullback Reece Warburton swooped on the ball to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also recorded a line break assist in the 18th minute when after running the ball to the left on the halfway mark, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas dummied to both his inside and outside before throwing a deft short ball to his left to put AJ Hickling away with the left centre ultimately setting up a Magpies try from a subsequent off-load.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas made a line break himself in the when after running to his left when still ten metres inside his own territory, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas dummied once again to both his left and right before slicing between two defenders and then execute a left foot step to beat the fullback before he was brought to ground twenty six metres out.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas then started at five eight in Round Four against the Ballina Seagulls with Kennyon Elisasia-Thomas recording a try assist in the 30th minute when to the left of the play the ball down a wide left blindside Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran to his left parallel to the defensive line and after dummying back inside Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas threw a great short ball to his left to put his centre through a gap and over to score.

Even though he was wearing the No. 15 jersey Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas started at five eight in Round Seven against the Byron Bay Devils with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas scoring in the 46th minute when to the left of the play the ball and ten metres out after pausing, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas put in a right foot grubber kick and then after the Byron Bay right winger lost the ball forward on his own goal line when trying to defuse the kick, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas was on the spot to retrieve the ball and dive over to score six metres in from the left corner post.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also recorded a try assist in the 41st minute when after running the ball down a short left blindside, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas from ten metres out, got on the outside of his direct opponent and then drew in the Devils right winger and off-loaded to his left to put his centre over in the left corner.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas made a good run himself in the 57th minute when from thirty metres out from the try line and to the left of the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas cut inside off his left foot and was able to find his way to within fifteen metres of the try line directly in front of the goal posts.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also started at five eight in Round Eight against the Tweed Coast Raiders with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas scoring in the 24th minute when after taking possession of the ball down a left blindside five metres inside Tweed Coast territory Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas put in a right foot chip over the defensive line with the Magpies left winger retrieving the ball on the bounce and getting a pass inside to AJ Hickling who whilst being tackled from behind got a pass away to his right to Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas who was able to bring the ball around to put it down next to the left upright.

The 40th minute saw Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas run out of dummy half to his right from forty metres out from the try line and get to twenty eight metres out. Earlier in the 12th minute Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran the ball from the left of the play the ball forty metres out from his own try line and after dummying to his left, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas stepped off his left foot before being tackled five metres inside Raiders territory.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas continued at five eight in Round Nine against the Cudgen Hornets with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas scoring in the 32nd minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball thirty metres out, Kennyon Elasia-Thomas put in a right foot chip kick for himself with Kennyon Elasia-Thomas retrieving the ball on the first bounce to then race away to score under the posts.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas had come close to scoring earlier in the match in the 7th minute when from twenty two metres out and to the left of the play the ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas put in a tight foot chip kick that took a horror bounce for the Cudgen fullback with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas racing through only to get a difficult bounce himself to lose the ball just two metres from the try line.

Kennyon Elasia-Thomas produced a smart piece of play in the 36th minute when after following through an attacking Magpies kick with the ball being fielded by the Hornets fullback just out from his own try line, Kennyon Elasia-Thomas grabbed hold of him and dragged him back into the field of play to force a Cudgen goal line drop-out.

Round Fifteen against the Kyogle Turkeys saw Kennyon Elasia-Thomas start at five eight with Kennyon Elasia-Thomas kicking a conversion in the 29th minute from three metres to the left of the uprights.

Kennyon Elasia-Thomas also recorded a line break assist in the 8th minute when after receiving the ball thirty three metres from his own try line, Kennyon Elasia-Thomas dummied to his inside before throwing a short ball to his left to put his left second rower into a gap.

Earlier in the 2nd minute from thirty two metres out and down a short left blindside Kennyon Elasia-Thomas put in a right foot chip kick towards the left corner with Kennyon Elasia-Thomas chasing his own kick to be involved in grabbing the Kyogle fullback in the field of play and forcing him back into the in-goal area to force a Turkeys goal line drop-out.

Kennyon Elasia-Thomas also started at five eight in Round Sixteen against the Casino Cougars with Kennyon Elasia-Thomas scoring two tries in a hard fought Magpies 24 – 20 victory.

Kennyon Elasia-Thomas scored his opening try 24th minute when after running out of dummy half to his right from ten metres out, Kennyon Elasia-Thomas stepped off his left foot then his right to create space and dive over to score five metres to the left of the goal posts.

Kennyon Elasia-Thomas added a second try in the 31st minute when after receiving the ball thirty two metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball, Kennyon Elasia-Thomas showed the ball to the side of his body in his left hand before dummying in the same direction and stepping off his left foot to slice between two defenders. When in space Kennyon Elasia-Thomas got the ball away to his left to Reece Warburton who burst away down the left touchline and then got the ball back inside to Kennyon Elasia-Thomas who had an uninterrupted forty metre run to put the ball down under the posts untouched.

Kennyon Elasia-Thomas also recorded a try assist in the 38th minute when after taking possession of the ball twenty metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball, Kennyon Elasia-Thomas showed the ball in his left hand before stepping off his left foot and bursting between two defenders and after running downfield and drawing the fullback when five metres inside Casino territory Kennyon Elasia-Thomas passed to his right to Grant Byers-Brown who raced away to score under the posts.

In the 43rd minute from the left of the play the ball and thirteen metres out from the try line, Kennyon Elasia-Thomas stepped off his left foot twice to get within centremetres of the try line next to the left upright and after Kennyon Elasia-Thomas executed a quick play the ball with the Magpies dummy half diving over to score.

Kennyon Elasia-Thomas continued at five eight in the Week One Elimination Final against the Bilambil Jets with Kennyon Elasia-Thomas scoring in the 16th minute from the left of the play the ball and seventeen metres out with Kennyon Elasia-Thomas dummying to his left then stepping off his left foot, with a second left foot step beating a Jets defender with Kennyon Elasia-Thomas then carrying another defender over the try line with him to get the ball down under the posts.

Kennyon Elasia-Thomas, in the 51st minute made a strong tackle on one of the replacement Jets front rowers to force a knock-on ten metres out from the try line.

Kennyon Elasia-Thomas finished the 2023 NRRRL U18 season as the Magpies equal leading try scorer alongside AJ Hickling and Reece Warburton.

In early May 2022 Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas started from the bench for a Northern Rivers Titans U17 Invitational squad that took on a Titans U16 JTS Academy side at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans NRL Round Fourteen match against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs.

In early December 2021 Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas was named in the 2022 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup Train-on Squad with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas subsequently being named in the final Northern Rivers Titans U14 Andrew Johns Cup squad.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas’s first 2022 match for the Northern Rivers Titans U16 side came on late January when he was part of the Titans side that defeated local rivals, the North Coast Bulldogs four tries to one in a trial at Sawtell.

Round One of the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas start from the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans side against the Macquarie Wests Tigers in Sydney’s west with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas coming into the match late in the first half to operate in the dummy half role.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas made his first dart of the dummy half in the 36th minute when after taking possession Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas ran to his left making fifteen metres to get the ball to within thirty five metres of the try line. Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas was then awarded a penalty when the Wests Tigers defence would not allow him to play the ball quickly.

Then in the 42nd minute Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas almost laid on a try for Zane Harrison. After picking up a loose ball Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas burst through the centre of the ruck making twenty five metres before off-loading to Zane Harrison but just as he was diving over the try line, the ball was knocked from Zane Harrison’s grasp.

It was great to see Kennyon Elisasia-Thomas named on the Northern Rivers Titans extended bench for the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Grand Final against the Wests Tigers after Kennyon Elisasia0-Thomas had missed a large portion of the season with injury.

2022 also saw Kennyon Elisasia-Thomas line up for the Clarence Coast Magpies once again in the Group One U16 competition including starting at halfback and scoring in Round Eleven against the Marist Rams. Kennyon Elisasia-Thomas moved to five eight in Round Fourteen against the South Grafton Rebels and was one of the Magpies try scorers in a big win.

Kennyon Elisasia-Thomas also started at five eight in the rescheduled Round Two match against the Marist Rams with Kennyon Elisasia-Thomas once again scoring for the Magpies.

In Week One of the 2022 Group One U16 Finals series Kennyon Elisasia-Thomas started at halfback for the Clarence Coast Magpies against the Ballina Seagulls.

Kennyon Elisasia-Thomas continued at five eight in the 2022 Group One U16 Grand Final with Kennyon Elisasia-Thomas kicking three conversions from five attempts as the Magpies went down in a thriller 27 – 26 against the Ballina Seagulls.

Kennyon Elisasia-Thomas finished the 2022 Group One U16 season as the competitions fourth leading try scorer with eight tries and also finished sixth in terms of overall points scored with forty two points.

The young five eight in late 2020 was selected in the 2020/21 Titans Group One Elite Academy Squad.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas started Round One of the 2021 Group One U15 competition at five eight as the Clarence Coast Magpies took on the Ballina Seagulls.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also started at five eight in Round Two against the South Grafton Rebels kicking a conversion in the Magpies 24 – 12 victory. Round Three against the Ballina Seagulls saw Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas once again start at five eight.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas moved to fullback for Round Nine against South Grafton and scored two tries and kicked one conversions in the Magpies 32 – 12 victory.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas was back at halfback in Round Ten against Casino RSM and Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas was at his scheming best including a 41st minute line break when whilst operating on his usual right side of the field fifty five metres from the line, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas shaped to pass before slicing through two Casino RSM defenders and then showed the cover defence a clean pair of heels. Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas then was able to position his right sided support well and after drawing the Casino RSM fullback he passed to his right but unfortunately the ball could not be held by his support player.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also started at halfback in Round Twelve against the Grafton and was also named to start at halfback in Round Thirteen against Casino RSM and was one of the Magpies try scorers in their 16 – 10 victory.

In 2020 Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas played for the Clarence Coast Magpies in the Group One U14 competition, including starting at five eight in the Grand Final and scoring a try and kicking a conversion in the Magpies 30 - 16 Grand Final victory against Grafton.

In addition to his 2020 Group One U14 Grand Final points Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas scored and kicked a conversion in Round Five against Ballina (his first match of the season) when he started at five eight and scored a double and kicked four goals for an individual points haul of sixteen points in Round Ten against Grafton once again starting the match at five eight. Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas’s other Group One U14 match in 2020 was in Round Six when he started from the bench against Casino RSM.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also played one match in the 2020 Group One U15 competition, being Round Seven when he started from the bench against the Kyogle Turkeys.



In 2019 Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also played for the Clarence Coast Magpies in that season in their Group One U13 side and was part of the Magpies Grand Final side that went down 24 – 16 to the Grafton Ghosts.

When Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas runs the ball, he is exceptionally quick and explosive, with outstanding plus speed, both off the mark and when he gets into open space, teams in his age group in the Group One junior competition teams just could not handle Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas when he runs the ball. Elisaia-Thomas can aptly be described as a speed machine.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also can step off both feet exceptionally well and also has a great swerve whilst maintaining top speed. On many occasions when he made a break, his support could not keep up and thus Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas used his incredible footwork and speed to beat the opposing fullback by himself.

There is nothing that Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas cannot do running the ball and it is only now about developing his ball playing skills to make his footwork and running ability even more lethal. In attack Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also played at the line quite often and was his team’s primary attacking option but impressively is cognisant of getting his team mates involved in his teams attacking game plan and structure.

In addition Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also has the ball playing skills to set up his support runners and get them appropriate lines to run into when defenders came out of the line to negate his time with the ball in hand. Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas obviously was a key target for defences but he understands that he cannot do it all himself and thus became adept at drawing defenders out of the line and putting his support runners into the subsequent hole. As Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas play making skills continue to evolve, the attacking possibilities for him and his team mates are limitless.

Defensively Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas is stronger than he looks and when you couple that with a naturally aggressive defensive mentality you have a very good defender on your hands. Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas has a very good low tackling technique, including head placement when defending against big forwards running on the fringes of the ruck and has good initial contact.

Against opposing halves Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas will quickly get up into their face when they run the ball and physically and mentally dominate them making them experience the full effects of every tackle that he makes. Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas also works very hard out of the marker position in defence and does not take that fact that he is at marker as an opportunity to have a rest.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas is also very quick at putting pressure on opposing kickers whether that be sprinting out of the marker position at the kicker or flying out of the defensive line when it is evident that a kick is in the offing.

Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas will play the 2025 season with the Lower Clarence Magpies in the NRRRL competition with Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas pushing for an NRRRL First Grade debut.

When you have a player with his natural play making ability and speed off the mark as well as a knack for doing the seemingly impossible you want the ball in their hands as much as possible, thus I believe that moving forward Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas will continue to excel at five eight.

In saying what I said above, I must admit that I have been quite impressed in relation to how Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas went in the dummy half role for the 2022 U16 Andrew Johns Cup Northern Rivers Titans side and maybe just maybe that role may well be his best avenue to the NRL.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas, the one player that does springs to mind is South Sydney Rabbitohs and New South Wales State of Origin five eight Cody Walker. Like Walker, Kennyon Elisaia-Thomas just has the ability to see the entire field and throw the right pass at just the right moment.

 

[mdrew]

Keano Kini - 2016 to 2021:

In January 2021 Keano Kini started at fullback for the Titans U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights U17’s and impressed in the deserved 32 – 20 Titans victory including scoring a special solo try in the second half which would not have been out of place in a State of Origin match.

As noted above, Keano Kini’s second half try was an absolutely special one. Keano Kini’s try started to the left of the play the ball with Keano Kini receiving the ball from the dummy half. Keano Kini immediately stepped off his left to beat the first (of many) Knights defenders and then cut back to his right across the face of the Newcastle defensive line, brushing past a couple of outstretched arms. As a Knights defender came out of the line, Keano Kini spun 360 degrees clockwise to generate a gap in the defensive line, ten metres out and then exploded through the gap forcing himself and the ball over the try line with three defenders still hanging off him five metres in from the right goal post.

Keano Kini also had an early second half try assist in the match when he put Seth Nikotemo into a gap to score from six metres away. In the second half Keano Kini moved up from fullback to spend time in the halves for the Titans with Blake Forder moving from the wing to fullback.

Keano Kini stamped his mark on the match in just the second minute. After the first five tackles of the match, Newcastle put in a clearing kick which Keano Kini took on the full over his left shoulder. Keano Kini immediately assessed the situation and seeing that the Knights had a shortened defensive line on the right side of their kick chase, Keano Kini exploded to his left, getting on the outside of the final Knights defender on the right of their defensive line, surging forty metres down the left touch line before eventually being corralled. The Titans scored the first try of the match two plays later, with the try being directly attributable to Keano Kini’s line break.

Wonderful stepping by Keano Kini was a key determinant in Keano Kini’s second half try, but the Knights should have known what was coming after getting a taste of his stepping ability when Keano Kini restarted play from a tap restart in the eighth minute of the first half after a Knights long kick went dead in-goal. Keano Kini took the tap from the twenty metre mark running to his left before producing a jump step off his right foot. On that occasion the Knights defence prevented a line break, in the second half they were not so lucky.

In June 2021 Keano Kini started at five eight for a Titans U17 side that played a Titans Northern Rivers U18 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain raiser to the Titans Round Fourteen NRL match against the Sydney Roosters.

The match saw Keano Kini dominate for long stretches including late in the second half when he scored in the left corner after a long Matthew Barrow break. In that period, Keano Kini also had a try assist when after he engaged the defensive line he got a great one arm off-load away to put William Semu into space to score untouched from long range.

Keano Kini also recorded a line break assist in the second half with a smart pass to hie left putting Matthew Barrow away for a fifty metre run down the left touchline.

Keano Kini was no less impressive in the first half, scoring one try and setting up another. Keano Kini scored when he backed up a long break from Arama Hau, receiving an off-load from his right to race forty five metres untouched to score.

Keano Kini’s try assist came whilst he was operating on the left side of the field. Keano Kini skipped on the outside of two Northern Rivers defenders on two occasions from twenty five metres out before drawing a third defender and offloading to William Semu who charged twenty metres to score near the left corner.

It was great to see in October 2020 Keano Kini named in the 2021 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.

Keano Kini started from the bench for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup side in their first 2021 trial which was against the Easts Tigers at Langland’s Park and was one of the Seagulls best in their 28 – 12 first up victory.

In Tweed Heads second 2021 MM Cup trial against Burleigh that Tweed Heads comprehensively won, Keano Kini played the first half at fullback and then came back on late in the match to line up at fullback once again and scoring late in the match.

Keano Kini’s late second half try was a typical fullbacks opportunist try when after loitering behind the play the ball Keano Kini loomed up on the left of Ryan Foran. Ryan Foran steamed onto the ball forty eight metres out from the line, utilising a slight step off his left foot to break through the Burleigh defensive line and then Ryan Foran positioned his support in Keano Kini perfectly to draw the fullback and pass to his left for Kini to sprint twenty five metres to put the ball down under the posts.

Keano Kini was in the action early in the match setting up a try down the left side of the field for Tweed Heads left second rower Jayden Wright, Keano Kini took the pass from the dummy half twenty metres out down a wide blind side. Keano Kini ran at the line with the ball in both hands before subtly adjusting his running line to his left and producing a good short ball to the left of his body to put Jayden Wright into a gap and from there the second rower was able to power over and score five metres in from the left corner post.

Keano Kini also produced an outstanding run in the first half, when from a Seagulls scrum win, Keano Kini ran to the left of the field, rounding three defenders and making twenty metres downfield but just as he was about to breakaway, Keano Kini was dragged down from behind. Keano Kini however won a penalty for his team after the run when the Burleigh defence would not allow him to get to his feet and execute a quick play the ball.

Keano Kini also started from the bench in Tweed Heads final 2021 MM Cup final against the Souths Logan Magpies at Logan, scoring early in the second quarter. Keano Kini came onto the left wing in the second quarter before playing fullback in the second half.

Keano Kini’s try came in the 25th minute of the match, he had stayed on the left touchline as the ball was being thrown out in his direction. Keano Kini received the ball from Kaleb Ngamanu who threw a long pass to his left to Keano Kini. Three Souths Logan defenders were coming across in cover defence, but at the last moment Keano Kini who had presented that he was going for the left corner, stepped back inside off his left, resulting in all three defenders sailing past. Keano Kini was then able to dive over to score five metres in from the left corner post.

Keano Kini’s first run of the match came off a Tweed Heads scrum win. Keano Kini had moved in from his left wing to be the first receiver to the left of the scrum, darting past two defenders whilst making fifteen valuable metres from deep in his own half.

Keano Kini produced another superb second quarter run and once again it was as first receiver from a scrum with a Tweed Heads feed ten metres from their own line. Keano Kini received the ball just five metres out from his own line and literally ran around the three Souths Logan right side defenders before beating one when he stepped back inside off his left. Keano Kini burst through four attempted arm tackles on defenders who were trying to keep up with his directional changes before he was hit high from behind with the Souths Logan defender being sin binned and put on report for the high hit. Keano Kini’s exceptional run had brought the ball an additional thirty metres away from the Tweed heads Seagulls line.

Keano Kini continued his dominant performance in the second minute of the third quarter with an outstanding offload and line break assist. After moving to fullback, Keano Kini chimed into the Tweed Heads backline on the left side of the field, going deep into the line before producing an outstanding right arm around the corner pass to put Ryan Foran into space.

Keano Kini continued his exceptional match later in the third quarter with yet another impressive run. Souths Logan received a penalty and kicked for touch but the Tweed Heads left winger was able to bat the ball back into the field of play. Keano Kini retrieved the ball inside his own twenty, immediately racing to his right at a 60 degree angle. As he approached the Souths Logan defensive line, Keano Kini stepped subtly off his left twice but bumping off one defender who tried to take him chest high before cutting back to his left to make an additional ten metres post contact. In total from when he retrieved the ball, Keano Kini make forty metres.

Keano Kini produced a further outstanding run a couple of minutes later from the second hit-up after Billy Mozer’s try. Taking a hit-up to the left of the play the ball, Keano Kini was initially hit behind the advantage line, but after breaking that tackle, he exploded down field to make ten metres.

A third impressive run in the third quarter came in the 8th minute of the quarter when Keano Kini looped around to a short left blind side from a Titans scrum win. Thomas Weaver received the ball from Blake Mozer who had packed in at lock and held the ball up as Riley Lack ran a decoy line, giving the ball to Keano Kini who made twenty metres downfield utilising his exceptional footwork to beat multiple tackles.

Just two minutes later, Keano Kini again broke through the Souths Logan defensive line after being the first receiver of a Titans scrum win. Keano Kini ran to the right after receiving the ball from the back of the scrum, stepping off his left to beat one defender, making fifteen metres downfield before eventually being brought down.

Keano Kini also showcased his outstanding top end speed in the second quarter. Souths Logan Magpies captain and five eight Ezra Mam broke through the Tweed Heads right sided defence and chipped over the fullback with a foot race ensuing. Keano Kini started ten metres behind Mam and on the opposite side of the field but within twenty five metres Keano Kini had caught and passed Mam in the race to the ball that had pulled up in the in-goal, ultimately knocking the ball dead.

Keano Kini started Round One of the 2021 MM Cup competition on the left wing before spending a significant portion of the second half at fullback as Tweed Heads took on the Ipswich Jets at home and set up the Seagulls first try of the match.

Thomas Weaver took the ball down a shortish left blindside and throwing a long cut out pass when he was forty eight metres out to his left to put Keano Kini away down the left touch line. Keano Kini flew down the left touchline, drawing the fullback and passing back to his left looking for Jaylan De Groot who was backing up on the inside. The Ipswich Jets right winger got his hand in the way to knock the ball towards the Seagulls try line with Jaylan De Groot retrieving the ball to run ten metres to score nine metres from the left corner post to cross for the Seagulls first try of the match.

One of the things that has stood out in his time in Australia has been Keano Kini’s willingness to bring the ball out of his own territory and against Ipswich that was highlighted in the 16th minute when he made elven metres from a hit-up bringing the ball out of his own twenty metre area.

In the second half with more room to move, Keano Kini had some good moments including in the 54th minute when he tracked back to retrieve the ball essentially on his own line, utilising his outstanding right foot step, Keano Kini easily beat the first defender down the field.

Keano Kini also started on the left wing in Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies and like he did in Round One Keano Kini moved to fullback in the second half with Keano Kini scoring in just the second minute of the match in their 32 – 24 victory.

Keano Kini scored when he flew down the left touch line to dive over in the left corner, putting the ball down with his outstretched right arm after getting a gem of a pass from Jaylan De Groot.

Keano Kini also had a line break assist in just the 7th minute of the match. As he has all season, Keano Kini was the Seagulls first receiver from scrums, normally on the left side of the field. After receiving the ball, Keano Kini cut to his outside forcing the defender on his left to commit to the tackle and after driving into the line and drawing two defenders, Keano Kini threw a great ball to his left to put Kaleb Ngamanu into space down the left touchline.

Keano Kini’s speed and willingness to take the ball through the centre of the ruck was showcased once again in the 45th minute when he charged onto the ball just inside Souths Logan’s territory to the right of the play the ball. Keano Kini broke two tackles, making twelve metres before bouncing to his feet to generate a quick play the ball with Jaylan De Groot scoring due to the Souths Logan defence still back peddling from Keano Kini’s effort.

Once again in the 48th minute, Keano Kini took pressure off his forward pack when he took the second hit from the kick-off from Jaylan De Groot’s try, with Keano Kini breaking two tackles to get the ball out past the thirty metre line and then was awarded a penalty when the Souths Logan defence would not allow him to get to his feet for a quick play the ball.

Keano Kini continued his exceptional display in the 49th minute when he produced another line break when they got on the outside of his direct opponent on the left, breaking through the defensive line but unfortunately his pass back on the inside went to ground with a try potentially in the offing.

Keano Kini was literally everywhere and bobbed up once again in the 57th minute with yet another hit-up to the left of the play the ball, once again bring the ball out of his own territory, getting the ball up to the forty metre area.

Even with the game winding down and the Seagulls guaranteed the win, Keano Kini could not be kept out of the match. From a Tweed Heads scrum win on their own twenty, Keano Kini received the ball to the left of the scrum and literally ran around the Souths Logan right side defence to run twenty five metres downfield before cutting inside near the halfway mark to put a stamp on yet another impressive dare I say it, dominate performance.

Keano Kini once again started on the left wing in the Round Three Gold Coast derby against the Burleigh Bears scoring once again in the Seagulls victory.

As has become the norm, Keano Kini and Jaylen De Groot swapped positions on a number of occasions over the course of the match.

Keano Kini’s try came towards the end of the first half when he followed through a great break by Bailey Martin who off-loaded to his right to find Keano Kini in open space to run twenty metres untouched to score to the left of the uprights and bring the ball around from the left corner under no pressure.

Keano Kini had to be on his game in just the 9th minute of the match when Burleigh right second rower Seth Nikotemo put in a surprise chip ten metres out from the line. Keano Kini had to come off his left wing and dive forward to take the ball on the full less than a minute away from the try line. Keano Kini was then able to stay low to prevent being forced back into the in-goal.

The second half saw Keano Kini break through the Burleigh defensive line seemingly at will with the first of those occasions coming in the 46th minute when Keano Kini darted out of dummy half to his left. As soon as he was clear of the ruck, Keano Kini stepped off his right to get through the line and get Tweed Heads into Burleigh’s territory with Keano Kini making eighteen metres from the run.

Keano Kini broke the Burleigh line once again in the 50th minute. After Burleigh kicked to their right, Jaylan De Groot received the ball on the left and threw a long pass to his right that found Keano Kini in acres of space. Keano Kini stepped off his right to easily break through a fractured Burleigh defensive line, making thirty five metres downfield before finally being held.

Then in the 55th minute Keano Kini made his third line break in just ten minutes when he ran out of dummy half to his left, breaking two tackles before being tackled on the Burleigh forty metre mark after a twenty one metre run.

Unfortunately Keano Kini was unable to finish the match due to a lower leg injury with that injury forcing Keano Kini to miss the remainder of the 2021 MM Cup season.

In the Queensland Rugby League 2021 MM Cup Player of the Year Award Keano Kini was awarded two votes.

In mid-February 2021 Keano Kini was named at fullback in the school boy Oceanic Opens side for the South Coast school boy QSSRL U18 trial against Broadwater. Following the final round of trials, Keano Kini was named at fullback in the 2021 South Coast U18 school boy QSSRL squad.

After missing the opening two rounds of the 2021 Langer Cup school boy competition, Keano Kini started Round Three for PBC in a Gold Coast derby against Coombabah State High School, putting in a Player of the Match performance in PBC’s come from behind victory. Keano Kini’s initial involvement in the match came in the 3rd minute with his first run when he took a hit-up off the dummy half to the left making twelve metres.

Keano Kini dominant performance included a 33rd minute try when he took possession as PBC spun the ball to their left with Keano Kini collecting a Thomas Weaver pass on the bounce and exploding to his left through a gap and brought the ball around to put it down under the posts completely untouched.

Keano Kini almost scored a second try in the final minute of the match when from fifteen metres out on the left side of the field, Keano Kini stepped off his left foot to beat two defenders before charging at the line, initially it appeared that he got the ball down, but the referee adjudged that Keano Kini lost the ball just short of the line.

In addition to his try, Keano Kini made multiple line breaks with the first coming in the 8th minute with a line break after taking the kick-off after PBC’s opening try, making twenty metres before being brought to ground.

In the 18th minute Keano Kini made another line break when he took a Coombabah SHS clearing kick on the full and burst thirty metres downfield breaking three tackles. Keano Kini broke the Coombabah SHS line yet again in the 44th minute with the line break coming from what appeared at the start to be a regulation hit-up to the left of the play the ball thirty metres out from his own line. As he approached the defensive line, Keano Kini produced a devastating left foot step to slice through the line and then bamboozled the fullback with two left foot steps. Only after he got around the fullback and beat two more tackles was Keano Kini finally brought to ground.

Keano Kini continued at fullback for the Round Four blockbuster against Marsden State High School and was his usual elusive self, including a great effort in the 9th minute when he retrieved a short Marsden SHS grubber kick into the in-goal and even with Marsden chasers everywhere, Keano Kini was able to step around a number of defenders to get the ball out of his own in-goal.

Keano Kini also produced an outstanding piece of play after the final siren. With Marsden SHS down by six as the final siren sounded, from fifteen metres from their own line Marsden kicked towards William Semu who charged onto the ball and flew down the left touchline and just as he looked as if he had beaten Keano Kini was able to produce a great desperate tackle to bring William Semu down just short of the line and save the match for PBC.

Keano Kini continued at fullback for the much anticipated Round Six local derby against Keebra park State High School and recorded a 53rd minute try assist when he ran at the line on the left side of the field, digging deep into the line before off-loading to his left to put his winger over in the left corner.

Keano Kini overall had a strong match including an impressive first kick return in just the second minute of the match when he was able to get the ball back to the halfway mark after taking receipt of the ball deep inside his own twenty metre area.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Round Six against Mabel Park State High School and once again his ability to run parallel to the defensive line before exploding through the smallest of gaps was highlighted on numerous occasions including in the 55th minute when he exploded through a gap to comfortably break through the Mabel Park SHS defensive line, making thirty five metres for his progress was halted.

Keano Kini also scored for PBC in their 22 – 4 victory when in the 48th minute with the Mabel Park SHS defence back peddling Keano Kini ran the ball down a short left blindside, initially receiving the ball eighteen metres out before cutting off the left foot and then accelerating forward before diving over ten metres in from the left corner post between two defenders.

After the competition was suspended for a number of weeks due to a Covid 19 lock down, Keano Kini was named at fullback for PBC State High School in their semi-final against Keebra Park State High School with Keano Kini scoring the match sealing try in the 49th minute when after receiving the ball on the left side of the field around twenty metres out, Keano Kini dummied to his left before slicing through the Keebra Park defensive line to get the ball down ten metres from the left upright.

Keano Kini’s first of multiple outstanding contributions for PBC came in just the 2nd minute when Keano Kini made twelve metres to get to ten metres out after joining the backline on the left side of the field. Keano Kini then almost set up PBC’s opening try of the match with a great cut put pass to the left but the pass was desperately knocked down by the Keebra Park right winger.

Keano Kini then produced a great kick return in the 5th minute, bringing the ball back and running to his left before straightening up and taking the line on. Keano Kini was hit high in the subsequent tackle and was awarded a deserved penalty.

Keano Kini also recorded a line break assist in the match in the 19th minute when after receiving the ball, Keano Kini cut back to his left before straightening up and getting halfway through the line before throwing a great right arm around the corner pass to put Bailey Martin away down the left channel on a fifteen metre run.

Keano Kini made a line break of his own in the 18th minute with a strong run to his right, making fifteen metres from the second hit-up off the kick off from Jett Forbes first half intercept try.

Keano Kini continued his impressive ball running in the 57th minute with a strong run and right arm flick off-load to Brock Priestley to get the ball well into Keebra Park territory.

Keano Kini was also outstanding defensively in the match including a great one on one tackle on a rampaging Arama Hau in the 26th minute after the Keebra Park lock had broken through the heart of the PBC SHS defensive line.

Also on three occasions Keano Kini was able to hold up Keebra Park attackers over the line. The first of those occasions came in the 12th minute when he along with Ryan Foran and Thomas Weaver held up one of the Keebra Park front rowers over the try line.

In the 14th minute, Keano Kini along with Jayden Wright, Michael Roberts and Oskar Bryant held up Blake Mozer over the line and then in the 25th minute, Keano Kini, Michael Roberts, Brock Priestley and Bailey Martin held up Aram Hau over the line directly under the posts.

In the 2021 Langer Cup Grand Final against Marsden State High School, Keano Kini was named to start at fullback row for PBC and was his usual elusive self in the match including a 20th minute kick return of thirty metres. Keano Kini ran to his right after taking possession of the ball and getting between two defenders making the thirty metres before off-loading to Deine Mariner who was able to make thirty metre more.

Post the 2021 Langer Cup Grand Final, Keano Kini was named the joint Justin Hodges Medal winner for the most outstanding player in the 2021 Langer Cup competition. Keano Kini was also named at fullback in the Courier Mail 2021 Langer Cup Team of the Year.

Keano Kini was then named at fullback for PBC in the Queensland Open School Boys Final (Phil Hall Cup) against St Brendan’s College Yeppoon with Keano Kini scoring a double in PBC’s big 62 – 0 win.

Keano Kini’s opening try of the Grand Final came in just the 3rd minute of the match when Keano Kini received the ball on the left side of the field. When he was ten metres out, Keano Kini dummied to his left and then stepped off his left foot to get through the St Brendon’s initial defensive line before crashing over ten metres in from the left corner post.

Keano Kini scored his second try of the Grand Final in the 40th minute and it was the try of the match. St Brendan’s kicked downfield from inside their own territory with Keano Kini moving forward to take the ball on the move thirty metres from his own line. Keano Kini then split the St Brendan’s line and from there it was shut the gate with Keano Kini easily outpacing the cover defence to score near the right corner.

Keano Kini came oh so close to splitting the St Brendan’s defensive line in the 19th minute when he collected a St Brandan’s attacking kick just ten metres from his own line and burst downfield, getting over the twenty metre line before just being grabbed by his legs from behind. With the St Brendan’s defence still in disarray, the St Brendan’s defender was forced to hold Keano Kini down and concede a penalty.

At the end of the 2021 season, Keano Kini was named at No. 7 in the Courier Mail Top 60 school boys from the GPS Rugby, AIC Rugby and Langer Cup competitions.

In March 2020 Keano Kini was selected to captain the under 16 NZtag Black team that was due to compete in the 2020 Trans-Tasman Series however that competition was postponed as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic. Early 2020 also saw Keano Kini named in the initial New Zealand rugby league U16 representative squad.

Keano Kini was not able to play much rugby league in 2020 but was able to play First XV school boy rugby in New Zealand for Rosmini College, not bad at all for a 16 year old.

Keano Kini started the 2020 school boy rugby year at fullback (N0. 15) for Rosmini College in their pre-season match against Rangitoto Collage, and when he season proper started all six of Rosmini College's First XV matches at fullback, finishing second in the competition with five wins and just one loss.

Keano Kini started against Kaipara High School (Round One 59 - 0 win), Westlake Boys High School (Round Two 24 - 19 loss), TGS (Round Three 31 - 5 win), Massey High School (Round Four 14 - 0), Orewa College (Round Five 48 - 5 win) and Whangarei Boys High (Round Six 43 - 10 win).

Post the school boy First XV competition, Keano Kini was selected for the New Zealand Rugby Blues U18 training squad.

In October 2020 Keano Kini played for Kotahitanga in the 2020 New Zealand Maori tournament and post the competition of the tournament was named at fullback in the U17 All-tournament team.

Keano Kini started the Grand Final of the 2020 New Zealand Maori Tournament at fullback for Kotahitanga as they defeated Taranaki Whanau 36 – 12 with Keano Kini scoring a try and kicking two conversions in the victory. Keano Kini scored when he was operating on the right side of the field and chased through a chip kick, taking the ball on the full and rounding two defenders to score under the posts.

The NZ Maori U17 side featuring Keano Kini at fullback played a New Zealand Residents U16 team on 24 October 2020 at Rotorua International Stadium with New Zealand Maori going down 46 – 6.

In 2019 Keano Kini played for Marist Saints in the Auckland U16 Open Rugby League competition even though he was impressively still U15 eligible. To be fair Keano Kini did not just play in the Auckland U16 competition, he absolutely dominated it, finishing at or near the top of the competition in the try scoring, goal kicking and overall points scoring categories.

Keano Kini moved to the Marist Saints from the Northcote Tigers where he had previously played his entire junior rugby league with before the 2019 season. Keano Kini currently attends Auckland’s Rosmini College where amongst other sporting pursuits Keano Kini played rugby, including sevens in Year Seven.

In the 2019 Auckland U16 Open competition, even though he was still U15 eligible Keano Kini had some outstanding matches including scoring twenty eight points from three tries and kicking eight goals against Mangere East Hawks in Round One and eighteen points from two tries and five goals against the Te Atatu Roosters in Round Two.

Being Marist Saints primary goal kicker meant that Keano Kini was one of the Auckland U16 Open competitions leading point’s scorers over the course of the 2019 season and try scorers for that matter.

Keano Kini started at half for Marist Saints in their 24- 12 semi-final win over the Waitemta Seagulls to progress to the 2019 Auckland U16 Open Grand Final.​

In the 2019 Auckland U16 Open Grand Final Keano Kini started at half for Marist Saints against the Pakuranga Kingz with Marist Saints coming away with a 22 – 8 victory, with Keano Kini kicking three conversions from four attempts with his only miss being his first attempt of the Grand Final from wide out to the right of the uprights.

Keano Kini also set up Marist Saints first try of the Grand Final. Early in the first half, Keano Kini, was operating on the right side of the field two off the ruck. After receiving the ball is space, Keano Kini ran at the line with the ball out in front of his body in two hands, accelerating as he went. Impressively Keano Kini ran at the gap between two defenders, drawing both before popping a great short ball to his right for his fullback to surge over.

Also in 2019 Keano Kini started at half and kicked a conversion for the Auckland U16 side in their NRL curtain raiser in May 2019 against an U16 Future Warriors side at Mt Smart Stadium.

Keano Kini was part of the Marist Saints side that toured Australian in July 2019 playing a number of matches including a match on the Gold Coast against a Keebra Park select side in prefect conditions on the Gold Coast at Keebra Park’s school campus. In that match Keano Kini kicked five conversions.

Keano Kini also started at half in another tour match against the Mudgeeraba Redbacks with Keano Kini kicking six goals as Marist Saints defeated the Redbacks 48 – 0, with Keano Kini also recording a try assist, when operating on the right of the field, he held the ball up beautifully to put the Marist Saints right centre away on a twenty metre run to score.

To cap off an outstanding 2019, Keano Kini was selected in the New Zealand U16 side that played a TAO Samoa U16 side in Auckland in October. Keano Kini played the entire match at half for New Zealand and converted their final try with six minutes to go from directly in front as his New Zealand side went down 26 – 20.

Even though he played the 2019 season in the Auckland Rugby League U16 competition and represented New Zealand at the U16 level, Keano Kini was still U15 eligible in 2019 and represented the Akarana Falcons in that age group in the 2019 New Zealand U15 National Youth Tournament, an impressive achievement.

On Day One of the Tournament Keano Kini started at half and scored for the Akarana Falcons as they defeated the Wellington Orca’s 40 – 10. On Day Two Keano Kini once again started at half back as his Akarana Falcons side won 12 – 0 against the South Island Scorpions to be unbeaten after two matches.

On Day Three Keano Kini had a huge match scoring a double and kicking four goals as the Akarana Falcons defeated the Northern Swords 48 – 4. In the Akarana Falcons semi-final clash against Wai Coa-Bay Keano Kini was once again at half and scored a double as the Akarana Falcons progressed to the Tournament final on the back of a 32 – 8 win.

In the New Zealand U15 National Youth Cup Final against the Manakua Stingrays Keano Kini led his Akarana Falcons side from half back to the New Zealand U15 National Youth Title on the back of a 18 -6 win.

At the conclusion of the Championship Final, Keano Kini was named the New Zealand U15 National Youth Tournament Player of the Tournament and was also named at half in the U15 All-Tournament Team to cap an outstanding week for the budding Titans super star.

In 2018 Keano Kini represented the Akarana Falcons at the New Zealand U15 National Youth Tournament including kicking four conversions on Day One against the exceptionally named Wellington Orca’s.

Rugby League recognition is not new to Keano Kini who in 2016 was named MVP of the U13 2016 ARL Jets camp, also making the merit squad from the camp and playing for the Auckland U13 side.

2016 also saw Keano Kini named MVP of the Auckland Rugby League Regional Representative season when Keano Kini played in the U13 competition.

Incredibly Keano Kini attended a Titans meet and great session in 2014 at the home of the Northcote Tigers. Obviously the Titans players that were there made a very positive impression that day on Keano Kini.

In addition to also dabbling in rugby Keano Kini is also an outstanding athlete being named U13 Auckland Athlete of the year in 2016 for his exploits in other sports such as tennis and athletics amongst others.

Keano Kini continued to have an outstanding athletes career with Rosmini College. In 2019 Keano Kini competed in the Auckland North Zone Athletics Championships, running in the 100 metre and 200 metre events.

In the 100 metres, Keano Kini finished third in the final running 11.99 seconds into a head wind after running 11.88 seconds in the preliminaries. Keano Kini also finished second in the 200 metre final running 24.26 seconds improving the time that he ran in the preliminaries which was 24.35 seconds.

Keano Kini also competed for Rosmini College in the 2018 Auckland North Zone Athletics Championships, representing his school in long jump and the 100 metre and 200 metre spring events.

In the long jump Keano Kini finished second with a jump of 5.28 metres. In the 100 metres sprint Keano Kini finished sixth in the final running 11.65 seconds after running 12.50 in the preliminary round. In the 200 metre final Keano Kini finished second running 25.69 seconds after improving from running 25.95 seconds in the preliminary round.

In 2016 Keano Kini had an outstanding year from an athletics perspective including being awarded an Integrated Schools Sporting Award for winning a gold, silver and bronze medal at the Colgate Games and two gold medals at the Trans-Tasman Athletics Championships.

In 2016 Keano Kini was named the Rosmini College Intermediate Athlete of the Year after winning the long jump, 100 metres and 200 metres sprint races at the school athletics championships. Keano Kini jumped 5.87 metres to win the long jump, ran 11.65 seconds to win the 100 metres and 23.7 seconds to win the 200 metre sprint.

To round off an impressive 2016 Keano Kini represented Rosmini College in basketball at the NZCT AIMS Games, ultimately being named in the boys merit side after leading Rosmini College to a second place finish.

 

[mdrew]

Keano Kini - 2022-2023:

Keano Kini made his NRL debut off the bench in the 2023 Round Ten Magic Round match against the Parramatta Eels with Keano Kini playing the final thirteen minutes of the match at hooker.

In those thirteen minutes Keano Kini ran for twenty four metres (five post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.08 seconds and made eight tackles at an 88.89% tackling efficiency.

Keano Kini was then named to make his first NRL start of his career from fullback in Round Fourteen against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs and whilst playing the entire eighty minutes of the match Keano Kini ran for 135 metres (forty post contact), made a tackle break, played the ball at an average speed of 3.38 seconds and made a tackle.

Keano Kini then came off the bench in Round Twenty Three against the New Zealand Warriors with Keano Kini coming onto the field to operate at fullback late in the second half.

In his twelve minutes on the field Keano Kini ran for forty nine metres (eleven post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.14 seconds and made three tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Keano Kini continued from the bench in Round Twenty Four against the Cronulla Sharks playing the second half at fullback and coming close to scoring his first NRL try but the bunker ruled at Keano Kini had lost possession of the ball prior to the try line.

In his forty minutes on the field Keano Kini ran for 123 metres (thirty six post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.6 seconds and made a tackle whilst missing none.

Keano Kini then was named in the Titans starting side at fullback for Round Twenty Five against the Penrith Panthers however a late change saw Keano Kini named the Titans 18th player for the match.

Keano Kini then came off the bench in Round Twenty Six against the Melbourne Sotrm and in his thirty minutes at fullback off the bench Keano Kini ran for sixty six metres (thirteen post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.53 seconds and made a tackle.

Round Twenty Seven being the final round of the 2023 NRL saw Keano Kini named on the bench against the Bulldogs however a late change saw Keano Kini the match at fullback and whilst playing all eighty minutes Keano Kini ran for a team leading 227 metres (sixty two post contact), made a line break, broke six tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.28 seconds and made a tackle.

In total in the 2023 NRL competition Keano Kini played in six matches, making a line break, breaking fifteen tackles, running for 628 metres at an average of 104 metres per match and made fifteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 65.2%.

Impressively Round One of the 2023 NRL competition saw Keani Kini named on the extended bench for the Titans for their away match against the Wests Tigers and Keano Kini was also named on the Titans extended NRL bench for Round Two against the St George Dragons and Round Three against the Melbourne Storm.

Keano Kini was also named in the Titans NRL extended bench for the Round Four away match against the North Queensland Cowboys, Round Six at Cbus Stadium against the St George Dragons and Round Eight against the Redcliffe Dolphins.

Keano Kini was named on the bench for the Titans NRL side in their opening 2023 trial against the Brisbane Bronco’s on the Sunshine Coast with Keano Kini coming onto the field at halftime at operate at fullback and to say that Keano Kini made a great impact to announce himself in the NRL would be an understatement.

Keano Kini was electric from the opening moments that he was on the field including a line break in the 45th minute when Keano Kini loomed up off the right hip of Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui who popped a great short ball to his right to a flying Keano Kini thirty five metres out with Keano Kini bursting through the initial Bronco’s defensive line before easily rounding Reece Walsh to his left and Keano Kini was only caught when he was within three metres of the try line.

Keano Kini showed his calmness under pressure in the 47th minute when he was very patient to allow a long Bronco’s clearing kick to go dead in goal with Keano Kini then racing back to the twenty metre mark to take the tap restart.

Keano Kini then set the crowd and television public (and commentators) alight in the 49th minute when he cut inside to his left underneath Tannah Boyd back towards the centre of the field with Keano Kini making Martin Tapau look foolish when he beat him with a 360 degree clockwise spin with Keano Kini then getting and off-load away when he was catch by a Brisbane defender.

Keano Kini made a line break in the 60th minute when from forty metres out from the try line when he burst onto a Sam McIntyre off-load with Keano Kini getting to within ten metres of the try line before he was eventually tackled.

Keano Kini highlighted his ability to make the tough metres in the 66th minute when from thirty metres out from his own try line Keano Kini ran the ball to the right of the play the ball and made a half break as he got the ball into Bronco’s territory with the majority of the metres that Keano Kini made being of the post contact variety.

In his time on the field Keano Kini ran for an impressive 151 metres (forty eight post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.38 seconds and made a tackle, missing none.

Keano Kini was also named on the bench for the Titans second 2023 NRL trial against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Keano Kini playing fullback for the final thirty minutes of the match. In that time Keano Kini ran for fifty two metres (three post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 2.62 seconds and missed no tackles whilst making two.

As a result of Keano Kini’s performance’s in the 2023 NRL trials, Keano Kini’s Development contract was upgraded to Titans NRL Top 30 contract.

In early October 2023 Keano Kini was named in the New Zealand Rugby League Pacific Championships Squad with Keano Kini named on the New Zealand extended bench in Round Two against Tao Samoa as well as in Round Three against the Kangaroo’s.



Keano Kini made his International debut when he started at fullback for the New Zealand A side against Tonga A with Keano Kini scoring his first International try in the 47th minute when after backing up a line break out of dummy half by Danny Levi, Keano Kini loomed up on his left and then after receiving the pass Keano Kini raced twenty six metres to score under the posts.

Keano Kini also recorded a try assist in just the 2nd minute of the match when from two passes to the right of the play the ball Keano Kini joined the New Zealand A backline fourteen metres out and after continuing to run to the right and getting to within ten metres of the try line, Keano Kini was able to draw the Tonga A left winger and then off-load to his right winger who then scored in the right corner.

Keano Kini recorded a second try assist in the 60th minute with a great tip on of a pass to his right from ten metres out from his try line just as he was being hit with Keano Kini’s left winger scoring in the corner as a result of Keano Kini’s outstanding work on his inside. Keano Kini paid for his effort however with a heavy hit to his rib cage.

Keano Kini also made a half break in the 58th minute when after joining the New Zealand backline on the right Keano Kini skipped to the outside of his direct opponent as he carried the ball from forty metres out from the try line to twenty two metres out.

Keano Kini did exceptionally well in the 28th minute when after racing to his right and collecting a Tonga A grubber kick eight metres inside his own in-goal area, Keano Kini was able to ger the ball back into the field of play by a metre near the left touchline.

The 14th minute saw good a good drop-out return to get the ball back to within twenty metres of the try line, then in the 16th minute Keano Kini ran the ball out of dummy half to his right to get the ball from twenty metres out from his own try line to thirty one metres out.

Keano Kini followed up with another run out of dummy half in the 19th minute when after running once again to his right Keano Kini got the ball to within thirteen metres of the try line after taking possession of the ball twenty six metres out. Then in the 48th minute from the Tonga A kick-off after his try Keano Kini took the kick-off on the full and got the ball back out to the twenty seven metre mark.

Keano Kini made a good kick return in the 40th minute when after fielding a kick on the full five metres out from his own try line near the right touchline, Keano Kini ran the ball towards the centre of the field and was able to return the ball out to thirty two metres from his own try line in the centre of the field.

Keano Kini did well defensively in the 27th minute to be involved in holding up the Tonga A dummy half over the try line and under the posts after he had tried to force his way over by running out of dummy half.

In early December 2022 Keano Kini took part in a joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL squad.

2023 also saw Keano Kini named at fullback in the Courier Mail School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Team of the 2020’s and in early September 2023 Keano Kini was also named at fullback in the Courier Mail’s PBC SHS Rugby League Team of the 2020’s to date.

2023 saw Keano Kini move from the Tweed Heads Seagulls to the fellow Titans affiliated Burleigh Bears.

Round One of the 2023 Queensland Cup competition saw Keano Kini named at fullback for the Burleigh Bears against the Norths Devils with Keano Kini recording a try assist in the 26th minute when after joining the Seagulls backline on the left side of the field, Keano Kini took the ball to the defensive line before passing to his left for his centre to score just in from the left corner post.

Keano Kini recorded a line break in the 57th minute when after Burleigh put in a short goal line drop-out to their left, Keano Kini received the tip back just five metres out from the try line. From there Keano Kini ran back towards the centre of the field making it all of the way to within seven metres of the halfway mark,

Keano Kini also recorded a line break assist in the 52nd minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the dummy half and forty metres from his own try line Keano Kini ran to his left and after drawing in the Devils right centre, Keano Kini got a good ball away to his left to put his centre on a line break down the left touch line.

Keano Kini’s first run in the Queensland Cup came in the 4th minute when from forty metres out and to the left of a Tweed Heads scrum win, Keano Kini sprinted at the defensive line, stepping off his left foot to make fifteen metres.

Then in the 17th minute Keano Kini received the ball to the left of the play the ball, Keano Kini, after juggling the ball dummied to his left and then after engaging two Devils defenders five metres out from the try line Keano Kini was able to get an off-load away.

In the 38th minute Keano Kini took a Devils kick on the full a metre out from the try line whilst running towards his own try line in front of the posts with Keano Kini then running the ball to his right and getting the ball two metres over the twenty metre mark.

Then in the 55th minute when thirty five metres out from his own try line Keano Kini received an off-load after trailing forward hit up with Keano Kini exploding through a number of defenders before being tackled near the halfway mark.

The 73rd minute saw Keano Kini make a great take of a Devils bomb on the full under intense pressure just three metres out from his own try line five metres in from the right touchline. Then in the 78th minute from thirty three metres from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Keano Kini ran the ball at the defensive line before stepping off his right foot to beat one defender as Keano Kini got the ball within three metres of the halfway mark.

Playing the entire eighty minutes of his Queensland Cup debut Keano Kini ran for a team leading and match leading 247 metres (fifty four post contact), recorded a try assist and line break assist, broke five tackles, off-loaded the ball on two occasions, played the ball at an average speed of 3.85 seconds and made two tackles.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins however an injury that he suffered mid-way through the firest half saw Keano Kini move to the wing before leaving the field in the 70th minute.

Keano Kini made his first kick return of the match inside the opening minute when after collecting the ball ten metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field, Keano Kini ran the ball back to the thirty metre mark.

Keano Kini then did well in the 17th minute when after being confronting by a horde of Dolphins chasing a grubber kick, Keano Kini fielded the grubber kick on the goal line and smartly got to ground quickly to prevent from being dragged back into the in-goal.

In his seventy minutes on the field Keano Kini ran for seventy five metres, played the ball at an average speed of 3.24 seconds and made a tackle.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in the Round Four local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Keano Kini recording a try assist in the 6th minute with a great catch and pass under intense pressure to his left for six metres out to put Ken Maumalo over to cross the try line wide out on the left.

Keano Kini also recorded a line break assist in the 79th minute when after running back and picking up the ball on the bounce from a long Tweed Heads kick ten metres out from his own try line an in front of his posts, Keano Kini turned around and immediately ran to his left and after drawing in the final Seagulls defender on that side of the field Keano Kini got a pass away to his left when thirty metres out from his own try line to put his left centre away down the touchline.

Keano Kini’s initial strong run of the match came in the 9th minute when after receiving the ball ten metres out from his own try line and two passes to the left of the play the ball, Keano Kini ran the ball from the centre of the field to his left and after dummying to his left Keano Kini very nearly sliced between two defenders but was brought to ground twenty nine metres out from the try line.

Keano Kini made a further strong run in the 19th minute when from thirty eight metres out from his own try line Keano Kini exploded onto the ball to the right of the dummy half and after engaging the defensive line and spinning clockwise Keano Kini carried the ball to the halfway mark.

Keano Kini engaged the Burleigh defensive line once again in the 36th minute when to the right of a Bears scrum win twenty five metres out from the try line and in the centre of the field Keano Kini ran the ball to his right and after getting on the outside of the Seagulls left centre Keano Kini set sail for the try line but was dragged to ground three metres short and just in from the right touchline.

Then in the 39th minute from ten metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field, Keano Kini received the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball and after getting on the outside of the Seagulls left side defence, Keano Kini straightened up his running line as he ran the ball out to the twenty eight metre mark.

The 61st minute saw Keano Kini receive the ball to the right of a Burleigh scrum win three metres inside his own territory. As he ran the ball over the halfway mark Keano Kini shaped to put in a chip kick for himself but instead ran the ball with Keano Kini getting the ball to forty metres out from the try line.

Keano Kini, in the 63rd minute from the left of the play the ball took possession of the ball forty metres out from his own try line and after stepping off his left foot carried the ball nine metres inside Seagulls territory.

Keano Kini displayed his outstanding positional sense in the fullback position in the 15th minute when after the Burleigh dummy half put in a grubber kick out of dummy half close to the try line, Keano Kini raced to his right and dived in the same direction to take the hard running ball cleanly and stay in the field of play ten metres to the right of the uprights.

Keano Kini showed smart positional sense at fullback in the 67th minute when he positioned himself to the right of a Seagulls play the ball and after fielding a grubber kick on his own try line Keano Kini got to the ground quickly just inside the field of play to prevent being dragged back into his in-goal area.

Keano Kini also did well from the fullback position in the 33rd minute with a great take of a high floating Burleigh bomb on the full under intense pressure twenty metres out from his own try line and two metres in from the left touchline.

Defensively Keano Kini made a try saving one on one tackle twelve metres out from the try line and just in from the left touchline on a charging Tremain Spry who had split the Burleigh defence on the halfway mark.

Playing all eighty minutes, Keano Kini ran for a team leading 226 metres (sixty eight post contact), recorded a try assist and line break assist, broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.95 seconds and made a tackle.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Five against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Keano Kini recording a try assist, line break and a line break assist in a touch day for the Bears.

Keano Kini recorded his try assist in the 55th minute when after chiming into the backline on the right side of the field, Keano Kini ran to his right and after drawing in the Falcons left winger, Keano Kini passed to his right to Tany Francis to score in the right corner.

Keano Kini added a line break in the 29th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball and “put the back” from his halfback while thirty five metres out from the try line, Keano Kini burst through a gap only to be tripped up from behind just as he was going to take on the fullback fifteen metres out from the try line.

Keano Kini added a line break assist in the 73rd minute when from the left of the play the ball and thirty metres out from his own try line Keano Kini stepped off his right foot on two occasions and when he got to within seven metres of the halfway mark, Keano Kini got a good hort ball away to his left to his left centre who charged forty metres downfield before setting up a Burleigh try.

Keano Kini did well in the 21st minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball and thirty metres out from his own try line and in the centre of the field, Keano Kini stepped off his left immediately upon receipt of the ball and was able to get the ball to within seven metres of the halfway mark.

Keano Kini also did well in the 50th minute when after Burleigh put I na short kick-off to their right, Keano Kini raced through to retrieve the ball just after it went the requisite ten metres and get the ball to within twenty eight metres of the try line.`

Playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 167 metres (forty two post contact), recorded a try assist and line break assist, made a line break, broke a team leading six tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.02 seconds and made three tackles.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Round Six against the PNG Hunters with Keano Kini recording two try assists.

Keano Kini recorded his opening try assist in just the 2nd minute when after chiming into the Bears backline on the left side of the field, Keano Kini did well to patiently wait for the ball after it had bounced just in front of him. Keano Kini then when ten metres out drew one defender and got a pass away to his right for an unmarked Ken Maumalo to score in the right corner.

Keano Kini recorded his second try assist in the 9th minute when this time on the right side of the field, Keano Kini once again chimed into the backline and then eight metres out Keano Kini threw a hard flat pass to his right to put Tony Francis over to score.

Keano Kini made a strong run in the 18th minute when after receiving the ball thirty metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Keano Kini after dummying to his left Keano Kini got to within eight metres of the try line before he was brought to ground by the Hunters cover defence.

Keano Kini also made a try saving tackle in the 40th minute on the Hunters left centre (No. 3) after he had made a line break with Keano Kini racing to his right to bring the centre down from behind just a metre out from the try line and around eight metres in from the right corner post.

Then in the 43rd minute made a great catch of a high PNG bomb around eight metres out and in the centre of the field under heavy pressure from multiple Hunters chasers.

Playing sixty eight minutes of the match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 180 metres (forty three post contact), recorded three line break assists and two try assists, played the ball at an average speed of 3.56 seconds and made three tackles.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Seven against the Brisbane Tigers with Keano Kini scoring his career first Queensland Cup try in the 61st minute when after chiming into the backline on the right side of the field around twelve metres out Keano Kini was tripped up around five metres out but was not held with Keano Kini then able to get to his feet well enough to dive forward and get the ball down six metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini also recorded a try assist in the 7th minute when after taking possession of the ball from a tipped pass on the right side of the field Keano Kini burst into space and when ten metres out threw a pass to his right to put Kea Pere over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini also made a line break in the 51st minute when after receiving an off-load from his right twenty six metres out Keano Kini darted forward and was only rbought to ground when he had gotten to within twelve metres of the try line.

Keano Kini had made a strong run in the 25th minute when after receiving an off-load thirty metres out from his own try line Keano Kini promoted the ball to the halfway mark with speed and power.

Keano Kini made a strong kick return in the 31st minute when after tracking back to collect the ball three metres out from his own try line and ten metres in from the left touchline, Keano Kini ran to his right and after stepping off his right foot to easily beat one defender, Keano Kini got the ball out to the twenty metre mark.

Kenao Kini also made a try saving tackle in the 56th minute when Keano Kini came over the top of the Tigers left centre five metres in from the right corner post to hold the centre up over the try line.

Playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 206 metres (thirty six post contact), made three line breaks, broke a team leading four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.85 seconds and made three tackles.

Keano Kini was back at fullback for the Bears in Round Ten against the Toowoomba Clydesdales with Keano Kini scoring in the 4th minute when Keano Kini backed up a line break dow the right side of the field with Keano Kini receiving the ball from his right when twenty metres out with Keano Kini comfortably able to score under the posts.

Keano Kini also made a line break in the 66th minute when after Burleigh batted back a short drop-out to their left Keano Kini picked up the ball seven metres out from his own try line and immediately exploded downfield and after getting to the thirty metre mark Keano Kini stepped off his right foot to beat two defenders with Keano Kini getting the ball two metres inside Toowoomba territory.

Earlier in the 35th minute Keano Kini chimed into the Bears backline on the right from twenty five metres out and after stepping off his right foot got within ten metres of the try line. Then in the 39th minute from the right of the play the ball and five metres inside his own territory Keano Kini carried the ball to ten metres inside Clydesdales territory.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 260 metres, a team leading seventy seven of which were post contact, made a line break, broke seven tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.63 seconds and made five tackles at an 83.33% tackling efficiency.

Keano Kini’s performance saw him named on the bench in the Queensland Rugby League 2023 Round Ten Queensland Cup Team of the Week.

After ten rounds of the 2023 Queensland Cup competition Keano Kini was fifth in terms of kick return metres made with 315 metres.

Round Thirteen saw Keano Kini start at fullback against the Norths Devils with Keano Kini recording the first of his two try assists in just the second minute of the match when after chiming into the backline on the right side of the field ten metres out Keano Kini continued to run towards the right corner and after holding the ball just long enough to draw the Norths left winger Keano Kini got the ball away to his right to give Tony Francis a clear four metre run to put the ball down in the right corner.

Keano Kini recorded his second try assist in the 6th minute when after chiming into the backline on this occasion on the left Keano Kini got the ball away to his left centre just as he was being tackled from behind to score.

Inside the opening minute of the match Keano Kini had made significant ground running the ball when after joining the Bears backline on the left side of the field, Keano Kini pulled away from an attempted jersey grab tackle forty metres from the try line with Keano Kini then carrying the ball to within twenty two metres of the try line only to be hit in a high tackle and be awarded a penalty.

The 23rd minute saw Keano Kini take a Norths kick fifteen metres out from his try line and in the centre of the field with Keano Kini able to return the ball to the twenty eight metre mark with around 70% of the metres gained being post contact with the Norths defensive line.

Keano Kini made another strong kick return in the 38th minute when after collecting the ball two metres from his own try line and on the right side of the field, Keano Kini ran the ball back towards the centre of the field out to the twenty two metre mark.

In the 53rd minute Keano Kini took a Norths kick on the full sixteen metres out in front of the posts with Keano Kini running to his left and after beating one defender Keano Kini ran the ball back towards the centre of the field and after getting past two more defenders, including a clockwise spin, Keano Kini was brought to ground four metres from the try line.

In the 28th minute Keano Kini ran out of dummy half to his right from five metres inside his own territory with Keano Kini able to get the ball ten metres inside Norths territory. Then in the 39th minute forty metres out and to the right of the play the ball Keano Kini beat one tackle after making ten metres with Keano Kini then able to make a further ten metres downfield before being brought to ground.

The 45th minute saw Keano Kini run onto the ball to the left of the play the ball thirty seven metres from the try line and after making nine metres Keano Kini was able to get his right arm free and off-load to his left to Vaka Sikahele. Then in the 49th minute ran the ball from the right of a Bears scrum win and came close to scoring after continuing to run to his right with Keano Kini finally stopped less than a metre from the try line.

Keano Kini then did well in the 72nd minute to move quickly to his left and collect a Norths grubber kick in-goal with Keano Kini then diving forward back into the field of play to prevent Burleigh having to restart the match though a goal line drop-out.

Playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 245 metres, a team leading seventy six of which were post contact, made a line break, recorded two try assists and two line break assists, broke a team leading seven tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.99 seconds and made five tackles.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in the Round Fifteen local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Keano Kini having an outstanding match including scoring in the 8th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball thirty metres out from the try line, Keano Kini stepped off his right foot to beat a Thomas Weaver attempted before Keano Kini stepped off his right foot once again to beat Tremain Spry with Keano Kini then racing away to dive over to score next to the right upright.

Keano Kini also recorded a try assist in the 59th minute when after chiming into the backline on the right side of the field, Keano Kini received the ball eighteen metres out and after engaging one defender Keano Kini was able to get a right arm flick off-load away to his right for his right centre to score eight metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini was heavily involved in another Burleigh try in the 75th minute when from around ten metres in from the right touchline Hayden Schwass flopped the ball backwards around a metre from the try line and in one lightning quick movement Keano Kini scooped up the rolling ball and passed to his right for his centre to score wide out.

Keano Kini made the first of his line breaks in the 5th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball Keano Kini made two prodigious steps off his left foot to beat defenders and carried the ball from the halfway mark to twenty three metres from the try line where the ball was knocked out of his grasp by Tweed heads for the Bears to get six more tackles.

Keano Kini made a further line break in the 62nd minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball twenty metres out from his own try line Keano Kini continued to run to his left and after shaping to pass to his left thirty metres from his own try line, Keano Kini ran himself before stepping off his left foot to beat the fullback before Keano Kini was caught from behind by Thomas Weaver around fourteen metres out from the try line in the centre of the field.

Keano Kini also made a try saving tackle in the 53rd minute when he stopped the Seagulls No. 17 right on the try line six metres to the right of the uprights.

Playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for a game leading (and team leading) 304 metres, a team leading sixty seven of which were post contact, made a game leading and team leading three line breaks, broke a game leading and team leading seven tackles, recorded a line break assist, played the ball at an average speed of 4.22 seconds and made four tackles.

Keano Kini’s performance saw him named in the 2023 Queensland Cup Queensland Rugby League Round Fifteen Team of the Week.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Round Sixteen against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Keano Kini recording a try assist in the 27th minute when after chiming into the Burleigh backline when deep on the attack on the right side of the field, Keano Kini executed a great catch and pass from twelve metres out to get the ball away to his right to Tony Francis who crashed over to score wide out on the right.

Keano Kini made the first of a number of strong runs in the match in the 10th minute when from the left of a Bears scrum win in the centre of the field and thirty metres from his own try line Keano Kini was able to get the ball to within one metre of the halfway mark with around 60% of the metres gained being post contact with the Falcons defensive line.

Then in the 30th minute from the right of the play the ball Keano Kini ran onto the ball thirty metres from his own try line and after a prodigious right foot step Keano Kini got the ball to within five metres of the halfway mark.

Keano Kini chimed into the Bears backline once again in the 42nd minute, on this occasion on the left with Keano Kini receiving the ball twenty eight metres out and after continuing to run to his left Keano Kini carried the ball to ten metres from the try line.

Keano Kini showcased his off-loading skills in the 55th minute when after receiving the ball after entering the Bears backline on the right side of the field ten metres inside Falcons territory, Keano Kini ran the ball ten metres before getting his right arm free above his head and off-loading the ball to his right.

Keano Kini also made a good kick return in the 23rd minute when after taking the ball on the full in the centre of the field and twenty metres from his own try line Keano Kini ran to his left before running back towards the centre of the field after stepping off his right foot making eighteen metres.

Keano Kini recorded a further good kick return in the 65th minute when after taking a kick on the full ten metres out from his own try line Keano Kini ran to his left before a right foot step brought him back towards the centre of the field and get the ball out to the thirty metre mark.

Keano Kini did well defensively in the 18th minute when after a Sunshine Coast line break Keano Kini executed a low one on one tackle in space near the left touchline and twenty metres out from the try line.

Keano Kini whilst playing all eighty minutes ran for a team leading 214 metres, a team leading seventy of which were post contact, recorded a try assist and a line break assist, broke a team leading five tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.46 seconds and made four tackles.

Keano Kini’s performance saw him named at fullback in the Queensland Rugby League Round Sixteen 2023 Queensland Cup Team of the Week.

After sixteen rounds of the 2023 Queensland Cup competition Keano Kini was 4th in terms of kick return metres with 493 metres.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Eighteen against the Redcliffe Dolphins but was only able to play twenty one minutes due to injury but in that time Keno Kini ran for forty two metres (fourteen post contact), broke a tackle and played the ball at an average speed of 3.25 seconds.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Round Nineteen against the Northern Pride with Keano Kini recording the first of his two try assists in the 31st minute when after chiming into the Bears backline on the right Keano Kini ran the ball to his right to four metres from the try line when Keano Kini produced an outstanding right arm flick off-load to his right to Tony Francis who scored wide out on the right.

Keano Kini recorded his second try assist in the 55th minute when after once again joining the Bears backline on the right, Keano Kini ran from fifteen metres out to ten metres out with Keano Kini then throwing a cut-out pass to his right to Tony Francis who ran over the top of his direct opponent to score in the right corner.

Playing the entire match ran for 151 metres (sixty two post contact), recorded two try assists and two line break assists, broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.76 seconds and made four tackles.

Keano Kini was back at fullback for the Preliminary Final against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Keano Kini scoring the opening two Bears tries of the match as Burleigh qualified for the Grand Final.

Keano Kini scored his opening try in the 18th minute when after receiving a pass “out the back” to the right of the play the ball ten metres from the try line, Keano Kini stepped off his right foot and spun clockwise to beat one defender with Keano Kini then carrying two more Seagulls over the try line to get the ball down five metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini scored his second try in the 24th minute when after carrying the ball from twenty five metres out from the try line to twenty metres out to the right of the dummy half Keano Kini got the ball away to his right centre, being taken to ground in the process, but Keano Kini bounced to his feet and after receiving the ball back from his centre thirteen metres out, Keano Kini exploded from a standing start, and near the line stepped off his right foot to carry the Wynnum Manly fullback over the try line with him to get the ball down four metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini also made a line break in the 44th minute when after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball as he chimed into the Burleigh backline on the halfway mark, Keano Kini burst through a gap and after running thirty metres Keano Kini drew the Wynnum Manly fullback and passed to his left to his halfback who then threw a flick pass for the Bears right second rower to score under the posts.

In the 2nd minute from twenty four metres out from the try line, Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui got a good off-load away to his left to Keano Kini who darted and stepped his way to ten metres from the try line, leaving a number of defenders in his wake.

Then in the 13th minute after receiving an off-load from his right from Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui, Keano Kini got the ball from twenty one metres out from his own try line to within four metres of the halfway mark. A minute later in the 14th minute from two passes to the right of the dummy half Keano Kini was able to create an opportunity after receiving the ball thirty metres out and running to his right and drawing in two defenders when twenty three metres out to off-load to his right but with the line open a subsequent Bears pass went to ground.

In the 39th minute Keano Kini ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half from thirty metres out to thirteen metres from the try line but Keano Kini came very very close to beating the fullback who finally brought him to ground with a right foot step.

Playing forty nine minutes Keano Kini ran for a team leading 218 metres (forty five post contact), made a team leading three line breaks, broke a team leading nine tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.09 seconds and made four tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Keano Kini’s performance saw him named at fullback in the Queensland Rugby League 2023 Week Three Final’s Queensland Cup Team of the Week.

Keano Kini started at fullback in the 2023 Queensland Cup Grand Final against the Brisbane Tigers with Keano Kini awarded the Duncan Hall Medal for the Player of the Grand Final even though Keano Kini was on the losing side, an occurrence that does not happen all that often but in this particular case it was definitely very well deserved.

Keano Kini recorded a Grand Final try assist in the 26th minute when after receiving the ball twenty metres out on the right side of the field Keano Kini immediately stepped inside off his right foot to beat the Tigers left winger who had come out of the defensive line. Keano Kini then stepped inside once again to get past another defender and when he was eight metres out from the try line and being dragged down from behind and the Tigers fullback moving forward towards him to complete the tackle, Keano Kini produced an outstanding right arm flick off-load to his right to put Tony Francis over to score untouched.

Keano Kini was also heavily involved in Tony Francis’s 64th minute unusual try. Keano Kini chimed into the Bears backline on the right side of the field and after drawing in two defenders with an exquisite left foot step, Keano Kini passed to his right, the bounce was deflected forward off the hands of one of the Brisbane Tigers defenders and into the head of Burleigh right centre Kea Pere with the ball then landing in the hands of Tony Francis ten metres out from the ty line. Tony Francis could not believe his luck as he charged towards the try line with Tony Francis then running right over the top of his opposing winger when a metre out from the try line before Tony Francis slammed the ball down in his right hand in the right corner.

Keano Kini also made a line break in the 32nd minute when after receiving an inside pass from his right from Guy Hamilton on the halfway mark, Keano Kini exploded into open space to run to twenty metres from the try line before off-loading to his left.

Keano Kini created space for his outside backs as early as the 2nd minute with a stepping run to the right of the play the ball and twenty five metres out from his own try line with Keano Kini ultimately passing to his right centre who was able to exploit the space that Keano Kini had created for him.

Keano Kini then made a good kick return in the 7th minute when after taking a Tigers kick on the full thirteen metres out from his own try line, Keano Kini ran the ball back to his right and get the ball out to the thirty one metre mark. A minute later in the 8th minute Keano Kini ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half and after beating a defender with a right foot step and getting the ball from forty five metres from the try line to twenty metres out, a ruck interference call on Keano Kini saw Burleigh get a six again call.

Keano Kini was at it again in the 22nd minute when to the right of the dummy half Keano Kini executed a jump step off his right foot and as a result Keano Kini was able to get the ball from thirty five metres from the try line to eighteen metres up with once again Keano Kini awarded a penalty on this occasion for rough conduct by a Tigers defender.

Then in the 25th minute after chiming into the Burleigh backline to the left of the play the ball and forty metres out from his own try line, Keano Kini stepped off his left foot on the halfway as he carried the ball ten metres into Tigers territory. Also in the 29th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Keano Kini was able to run the ball out to the twenty five metre mark after taking possession of the ball just ten metres away from his own try line.

Keano Kini rounded out his Grand Final Player of the Match performance in the 57th minute with a run to the left of the play the ball before stepping back to his right as Keano Kini got the ball from the thirty six metre mark to the halfway mark.

Playing the entire Grand Final Keano Kini ran for a match leading and team leading 245 metres (forty nine post contact), made a match leading and team leading two line breaks, recorded a try assist for Tony Francis’s first try, broke a match leading and team leading nine tackle breaks, played the ball at an average speed of 3.56 seconds and made a tackle.

In total in the 2023 Queensland Cup competition Keano Kini played in thirteen matches, scored five tries, recorded twelve try assists, made sixty one tackle breaks, made twelve line breaks, made thirty eight tackles and ran for 2 526 metres at an impressive average of 194 metres per match.

At the 2023 Burleigh Bears Awards presentation Keano Kini cleaned up by winning the Burleigh Bears Old Boys Player of the Year, the Queensland Cup Rookie of the Year and also the Queensland Cup Players Player of the 2023 season.

Keano Kini started at fullback for the Bears in a late February 2023 Queensland Cup trail against the Seagulls.

Keano Kini came close to scoring in the 66th minute when Keano Kini from six metres out from the try line ran out of dummy half to his right only to be held up ten metres in from the right corner post. Keano Kini had almost scored earlier in the match in the first half when he chased through a Seagulls attacking grubber kick into the in-goal on the right side of the field but the referee ruled that Keano Kini had grounded the ball on the dead ball line and thus disallowed the appeal for a try.

Keano Kini did well in the 6th minute when after taking an off-load from Tony Francis near his own twenty metre mark Keano Kini was able to make eleven metres downfield. Keano Kini then made a good kick return in the 29th minute with Keano Kini fielding the kick less than ten metres out from his own try line with Keano Kini’s kick return getting the ball over the twenty metre mark.

The 46th minute saw Keano Kini, after receiving an off-load in the centre of the field and thirty five metres out, produced a great stepping run to get the ball within twenty metres of the try line.

Keano Kini highlighted just how dangerous he can be when in the 48th minute with Burleigh having possession around ten metres out from the try line and absolutely nothing happening Keano Kini took off from the left side of the field to the right and after receiving the ball Keano Kini stepped off his right foot and came desperately close to breaking the line but a last ditch Seagulls tackle stopped Keano Kini three metres short of the try line.

In late January 2022 Keano Kini started at five eight for the Titans U19 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side with Keano Kini being involved in the opening tackle of the match after Tom Weaver kicked off for the Titans to get the match underway.

After playing the first half at five eight Keano Kini moved to fullback for the second half with Jaylan De Groot moving to the left wing to accommodate the move.

After the forward battle subsided Keano Kini began to come into his own and in the 20th minute he almost manufactured a try for Jeremaiah Temapo when he created space on the right but Keano Kini’s overhead pass to Jeremaiah Temapo who put the ball down in the right corner was ruled forward.

Keano Kini was at it again in the 35th minute when he took the ball down a wide left blindside. Keano Kini ran at the line with the ball in both hands before dummying to his right to get part way through the defensive line. Keano Kini then held off one defender with his left arm propelling him and the attached defender from twenty five metres out to within four metres of the try line in an exceptional display of balance, body control and functional strength.

Keano Kini’s move to fullback in the second half did not dull his attacking threat and in the 47th minute Keano Kini made a great winding run of thirty metres. Keano Kini received the ball to the left of a Titans scrum win just twenty metres from their own line. Initially after running to his left Keano Kini was tackled by the right leg by the Burleigh right winger but was not brought to ground. After pulling his leg free, Keano Kini continued to charge forward, stepping off his right foot twice before straightening up his run with a left foot step and was eventually tackled near the halfway mark. After playing the ball, Keano Kini then received an off-load from Kyhan Weir who had taken the subsequent hit-up.

In the 70th minute Keano Kini produced a strong kick return when after taking possession of the ball from the kick on his own twenty metre line, Keano Kini got all of the way to the forty five metre mark, beating two tackles along the way.

In late July 2022 Keano Kini started at fullback for the U19 Future Titans Squad that played a North Queensland Cowboys U19 squad at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Round Twenty NRL match between the Titans and the Canberra Raiders with Keano Kini, in my opinion, being the best player on the field with a three try, one try assist effort in a Player of the Match performance.

Keano Kini scored his opening try in the 11th minute and what an absolutely superb solo try it was. Keano Kini took a North Queensland clearing kick in the centre of the field twenty metres out and immediately right to his right, running parallel to the defensive line before stepping off his right foot to burst between two defenders to race away downfield. As he approached the fullback near the halfway mark Keano Kini shaped to pass to his inside before stepping off his right foot to beat the fullback with Keano Kini then racing away to score in the right corner.

Keano Kini scored his second try just four minutes later in the 15th minute when he backed up a line break by Jack Cullen to receive the ball after Jack Cullen had drawn the fullback with Keano Kini racing away to score under the posts.

Keano Kini completed his hat trick in the 22nd minute when after good work from near the halfway mark from Jaylen De Groot, Keano Kini dived over in the left corner from close range after Kaleb Nagamanu had drawn the Cowboys fullback and passed to Keano Kini.

Keano Kini’s try assist came in the 53rd minute when Keano Kini received the ball around ten metres out on the left side of the field, Keano Kini cut to his outside, drawing in the Cowboys winger and got the ball away to his right to put Jaylen De Groot over to score in the left corner.

Keano Kini also made a line break in the 29th minute when he received the ball on the halfway mark after cutting back underneath Thomas Weaver with Keano Kini stepping off his right foot to isolate and beat one defender with Keano Kini making twenty metres through the centre of the field as a result.

Keano Kini made a further line break in the 63rd minute when from twenty eight metres out on the left side of the field, Keano Kini dummied to his outside before slicing through only to be tackled four metres out from the try line.

Keano Kini also did well in the 35th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball, Keano Kini was able to get halfway through the line before getting away a good right arm off-load.

Keano Kini got a further off-load away in the 57th minute when after running the ball on the left side of the field twenty metres from the try line Keano Kini stepped off his left foot before getting an off-load away to his right to Oskar Bryant.

Keano Kini also had a strong match defensively starting inside the opening minute of the match when after the Cowboys fullback had made a line break through the centre of the field from the Titans first clearing kick of the match, Keano Kini took him in a great low one on one tackle near the halfway mark.

Then in the 6th minute along with Ryan Foran and Thomas Weaver, Keano Kini made a strong tackle on the North Queensland right second rower to prevent him from scoring just to the left of the uprights on the last tackle.

Keano Kini made a great take of a high Cowboys bomb in the 46th minute with Keano Kini leaping high to take the ball on the full just out from his own try line with Keano Kini subsequently being awarded a penalty for being tackled in the air.

In the 21st minute Keano Kini when just six metres out from his own try line took a Cowboys kick on the full over his head with Keano Kini breaking two tackles as he promoted the ball to twenty six metres out from his own line.

Whilst Keano Kini played the majority of the match at fullback, he did spend time on the left wing after swapping with Jaylan De Groot.

In mid-December 2021 Keano Kini was one of the Titans JTS Program players that took part in a joint training session with the Titans NRL squad.

In early November 2021 Keano Kini was named in the powerful 2022 Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.

Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Keano Kini named at fullback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Souths Logan Magpies.

Keano Kini had an outstanding match including a 19th minute try assist when from around ten metres out Keano Kini received the ball to the right of the play the ball but wide out on the left. Keano Kini initially ran towards the posts when his route was cut off Keano Kini changed direction and ran back to his left, getting on the outside of a number of Magpies defenders before drawing in the Souths Logan right winger and putting Matthew Barrow over in the left corner.

Keano Kini made his first line break of the match in the 6th minute when from inside his own half, Keano Kini forced his way into dummy half running to his left before straightening up and making fifteen metres. Then just two tackles later Keano Kini received the ball to the right of the dummy half and as he made contact with the Magpies A defender, Keano Kini spun 360 degrees clockwise to break contact and then made five more metres before he was brought to ground.

Keano Kini’s first run of the match came in just the third minute when from just inside his own territory Keano Kini took a hit-up to the left of the dummy half. Initially Keano Kini looked as if he would cut back behind the play the ball but at the last moment he ran to his left running parallel to the defensive line before straightening up to try to burst between two defenders.

Keano Kini made another strong run in the 60th minute when after a Souths Logan Magpies goal dropout fell short, Keano Kini raced forward taking the kick on the bounce at full speed around forty two metres out and ran to his left and getting the ball within eighteen metres of the try line with Keano Kini executing a quick play the ball with Taelon Te Whiu-Hopa scoring down the left blindside as a result.

Keano Kini was also named at fullback and captain for Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins and as usual was dangerous throughout including in the 33rd minute from a scrum move to the right with Keano Kini able to get around one Redcliffe defender, making twelve metres and stretching the Dolphins defence totally out of position.

Keano Kini produced another line breaking run in the 72nd minute when he cut back underneath Josh Lynn on the right side of the field around thirty five metres out. After receiving the ball Keano Kini straightened up his run, beating three Dolphins. Keano Kini was eventually caught by the Dolphins cover defence about a metre from the line, but Keano Kini was up on his feet to play the ball in the blink of an eye with Tweed Heads scoring on the left through Jared Johnson from the subsequent play.

After the Seagulls had a Round Three bye, Keano Kini was named to start at fullback in Round Four against the Easts Tigers however in a late change Keano Kini moved to start the match at five eight and cut the Tigers apart including scoring a well worked Seagulls try in the 19th minute.

From the Tweed Heads scrum win Keano Kini received the ball from the back of the scrum around twenty metres out and immediately ran to his left. Keano Kini then brought Josh Lynn back underneath with Josh Lynn sucking in multiple defenders before getting the ball back to Keano Kini in space. Keano Kini then palmed off one defender and sliced through the defensive line and crashed over ten metres to the left of the uprights.

The match also saw Keano Kini set up a try for Jett Forbes in the 74th minute. From a Tweed Heads scrum win on halfway, Keano Kini received the ball from the back of the scrum on the right side of the field and initially it appeared as if he would kick on the first tackle but Keano Kini had other ideas and raced through a gap before veering to his right to draw the Easts fullback and pass to his right to send Jett Forbes away on a run to the right corner.

Keano Kini also did well defensively including in the 12th minute when he along with Cooper Camby he produced a try saving tackle on the Easts left second rower who had run a straight crash line from close range.

Keano Kini was named to continue at five eight and captain in Round Five against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls however he was ruled out late in the week. Keano Kini was then named to start at five eight in Round Six against the Norths Devils but once again he was ruled out late in the week.

Through the opening six rounds of the 2022 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition Keano Kini had run for the 13th most metres being 482 metres at an average of 161 metres per match and also made a three line breaks. Those figures are scary considering Keano Kini missed around 50% of the season through injury.

Keano Kini’s first match in 2022 for the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad came in early February when he lined up against the Easts Tigers at Scott Park in Brisbane.

In March 2022 Keano Kini was selected in the South Coast School Boy Rugby League U18 Representative side after successfully negotiating the trials with Keano Kini starting Match One against Northern at fullback.

Keano Kini recorded a line break assist in just the 4th minute when after receiving the ball from his left near mid-field and twenty metres out from his own line, Keano Kini skipped to his left to get on the outside of one defender before drawing in the Northern right winger and then passed to his left to send Jeremaiah Temapo away down the left touchline.

Keano Kini came close to scoring in the 15th minute when after joining the South Coast backline on the right, Keano Kini stepped off his right foot twelve metres out and looked to have forced his way over near the right corner but the referee ruled that he had grounded the ball short of the try line.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Match Two against Met North and had a great match including scoring an outstanding try in the 11th minute when on the right side of the field Josh Lynn ran to his right with Keano Kini running straight and hard receiving the ball back on the inside and from ten metres out was just too much for the Met North defence to crash over between two defenders ten metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini made his first line break in the abridged match in the 7th minute when after receiving the ball on the bounce twenty two metres out on the left side of the field Keano Kini cut back to his right running parallel to the defensive line before stepping off his right foot to slice through but he was cut down just two metres short of the line.

Keano Kini recorded another line break in the 22nd minute in what was the final play of the abridged match when from inside his own territory Keano Kini received the ball on the right side of the field and executed a great right foot step to break the line and was able to make twenty five metres into Met North territory before his run was halted.

The match also saw Keano Kini record a 20th minute line break assist when after receiving the ball just thirty five metres out from his own line and to the right of the play the ball, Keano Kini cut back to his left and whilst being brought to ground by two defenders was able to get the ball to his left centre who burst downfield.

At the conclusion of the Championships Keano Kini was named in the 2022 Queensland Open School Boy Rugby League Representative side and just prior to the commencement of the Championships, Keano Kini was named by the Courier Mail as the seventh best U18 Rugby League player in Australia.

At the Australian U18 School Boy Championships for Queensland, Keano Kini was the vice-captain.

Keano Kini started at fullback in Match One against the Australian Capital Territory and made the first of multiple strong runs in the 5th minute when he charged onto the ball to the left of the dummy half on his own forty metre mark and just prior to the defensive line stepped off his right foot to beat two defenders to make fourteen metres.

Then in the 8th minute Keano Kini was at it again when after receiving the ball to the right of a Queensland scrum win on the halfway mark, Keano Kini ran after the defensive line with the ball in his outstretched right arm before stepping back inside off his right foot to make fifteen metres.

The 15th minute of the match saw Keano Kini record a line break and line break assist when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball on halfway Keano Kini stepped off his right foot and after spinning 360 degrees clockwise after being hit by one defender got a great ball away to a charging Arama Hau after drawing in two defenders with the giant left second rower charging away.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Match Two being the semi-final against NSW CIS with Keano Kini scoring a great try in the 34th minute when from a set play Keano Kini raced onto an inside pass and after receiving the ball thirty eight metres out Keano Kini burst through the centre of the NSW CIS defence after a slight stumble before an exceptional right foot step took Keano Kini past the fullback with Keano Kini getting the ball down under the posts on the second attempt.

Keano Kini was causing trouble for the NSW CIS defence as early as the 5th minute when he flew onto the ball to the right of the play the ball making twelve metres to get the ball to the halfway mark. Then just a minute later in the 6th minute Keano Kini darted to the right from a Queensland scrum win and after getting to the outside of a number of defenders Keano Kini was able to make fifteen metres before being slung to ground.

Keano Kini made seventeen more metres in the 27th minute when he charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball to get the ball to the halfway mark and then was awarded a penalty when he was held down too long in the tackle.

As a result of his performance, Keano Kini was deservedly named Player of the Match.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Queensland U18 ASSRL Championships Grand Final victory over NSW CHS with Keano Kini recording a try assist in the 36th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball around twenty metres out, Keano Kini threw a great long cut out pass to his right to put Tory Bath into space down the right wing and over in the corner. Seriously what a pass!

Keano Kini showcased his outstanding skill set in the 9th minute when he took a NSW CHS grubber kick into the in-goal and did exceptionally get the ball out from the in-goal and back into the field of play.

Keano Kini was his dangerous self, running the ball in the Championship Final and highlighted that in the 36th minute when after taking possession of the ball thirty five metres out, Keano Kini beat five tackles in a great winding run that initially started to the left of the play the ball before Keano Kini cut back to his left before Keano Kini was still able to get an off-load away.

Keano Kini’s performances over the course of the 2022 ASSRL U18 Championships saw Keano Kini named in the Australian School Boys Squad for their Fijian tour with Keano Kini presented with the No. 1 jersey prior to heading to Fiji.

Keano Kini started the first “test” of the tour at fullback against Fiji Schools with Keano Kini scoring one try and setting up another in a big Australian School Boys victory.

Keano Kini scored in the 57th minute when he burst onto the ball through the centre of the field from fifty five metres out with Keano Kini veering to his right to round the Fiji fullback and race away to put the ball down under the posts.

Keano Kini recorded his try assist in the 48th minute when after making a line break through the centre of the field, Keano Kini drew the Fiji fullback and passed to his right to send his support runner away to score untouched under the posts.

Post the 2022 ASSRL U18 Championships, the Courier Mail released a revised Top 50 Australian U18 Rugby League Players with Keano Kini moving up to third on that list.

Keano Kini was also noted by the Courier Mail by being named on various other lists including the Best Try of the Championships and one of the Most Explosive Players of the Championships.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Keano Kini start at fullback for PBC State High School against Marsden State High School and put in a Player of the Match performance including scoring a great double in a big PBC SHS 44 – 0 victory.

Keano Kini’s opening try in the 12th was an absolute blinder. Keano Kini received the ball fifty five metres out from the line to the left of the play the ball. Upon receipt of the ball Keano Kini ran back to the right towards the centre of the field and to get through the line executed wicked right foot step. Once through the line Keano Kini easily outpaced the cover defence before another outstanding right foot step gave the Marsden SHS fullback no chance with Keano Kini racing past to dive over next to the left upright.

Keano Kini completed his double in the 56th minute when after PBC SHS spun the ball to the left Keano Kini flew onto the ball after cutting underneath Josh Lynn. Keano Kini received the ball off Josh Lynn twelve metres out and to the left of the uprights but whilst still two metres from the line crashed into the Marsden SHS hooker with Keano Kini reaching out with the ball in his right arm to slam the ball down under the posts.

The match also saw Keano Kini record a number of try assists with the first of those coming in the 19th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball Keano Kini veered slightly to his left to draw in one defender an then throw a great short ball in the same direction to send Brady Turner through a gap and subsequently score from twenty metres out near the left corner post.

Then in the 27th minute Keano Kini threw the final pass for Michael Roberts try. Keano Kini chimed into the PBC SHS backline on the left and after looking to split the line himself Keano Kini was able to keep his right arm off the ground as he was being spun around in a tackle and then execute a right arm off-load to Michael Roberts who came back inside to crash over.

Keano Kini recorded his third try assist in the 37th minute after having the foresight to get his feet back into the in-goal and take a Marsden SHS bomb on the full. Keano Kini then raced out to the twenty metre mark to take a quick tap restart. Keano Kini exploded through the middle of the Marsden SHS defensive line and after making twenty three metres was caught from behind but Keano Kini was able to keep his right arm free and off-load to his left to Jett Forbes who raced fifty seven metres untouched to score.

In fact in the 32nd minute Keano Kini once again positioned himself well to take a bomb on the full I the in-goal and looked to have burst through the Marsden SHS defensive line from the quick twenty metre tap restart but the referee ruled that one of the PBC SHS players was in front of Keano Kini so brought him back to take the tap restart a second time.

Keano Kini’s opening contribution for PBC SHS came in the 4th minute with his first run of the match when he made ten metres whilst bringing the ball off his own try line. Keano Kini made a strong run out of dummy half in the 15th minute when after he ran to his right making fifteen metres to thirty metres out.

Keano Kini’s ability to position himself correctly came to the fore in the 9th minute when with Marsden SHS on the attack Keano Kini raced to his left to take a Marsden SHS grubber kick on the bounce on his own try line and even with the chase coming through Keano Kini was able to promote the ball to ten metres away from the line.

Keano Kini was then named at fullback for Round Two against Redcliffe State High School with Keano Kini scoring in the 49th minute when after receiving a good short ball from his right from Josh Lynn, Keano Kini ran the ball down a short left blindside to score five metres in from the left corner post after slicing through the Redcliffe SHS right sided defensive line.

Keano Kini also recorded a try assist in the 27th minute when after joining the PBC SHS backline to the right of the play the ball Keano Kini took the ball deep into the defensive line before throwing a hard cut-out pass to his right to put Jett Forbes over in the right corner from eight metres out.

Keano Kini made a strong run in the 25th minute when from his own twenty metre mark Keano Kini executed a number of right foot steps to make eighteen metres.

The match also saw Keano Kini make a great try saving tackle in the 29th minute he raced to his left and smashed the Redcliffe SHS right winger just as he was preparing to put the ball down in the right corner with Keano Kini’s heavy contact knocking the ball from the wingers grasp just short of the try line.

Keano Kini also did well defensively in the 47th minute when after the Redcliffe SHS left winger got to a kick before him just fifteen metres out from the try line, Keano Kini did not panic and made sure of the tackle on the winger to eliminate the danger for PBC SHS.

Keano Kini was also named to continue at fullback in Round Three against Coombabah State High School and came desperately close to scoring in the 23rd minute when after chiming into the PBC SHS backline to the right and around twelve metres out Keano Kini stepped his way past a number of defenders before being caught but Keano Kini was close enough to reach out with his right arm but the referee adjudged that Keano Kini lost control of the ball he was able to get the ball over the line.

Keano Kini recorded a try assist in the 12th minute when from twenty five metres out and to the left of the play the ball, Keano Kini burst onto the ball, cutting off his left foot before in the tackle of the Coombabah SHS fullback getting away a right arm off-load to Tanu Nona who was backing up on Keano Kini’s right with Tanu Nona subsequently crashing over under the posts.

Keano Kini recorded a second try assist in the 57th minute when after lining up to the right of a PBC SHS scrum around forty metres out, Keano Kini received the ball from the back of the scrum and ran to his right to draw in two defenders before throwing a cut-out pass to his right winger who raced down the right touchline to score in the corner.

Keano Kini recorded a line break assist in the 7th minute when from a PBC SHS scrum wing, Keano Kini ran the ball to the left, darting across field before drawing in the last Coombabah SHS defender on the left side of the field and got the ball away to his left to put Jett Forbes away down the left touchline on a forty metre run.

The first of multiple Keano Kini line breaks came in the 37th minute when Coombabah SHS put up a high bomb that Keano Kini took on his own twenty metre mark under heavy pressure. Keano Kini was able to step past two on-rushing Coombabah SHS players and burst thirty three centres through the centre of the ruck to get the ball into Coombabah SHS territory.

Keano Kini made a further line break in the 46th minute when he made twenty metres as a result of a good ball from his inside from Josh Lynn.

The 55th minute saw Keano Kini make another line break when he made twenty two metres from the left of the play the ball with fifteen of the metres that Keano Kini made of the post contact variety.

Keano Kini continued his strong match in the 59th minute when after receiving an inside pass, Keano Kini burst through the line, making seventy metres before getting the ball away to Jett Forbes who subsequently found Tanu Nona backing up through the centre of the field to crash over under the posts.

Keano Kini made his first run of the match in the 3rd minute when he took a hit-up to the right of the play the ball with a great left foot step enabling Keano Kini to make twelve metres to promote the ball to near the halfway mark.

Keano Kini did well from a defensive perspective in right on halftime when he along with Will Saunders, he was able to hold up the Coombabah SHS fullback over the line on the left side of the field after the fullback had cut inside from near the left touchline.

Keano Kini’s performance against Coombabah SHS was such that he was named at five eight in the Courier Mail Langer Cup Round Three Team of the Week.



After the mid-season break, Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Four against Ipswich State High School.

Keano Kini did well in the 14th minute when after receiving the ball in the attacking twenty metre zone to the left of the uprights, Keano Kini cut back towards the goal posts and when he was ten metres out Keano Kini put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal and then chased his own kick through to tackle the Ipswich SHS fullback in-goal and force a goal line drop-out.

Keano Kini made good tackle in the 36th minute when he along with Josh Lynn and Tanu Nona held up the giant Ipswich SHS front rower No. 8 over the line and directly under the posts.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Keano Kini scoring a simply spectacular try in the 13th minute. I will try to describe the try but there is no way that I will be able to do it justice.

Keano Kini, in the 13th minute received the ball after running an underneath route and after receiving the ball from Zane Harrison Keano Kini charged flat out into the defensive line, spinning 360 degrees clockwise after initial contact with the defensive line and then Keano Kini executed multiple left and right foot steps in an instant to beat multiple defenders to score an incredible try under the posts.

In addition to his spectacular try Keano Kini also recorded a try assist in just the 2nd minute of the match when he joined into the backline to the left of the play the ball with Keano Kini running the ball to within three metres of the try line and after drawing in the final defender got away a great off-load to his left to put his centre over of the first of many PBC SHS’s tries.

Keano Kini showed that he is not just a great ball runner in the 16th minute when after reengaging the defensive line Keano Kini was able to get an overhead off-load away to Blake Forder to continue to promote the ball.

Keano Kini also executed an outstanding try saving tackle in the match when in the 35th minute along with Cooper Camby, Keano Kini hit the Mabel Park SHS left centre literally right on the try line, stopping him dead and knocking him to the ground just inches short of the try line.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in the Round Six local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Keano Kini making a strong run in the 36th minute when after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball, Keano Kini cut back to the right being towards the centre of the field with Keano Kini executing multiple steps off both feet to make twenty five metres.

Keano Kini, from a defensive perspective executed a great tackle along with Isaiah Scanlon to stop a Keebra Park SHS dart out of dummy half from close range to prevent a near certain try.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Keano Kini scoring in the 55th minute when he ran a straight hard line and burst between two defenders from twenty metres out with Keano Kini getting the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Keano Kini also recorded the first of his two try assists in the 28th minute when from twenty metres out from his own line, Keano Kini made a line break down the left touchline and after racing fifty metres downfield Keano Kini drew the Wavell SHS fullback and got the ball away to Blake Forder who raced away to score under the posts.

Keano Kini recorded his second try assist in the 22nd minute with a great catch and pass under heavy pressure on the right side of the field and ten metres out with Keano Kini’s great pass to his right giving Jett Forbes the room to dive over in the right corner.

Keano Kini also saved a try in the 26th minute when he raced across field to his right to smash the Wavell SHS left winger and knock him into touch with the corner post going flying as a result of the Keano Kini.

Keano Kini also made a strong run in the 12th minute when from the right of the play the ball and eighteen metres out from his own try line, Keano Kini was able to make fourteen metres.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS with Keano Kini scoring twice as PBC SHS qualified for the semi-finals.

Keano Kini’s opening try came in just the 4th minute when after receiving an off-load from Jac Finnigan sixty five metres out from the try line, Keano Kini ran to his right and after drawing the Mabel Park SHS left winger Keano Kini got the ball away to Jett Forbes who after running fifteen metres down the right touchline got the ball back inside to Keano Kini. As he ran towards the fullback Keano Kini stepped off his right foot and then immediately off his left to totally wrong foot the Mabel Park SHS fullback with Keano Kini racing to dive over to score in the right corner.

Keano Kini scored his second try in the 44th minute when from around ten metres out Keano Kini forced his way over the try line with three Mabel Park SHS defenders hanging off him to score seven metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini also recorded a try assist in the 20th minute when from twenty metres out Keano Kini threw a short to his left to Will Taylor who burst between two defenders before steeping off his left foot to beat the Mabel Park SHS fullback to score under the posts.

Keano Kini made line break in the 7th minute when after making a forty five metre stepping run through the middle of the Mabel Park SHS defensive line, Keano Kini’s pass to his right near the twenty metre mark went to ground.

Keano Kini made a further line break in the 14th minute when after taking a Mabel Park SHS kick Keano Kini made a thirty metre line break from the kick return after running to his right. Then in the 31st minute Keano Kini broke the Mabel Park SHS defensive line once again making twenty metres to get the ball two metres into Mabel Park SHS territory.

In the 24th minute, Keano Kini along with Reico Ratana and Tanu Nona did well to hold up the Mabel Park SHS No. 10 over the try line on the left side of the field. Then in the 48th minute along with Will Taylor, Keano Kini made a great covering tackle on the Mabel Park SHS hooker (No. 9) as he charged at the try line just to the left of the uprights.

Keano Kini was then named at fullback for PBC SHS in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Keano Kini scoring twice to propel PBC SHS into the Grand Final against Ipswich SHS.

Keano Kini’s opening try came in the 31st minute when Keano Kini received the ball to the left of a PBC SHS scrum win ten metres from the try line with Keano Kini sliding between two defenders to score ten metres in from the left corner.

Keano Kini scored his second try in the 37th minute and if you blinked you would have missed it. Keano Kini was on his own forty metre line as the Keebra Park SHS five eight ran directly at him after making a long line break with a support run to his right and Keano Kini’s left. At the last possible moment Keano Kini slid off the five eight just as he was passing the ball with Keano Kini taking the intercept cleanly.

After taking possession in the centre of the field, Keano Kini turned defence into attack and ran to his right getting to the right touchline before racing away to dive over in the right corner to score a truly spectacular try.

The intercept for his first try was not the only intercept that Keano Kini took in the match with Keano Kini taking another in the 41st minute when whilst defending on his own line with the Keebra Park SHS play the ball just a metre out from the try line they threw a cut out pass to PBC SHS’s right with Keano Kini flying off his line to take the intercept around four metres out from the try line with Keano Kini then making a winding fifty five metre run downfield.

Keano Kini was involved in PBC SHS’s first try of the match when in the 16th minute Keano Kini received the ball twenty metres out from the try line and on the left side of the field with Keano Kini stepping off his left foot to break the line with Keano Kini attracting multiple Keebra Park SHS defenders before being tackled by those multiple defenders two metres from the try line and mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the left side of the field. Then even after being tackled by multiple defenders, Keano Kini was able to play the ball quickly with Michael Roberts being able to score from dummy half as a result.

Keano Kini took his opening run of the match in the 3rd minute when after letting a Keebra Park SHS kick go dead in-goal Keano Kini raced back to the twenty metre mark to take the quick tap himself with Keano Kini making seventeen metres.

Keano Kini made a great one on one low tackle on a rampaging Arama Hau in the 25th minute after the giant Keebra Park SHS lock had broken through the PBC SHS defensive line. Then in the 28th minute Keano Kini along with Jaylen Taewa and Tanu Nona stopped the Keebra Park SHS dummy half Dorian Lotaki just short of the try line after a great run out of dummy half just to the right of the uprights.

Keano Kini started at fullback for PBC SHS in the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS with Keano Kini’s first strong run of the match coming inside the opening minute when Keano Kini ran to his right out of dummy half making sixteen metres to get to twenty metres out from the try line and in front of the goal posts.

Then in the 33rd minute Keano Kini made eighteen metres down the right channel to get within thirty six metres out from the try line.

Whilst Keano Kini was his usual dangerous self in attack (until he was forced from the field), he was outstanding from a defensive perspective including a great sequence in the 33rd minute when initially Keano Kini made a great one on one tackle on the Ipswich SHS left centre who had made a line break and then on the next play Keano Kini made another great one on one tackle, this time on the Ipswich SHS left centre Tre Fotu just ten metres out from the try line to save what appeared to be a certain Ipswich SHS try.

Just two minute later in the 35th minute Keano Kini once again brought Tre Fotu who had made a line break with Keano Kini bringing down the centre with a strong low right shoulder tackle.

Then in the 38th minute when along with Caleb Te Momo, Keano Kini smashed the Ipswich SHS No. 14 forty metes out with the ball coming loose as a result of the heavy contact.

At the end of year PBC SHS Sports Awards night, Keano Kini was named the the winner of the 2022 Craig Weston Award as the best rugby league player in the PBC SHS Open age group.

At the completion of the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup competition Keano Kini was named at fullback in the 2022 Courier Mail Langer Cup Team of the Season. Keano Kini was also named as the second best School Boy Rugby League or Rugby player in the 2022 Courier Mail Top 30 school Boys.

 

[mdrew]

Keano Kini - 2024:

Keano Kini. Round One of the 2024 NRL season saw Keano Kini named at fullback for the Titans opener against the St George Dragons and whilst playing he entire match Keano Kini ran for ninety six metres (twenty seven post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.59 seconds and made four tackles at an 80% tackling efficiency.

Keano Kini was also named at fullback in Round Three against the Canterbury Bulldogs and whilst playing all eighty minutes of the match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 142 metres (thirty five post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.9 seconds and made five tackles.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Round Ten against the North Queensland Cowboys and whilst playing all eighty minutes Keano Kini ran for 148 metres (forty six post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.8 seconds and made seven tackles.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in the Round Eleven Magic Round match against Newcastle with Keano Kini scoring his first try in the NRL in the 34th minute with an eight metre run off an Isaac Liu off-load.

Whilst playing all eighty minutes Keano Kini ran for a team leading 221 metres (forty one post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.91 seconds and made a tackle.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Round Twelve against the Brisbane Bronco’s with Keano Kini kicking four conversions as well as setting up three Titans tries.

Playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 262 metres (seventy four post contact), broke five tackles and also made three tackles of his own.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Fifteen against the Wests Tigers with Keano Kini recording a try assist in the 5th minute with a smart catch and pass to his right to put Jojo Fifita over to score in the right corner.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match Keano Kini was heads and shoulders above any other Titan on his way to running for a team leading 321 metres, a team leading sixty nine of which were post contact, made an equal team leading three line breaks, recorded three line break assists, broke a team leading eight tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.94 seconds and made three tackles.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Round Sixteen against the New Zealand Warriors with Keano Kini scoring the first of his two tries in the 53rd minute when after chiming into the Titans backline wide on the right Keano Kini ran to the line with the ball in both hands and after shaping to pass to his right Keano Kini slid between two defenders to score wide on the right.

Keano Kini scored his second try in the 67th minute when he ran onto an inside pass from Keiran Foran near the halfway and veered to his right to easily outpace the Warriors fullback to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini also recorded a try assist in the 40th minute when after bursting onto a Keiran Foran pass on an underneath route from forty five metres from the try line Keano Kinie ran to thirty two metres from the try line before getting a right arm off-load away to his left to Sam Verrills who outpaced the Warriors cover defence to score next to the right upright.

Playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 249 metres (thirty eight post contact), made a team leading three line breaks, broke six tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.98 seconds and made seven tackles.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Eighteen against the Cronulla Sharks and over the course of his eighty minutes on the field Keano Kini ran for a team leading 205 metres, a team leading sixty three of which were post contact. Keano Kini broke a team leading seven tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.89 seconds and made five tackles.

Keano Kini then started from the bench in Round Nineteen against the Parramatta Eels and whilst playing twenty eight minutes at fullback Keano Kini ran for ninety four metres (thirty post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2,85 seconds and made two tackles.

Keano Kini was back at fullback in Round Twenty against the Manly Sea Eagles and whilst playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 251 metres, a team leading seventy four post which were post contact. Keano Kini also made a line break, broke five tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.49 seconds and made a tackle.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Twenty One against the Redcliffe Dolphins and whilst playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 216 metres (forty nine post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.6 seconds and made two tackles.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Round Twenty Two against the Brisbane Bronco’s with Keano Kini outstanding on the way to scoring a double in a comprehensive Titans local derby victory.

Keano Kini scored his opening try in the 20th minute when he backed up on the inside of a Jojo Fifita lien break down the right touchline with Keano Kini receiving the pass from Jojo Fifita and getting over the try line from five metres out and seven metres in from the right corner post.

Keano Kini completed his double in the 49th minute with a superb effort when after Jojo Fifita knocked a Titans bomb back inside Keano Kini smartly did not try to take possession of the ball low down by instead used his knee to force the ball forward with Keano Kini picking up the ball at full speed just in from the right touchline and almost in one movement dived over to score in the right corner.

Keano Kini recorded the first of his two try assists in the 27th minute when after breaking through the Bronco’s left sided defensive line from twenty seven metres out Keano Kini carried the ball to seven metres of the try line before passing to his right to put Jojo Fifita over to score in the right corner.

Keano Kini recorded a second try assist in the 54th minute when after receiving the ball wide on the right a exceptional Keano Kini step easily beat Corey Oates with Keano Kini then passing to his right to once again put Jojo Fifita over to score un the right corner.

Playing seventy minutes Keano Kini ran for a team leading (and match leading) 202 metres (thirty nine post contact), made a line break, recorded two try assists and a line break assist, broke five tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.98 seconds and made five tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Twenty Three against the Cronulla Sharks and whilst playing all eighty minutes of the match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 202 metres (fifty post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.97 seconds and made three tackles.

Keano Kini also started at fullback in Round Twenty Four against the St George Dragons with Keano Kini recording a try assist inside the opening minute of the match when after taking a Dragons kick on the full three metres from his try line and just to the left of the posts and after running to his right split the St George defensive line and ran into Dragons territory to draw the fullback and pass to his left to Jojo Fifita who raced away to score under the posts.

Playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for a Titans record (breaking his own record) 344 metres (sixty five post contact), made two line breaks, played the ball at an average speed of 3.58 seconds and made three tackles.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Twenty Five against the Sydney Roosters with Keano Kini scoring in the 49th minute after tip toeing along the right touchline after picking up a dropped ball by the Roosters to score in the right corner.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match Keano Kini ran for a team leading 220 metres, a team leading seventy two metres of which were post contact, recorded a line break assist for Lofi Khan-Pereira, broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.95 seconds and made three tackles.

In total in the 2024 NRL competition Keano Kini played in sixteen matches scoring six tries and kicking four conversions for a total of thirty two points. Keano Kini ran for a staggering 3 407 metres (919 of which per kick returns) at an average of 212 metres per match. Keano Kini also made ten line breaks, recorded seven try assists and made sixty tackles at a tackling efficiency of 68.18%.

Keano Kini’s performances over the course of the 2024 NRL season saw him named as the Titans Paul Broughton Medal winner as the Titans best over the course of the 2024 NRL season.

Round Two of the NRL Pre-season Challenge against the Parramatta Eels at Ipswich saw Keano Kini named at fullback with Keaono Kini making an outstanding line break from a kick return that commenced deep inside his own territory. After taking the kick on the full eight metres out from his own try line and to the left of the goal posts, Keano Kini ran the ball towards the centre of the field with a right foot step seeing Regan Campbell-Gillard beaten hopelessly, then after beating tackled (but not held) Keano Kini bounced back to his feet to get the ball to near the halfway mark.

In his time on the field Keano Kini ran for 171 metres (forty two post contact), made the a fore mentioned line break, beat a team leading six tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.39 seconds and made a tackle.

Round Six of the 2024 Queensland Cup competition saw Keano Kini start at fullback for his new club being the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Ipswich Jets with Keano Kini scoring in the 50th minute when after chiming into the Seagulls backline wide on the left from twelve metres out Kenao Kini got on the outside of his direct opponent and even though he was tackled just short of the try lien Keano Kini bounced over in the tackle to score in the left corner.

Keano Kini recorded the first of his two try assists in the 12th minute when after chiming into the backline from three passes to the right of the play the ball Keano Kini drew the Ipswich right winger after carrying the ball from fourteen metres to ten metres from the try line with Keano Kini then producing a right arm flick off-load to put his winger over to score in the corner.

Keano Kini recorded his second try assist in the 25th minute when from the left of a Tweed Heads scrum win ten metres from the try line Keano Kini produced an in and away before getting away a right arm off-load to his left to Kaleb Ngamanu who scored in the left corner.

Keano Kini also recorded a line break assist in the 40th minute when after drawing in two defenders on the halfway mark on the halfway mark Keano Kini was able to put his right centre into space.

Keano Kini recorded a line break of his own in the 22nd minute when after fielding a Jets kick on the full ten metres out from his own try line Keano Kini made a line break from the kick return to get the ball out to the thirty seven metre mark.

Keano Kini also did well defensively in the 57th when along with Oskar Bryant he held up the Ipswich No. 15 over the try line just to the right of the goal posts.

Playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for team leading 236 metres (forty eight post contact), made a line break, broke a team leading ten tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.82 seconds and made three tackles.

Keano Kini’s performance saw him named at fullback in the Queensland Rugby League Queensland Cup 2024 Round Six Team of the Week.

Keano Kini continued at fullback in Round Seven against the Brisbane Tigers with Keano Kini recording the first of his multiple try assists in the 11th minute with a smart pass to his right to his right winger after receiving the ball fifteen metres out and after delaying his pass to allow a defender to total miscue his effort Kenao Kini passed to his right winger when eight metres from the try line.

Keano Kini added a second try assist in the 56th minute with an outstanding catch and pass to his right from forty metres from the try line to put his right winger down the touchline to score in the right corner.

Keano Kini recorded a further try assist in the 59th minute with a quick pass to his right from twelve metres out to his right winger after chiming into the Seagulls backline wide on the right.

Keano Kini was also heavily involved in Tony Francis’s 41st minute try when from the left of a Tweed Heads scrum win ten metres out and to the right of the posts Keano Kini ran to his left beating multiple defenders with multiple right foot steps to create an overlap and pass to his left to Kaleb Ngamanu who then put Tony Francis over to score in the left corner.

Keano Kini came close to setting up another Tweed Heads try in the 37th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the right of the play the ball Keano Kini identified space behind the defensive line with Keano Kini putting in a chip kick to his right with the ball sitting up for his right winger just four metres from the try line however his pass to his left went to ground close to the try line.

Keano Kini also made a line break in the 22nd minute when after receiving a pass from his left on the halfway mark Keano Kini darted his way to the thirty two metre mark before off-loading to Oskar Bryant.

Keano Kini made a further line break in the 60th minute with a line break through the centre of the field off a Tony Francis off-load from five metres inside his own half to within twenty three metres of the try line.

Keano Kini did well defensively late in the first half when along with Vaka Sikahele, Keano Kini held up the Tigers dummy half over the try line six metres to the right of the goal posts.

Playing the entire match Keano Kini ran for 143 metres (seventeen post contact), made a line break, recorded two try assists and line break assists, broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.74 seconds and made two tackles.

Keanoi Kini’s performance saw him named on the bench in the Queensland Rugby League Round Seven Team of the Week.

 

[mdrew]

Taylan To’o. The young backrower (and previously an occasional front rower) from Titans partnered Marsden State High School, in late March 2022 signed a three year deal with the Titans which will keep him with the Titans until the end of the 2024 season. Taylan To’o subsequently resigned and undertook the 2024/25 NRL pre-season with the Titans.

In early January 2025 Taylan To’o started at left second row for the Titans U19 JTS side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour in wet and difficult conditions.

In early January 2024 Taylan To’o was part of a Titans U19 side in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney with the Titans winning both trials.

Taylan To’o scored in the 35th minute in the first trial against the Penrith Panthers with a strong charge from ten metres from the try line down the left channel to get the ball down six metres in from the left corner post.

Taylan To’o also started at left second row for the Titans JTS U19 side a week later in the Titans annual match in Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Taylan To’o making the fourth hit-up of the match from an underneath route to the left of the play the ball to get the ball to within ten metres of the halfway mark.

The 23rd minute then 23rd minute after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Taylan To’o was able to promote the ball on a yardage carry from his own twenty metre mark out to the thirty one metre mark.

In early April Taylan To’o was named in the 2024 Queensland U17 City Representative side for their annual match against Queensland Country U17’s.

After starting the match at left second row Taylan To’o scored in the 4th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball twelve metres from the try line Taylan To’o shaped to pass to his left with Taylan To’o then running himself. Taylan To’o in fact was brought down just short of the try line but was not held with Taylan To’o then rolling over to get the ball down five metes in from the left corner post.

Taylan To’o in the 5th minute made the kick-off return from his own try with Taylan To’o getting the ball out to the twenty metre mark. Then in the 18th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from his own try line Taylan To’o ran the ball from thirty metres from his own try line to forty two metres out with Taylan To’o able to get his right arm free above his head and get an off-load away.

In the 30th minute Taylan To’o got a further right arm off-load away to his fullback after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and after Taylan To’o had made ten metres from his own fourteen metre mark. Taylan To’o rounded out a strong match in the 59th minute with a run to the right of the play the ball to thirty eight metres from his own try line with Taylan To’o then getting a left arm off-load away to his right.

Playing fifty one minutes Taylan To’o ran for thirty eight metres (ten post contact), broke two tackles, made a line break and made six tackles.

In early March 2024 Taylan To’o was named in the Open Met East 2024 School Boy Rugby League Representative squad with Taylan To’o starting at left second row and scoring on Day One against Wide Bay.

Taylan To’o continued at left second row on Day Two against South Coast with Taylan To’o making the fifth run of the match from two passes to the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from thirty nine metres from his try line to the halfway mark.

In the 15th minute from two passes to the left of a Met East scrum win and twenty five metres from his try line Taylan To’o got the ball to forty metres out. Then in the 41st minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty eight metres out Taylan To’o did well to get the ball to the halfway mark.

Taylan To’o followed up with a run in the 48th minute from the left of the play the ball that saw him get the ball from forty seven metres to thirty three metres from the try line. Also in the 54th minute from a Met East penalty restart Taylan To’o carried the ball from twenty two metres to thirty two metres away from his try line.

Taylan To’o also started at left second row on Day Three against Capricornia with Taylan To’o recording a try assist in the 45th minute when after running onto the ball from a Met East penalty restart from thirty metres to twenty four metres from the try line with Taylan To’o then getting a very good left arm off-load away to his left with three defenders on him with his back to his try line for one of his front rowers No. 8 to charge downfield to score mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.

Taylan To’o also recorded a line break assist in the 15th minute with a lightning quick catch and pass to his left to put his left centre away down the left touchline.

Taylan To’o ran the ball himself in the 12th minute off a good ball from his right from Javon Andrews with Taylan To’o veering to his left when the pass was still in the air to get the ball from twenty metres from the try line to get within six metres of the try line.

Taylan To’o also made a strong run in the 48th minute from the left of the dummy half with Taylan To’o able to carry the ball from thirty metres from his try line to the halfway mark and after breaking two tackles to get to the halfway mark Taylan To’o was awarded a penalty after his leg was raised into a dangerous position. Then in the 59th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball and twenty two metres from the try line Taylan To’o carried the ball down the left channel to within five metres of the try line.

Taylan To’o started at left second row in the 2024 QSSRL School Boy Rugby League Championship Final against South Coast Maroon with Taylan To’o making a line break in the 60th minute when after receiving the ball from his right from Javon Andrews that put him into space Taylan To’o ran the ball from thirty two metres to within fourteen metres of the try line with Taylan To’o then kicking a left foot grubber kick to his right.

Taylan To’o also recorded a line break assist in the 46th minute when after running the ball down the left channel from five metres inside his own territory to ten metres into South Coast Maroon’s half Taylan To’o produced an exceptional left arm flick off-load to his left to put Majah Peachey away down the left touchline.

Taylan To’o made the first of many strong runs down the left channel in the 5th minute with an effort that saw him run the ball from twenty metres from his try line to thirty two metres out. Also in the 11th minute a Taylan To’o run from the left of the play the ball saw him run from ten metres inside his own territory to two metres into South Coast Maroon territory.

Taylan To’o then made a good South Coast Maroon goal line drop-out return from thirty metres to within fourteen metres of the try line. Also in the 18th minute another left channel run enabled Taylan To’o to make twelve metres to get to thirty two metres from the try line.

A run to the right of the play the ball saw Taylan To’o carry the ball from twenty eight metres to forty two metres from the try line. Then in the 51st minute a further left channel effort saw Taylan To’o get the ball from thirty one metres from his try line to within six metres of the halfway mark. Taylan To’o rounded out an impressive match in the 52nd minute to get to four metres of the try line on the left side of the field after stepping off his right foot when twenty metres out.

Round One of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition saw Taylan To’o start at left second row for Marsden SHS against Redcliffe SHS and in the 12th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from his try line Taylan To’o carried the ball to within three metres of the halfway mark.

In the 36th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Taylan To’o ran the ball from the halfway mark to thirty seven metres from the try line and a tackle later Taylan To’o ran the ball from the right of the play the ball from twenty metres to ten metres out before getting an off-load away to his right. Then from a Marsden SHS penalty restart eight metres inside his own half Taylan To’o ran the ball twelve metres inside Redcliffe SHS territory.

Taylan To’o also started at left second row in Round Two against Wavell SHS and in the 5th minute from the left of a Marsden SHS scrum win Taylan To’o’s strong run saw the ball move from sixteen to thirty four metres from his try line and a tackle later from the right of the dummy half Taylan To’o got the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to six metres into Wavell SHS’s half.

In the 11th minute from the right of the dummy half Taylan To’o carried the ball from six metres in his own half to nine metres into Wavell SHS’s half. Also in the 21st minute from the right of the play the ball Taylan To’o carried the ball through the centre of the field from ten metres in his own half to ten metres into Wavell SHS territory.

After cutting underneath Javon Andrews from the left of the play the ball in the 24th minute Taylan To’o carried the ball through the centre of the field to within twelve metres of the try line with his run commencing thirty six metres out. Also in the 26th minute from the left of the play the ball Taylan To’o got the ball from thirty eight metres to the halfway mark.

Taylan To’o continued at left second row in Round Three against Caloundra SHS and in the 5th minute a Taylan To’o run saw him carry the ball from thirty seven metres to within twenty five metres of the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 13th minute Taylan To’o ran the ball from twenty metres to thirty six metres from the try line before getting an off-load away to his left to his trailing fullback. Then in the 58th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Taylan To’o was able to get the ball from twenty nine metres to forty metres from his try line.

Taylan To’o continued at left second row in Round Four against Keebra Park SHS with Taylan To’o scoring the first of his two tries in the 28th minute with an eight metre burst off a Javon Andrews off-load to get the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.

Taylan To’o completed his double in the 46th minute with a long run from eight metres inside his own territory and after dummying to his left Taylan To’o broke through the defensive line and after running to twenty five metres from the try line Taylan To’o dummied to his left to beat the Keebra Park SHS fullback and charge downfield to score nine metres to the left of the goal posts.

The 12th minute saw Taylan To’o ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half to carry the ball from twenty metres to ten metres from the try line. Then in the 37th minute from the left of the dummy half Taylan To’o ran the ball from fifteen metres to twenty seven metres from the try line before getting a right arm off-load away to his left.

From the right of the play the ball in the 40th minute Taylan To’o got within fourteen metres of the try line after receiving the ball twenty seven metres out, then a tackle later Taylan To’o received the ball twenty metres from the try line and after three left foot steps then a right foot steps that saw Taylan To’o break four tackles to get within two metres of the try line near the left touchline with Marsden SHS then being awarded “six again”.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball and forty two metres from the try line Taylan To’o ran to within twenty six metres of the try line. Also in the 56th minute Taylan To’o ran the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball from sixteen metres to thirty metres from the try line with Taylan To’o right arm fends to keep defenders from being able to make an effective tackle.

Taylan To’o also started at left second row in Round Five against PBC SHS and in the 6th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Taylan To’o ran the ball from the halfway mark to thirty seven metres from the try line.

From two passes to the left of a Marsden SHS scrum win in the 9th minute Taylan To’o received the ball on the halfway mark and was able to make twelve metres. Then in the 19th minute from the right of the play the ball a Taylan To’o yardage carry saw him promote the ball from eight metres to twenty metres from his try line. Also in the 41st minute a run by Taylan To’o to the right of the play the ball saw Marsden SHS progress from thirty seven metres from the try line to the halfway mark.

A Taylan To’o effort from a Marsden SHS penalty restart saw him carry the ball from twenty seven metres to forty metres from his try line and then in the 49th minute from the right of the play the ball Taylan To’o was able to get the ball from eight metres inside his half to nine metres into PBC SHS territory.

Taylan To’o continued at left second row in Round Six against Ipswich SHS with Tylan To’o scoring both of Marsden SHS’s tries.

Taylan To’o scored his initial try in the 12th minute from a set move when Taylan To’o swept from the right to the left of his left centre to receive the ball five metres out and crash over to score in the left corner.

Taylan To’o completed his double in the 48th minute when a charge down the left channel to score ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Taylan To’o also recorded a line break assist in the 5th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of a Marsden SHS scrum win Taylan To’o stepped to his outside and after dragging in a defender Taylan To’o threw a cut out pass to his left to put his left winger away down the touchline.

In the 8th minute from the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from his try line a powerful Taylan To’o charge saw the ball carried to five metres into Ipswich SHS territory with Taylan To’o breaking two tackles along the way. A minute later in the 9th minute Taylan To’o carried the ball down the left channel and broke a tackle to get the ball from twenty three to within nine metres of the try line.

After receiving the ball wide on the left side of the field in the 14th minute Taylan To’o ran the ball from forty to twenty nine metres of the try line and then in the 31st minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty eight metres from his try line Taylan To’o got the ball out to the forty metre mark. Also in the 45th minute from the right of the play the ball Taylan To’o ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half and after targeting the area behind the markers Taylan To’o carried the ball from thirty one to forty two metres from the try line.

Taylan To’o also produced a smart play in the 27th minute when he chased through a Marsden SHS grubber kick and force the Ipswich SHS right centre to throw the ball over the dead ball line and force a goal line drop-out.

Taylan To’o also started at left second row in Round Seven against Mabel Park SHS with Taylan To’o scoring a spectacular solo try in the 33rd minute when he backed up the Marsden SHS dummy half to receive the ball from his right five metres inside his half and after accelerating away Taylan To’o beat the Mabel Park SHS fullback with a great right arm step with Taylan To’o using a right arm fend to beat a second defender and then he outpaced the cover defence to score an outstanding solo try four metres to the left of the goal posts.

Taylan To’o also recorded a try assist in the 5th minute when after running onto the ball to the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball from twelve metres out Taylan To’o carried the ball to within four metres of the try line and with three defenders on him Taylan To’o with his back to the try line Taylan To’o got a left arm off-load away to his left to his fullback who dived over to score under the posts.

After making the fourth hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball to run the ball from thirty metres from his try line to within five metres of the halfway mark, Taylan To’o in the 7th minute carried the ball down the left channel from forty two to twenty eight metres from the try line before getting a smart left arm off-load away to his left centre. Then in the 25th minute from the left of a Marsden SHS centre field scrum Taylan To’o was able to carry the ball from five metres from his try line to twenty seven metres out breaking one tackle and with 80% of his metres being post contact.

Marsden SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final saw Taylan To’o start at left second row against Wavell SHS with Taylan To’o scoring in the 24th minute with an eight metre crash line run off a Javon Andrews pass to get the ball down ten metres in from the left corner post.

Taylan To’o was also heavily involved in Marsden SHS’s 6th minute try when after charging onto a Javon Andrew pass from his right Taylan To’o carried the ball to within four metres of the try line and when engaged with three defenders Taylan To’o got a great left arm off-load away to his left with his back to the try line to Javon Andrews who had looped around to his left with Javon Andrews then putting the Marsden SHS left winger over to score in the corner.

A Taylan To’o effort from a Marsden SHS penalty restart in the 5th minute saw him promote the ball from the halfway to forty metres from the try line and then in the 12th minute from the right of the play the ball Taylan To’o ran the ball from his own try line to ten metres from his try line and then got a left arm off-load away to his left when engaged with three defenders with his support making fifteen metres down the left touchline.

In the 18th minute from the right of the play the ball from twenty to thirty metres from the try line and also in the 22nd minute from the right of the play the ball and ten metres from his try line Taylan To’o surged downfield twenty two metres breaking three tackles including one with a counter clockwise spin.

Taylan To’o started at left second row in the Langer Cup Semi-final against Ipswich SHS and in the 5th minute from two passes to the left of a Marsden SHS scrum win a Taylan To’o yardage carry saw him move the ball from fourteen to twenty six metres from his try line.

From the left of the play the ball in the 14th minute Taylan To’o did well as he carried the ball from twenty two to thirty five metres from his try line with Taylan To’o then getting a trademark left arm flock off-load away to his right to Javon Andrews. Then in the 18th minute a hard, straight run from Taylan To’o saw the ball moved from thirty two to within twenty metres of the try line. Also in the 54th minute from the right of the dummy half and six metres inside his half Taylan To’o carried the ball eight metres into Ipswich SHS territory.

Taylan To’o started at left second row for Marsden SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Grand Final against PBC SHS with Taylan To’o contributing heavily to Marsden SHS scoring in the 17th minute when after running onto a pass from his right from Javon Andrews Taylan To’o ran from twelve to four metres of the try line and with two defenders bringing him to ground Taylan To’o produced a superb left arm flick off-load to his left for Javon Andrews to put the Marsden SHS left winger over to score in the corner.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 11th minute Taylan To’o produced a typically strong run to carry the ball from thirty six to thirty one metres from the try line and then in the 16th minute from a Marsden SHS penalty restart Taylan To’o took the ball on the halfway and got eleven metres into PBC SHS territory.

In the 35th minute after receiving the ball to the left of the play the ball thirty five metres from his try line Taylan To’o stepped off his left foot as he ran the ball to the halfway mark and then received a penalty for ruck interference and also a minute later in the 36th minute from the right of the play the ball Taylan To’o carried the ball from twenty two to within ten metres of the try line.

At the completion of the 2024 Queensland School Boy Rugby League season Taylan To’o was named as a player that the Courier Mail is looking to see more of in the Langer Cup in 2025.

In late December 2023 Taylan To’o was named in the Souths Logan Magpies 2024 U17 Cyril Connell Cup squad however ultimately Taylan To’o ended up lining up for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls CC Cup squad instead.

Round One of the 2024 CC Cup competition saw Taylan To’o named at left second row for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Taylan To’o running an underneath route to the right of the play the ball in the 7th minute and after breaking two tackles to get the ball five metres into Tweed Heads territory Taylan To’o got a spectacular right arm off-load away towards the centre of the field.

In the 17th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half Taylan To’o was able to run the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to four metres into Wynnum Manly territory. Then in the 24th minute from the left of the play the ball Taylan To’o was ball to within nine metres of the try line after receiving the ball twenty two metres out.

Three minutes later in the 27th minute charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and run the ball from thirty metres from the try line to nineteen metres out. Then in the 37th minute from the right of the play the ball Taylan To’o made ten metres from forty two metres from the try line with Taylan To’o breaking a tackle along the way.

Five minutes later in the 42nd minute Taylan To’o ran onto the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball from two metres inside his own territory and was not brought to ground until Taylan To’o had progressed the ball ten metres into Tweed Heads territory. Taylan To’o then rounded out a strong match in the 59th minute with a great charge down the left channel from twenty six metres from the try line with desperate Tweed Heads cover defence only bringing Taylan To’o around two metres out from the try line near the left touchline.

Taylan To’o also started at left second row in Round Two against the Norths Devils with Taylan To’o making his initial strong run in the 4th minute from a Wynnum Manly penalty restart to carry the ball from his own twenty metre mark to thirty four metres out.

Taylan To’o produced another strong run in the 5th minute when after taking possession of the ball by way of an off-load Taylan To’o was able to promote the ball from five metres inside Devils territory to within thirty three metres of the try line. Then in the 7th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Taylan To’o got the ball to within twenty seven metres of the try line after collecting the pass thirty eight metres out.

Three minutes later in the 10th minute Taylan To’o ran the ball down the left channel from twenty eight metres from his own try line to within eight metres of the halfway mark with Taylan To’o then awarded a penalty for a strip in the tackle. Taylan To’o followed up by running an underneath route to the left of the dummy half in the 12th minute to get the ball from forty two metres out within thirty metres of the try line before getting away a left am off-load.

As a result of his performance Taylan To’o was named on the bench in the Courier Mail 2024 CC Cup Round Two Team of the Week.

Taylan To’o also started at left second row in Round Three against the Burleigh Bears with Taylan To’o making an immediate impact in the match when in just the 2nd minute from the right of the play the ball Taylan To’o carried het ball from twenty metres to within eight metres of the try line.

The 7th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty six metres from the try line saw Taylan To’o make twelve metres out to the thirty eight metre mark with Taylan To’o then able to get his right arm free above his head and get an off-load away to his trailing five eight. Then in the 10th minute from the right of the play the ball Taylan To’o carried the ball from twenty metres from his own try line to thirty metres out, then a tackle later Taylan To;o made an additional twelve metres also from the right of the dummy half to promote the ball to within two metres of the halfway mark.

Taylan To’o got his second half underway in the 31st minute when after receiving an off-load from his left Taylan To’o made a strong carry from thirty metres from his own ty line to within five metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 48th minute Taylan To’o broke two tackles with 80% of his metres being post contact as Taylan To’o carried the ball from thirty six metres to twenty two metres of the try line.

Taylan To’o did well defensively in the 4th minute when he rag dolled the Bears front rower No. 8 with Taylan To’o forcing the Burleigh back behind where he had received the ball for his hit-up.

Taylan To’o continued at left second row in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Taylan To’o coming close to scoring in the 28th minute only to be held up over the try line three metres to the right of the goal posts after a twelve metre run that came from the right of the dummy half.

Taylan To’o recorded a line break assist in the 12th minute when after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half and carrying from twenty four metres from his own try line to thirty eight metres out, Taylan To’o got a smart left arm off-load away to his fullback who burst downfield.

Earlier in just the 2nd minute of the match from the left of the play the ball and thirty metres from his own try line Taylan To’o was able to get the ball to within eight metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 9th minute also from the left of the play the ball Taylan To’o made ten metres from his own ten metre mark.

From the left of the play the ball once again in the 33rd minute and from thirty metres from his own try line Taylan To’o broke two tackles including one when he spun clockwise to get the ball five metres into Wynnum Manly territory. Taylan To’o followed up with another run in the 36th minute with a yardage carry from the left of the play the ball from his own twenty metre mark out to the thirty metre mark with Taylan To’o then awarded a penalty for being lifted dangerously in the tackle.

From the left of the play the ball once again in the 43rd minute Taylan To’o made a yardage carry from eight metres from his own try line to the twenty metre mark. Then in the 51st minute from the right of the play the ball Taylan To’o got the ball to the twenty eight metre mark after receiving the ball sixteen metres out.

Taylan To’o also started at left second row in Round Five against the Brisbane Tigers with Taylan To’o coming close to scoring in the 39th minute when after running an underneath route to the left of the play the ball Taylan To’o barged his way to within a metre of the try line in front of the goal posts after taking possession of the ball thirteen metres out.

Taylan To’o came close to scoring once again in the 41st minute with a hard straight run from the left of the play the ball and twelve metres out with the Tigers defence forced to commit four defenders to stop Taylan To’o less than a metre from try line and seven metres in from the left corner post.

In the 7th minute from the left of the play the ball in the 7th minute Taylan To’o was able to get the ball from fourteen metres out from his own try line to twenty five metres out and then in the 12th minute after running an underneath route to the left of the play the ball Taylan To’o did well to carry the ball from thirty two metres from his try line to within five metres of the halfway mark.

In the 25th minute also from the left of the dummy half Taylan To’o once gain carried the ball from inside his own halfway to run from twenty eight metres from his try line to forty one metres out. A minute later in the 26th minute from a Wynnum Manly penalty restart Taylan To’o did well to promote the ball from forty metres to thirty metres from the try line.

From the right of the dummy half in the 44th minute Taylan To’o stepped off his right foot upon receipt of the ball then immediately stepped off his left foot as Taylan To’o promoted the ball from twenty six metres from the try line to within eleven metres. Also in the 47th minute Taylan To’o from the right of the play the ball surged downfield from forty three metres to within thirty metres of the try line with Taylan To’o then awarded a penalty for Wynnum Manly ruck interference.

At the conclusion of the 2024 CC Cup season Taylan To’o was noted as a player that just missed out on selection in the 2024 Courier Mail 2024 Cyril Connell Cup Team of the Season.

In September 2024 Taylan To’o started at left second row for U17 New Zealand Toa against New Zealand Tu and after returning the opening kick-off of the match to the twenty three metre mark Taylan To’o came close to scoring twice early in the second half from hard straight runs to within centremetres of the try line.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 11th minute Taylan To’o ran from thirty four to twenty four metres from the try line before getting a right arm off-load away to his left and then from the right of the subsequent play the ball Taylan To’o made an additional ten metres to get within ten metres of the try line,

Also from the left of the play the ball in the 16th minute Taylan To’o carried the ball from nineteen to thirty three metres from the try line and in the 41st minute from the left of the play the ball once again Taylan To’o ran from twenty two to ten metres from the try line. Also in the 66th minute Taylan To’o carried the ball through the centre of the field and broke two tackle to run the ball from thirty to forty five metres from the try line.

In January 2023 Taylan To’o started at left second row for the Titans JTS U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Taylan To’o involved in the opening tackle of the match after the Titans had kicked off to get the match underway.

Taylan To’o made a strong 47th minute run when after the Titans ran the ball down a wide left blindside from their own thirty one metre mark Ryder Williams drew in the “B” Knights defender and got a good short ball away to his left to a charging Taylan To’o who was able to make a further sixteen metres downfield.

Just six minutes earlier in the 41st minute Taylan To’o made a try saving tackle right on his own try line when he smashed the Newcastle half with the ball coming loose as a result of Taylan To’o’s strong initial contact.

Taylan To’o also started at left second row a week later for the Titans U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s U17’s on the Gold Coast with Taylan To’o executing the defensive hit of the match when mid-way through the first half Taylan To’o came out of the Titans defensive line and smashed the Broncos five eight around twenty five metres out from the try line.

Taylan To’o also made a number of strong efforts running the ball down the left channel against the Bronco’s.

Taylan To’o lined up in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Taylan To’o started at left second 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 Taylan To’o named the Player of the Match in a strong Titans victory.

Taylan To’o recorded a 57th minute try assist when after making a line break forty metres from the try line off a Kaleb Smith pass from his left, Taylan To’o ran to within twenty metres of the try line down the right channel before getting a pass away to his right to Donte Tahuhu-Wilson who dived over to score in the right corner.

Taylan To’o made his opening strong run of the match in the 5th minute from the left of the play the ball from twenty six metres out from his own try line and was able to promote the ball to forty one metres out.

In the 26th minute from the right of the play the ball Taylan To’o was able to propel the ball from twenty metres out from his own try line to thirty six metres out, breaking two tackles along the way. Then just a tackle later from five metres inside his own territory and to the right of the play the ball, Taylan To’o was able to carry the ball ten metres inside New Zealand territory before getting a right arm off-load away to his left to continue the play.

Taylan To’o made an additional strong run in the 29th minute from the right of the play the ball to make eighteen metres to get the ball to within twelve metres of the halfway mark. In the 34th minute from the left of the dummy half and thirty two metres from his own try line, Taylan To’o made eleven hard metres towards the halfway mark.

In late September 2023 Taylan To’o was part of the Titans U16 side in their Antony Laffranchi Cup victory against the Balmain Tigers in Northern New South Wales.

In early 2023 Taylan To’o was named in the Met East School Boy Open Representative side with Taylan To’o starting from the bench in a big Met East win on Day One of the Queensland Open School Boy Rugby League Championships against South West.

Taylan To’o came onto the field to operate at right second row in the 14th minute and almost immediately Taylan To’o made a twelve metre run to get the ball to the halfway mark and then a tackle later Taylan To’o made a further sixteen metres running the ball to get the ball within twenty metres of the try line.

Taylan To’o also started from the bench on Day Two against South Coast with Taylan To’o coming off the bench to operate at left second row in the 20th minute and in the 20th minute to the left of the play the ball and twenty eight metres from his own try line Taylan To’o carried the ball to within eight metres of the halfway mark with over 50% of the metres made by Taylan To’o being post contact.

Taylan To’o continued from the bench on Day Three against Met West with Taylan To’o making a line break in the 23rd minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball and thirty metres out from his own try line Taylan To’o crashed through the defensive line to get the ball six metres into Met West territory with at least 60% of Taylan To’o’s metres being post contact with the defensive line.

Then in the 39th minute Taylan To’o from the right of the play the ball carried the ball from thirty three metres from the try line to within eighteen metres with Taylan To’o then getting an off-load away to his left.

Taylan To’o was named on the bench for Round Two of the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition for Marsden SHS against Keebra Park SHS with the match played at Cbus Stadium as a curtain-raiser to the Titans Round Fifteen NRL match against the Wests Tigers however he did not get onto the field.

Taylan To’o made his School Boy Langer Cup debut in Round Three against Caloundra SHS with Taylan To’o starting the match in the front row with Taylan To’o have a great match including recording a try assist in the 26th minute when from the left of the play the ball Taylan To’o ran onto the ball thirty seven metres from the try line and after engaging the defensive line Taylan To’o, when twenty five metres from the try line, Taylan To’o got his right arm free and got a great off-load away to his left to put his five eight over to score.

Taylan To’o also made a line break in the 16th minute when Taylan To’o charged away after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from his own try line with 75% of Taylan To’o’s metres post contact after getting the ball six metres inside Caloundra SHS territory.

Taylan To’o had made his initial hit-up of his Langer Cup career inside the opening minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball with Taylan To’o carrying the ball from twenty seven metres from try line to ten metres out with Taylan To’o then getting an off-load away to his left.

The 5th minute saw Taylan To’o run the ball from the left of the play the ball from the halfway mark seventeen metres inside Caloundra SHS territory.

Taylan To’o then came off the bench against Redcliffe SHS in Round Five which was played at Dolphin Stadium as an NRL curtain raiser in a match between the Dolphins and the Penrith Panthers.

After coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 25th minute Taylan To’o made a strong run in the 40th minute from the left of the play the ball with Taylan To’o making eight metres before getting a left arm off-load away to his left.

Taylan To’o started at left second row in Round One of the 2023 School Boy Walter Cup competition for Marsden SHS against PBC SHS with Taylan To’o scoring in the 37th minute when after receiving the ball ten metres out from the try line and to the right of the play the ball, Taylan To’o cut back to his left and back towards the play the ball and after breaking a number of tackles, Taylan To’o was able to reach out with an extended left arm to get the ball down four metres to the left of the uprights.

Earlier in the 31st minute Taylan To’o, after engaging the PBC SHS defensive line near the halfway mark got an off-load away and then after continuing to back-up Taylan To’o took possession after an off-load and rumbled to within eighteen metres of the try line in the centre of the field.

Taylan To’o continued at left second row in Round Two against Keebra Park SHS with Taylan To’o making a strong run in the 6th minute making twelve metres from a run from the right of the play the ball with Taylan To’o carrying the ball to the halfway mark before getting a left arm off-load away out the back.

Taylan To’o was able to get the first of a number of off-loads away in the 31st minute when after charging onto the ball to the left of the play the Ball Taylan To’o gained sixteen metres to eighteen metres from the try line with Taylan To’o then able to get an off-load away to his left. Then in the 39th minute Taylan To’o got an off-load out the back after carrying the ball from the right of the play the ball to within ten metres of the try line and getting his left arm free over his head.

Taylan To’o was able to get another off-load away in the 50th minute when after getting his left arm free Taylan To’o was able to off-load to his left just inside his own territory.

Taylan To’o also made a strong run in the 30th minute from the left of the play the ball thirty metres out from his own try line with Taylan To’o carrying the ball thirteen metres downfield with Taylan To’o able catch a number of Marsden SHS defenders offside.

Taylan To’o showed his defensive prowess in the 8th minute when after rushing out of the defensive line Taylan To’o smashed the Keebra Park SHS No. 8 with a heavy front on right shoulder hit thirty metres out from the Keebra Park SHS try line.

Taylon To’o made another strong tackle in the 27th minute when he manhandled one of the Keebra Park SHS front rowers, dumping him onto his back on the halfway mark.

Taylan To’o then started at right second row in Round Four against Wavell SHS with Taylan To’o dominant in a Player of the Match performance including scoring one try and coming close to scoring another in a hard fought two points Marsden SHS victory. While Taylan To’o lined up at right second row to start the match Taylan To’o in fact moved between left and right second row over the course of the match.

Taylan To’o scored a spectacular solo try in the 10th minute when from two passes to the left of the play the ball Taylan To’o received the ball forty metres out from the try line and immediately produced a subtle step off his left foot to beat a defender with Taylan To’o then using a left arm fend to beat a second defender to burst into space with Taylan To’o then stepping off his left foot at full speed to easily beat the fullback and charge sixteen metres to dive over to score two metres to the left of the uprights.

Taylan To’o almost scored an even more spectacular solo try from another line break in the 41st minute when from the right of the play the ball thirty metres out from his own try line, Taylan To’o surged onto the ball smashing straight through the centre of the Wavell SHS defensive line with Taylan To’o then outpacing the cover defence before veering to his right to round the Wavell SHS fullback with Taylan To’o crossing the try line four metres in from the right corner post but after a long delay the referee ruled that Taylan To’o had lost possession of the ball just prior to crossing the try line.

Taylan To’o produced a very smart piece of play in the 34th minute when after a Wavell SHS try, Taylan To’o took the kick-off and put in a short kick-off straight ahead along the ground with Taylan To’o and a Wavell SHS player forced to wait for the ball to cross the ten metre plane with both players then diving onto the ball but Taylan To’o was the player to emerge with the ball after wrestling for possession on the ground.

Taylon To’o, in the 5th minute from forty metres out from his own try line produced a trade mark right arm off-load after engaging the defensive line and in the 26th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball twenty six metres out from his own try line Taylan To’o was tripped up after making just a handful of metres but Taylan To’o then got to his feet and continue his run to three metres of the halfway mark.

Taylan To’o also started at right second row (left second row in the second half) in Round Five against Redcliffe SHS with Taylan To’o recording a line break assist in the 21st minute when after running the ball from his own twenty metre mark to twenty eight metres out to the right of the play the ball Taylan To’o threw a cut-out pass to his right to put his winger away down the right touchline.

In the 5th minute from the left of the play the ball and eight metres inside his own territory Taylan To’o got the ball to six metres inside Redcliffe SHS territory with Taylan To’o then being awarded a penalty for being held down in the tackle. Then from the subsequently Marsden SHS penalty tap restart Taylan To’o made a further ten metres before getting away a great right arm off-load when engaged with three defenders.

From a penalty tap restart in the 15th minute on the halfway mark, Taylan To’o was able to get the ball twelve metres into Redcliffe SHS territory. Then in the 21st minute from the right of the play the ball Taylan To’o ran the ball from the halfway mark to ten metres inside Redcliffe SHS territory before getting a right arm off-load away.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 29th minute and after being engaged by three Redcliffe SHS defenders Taylan To’o got away a left arm off-load with Marden SHS scoring two passes later. Then in the 44th minute from the right of the play the ball, Taylan To’o carried the ball from his own eighteen metre mark to the thirty metre mark, breaking a tackle along the way.

Taylan To’o backed up a Marsden SHS team mate and after getting the off-load Taylan To’o made ten metre in the 46th minute and in the 59th minute from a Marsden SHS penalty tap restart Taylan To’o ran the ball from his own thirty six metre mark to the halfway mark.

Taylan To’o continued at left second row in the Round Six Logan derby against Mabel Park SHS with Taylan To’o recording a line break in the 30th minute down the left channel with Taylan To’o bursting through the Mabel Park defensive line twenty metres out from his own try line and crashed and rumbled his way to the halfway mark.

Taylan To’o made the second hit-up of the match to get the ball out to the thirty six metre mark. Taylan To’o backed that run up with another in the 3rd minute with a twelve metre run down the left channel to the thirty metre mark before Taylan To’o was able to get a great right arm off-load away to his left. Taylan To’o got another smart off-load away to his right in the 20th minute after running the ball from the twenty metre mark to the thirty two metre mark.

The 26th minute then saw Taylan To’o receive the ball twenty six metres from the try line and get the ball to twelve metres out.

Taylan To’o made another strong run in the 10th minute from the left of the play the ball from his own twenty metre mark to thirty eight metres away from the try line and then in the same set of six tackles Taylan To’o, after receiving an off-load got the ball from five metres inside Mabel Park SHS territory to within thirty three metres of the try line.

Taylan To’o from the right of the play the ball and twenty metres out from his try line got the ball out to the thirty one metre mark and received a penalty for a hand on the ball then in the 53rd minute from the right of the play the ball thirteen metres out, Taylan To’o rumbled forward and it took five Mabel Park SHS defenders to stop him just centremetres short of the try line.

Taylan To’o also did well in the 17th minute when after Marsden SHS had put up a high kick to the left side of the field Taylan To’o jumped above his opponent and tapped the ball backwards to a team mate with Marsden SHS scoring later in the same movement.

Taylan To’o executed a huge defensive hit in the 36th minute, smashing his opponent front on but strangely the referee ruled the hit a shoulder charge.

Taylan To’o then was named on the bench for the Walters Cup Semi-final against PBC SHS.

At the completion of the competition Taylan To’o was named in the second row in the Courier Mail 2023 Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League Team of the Year.

At the conclusion of the 2023 School Boy sporting season Taylan To’o was named one of the Top Seven 2023 Junior Age Sporting Talents by the Courier Mail and was also named as one of the 2023 Gun School Boy Rugby League Rookies also by the Courier Mail. Then in October 2023 Taylan To’o was named on the bench in the 2023 Marsden SHS School Boy Rugby League Team of the Year.

2023 also saw Taylan To’o line up for Souths Juniors in the Greater Brisbane Junior Rugby League U16 Division One competition with Taylan To’o starting at lock in all of his regular season matches for the Magpies.

Taylan To’o scored six tries in just five matches in the 2023 GBJRL U16 Division One competition including a hat trick in Round Ten against Easts. Taylan To’o scored a double in Round Seven against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and also scored in Round Eight against Redlands.

Taylan To’o then started from the bench in Week Two of the Finals against the Redcliffe Dolphins.

In October 2023 Taylan To’o was named in the 2023 QPICC Cook Islands U16 representative side and after the Cook Islands had a Round One bye, Taylan To’ started at left second row in Round Two against Queensland Fiji.

In late December 2023 Taylan To’o was named by the Courier Mail as one of Queensland’s 2023 Top 100 Sporting Prodigies.

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

In late December 2022 Taylan To’o was named in the 2023 Souths Logan Magpies U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad for the second season in a row after Taylan To’o played a number of matches for the Magpies Cyril Connell Cup side in 2022 when he was still U15 eligible.

In early May 2022 Taylan To’o 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 with the Titans U16 JTS squad recording a strong victory in front of an appreciative crowd.

In late September 2022 Taylan To’o started from the bench for a Titans U16 side against a Sydney Roosters U16 side at Pizzey Park with the Titans coming away with a resounding 32 – 8 victory at Pizzey Park.

2022 saw Taylan To’o return to Marsden State High School as part of their Hancock Cup School Boy squad and after missing Round One against PBS SHS due to being in New Zealand Taylan To’o was involved in Marsden SHS’s other matches either coming off the bench or starting in the second row, putting in a number of dominating performances.

At the 2022 Marsden SHS Rugby League Specialisation Awards, Taylan To’o was named in the second row in the 2022 Marsden SHS Rugby League Team of the Year.

2022 also saw Taylan To’o represent Met East in the QSSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Championships.

For the 2022 Souths Logan Magpies U16 Cyril Connell Cup side Taylan To’o started Round One against the Burleigh Bears in the centre before starting Round Three against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls from the bench.

From a club rugby league perspective in 2022 Taylan To’o played for the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies in the Brisbane Junior rugby League U15 Division One competition including starting at right second row in the Elimination Final against Brothers.

Taylan To’o also started at right second row in the Week Two Semi-Final against local rivals, Logan Brothers.

The 2022 GBJRL U15 Division One Grand Final saw Taylan To’o named at start at right second row for the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies against the Redcliffe Dolphins, with the Magpies scoring a tight four point Grand Final victory.

Earlier in the 2022 GBJRL U15 Division One Taylan To’o scored two tries in Rounds Seven and Ten against Carina and Easts Tigers respectively and Taylan To’o also scored in Round Eleven against the Redcliffe Dolphins.

In September 2022 Taylan To’o was named in the South Queensland Māori U16 Tiena representative squad.

In 2021 Taylan To’o played for Marsden SHS in the Year Eight Renouf Shield School Boy competition, starting at lock in their tough 8 – 4 Grand Final loss to PBC SHS.

Prior to the 2021 Renouf Shield Grand Final Taylan To’o had some strong matches for Marsden SHS in the preliminary rounds including a strong performance in the semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with a 14th minute try assist when Taylan To’o, whilst operating on the left side of the engaged the defensive line around six metres out for the try line before off-loading to his left to put his left centre over to score near the corner.

Taylan To’o showcased his goal kicking skills in Round Seven against Ipswich SHS with three conversions in Marsden SHS’s big win with Taylan To’o showing a relaxed, simple and effective right foot goal kicking technique.

Taylan To’o 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, Taylan To’o 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, Taylan To’o runs with a high knee lift and also has a powerful right hand fend.

Defensively the most impressive aspect of Taylan To’o’s play is his ability to make effective tackle after effective tackle. Whilst his stamina is impressive, so is Taylan To’o’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 Taylan To’o.

Taylan To’o 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 Taylan To’o has very good catch up speed and a solid low tackling technique from a side aspect.

Taylan To’o is underrated defensively in terms of how hard his initial contact is in defence as well as his capacity to continually get back into the defensive line, set himself and move up to make the next tackle for long stretches.

In 2025 Taylan To’o will continue to play for Marsden SHS where he will one of the team’s leaders from the second row position in the School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition. Taylan To’o will start the 2025 season as a member of the Wynnum Manly Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad and Taylan To’o is also MM Cup eligible in 2026.

Taylan To’o has it all, size, strength, speed, power and skill, lots of skill and is a perfect fit for a modern day rugby league second rower.

Taylan To’o is a big strong tough rugby league second rower with a touch of aggressiveness in his game and probably the best NRL comparison I can see is North Queensland Cowboys and Queensland State of Origin stand out Jeremiah Nanai with his ability to break tackles at will and then has the elite speed to score himself. One area where Taylan To’o exceeds Nanai already his in relation to his off-loading ability which can be compared to Manly Sea Eagles and New South Wales State of Origin second rower Haumole Olakau’atu.

Taylan To’o is an exceptional player and is up there with the best junior rugby league forwards (and players for that matter) that I have had the pleasure of seeing play live. If you are impressed seeing Taylan To’o play on a live stream, you will be even more impressed when he see him live, and you will with the Titans in the NRL in the next two years or so.

 

[mdrew]

Noah Reti. In September 2024 Noah Reti was named in the 2025 Northern Rivers Titans U17 Academy Squad with Noah Reti taking part in the team’s first 2025 trial against the Northern Tigers starting in the second row.

2025 sees Noah Reti move to PBC SHS with Noah Reti looking to gain immediate playing time in the PBC SHS School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup side.

In late September 2023 Noah Reti was named in the 2024 Northern Rivers Titans U17 Development Academy squad with Noah Reti part of the U17 Northern Rivers Titans Development squad that defeated the Greater Northern Tigers in their first 2024 trial.

Round One of the 2024 U16 Andrew Johns Cup competition saw Noah Reti named on the bench for the Northern Rivers Titans against the Newcastle Knights and after coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the 42nd minute Noah Reti almost immediately ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball with Noah Reti getting to within two metres of the try line and directly in front of the goal posts.

Noah Reti then moved into the starting line-up at right second row in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters with Noah Reti celebrating his elevation to the Northern Rivers starting side by recording a try assist in the 52nd minute when after charging into the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball, Noah Reti burst through two tackles thirty six metres from his own try line to make a long line break. When he was around twenty metres from the try line Noah Reti drew the Central Coast fullback and passed to his right to Tye Hogan-Collins who had an easy run to the try line and in fact was able to bring the ball around and put it down seven metres to the right of the goal posts.

Earlier in the 35th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Noah Reti ran the ball out from his own sixteen metre mark to the twenty eight metre mark.

Noah Reti showcased his defensive ability in the 49th minute when along with Malachy Laarhaven, Noah Reti hit and drove the Central Coast No. 18 three metres backwards through the centre of the field before dumping him on his back eight metres out from his own try line.

Noah Reti also started at right second row in Round Four against the Northern Tigers and after making the opening hit-up of the match to get the ball back to the thirty eight metre mark, Noah Reti made a line break in 2nd minute when from two passes to the right of the play the ball and thirty metres from his own try line Noah Reti burst between two defenders and surged downfield to fifteen metres into Tigers territory.

In the 7th minute after taking a Tiger kick-off on the full on his own twenty metre mark Noah Reti returned the ball to thirty five metres out. Then in the from the right of the dummy half in the 13th minute Noah Reti ran an underneath route which saw him get within eighteen metres of the try line after receiving the ball thirty metres out. Then in the 24th minute from the left of a Titans penalty restart Noah Reti carried the ball from six metres inside his own territory to nine metres into Tigers territory.

Noah Reti continued his strong match in the 48th minute with a good run to the right of the play the ball with Noah Reti breaking two tackles as he ran the ball from twenty metres from his own try line to thirty two metres out.

Noah Reti continued at right second row in the Round Five local derby against the North Coast Bulldogs with Noah Reti making the Titans opening hit-up of the match after an early lost ball by North Coast with Noah Reti, after taking possession of the ball to the left of the ply the ball carrying the ball from forty metres from the try line to thirty metres out.

From two passes to the right of the dummy half in the 9th minute and thirty metres from his own try line Noah Reti ran the ball out to the forty two metre mark. Then in the 13th minute from the left of the play the bal Noah Reti ran the ball from seven metres inside his own territory to six metres into North Coast territory.

In the 25th minute from the left of a Titans scrum win and sixteen metres from his own try line Noah Reti was able to get the ball over the twenty metre mark before getting a right arm off-load away to his left to Ryder Nelson. Then from two passes to the right of the play the ball in the 50th minute and nine metres inside his own territory Noah Reti ran straight over the top of one defender as he was able to get the ball seven metres into North Coast territory.

Noah Reti also started at right second row in the rescheduled Round Three match against the St George Dragons with Noah Reti recording a line break and line break assist in the 58th minute when after charging onto the ball to the right of the play the ball down a wide right blindside Noah Reti burst between two defenders thirty eight metres from his own try line and after surging to four metres into St George territory Noah Reto got an off-load away to his right for Ryder Nelson to make a line break of his own.

Naoh Reti ran onto the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball in the 13th minute and get the ball to the halfway mark after making ten metres before getting and off-load away to his right to Ryder Nelson.

From two passes to the right of the play the ball once again in the 30th minute Noah Reti made a yardage carry of ten metres out to thirty one metres from his own try line then in the 37th minute from the left of the play the ball and thirty seven metres from the try line Noah Reti was able to get the ball to within twenty two metres of the try line.

Noah Reti ran the ball down a right blindside in the 44th minute before getting a right arm flick off-load away in the same direction. Four minutes earlier in the 40th minute from the right of the play the ball Noah Reti got the ball within eight metres of try line after commencing his run twenty metres out.

Even though he was still U16 eligible in 2024 Round One of the 2024 Group Two U18 competition saw Noah Reti named on the bench for the South Grafton Rebels in the local derby against the Grafton Ghosts as well as in Round Three against Macksville and the rescheduled Round Two match against the Coffs Harbour Comets.

Noah Reti also came off the bench in Round Ten against Macksville and after coming onto the field to operate at right second row in the 20th minute Noah Reti scored in the 38th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball when ten metres from the try line Noah Reti burst through one attempted tackle to score ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

After running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half in the 24th minute Noah Reti ran the ball from twenty three metres to be brought to ground thirteen metres from the try line but after the defender dropped off the tackle, Noah Reti got back to his feet to make it to the ten metre mark. Also in the 40th minute after receiving an off-load ten metres inside his own half Noah Reti was able to get the ball to four metres into Macksville territory.

In late September 2024 Noah Reti started in the second row for Northern Bundjalung in their 28-16 in their 2024 U17 Lismore Aboriginal Knock-out Grand Final victory against Southern Bundjalung.

On November 8, 2021, Noah Reti started training a couple of days a week with the Titans JTS program with Noah Reti’s first appearance in a Titans jersey in a match coming in early December 2021 when two Titans U14 Development Squads played each other with Noah Reti dominating in a high quality match.

Round One of the 2022 Group One U14 Junior rugby League competition saw Noah Reti start in the second row for the South Grafton Rebels against the Clarence Coast Magpies however due to a wet field the match was postponed. Noah Reti was also named in the second row in Round Two against Casino RSM.

Noah Reti was then at his destructive best in Round Eight against the Marist Rams with Noah Reti scoring four of the Rebels six tries in a big South Grafton victory. Noah Reti then scored a double in Round Eleven against the Kyogle Turkeys.

Noah Reti also scored in Rounds Twelve, Fourteen and the in the rescheduled Round Two match against Casino RSM on all occasions.

In Week One of the 2022 Group One U14 Finals series Noah Reti started in the second row for the South Grafton Rebels against the Ballina Seagulls.

Even though he was still U14 eligible in 2022 Noah Reti played a number of matches in the Group One U15 competition with the first of those appearance being in Round Two when he was named on the bench for the South Grafton Rebels against Casino RSM.

The giant, exceptionally talented youngster from the South Grafton Rebels in the Group One U13 competition had a huge 2021 season with the Rebels and proved impossible for opposing defences to stop on any sort of regular basis.

Starting all of his matches in the second row for the Rebels, Noah Reti scored hat tricks in Round Two against the Clarence Coast Magpies, Round Four against Ballina and Round Six against Marist Brothers.

Noah Reti also scored doubles in Round Three against Clarence Coast and also scored in Round One (Kyogle), Round Five (Ballina), Round Six (Ballina).

Noah Reti continued in the second row in Round Eight against Kyogle and added four tries to his 2021 tally. Round Nine against Clarence Coast saw Noah Reti once again start in the second ro and for the second week in a row score four tries.

Noah Reti also played for the South Grafton Rebels in 2020 in the Group One U12 competition, starting almost exclusively in the front row for the Rebels and finished the 2020 Group One U12 season, scoring eleven tries and kicking two conversions from nine matches, with his conversions coming in Round Six against Kyogle and Round Seven against Grafton.

Noah Reti scored a hat trick against Grafton in Round Seven and scored doubles in Rounds Four and Ten, on both occasions against Casino RSM. Noah Reti also scored against Ballina (Round Two), Kyogle (Round Three), Grafton (Round Five) and Clarence Coast in Round Six.

Noah Reti also started in the second row in Round Ten against the Clarence Coast Magpies, scoring a staggering five tries in the Rebels impressive victory.

From the second row position in Round Eleven against the Ballina Seagulls, Noah Reti scored an outstanding hat trick in a tough South Grafton four point loss. Noah Reti also started in the second row in Round Twelve against Casino RSM with Noah Reti proving to be close to unstoppable on the way to scoring on four occasions.

Understandably Noah Reti was also named to start in the second row in Round Thirteen against the Marist Rams, scoring one of the three Rebels tries in the match.

Noah Reti finished the abridged 2021 Group One U13 regular season as the competitions leading try scorer with thirty six tries to record a try scoring strike rate in excess of 300%.

Round Thirteen of the Group One U14 competition saw Noah Reti named to start from the bench against the Marist Rams in his first match of 2021 “up an age group”.

In the 2020 Group One U12 competition Noah Reti finished the season as the competition’s equal third leading try scorer with eleven tries and Noah Reti also kicked three conversions to finish the competition with fifty points which enabled Noah Reti to finish as the third top points scorer in the competition.

Noah Reti scored an impressive hat trick in Round Seven against the Grafton Ghosts and scored doubles against Casino RSM in Rounds Four and Ten. Noah Reti also scored in Two against the Ballina Seagulls, Round Three against the Kyogle Turkeys and Round Eight against the Clarence Coast Magpies.

Noah Reti’s three 2020 conversions came in separate matches against the Grafton Ghosts in Round Five, the Kyogle Turkeys in Round Six and against Casino RSM in Round Ten.

For a big strong young man, Noah Reti also has above average (to plus) speed, not just off the mark but also when he is in clear space, when he makes a break Noah Reti is more than capable of going the distance and normally easily out paces the cover defence.

Noah Reti is not just a strong runner of the ball he as noted above has excellent footwork prior to the line and also some very good short passing both before the line and when in contact with defenders in the defensive line.

On a lot of his runs Noah Reti rather than trying to step his opposite number will really look to initiate the contact and then use his strength to hold the defender off his body to either push through the tackle or draw in the next defender to create space for his outside support.

Whilst his ball running skills are the first thing that you will likely notice when seeing Noah Reti play his defence is equally effective even though it may not be as noticeable at first glance.

Defensively Noah Reti has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier regardless of the size of the opponent. Noah Reti sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum against them.

Noah Reti’s good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker players on the fringes of the ruck and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork but moving up quickly but at the same time maintaining his balance.

Noah Reti is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacker especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where he will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

2025 sees Noah Reti move to PBC SHS with Noah Reti looking to gain immediate playing time in the PBC SHS School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition.

Whilst Noah Reti played in the front row in 2021 to 2023 (and was very successful there), moving to the second row where he is able to run a bit wider of the ruck in 2024 and the move has propelled Noah Reti’s already impressive game to another level and whilst he may well end up in the front row in years to come, playing in the second row in the short term (and potentially the long term) is, for me the best situation for Noah Reti.

With his size, speed and power, how Noah Reti plays is eerily similar to new Dolphins NRL recruit and former North Queensland Cowboy Kulikefu Finefeuiaki. Both Noah Reti and Finefeuiaki are big, strong and powerful second rowers with speed and mobility that belies their frame and as a result they are nightmares to defend against on the fringes of the ruck.

 

[mdrew]

Eden Humphries. One player to keep an eye on in the Northern Rivers Titans 2025 U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad is Eden Humphries formerly of Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School in northern NSW, in rugby Eden Humphries is a No. 10 or fullback and impressively was part of the 2024 NSW Waratahs U16 trials as a 15 year old, an impressive achievement to say the least.

In 2025 Eden Humphries moves to PBC SHS as part of the school’s Elite Rugby League Program with Eden Humphries looking to force his way into PBC SHS’s School Boy Rugby League Walters Cup squad.

From a rugby league perspective in 2024 Eden Humphries played for the Mullumbimby Giants in the Group 18 U15 competition and was named the Giants 2024 U15 Best and Fairest.

In relation to rugby in 2024 Eden Humphries played for the Byron Shire Rebels in the Far North Coast U15 competition and started at fullback for the Far North Coast U15 Rugby Representative side as well as Far North Coast Representative Rugby 7’s.

Quick stepping and intuitive are two attributes that you can immediately attribute to Eden Humphries when you see him play for the first time. Whilst Eden Humphries 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 Eden Humphries 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 Eden Humphries 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 Eden Humphries does.

From a kicking perspective Eden Humphries is a solid tactical kicker with decent range and accuracy with Eden Humphries also able to progress through his kicking procedures quickly to reduce the prospect of his kick being charged down. Eden Humphries excels though from an attacking kicking perspective with Eden Humphries 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 Eden Humphries 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. Eden Humphries commits immediately to making the necessary tackle and is adept at bringing the attacker to the ground as quickly and efficiently as possible. Eden Humphries 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.

2025 sees Eden Humphries start the season with the Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad and will play School Boy Rugby League with Titans partnered PBC SHS likely in the Walters Cup. It will also be interesting to see if Eden Humphries continues to play rugby in 2025 and beyond.

In rugby league Eden Humphries is a five eight or fullback and in rugby plays fly half, fullback or inside centre. I think that the next couple of years will see Eden Humphries operate at both fullback and five eight (possibly even at centre) in rugby league and with his kicking a defensive ability I am leaning ever so slightly towards Eden Humphries settling at five eight in relation to rugby league.

Eden Humphries is a near carbon copy of Titans Wallaby rugby convert Carter Gordon. Both Carter Gordon and Eden Humphries are/were outstanding rugby No. 10’s with elite passing and kicking games and who are also above average defenders to go along with their elite kicking and passing skills.

 

[mdrew]

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga. The former Palmerston North student and representative level basketballer signed a multi-year contract with the Titans mid-way through the 2023 season.

In early January 2025 Santino Pekepo-Tavaga started on the left wing for the Titans U19 JTS side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour in very wet conditions.

2024 saw Santino Pekepo-Tavaga move over to Australia to attend Keebra Park SHS with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga set to line up for Keebra Park SHS in the School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition in 2024.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga made his School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup debut off the bench in Round Two against Caloundra SHS with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga coming onto the field late in the second half to operate on the right wing.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga made his Langer Cup starting debut in Round Five against Ipswich SHS with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga operating on the right wing.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also started on the right wing in Round Six against Mabel Park SHS and in the 10th minute from the right of the play the ball but on the left side of the field Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was able to break a tackle and get the ball from the halfway mark to thirty five metres from the try line.

In the 20th minute also from the right of the play the ball and twenty two metres from his try line Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was able to get the ball out to the thirty four metre mark. Also in the 34th minute from the right of a Keebra Park SHS scrum win three metres out from his try line Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was able to make ten hard metres and then a tackle later from the left of the play the ball Santino Pekepo-Tavaga got the ball to the twenty five metre mark. Then in the 58th minute Santino Pekepo-Tavaga, from the right of the play the ball ran the ball through the centre of the field from six metres inside his half to eight metres into Mabel Park SHS territory.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga continued on the right wing in the Round Seven local derby against PBC SHS with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga scoring in the 7th minute when after anticipating that at PBC SHS short goal line drop -out would cross the ten metre plane, Santino Pekepo-Tavaga took the ball on the first bounce just as the ball crossed the ten metre mark and just before the ball bounced over the right touchline with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga charing ten metres down the right touchline to score in the right corner with multiple PBC SHS players still wondering what the heck happened.

In the 4th minute after taking a PBC SHS kick-off on the full Santino Pekepo-Tavaga ran the ball out to the twenty metre mark. Then in the 6th minute from the left of the dummy half and on the halfway mark Santino Pekepo-Tavaga carried the ball thirteen metres into PBC SHS territory. Also in the 36th minute Santino Pekepo-Tavaga carried the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball from fifteen metres to twenty six metres from his try line.

From the left of the play the ball in the 40th minute Santino Pekepo-Tavaga promoted the ball from thirteen to twenty seven metres from his try line and then in the 53rd minute after picking up the ball from a PBC SHS knock on ten metres inside his own half Santino Pekepo-Tavaga ran the ball back to two metres inside PBC SHS territory.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was then named on the bench for Keebra Park SHS in their Langer Cup Quarter Final against Mabel Park SHS.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga started on the bench for Keebra Park SHS in their Langer Cup semi-final against PBC SHS with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga coming onto the field to operate in the centre of the field in the 29th minute before moving to the right wing midway through the second half.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga carried the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball in the 31st minute to get the ball from thirty three metres from his try line to within four metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 32nd minute from the right of the dummy half and forty one metres from his try line Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was able to get to twenty metres out. Also in the 34th minute Santino Pekepo-Tavaga once again carried the ball through the centre of the field to the right of the play the ball from thirty to forty one metres from the try line.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also did well in the 41st minute from the right of a Keebra Park SHS scrum win to carry the ball from thirty to forty three metres from the try line. Whilst operating on the right wing in the 46th minute Santino Pekepo-Tavaga ran the ball down the right touchline to get from forty to twenty two metres from the try line with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga cutting inside off his right foot to ensure that he did not go into touch.

Round Two of the 2024 Langer Reserve School Boy Rugby League competition saw Santino Pekepo-Tavaga start on the wing against Caloundra SHS.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also started on the wing in Round Three against Redcliffe SHS with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga scoring three tries inside the opening fifteen metres and was denied a fourth later in the match.

In early January 2024 Santino Pekepo-Tavaga started at left centre 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 in the first of the two trial matches, Santino Pekepo-Tavaga recorded a try assist in the 4th minute when after taking possession of the ball wide out on the left side of the field and fifteen metres from the try line, Santino Pekepo-Tavaga stepped off his right foot to get on the outside of his direct opponent and when ten metres from the try line Santino Pekepo-Tavaga got a pass away to his left to Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu who charged down the left corner to crash over to score the opening try of the trial in the left corner.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also started at left centre in the second trial against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga recording a try assist in the 3rd minute when after receiving 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.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also made a line break in the 11th minute when after receiving an overhead pass from his right from Majah Peachey thirty seven metres from the try line, Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was able to charge seventeen metres down the left touchline before being tackled twenty metres out.

In the 10th minute from two passes to the left of a Titans scrum win Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was able to break two tackles as he carried the ball from thirty metres from his own try line to within nine metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 23rd minute Santino Pekepo-Tavaga made a strong run down the left channel on a yardage carry to get the ball from twenty six from his own try line to the forty metre mark.

In October 2023 Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup squad.

Round One of the 2024 U17 Cyril Connell Cup season saw Santino Pekepo-Tavaga start at left centre for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

The 6th minute saw Santino Pekepo-Tavaga take possession of the ball two passes to the left of a Tweed Heads scrum win eighteen metres out from his own try line with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga running to his left to get the ball out to the thirty one metre mark.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga, from a Tweed Heads penalty restart in the 33rd minute ran straight over the top of one defender as he carried the ball from forty metres to twenty six metres from the try line. Then in the 36th minute from two passes to the left of a Tweed Heads scrum win Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was able to run the ball from the sixteen metre mark out to the thirty metre mark. Also from two passes to the left of a Tweed Heads scrum win in the 45th minute Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was able to make eleven metres to get the ball to within ten metres of the halfway mark.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga then did well down a wide left blindside on the 47th minute when after receiving the ball on the halfway mark Santino Pekepo-Tavaga got the ball ten metres into Wynnum Manly tettiroy and after stepping off his left foot Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was able to make an additional six metres. Then from a Tweed Heads penalty restart in the 50th minute Santino Pekepo-Tavaga carried the ball from thirty one metres from the try line to within sixteen metres.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also started at left centre in Round Two against the Brisbane Tigers with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga scoring an impressive double in a solid Tweed Heads victory.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga scored his first try in the 6th minute when after receiving a cut-out pass from his inside from Grange Womal ten metres from the try line, Santino Pekepo-Tavaga continued to run to his left and after running over the top of one defender Santino Pekepo-Tavaga got the ball down under pressure five metres in from the left corner post.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga added his second try in the 60th minute with an eight metre burst including a tackle break to get the ball down four metres in from the left corner post.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also recorded a line break assist in the 30th minute with a smart catch and pass to his left to put Callum Dalton away down the left touchline.

In just the 2nd minute of the match Santino Pekepo-Tavaga ran onto the ball to the left of the play the ball and was able to make a half break to get the ball from thirty metres from his own try line to within seven metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 18th minute also from the left of the dummy half Santino Pekepo-Tavaga promoted the ball from his own twenty eight metre mark to the forty one metre mark.

Five minutes later in the 23rd minute from a Seagulls penalty restart thirty metres from the try line Santino Pekepo-Tavaga ran over the top of one defender as he carried the ball within four metres of the halfway mark. Then from another Seagulls penalty restart in the 38th minute on the halfway mark Santino Pekepo-Tavaga carried the ball fourteen metres into Tigers territory.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also did well defensively in the 43rd minute to chase down the Tigers right winger from behind after a Tigers line break twelve metres out from the try line.

As a result of his performance Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was named in the centres in the Courier Mail 2024 CC Cup Round Two Team of the Week.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also started at left centre in Round Three against the Norths Devils with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga taking possession of the ball to the left of the dummy half thirty three metres from his own try line and after a goose step prior to engaging the Norths defensive line Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was able to get the ball to the halfway mark.

In the 36th minute Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was able to carry the ball from the left of the play the ball from ten metres from his own try line to twenty two metres out. Then in the 58th minute Santino Pekepo-Tavaga ran the ball down the left channel from twenty eight metres from his own try line to fourteen metres out.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga continued at left centre in Round Five against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga scoring in the 46th minute when after receiving the ball twelve metres from the try line and wide out on the left side of the field Santino Pekepo-Tavaga stpped inside one defender before spinning counter clockwise to gain separation from three additional defenders with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga getting the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga, in the 19th minute from two passes to the left of a Seagulls scrum in the centre of the field ran the ball from sixteen metres from his own try line to twenty nine metres out. Then from a Tweed Heads penalty restart in the 21st minute Santino Pekepo-Tavaga ran the ball from the halfway mark to twelve metres into Redcliffe territory.

From the right of the play the ball in the 46th minute on the halfway mark Santino Pekepo-Tavaga ran the ball to within thirty five metres of the try line with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga then awarded a penalty for Redcliffe ruck interference.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga’s performance saw him named on the wing in the Courier Mail Round Four CC Cup Team of the Week.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also started at left centre the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears and in the 2nd minute from a Tweed Heads penalty restart thirty five metres from their try line Santino Pekepo-Tavaga carried the ball to within four metres of the halfway mark.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga in the 15th minute from the left of a Seagulls scrum win in the centre of the field took possession of the ball five metres from his own try line and after continuing to run to his left was able to get the ball out to the twenty metre mark near the left touchline.

In late March 2024 Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was named as one of the finalists for the 2024 Queensland Rugby League Cyril Connell Cup Weapon of the Year Award.

In September 2024 Santino Pekepo-Tavaga started on the right wing for U17 New Zealand Toa against New Zealand Tu and in the 31st minute from the right of the play the ball but wide on the left side of the field a Santino Pekepo-Tavaga yardage carry saw the ball moved from four to fifteen metres from the try line. Also in the 33rd minute after backing up a line break through the centre of the field by his fullback Santino Pekepo-Tavaga did exceptionally well to collect a very low pass cleanly around his ankles on the halfway and still make twelve metres into NZ Tu territory.

Round Six of the of the Gold Coast Rugby League U18 Division One competition saw Santino Pekepo-Tavaga start at left centre for the Southport Tigers against the Currumbin Eagles with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga scoring in the 30th minute by way of a six metre charge down a short left blindside to crash over the top of two defenders to get the ball down four metres in from the left corner post.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga came close to scoring a second try in the 54th minute when after receiving the ball wide out on the left side of the field twelve metres out, Santino Pekepo-Tavaga straightened up his run with a left foot step but the referee ruled that Santino Pekepo-Tavaga lost the ball just in the field of play just as he was reaching out to put the ball down.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also made a line break in the 22nd minute with a powerful surge from thirty two metres down the left touchline to ten metres out with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga then able to off-load the ball to his left.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga made a second line break in the 41st minute with a break from a short Southport goal line drop-out to the left with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga chasing the drop-out and taking the ball cleaning in two hands above his head thirteen metres from the try line with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga then bursting downfield to the thirty six metre mark before off-loading to his left to his left winger.

A Santino Pekepo-Tavaga run from a Tigers penalty restart in the 14th minute saw the ball moved from thirty metres to eighteen metres from the try line. Also in the 21st minute from the left of the play the ball Santino Pekepo-Tavaga broke a tackle as he ran the ball from thirty metres to forty five metres from the try line. Then in the 59th minute from the left of the play the ball Santino Pekepo-Tavaga ran the ball down a left blindside and broke a tackle to carry the ball from ten metres to twenty eight metres from his try line.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga made an impressive one on one try saving low tackle in the 12th minute to cut down his opposing centre wide on the left side of the field five metres from the try line.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also did well in the 24th minute when he chased through a Southport attacking grubber kick into the in-goal and brought the Currumbin right centre down in-goal to require an Eagles goal line drop-out.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga started at left centre for the Southport Tigers in the 2024 GCRL U18 Division One Qualifying Final against the Currumbin Eagles and in the 4th minute from the left of the play the ball Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was able to run the ball from thirty six metres from his try line to within two metres of the halfway mark.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga ran the ball down the left channel in the 7th minute from two passes to the left of the dummy half to run from thirty four to twenty three metres from the try line. Then in the 14th minute also from two passes to the left of the play the ball and down the left channel Santino Pekepo-Tavaga carried the ball from sixteen to within a metre of the try line eight metres in from the left corner post on the final tackle. Also in the 17th minute Santino Pekepo-Tavaga ran down the left channel once again from thirty two to fifteen metres from the try line. Unfortunately Santino Pekepo-Tavaga suffered a head cut shortly after and left the field of the remainder of the match.

In late September 2023 Santino Pekepo-Tavaga started at left centre for the Titans U16 side in their Antony Laffranchi Cup victory against the Balmain Tigers in Northern New South Wales with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga putting in a strong performance and proved to be very difficult for the Tigers right sided defence to handle when Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was running the ball.

2023 also saw Santino Pekepo-Tavaga selected in the Queensland Samoa U16 representative side for the 2023 QPICC Carnival with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga starting at left centre in Round One against PEGA Invitational.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also started at left centre in Round Two against Queensland PNG and in Round Three against Queensland Niue.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga continued at left centre in Round Four against Queensland Māori with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga scoring in a solid Samoa victory.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also started at left centre in Queensland Samoa’s Semi-Final against the Cook Islands with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga scoring a double as Samoa progressed to the Grand Final.

The 2023 QPICC U16 Grand Final saw Santino Pekepo-Tavaga start at left centre for Queensland Samoa against Queensland PEGA Tonga Invitational with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga scoring in a big Samoa Grand Final victory.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga scored an outstanding long range solo try in the 9th minute when after receiving the ball after Samoa spun the ball wide to the left forty two metres out from the try line, Santino Pekepo-Tavaga dummied to his left with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga then stepping off his left foot to beat his opposing centre with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga then utilising a left arm fend to beat the same centre and second time before Santino Pekepo-Tavaga carried the Tonga fullback over the try line with him to get the ball down eight metres in from the left corner post.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga almost set up a Samoa try in the 9th minute when after a hard straight twelve metre run, Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was able to get his right arm free and get an off-load away to his left but the pass went to ground with a try in the offing.

In just the 2nd minute of the match Santino Pekepo-Tavaga ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball on the halfway mark and was able to make twelve metres with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga breaking one tackle along the way.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga finished the 2023 QPICC Carnival as the U16 Division’s equal second leading try scorer with four tries and as a result also finished as the U16 Division’s equal fourth leading points scorer.

In late 2023 Santino Pekepo-Tavaga was named in the Coomera Chiefs 2024 U17 Boys Oztag team for the 2024 Queensland State Oztag Championships.

In early 2023 Santino Pekepo-Tavaga lined-up in the centres for the Manawatu U16 Rugby League Representative side.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also played both basketball and rugby for Palmerston North.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is a tall young man but he is exceptionally quick, with a lot of his tries coming from long range efforts originating from his own territory, as once he gets into the clear Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is unlikely to be caught by the opposition cover defence.

Due to his size and speed Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is almost impossible to stop one on one in the competitions that he has played in so far in his career, with his favourite move being an in and away to beat his opposing number on the outside and then using his acceleration to break the game apart.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga does not just have top end speed, he has very good acceleration off the mark as well. Santino Pekepo-Tavaga’s fend is already solid and as he puts on more muscle it will become more effective due to his long reach, meaning opposing defensive players cannot get close enough to combat Santino Pekepo-Tavaga one on one before defensive help arrives.

With his height and reach Santino Pekepo-Tavaga should also be able to develop the ability to offload in tackles, making him even harder to defend. Obviously as a result of his height (and basketball experience) Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is good under the high ball both in attacking and defensive situations.

Defensively Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is solid at wrapping the ball up and just needs to refine his technique as he progresses and also when to come out of the line in an effort to limit the time and space of the opposition as well as ensuring that due to his height Santino Pekepo-Tavaga keeps his tackles down against opposing centres who are usually not as tall.

Santino Pekepo-Tavaga does however slide well in defence and has the speed to cover opposition line breaks very well. Santino Pekepo-Tavaga will need to continue to get stronger and maintain his speed to stay at centre, and potentially become a legitimate strike centre, but there is nothing in Santino Pekepo-Tavaga’s performances to date that suggests that he will not be able to.

2025 will see Santino Pekepo-Tavaga line up for the Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MMCup squad and is also MM Cup eligible in 2026. Santino Pekepo-Tavaga will also continue to attend Keebra Park SHS in 2024 with Santino Pekepo-Tavaga set to line up for Keebra Park SHS in the School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition after making his Langer Cup debut in 2024.

With his height and ball skills from playing basketball Santino Pekepo-Tavaga is a very intriguing rugby league outside back prospect with the size, speed and skill set to play a variety of positions including on the wing at fullback and in the centres.

With his height and speed Santino Pekepo-Tavaga has a playing style akin to that of talented Canterbury Bulldogs and former Penrith Panthers and current 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 Santino Pekepo-Tavaga 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 Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also have outstanding hands from a ball control, passing and kick retrieval perspective.

The scary part is that both Santino Pekepo-Tavaga and Creighton have the capacity to add additional muscle mass (a fair bit too in Santino Pekepo-Tavaga’s case) without at all impacting on their speed, balance and body control. Both Creighton and Santino Pekepo-Tavaga also have outstanding hand eye co-ordination and spacial awareness to add to all of the other outstanding attributes that they both have at their disposal.

With continued rugby league experience under his belt, Santino Pekepo-Tavaga could be a very very special talent indeed for the Titans.

 

[mdrew]

Jai Billish. In early 2025 Jai Billish singed a new four year contract with the Titans until the end of the 2028 season with Jai Billish joining the Titans NRL set up when he completes his schooling at PBC SHS.

In late January 2023 Jai Billish signed a multi-year year contract with the Titans that runs through until the end of the 2025 season but in great news Jai Billish signed a four year contract extension in late 2024 to take him up to the end of the 2028 season.

In January 2025 Jai Billish started at hooker and captain for a Titans JTS U17 side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour with the Titans prevailing in very wet conditions.

In late September 2024 Jai Billish started at hooker and captain for a Future Titans U16 side that defeated a Storm squad 36 – 22 with Jai Billish scoring in the second period of the match when he backed up a line break by half Jordan Hotere and picked up the pass on the first bounce to dive over to score next to the left upright.

Jai Billish also started at hooker and captain in the Anthony Laffranchi Cup against the Wests Tigers.

In late April 2024 Jai Billish started at hooker and captain for a Titans U16 side against Auckland U16’s in Ipswich with Jai Billish recording a try assist in the 7th minute when after darting out of dummy half to his right down a short blindside Jai Billish got a good short ball away to his right to Murphy Phillips who was able to cross wide out on the right.

Earlier in the 3rd minute after picking up a Titans knock back Jai Billish charged straight through the centre of the field from twenty two metres from his own try line to within two metres of the halfway mark. Two minutes later in the 4th minute after running out of dummy half to his left on the last tackle from four metres out Jai Billish was unlucky to be held up over the try line next to the right goal post.

Jai Billish also ran out of dummy half to his right in the 6th minute to carry the ball from thirty metres to within eight metres of the try line. Jai Billish also ran out of dummy half to his right in the 9th minute to carry the ball through the centre of the field from forty metres to thirty metres from the try line with Jai Billish winning a “six again” after catching the Auckland defence offside.

Jai Billish burst out of dummy half to his right again in the 16th minute and as a result was able to get the ball from the thirty nine metres mark to the halfway. Then in the 53rd minute after running out of dummy half to his right Jai Billish carried the ball through the centre of the field from forty three metres to twenty eight metres from the try line with Jai Billish winning another “six again” for the Titans.

Jai Billish’s dummy half running continued in the 56th minute with a run to his left from thirty three metres from his try line to within five metres of the halfway mark. Jai Billish continued his efforts out of dummy half in the 59th minute to his right and after using the Auckland No. 17 as a shield Jai Billish made twenty metres from ten metres inside his own territory.

Jai Billish showed his outstanding speed in the 49th minute when after the Auckland halfback collected a Titans kick when defending on his own try line he raced downfield but Jai Billish rounded him up from behind and made a great cover defending tackle.

In early January 2024 Jai Billish was part of 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 Jai Billish the Titans best against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs.

Jai Billish came off the bench to operate in the dummy half role in the 16th minute of the first trial against the Penrith Panthers with Jai Billish coming close to scoring in the 21st minute when after running out of dummy half to his left from close range, Jai Billish was able to get over the try line but was ruled to have been held up by multiple Penrith defenders.

Jai Billish also made a line break in the 20th minute when from dummy half thirty five metres from his own try line and just to the left of the goal posts, Jai Billish ran to his right before stepping off his right foot to beat two defenders with Jai Billish then utilising a left arm fend to beat another defender before bursting downfield. Jai Billish then drew the fullback and passed to his right to Gazniah To’omaga ten metres inside Penrith territory with Jai Billish then backing up himself to get ball back Gazniah To’omaga twenty metres out with Jai Billish eventually caught from behind just six metres out from the try line.

Jai Billish also started from the bench in the second trial of the day against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs and after coming onto the field to operate at dummy half in the 11th minute Jai Billish recording a try assist in the 15th minute when with the play the ball ten metres out from the try line Jai Billish ran to his right out of dummy half, Jai Billish was able to draw two defenders to him and get a short off-load away to his right when still four metres from the try line to a straight charging Luke Jones who was able to crash over to score three metres to the left of the goal posts.

Jai Billish also recorded a line break in the 18th minute when with the play the ball eight metres inside Titans territory Jai Billish ran to his left out of dummy half before stepping off his right foot to break through the heart of the Souths Sydney defensive line with Jai Billish rounding the Rabbitohs fullback before being brought down from behind thirty metres from the try line.

Also in the 26th minute Jai Billish ran to his left out of dummy half from two metres inside Titans territory and was able to carry the ball ten metres inside Souths Sydney territory.

Jai Billish attended PBC SHS moving over from Keebra park SHS in 2024 and got immediate playing time in the PBC SHS School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Open A side.

In early March 2024 Jai Billish was named in the Open South Coast 2024 School Boy Rugby League Representative squad with Jai Billish starting from the bench on Day One against Met North with Jai Billish coming off the bench to operate in the dummy half role in the 22nd minute.

Jai Billish made a line break in the 42nd minute with a run out of dummy half to his left from forty five metres out after Jai Billish had looked to his right but played to his left and after running at the defensive line with the ball in both hands, Jai Billish dummied to his left before bursting through a gap to get to twenty four metres of the try line in the centre of the field.

Jai Billish continued off the bench on Day Two against Met East with Jai Billish coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 19th minute.

Jai Billish also came off the bench on Day Three against Northern with Jai Billish coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 13th minute.

Jai Billish made his PBC SHS School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup debut in Round Three of the 2024 competition against Mabel Park SHS. After starting from the bench and coming onto the field to operate at dummy half in the 20th minute.

Jai Billish made a line break in the 24th minute when after picking up a loose Mabel Park SHS pass five metres from his try line Jai Billish ran the ball through the centre of the field from five metres out from his try line to twenty three metres out before getting an off-load away to his right.

Jai Billish ran out of dummy half to his left in the 25th minute to run the ball from forty eight to thirty eight metres from the try line. Jai Billish also ran out of dummy half in the 38th minute with a run to his right through the centre of the field from twenty seven metres to within twelve metres of the try line. Another Jai Billish dummy half run in the 42nd minute to his left saw Jai Billish make eleven metres from twenty metres from his try line.

Jai Billish also started from the bench in Round Four against Caloundra SHS with Jai Billish operating in the dummy half role after coming onto the field in the 19th minute.

Jai Billish came off the bench for PBC SHS in Round Five of the Langer Cup against Marsden SHS in the 20th minute to operate at dummy half with Jai Billish recording a try assist in the 34th minute when after running out of dummy half to his left from the halfway mark Jai Billish made a line break straight through the centre of the Marsden SHS defensive line and when he got to within twenty eight metres of the try line Jai Billish drew the Marsden SHS fullback and passed to his right to Zane Harrison who ultimately scored under the posts.

Jai Billish ran out of dummy half to his left in the 31st minute from seventeen metres to twenty eight metres from his try line and then a tackle later Jai Billish ran out of dummy half to his right through the centre of the field from thirty to forty three metres from the try line with Jai Billish then receiving a penalty after being hit in a high tackle.

Jai Billish also came off the bench in Round Six against Wavell SHS and came onto the field to operate at dummy half in the 21st minute with Jai Billish doing well in the 27th minute to chase down the Wavell SHS lock who had charged down a PBC SHS kick with Jai Billish turning and chasing him down from behind ten metres into PBC SHS’s half.

Jai Billish continued off the bench in the Round Seven local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Jai Billish operating at dummy half after coming onto the field in the 21st minute with Jai Billish running to his left out of dummy half through the centre of the field from twenty eight to within thirteen metres of the try line.

PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final saw Jai Billish start from the bench against Stretton State College and after coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 20th minute Jai Billish scored a double in a big 56 – 6 PBC SHS victory.

Jai Billish scored the first of his two tries in the 48th minute with a burst out of dummy half to his right from fifteen metres out with Jia Billish breaking two tackles only one by way of a counter clockwise spin to crash over the try line and get the ball down two metres to the right of the goal posts.

Jai Billish completed his double in the 54th minute when he ran out of dummy half to his left from four metres from the try line with Jai Billish threatening to pass to his left before darting over to score under the posts.

Jai Billish could easily have finished with a hat trick only to be held up over the try line in the 55th minute after a run out of dummy half to his right after dummying in that same direction from twelve metres out only to be held up ten metres to the right of the goal posts.

Jai Billish made his initial foray out of dummy half to his left in the 30th minute from forty seven to thirty six metres away from the try line before getting a right arm off-load away to his left.

Jai Billish started from the bench for PBC SHS in their Langer Cup semi-final against Keebra Park SHS and after coming onto the field into the dummy half role in the 22nd minute Jai Billish scored in the 23rd minute when he burrowed his way over to the right of the play the ball out of dummy half running to his right to get the ball down ten metres to the left of the goal posts.

Jai Billish did well in the 58th minute when after Keebra Park SHS hooker Austin Marsters put in a short kick-off down the centre of the field along the ground, Jai Billish reacted quickly and dived and knocked the ball back with his right hand for PBC SHS to retrieve the ball.

Jai Billish started from the bench for PBC SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Grand Final against Marsden SHS and after coming onto the field in the 9th minute to play in the dummy half role Jai Billish executed a big tackle with brother Roko in the 31st minute to drive one of the Marsden SHS replacement forwards three metres backwards.

Jai Billish started from the bench 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 Jai Billish operating in the dummy half role after coming onto the field in the 20th minute.

Jai Billish made a line break in the 40th minute with a burst out of dummy half to his right down a wide right blindside from the halfway mark and after running to within twenty three metres of the try line Jai Billish drew the Kirwan SHS fullback and passed to his right to Taj Lateo.

Earlier in the 33rd minute Jia Billish ran to his left out of dummy half through the centre of the field to within four metres of the try line from eighteen metres out. Jai Billish also ran out of dummy half to his left in the 37th minute to carry the ball from twenty nine to forty two metres from his try line.

At the completion of the 2024 Queensland School Boy Rugby League season Jai Billish received a special mention in the 2024 Courier Mail Langer Cup Team of the Year discussion.

Jai Billish started from the bench for PBC SHS in the 2024 National School By Rugby League Final against Patrician Brothers Blacktown with Jai Billish coming onto the field in the 20th minute to operate at dummy half.

In October 2023 Jai Billish was named in the 2024 Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 Cyril Connell (CC) Cup squad with Jai Billish also CC Cup eligible in 2025. Jai Billish was involved in the Seagulls opening 2024 trial against the Burleigh Bears in late January 2024.

Round One of the 2024 CC Cup competition saw Jai Billish named on the Seagulls extended bench against Wynnum Manly however a change saw Jai Billish start the match at hooker and in the 3rd minute Jai Billish made his first run out of dummy half with a run to his right to carry the ball from fifteen metres out from his own try line to twenty six metres out.

Jai Billish 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, Jai Billish turned and chased to get to the centre fourteen metres from the try line at the opposite end of the field along with Jyah White to prevent what appeared to be a certain Wynnum Manly try.

Jai Billish also started at hooker in Round Two against the Brisbane Tigers with Jai Billish running to his right out of dummy half in the 13th minute to get the ball from thirty metres to nineteen metres out through the centre of the field. In the 23rd minute Jai Billish ran out of dummy half to his right through the centre of the field once again from four metres inside Tigers territory to thirty two metres out.

Jai Billish also did well in the 26th minute when he chased a Seagulls kick-off and through sheer will power Jia Billish was the first player to the high bouncing ball to put Tweed Heads immediately onto the attack.

Jai Billish did well once again in the 46th minute when with the Tigers trying to bring the ball out of their right corner, Jai Billish from the marker position grabbed hold of the Tigers dummy half and forced them back in-goal to force a Brisbane Tigers goal line drop-out.

As a result of his performance Jai Billish was named on the bench in the Courier Mail 2024 CC Cup Round Two Team of the Week.

Jai Billish continued at hooker in Round Three against the Norths Devils with Jai Billish scoring the first of his two tries in the 48th minute when aftger passing the ball to his right to Taj Lateo fifteen metres from the try line, Jai Billish backed up his halfback to get the ball back nine metres out to score nine metres to from the right corner post.

Jai Billish completed his double in the 52nd minute when he grounded the ball five metres to the right of the goal posts after chasing through a Taj Lateo grubber kick.

Jai Billish made a line break in just the 2nd minute of the match when whilst defending three metres out from his own try line and to the left of the goal posts Jai Billish demonstrated his hand eye co-ordination to take a low hard Norths attacking kick on the full with Jai Billish then able to get the ball to the thirty metre mark with Jai Billish stepping off his left foot to beat one cover defender before being tackled ten metres from the halfway mark.

Jai Billish made his initial run out of dummy half to his right in the 9th minute to run the ball from thirty metres out from his own try line to forty three metres out.

Jai Billish’s performance saw him named at hooker in the Courier Mail MM Cup Round Three Team of the Week.

Jai Billish also started at hooker in Round Six against the Souths Logan Magpies with Jai Billish recording a try assist in the 59th minute when from twelve metres out and directly in front of the goal posts Jai Billish ran out of dummy half to his right before targeting the area behind the markers. After darting his way to within four metres of the try line got a short quick off-load away to his left to Devin Bates-Wellington who beat two defenders to score under the posts.

Jai Billish had run out of dummy half in the 18th minute to his right from thirty two metres from the try line and after breaking two tackles Jai Billish was tackled just twenty metres out. Then in the 58th minute ran out of dummy half to his right once again through the centre of the field from thirteen metres from his own try line to twenty nine metres out.

Jai Billish then started from the bench in the Round Seven local derby against the Burleigh Bears with Jai Billish operating in the dummy half role after coming onto the field in the 20th minute.

Jia Billish made his initial foray out of dummy half in the 27th minute when after running to his right Jai Billish ran past a number of offside Bears defenders from thirty one metres from his own try line to within three metres of the halfway mark.

At the conclusion of the 2024 CC Cup competition Jai Billish was noted by the Courier Mail as a Player they were looking to see more of.

In September 2024 Jai Billish started from the bench for U17 New Zealand Toa against New Zealand Tu coming onto the field to operate at dummy half in the 16th minute with Jai Billish spending time at lock late in the first half.

Jai Billish recorded a try assist in the 35th minute with a smart cut-out pass to his left to put Hayden Watson over to score under the posts after Jai Billish had down well to take a low pass from the dummy half on the bounce and then sizing up his options before throwing the cut-out pass.

Jai Billish made the first of his two line breaks in the 27th minute with a dart out of dummy half to his right from ten metres inside his half with Jia Billish breaking two tackles as he ran through the centre of the field to within twenty five metres of the try line before getting an off-load away to his right to his halfback.

Jia BIllish made his second line break in the 57th minute when after receiving an off-load from his left Jai Billish burst downfield from a standing start from thirty to within five metres of the try line.

In early June Jai Billish was named in the Queensland Jesters side for the 2024 Queensland Oztag Super Series. Jai Billish was subsequently named in the 2024 U16 Queensland Oztag State of Origin side.

Jai Billish lined up in a Titans jersey in mid-April 2023 when Jai Billish started at hooker 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 Jai Billish scoring in the dying minutes of the match being in the 55th minute with a smart run out of dummy half from eight metres from try line.

After picking up the ball from the dummy half position Jai Billish ran to his left out of dummy half and almost immediately Jai Billish stepped off his left foot to beat the New Zealand marker with Jai Billish then stepping off his left foot once again to beat a second defender and when he was still five metres from the try line, Jai Billish stepped back to his left off his right foot to dart over to score five metres to the left of the goal posts.

Jai Billish had almost scored earlier in the 49th minute with a dummy half run to his right from three metres out only to be held up by multiple New Zealand defenders just to the left of the goal posts.

In just the 5th minute of the match Jai Billish ran out of dummy half to his right from forty one metres out from his own try line and after stepping back inside off his right foot Jai Billish progressed the ball three metres inside New Zealand territory before being awarded a penalty after the New Zealand defensive line was ruled to be offside.

The 7th minute then saw Jai Billish ran out of dummy half to his right once again and was able to get to within ten metres of the try line after commencing his run twenty one metres out.

The 2023 Queensland School Boy Rugby League U15 State Championships saw Jai Billish started at hooker and captain of the South Coast School Boy Rugby League Representative side on Day One against Sunshine Coast with Jai Billish scoring a great solo try in the 27th minute with the play the ball twenty metres out and in the centre of the field, Jai Billish ran to his right of dummy half and as he approached the defensive line put in a right foot chip kick and then Jai Billish raced through the retrieve the ball above his head with his right hand and then dart clear to dive over to score three metres to the left of the uprights.

Jai Billish also started at hooker and captain on Day Two against Northern with Jai Billish named the South Coast’s best in their second victory in a row at the Championships.

Jai Billish scored in the 40th minute when with the play the ball less than a metre out from the try line, Jai Billish dived forward to his right to get the ball down four metres to the left of the uprights.

Jai Billish recorded a try assist in the 9th minute when with the play the ball a metre out and to the right of the goal posts Jai Billish ran out of dummy half to his right with Christian Rivers running an underneath route to crash over to score eight metres to the right of the uprights.

Jai Billish recorded a second similar try assist 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.

Jai Billish also made a line break in the 11th minute when from thirty two metres from the try line Jai Billish ran to his left out of dummy half and near the defensive line Jai Billish stepped off his left foot and burst straight through two defenders before stepping off his left foot to beat the fullback with Jai Billish only being tackled less than a metre from the try line and directly in front of the left goal post.

Jai Billish’s first run out of dummy half came after the third tackle of the match with Jai Billish running to his left of the dummy half from thirty five metres from his own try line near the centre of the field with Jai Billish’s run coming to an end only after he had gotten the ball two metres into Northern’s territory.

Jai Billish made another good run out of dummy half in the 29th minute when Jai Billish ran to his left out of dummy half to get within seven metres of the try line after making nineteen metres.

Jai Billish continued at hooker on Day Three against Met North with Jai Billish scoring in the 45th minute when with the play the ball a metre from the try line Jai Billish darted to his right out of dummy half to force his way over to get the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Jai Billish also recorded a try assist in the 4th minute when with the play the ball less than a metre from the try line Jai Billish ran out of dummy half to his right with Christian Rivers running an underneath route and after receiving the ball from Jai Billish by way of an inside pass Christian Rivers crashed over to score three metres to the right of the uprights.

Jai Billish made a good run out of dummy half in the 31st minute when from thirty metres out and in the centre of the field Jai Billish ran to his left and after bumping off one would be defender after making fifteen metres Jai BIllish carried the ball to two metres into Met North territory.

The 13th minute saw Jai Billish not just make the tackle of the match but of the entire Championships when from deep inside their own territory the Met North winger burst away down their right touchline and looked certain to score but Jai Billish chased him down after a seventy metre chase to tackle him four metres from the right corner.

Jai Billish then started at hooker in the 2023 QSSRL U15 School Boy Rugby League Grand Final against Met East with Jai Billish running to his right out of dummy half in the 11th minute from ten metres inside his own territory with Jai Billish getting two metres inside Met East territory before he was brought to ground.

In the final minute of the Grand Final on the final tackle with the play the ball a metre from the try line, Jai Billish stepped to his right and put in a right foot kick which was knocked on by Met East and the scrum did not even have time to form before the referee blew full time for South Coast to prevail 10 – 8.

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

Jai Billish started from the bench in Match One against ACT School Boys with Jai Billish coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 17th minute.

Jai Billish made a good defensive effort in the 29th minute with a one on one tackle in space on a stepping ACT five eight just six metres from the try line.

Jai Billish then started at hooker in Match Two against New South Wales Combined Independent Schools.

Jai Billish then started from the bench in the Semi-final against Queensland White coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 23rd minute.

Jai Billish made his initial foray out of dummy half in the 25th minute when after running to his right Jai Billish was able to promote the ball from thirty one metres out from the try line to the halfway mark. Then in the 31st minute Jai Billish ran out of dummy ahlf to left and broke three tackles as Jai Billish was able to promote the ball from thirty metres from his own try line to within two metres of the halfway mark.

Jai Billish 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 Jai Billish coming onto the field to operate in the dummy half role in the 23rd minute.

Round One of the 2023 Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League competition saw Jai Billish named at halfback for Keebra Park SHS agaisnt Ipswich SHS with Jai Billish along with VJ Letalu making a key play for Keebra Park SHS in the dying minutes of the match when with Keebra Park SHS trailing up two points they picked up the Stretton State College left winger and dragged him over the touchline with Keebra Park SHS getting the ball back and scoring the match winning try in the subsequent set of six tackles.

Jai Billish also started at halfback in Round Two against Marsden SHS with Jai Billish executing a one on one steal on the first tackle after a Marsden SHS penalty tap restart twenty five metres out from the Keebra Park SHS try line with Jai Billish then awarded a penalty when he was prevented from play the ball in a timely fashion.

Jai Billish continued at halfback in Round Three against Redcliffe SHS with Jai Billish making a line break in the 10th minute from the right of the play the ball with Jia Billish slicing between two defenders ten metres from the halfway mark and after running fifteen metres into Redcliffe SHS territory Jai Billish got to the fullback before off-loading to his right second rower to make a further ten metres.

Jai Billish then made a half break in the 32nd minute when to the right of the dummy half from thirty five metres out from his own try line, Jai Billish ran at the defensive line and after dummying to his right, Jai Billish made a half break only to be held by the back of his jersey with Jai Billish able to drag a defender to the haflway mark before his forward momentum was halted.

Jai Billish also started at halfback in Round Four against Caloundra SHS with Jia Billish scoring 12th minute when Jai Billish ran out of dummy half from ten metres down a very short right blindside with Jai BIllish diving between two defenders to get the ball down four metres in from the right corner post.

Jai Billish also did well defensively in the 15th minute when along with David Bryenton, Jai Billish hit the Caloundra SHS right winger and forced him over the touchline just out from the corner post to prevent a try being scored.

Jai Billish continued at halfback in Round Five against Wavell SHS with Jai Billish scoring a double in a 20 all draw.

Jai Billish scored his first try in the 37th minute when from two passes to the right of the play the ball and thirteen metres out, Jai Billish initially dummied to his outside before stepping off his right foot to create space to score midway between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Jai Billish completed his double in the 46th minute when from the right of the play the ball twelve metres out, Jai Billish cut inside off his right foot to beat the initial Wavell SHS defender before cutting back to the outside off his left foot to dive over to score mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Jai Billish ran the ball well in just the 2nd minute of the match when from the left of the play the ball Jai Billish carried the ball from twenty seven metres out from his own try line to within eight metres of the halfway mark.

Jai Billish made a good defensive effort in the 29th minute with a good covering tackle near the right touchline after the Wavell SHS right centre had made a line break from deep inside his own territory.

Jai Billish also started at halfback in the Round Six Gold Coast School Boy derby against PBC SHS with Jai Billish recording a try assist in the 20th minute when after ball playing to the right of the play the ball, Jai Billish threw a good short ball to his right to put his right second rower Tomasi Vaitai into a gap from twelve metres out to score ten metres to the right of the uprights.

Jai Billish came close to scoring himself in the 50th minute when after good work from Gazniah To’omaga, Jai Billish received an off-load from his lock forward and dive over under the posts from four metres out but the referee ruled that the final pass to Jai Billish travelled forward.

Jai Billish also recorded a line break in the 1st minute when Jia Billish ran onto a good short ball from his right from his lock with Jai Billish breaking the PBC SHS defensive line thirty metres out but after getting to ten metres out, Jai Billish’s inside pass after he had drawn the fullback went to ground.

Jai Billish also ran the ball in the 27th minute when from the left of the play the ball Jai Billish initially shaped to kick downfield but ran the ball himself instead from five metres inside his own territory and after stepping his way to twelve metres inside PBC SHS territory Jai Billish got a right arm flick off-load away to Kalani Patu on the last tackle.

Jai Billish put in a short right foot grubber towards the in-goal in the 49th minute from the right of the play the ball with the ball lost forward by PBC SHS just out from the try line with Keebra Park SHS then awarded a penalty when a PBC SHS played dived on the ball from an offside position.

Jai Billish also did well defensively in the 57th minute when along with David Bryenton, Jai Billish was able to hold up one of the PBC SHS front rowers being No. 10 next to the right upright.

Jai Billish continued at halfback in Round Seven against Mabel Park SHS with Jai Billish scoring a smart solo try in the 49th minute. Jai Billish lined up to the right of the play the ball ten metres out, and after receiving the ball which was high and just behind him Jai Billish stepped inside off his right foot before bursting between three defenders to crash over to score twelve metres in from the right corner post.

Jai Billish also recorded a try assist in the 16th minute when after taking possession of the ball to the right of the play the ball, Jai Billish continued to run to his right ten metres out and brought David Bryenton back underneath to score three metres to the right of the uprights.

Jai Billish continued at halfback and captain in the Semi-final against Wavell SHS with Jai Billish making a big ftont on tackle in the 40th minute on the Wavell SHS No. 16 seven metres inside his own territory with Jai Billish’s tackle forcing a Wavell SHS incorrect play the ball to give the scrum feed to Keebra Park SHS.

At the completion of the competition Jai Billish was named at halfback in the Courier Mail 2023 Walters Cup School Boy Rugby League Team of the Year.

2023 saw Jai Billish continue at the Southport Tigers in the GCRL U15 Division One competition including starting at five eight in the Grand Final against the Burleigh Bears with Jai Billish scoring in the 22nd minute when to the right of the dummy half, Jai Billish received the ball eighteen metres out with Jai Billish taking the defensive line on, Jai Billish when eleven metres out threw a dummy to his right and sliced between two defenders to score five metres to the right of the goal posts.

Jai Billish also recorded a try assist in the 36th minute but you have to go back a play to detail Jai Billish’s total involvement. From thirty two metres out from his own try line and to the right of the dummy half, Jai Billish made a half break and after getting to the halfway mark, Jai Billish got a right arm flick off-load away to his right with the Tigers centre getting further downfield. Jai Billish, after moving into dummy half ran to his right and after making ten metres Jai Billish once again produced a right arm flick off-load to his right centre to put him into a gap to score under the posts.

Jai Billish then recorded a second try assist in the 46th minute when after running the ball from forty metres out and to the right of the dummy half Jai Billish ran the ball to just over the halfway mark before getting a great off-load away in traffic to his right to Treleque Boyce-Silimaka who charged away to put the ball down ten metres in from the right corner post.

Jai Billish also ran the ball well himself in the 54th minute when after a Burleigh lost ball, Jai Billish received an off-load forty metres out from his own try line and was able to get the ball three metres into Burleigh territory.

Also in 2023 Jai Billish represented New Zealand Samoa at the U15 Pasifika Youth Cup held in New Zealand with Jia Billish starting in the halves on the right side of the field in the 2023 U15 Pasifika Youth Cup Grand Final against New Zealand Māori. Jai Billish then moved into the dummy half role for Samoa mid-way through the first half.

In the 12th minute from the left of the play the ball and twenty eight metres from the try line Jai Billish stepped off his left foot and as a consequence was made to make fourteen metres through the centre of the field to within fourteen metres of the try line. Then in the 22nd minute Jai Billish ran to his left out of dummy half six metres inside his own territory and was able to carry the ball to eight metres inside Māori territory.

Jai Billish also started from the bench on Day One of the Championships against the Cook Islands with Jia Billish coming onto the field to operate at dummy half in the 13th minute.

Jai Billish scored the try of the match and one of the tries of the Championships with a match winning solo try in the 48th minute when after running out of dummy half to his left with the play the ball twenty metres out from his own try line and after dummying to his left Jai Billish burst through the Cook Islands defensive line and when ten metres inside Cook Islands Jai Billish put in a right foot chip kick over the top of the fullback and with three opposing players chasing him Jai Billish toed his kick forward and retrieved the ball on the bounce three metres from the try line to score twelve metres in from the left corner post.

Jai Billish also recorded a try assist in the 17th minute when after steeping to his right out of dummy half from thirty two metres out, Jai Billish put in a right foot chip kick towards the right corner post and after the ball was lot by the Cook Islands left winger the Samoan right winger picked up the ball to score in the right corner.

Jai Billish also did well defensively in the 16th minute to hold up the Cook Islands No. 14 under the goal posts.

At the conclusion of the Pasifika Youth Cup Jai Billish was named at hooker in the 2023 U15 Pasifika Youth Cup Carnival Team.

In late 2023 Jai Billish was named in the Coomera Chiefs 2024 U16 Boys Oztag team for the 2024 Queensland State Oztag Championships.

Jai Billish 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 on a regular basis in November of 2022.

In early December 2022 Jai Billish 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.

The talented young man played the 2022 rugby league season with the Southport Tigers but unfortunately Jai Billish missed the Tigers GCRL U14 Division One Grand Final tight victory against the Burleigh Bears.

In early 2023 Jai Billish was part of the Queensland Samoa U14 representative side (U14 in 2022) that played a Queensland Murri selection at the 2023 Cultural Celebration day.

From an attacking stand point, Jai Billish has solid distribution skills in relation to his passing skills to either side of his body and uses a solid, repeatable passing technique to ensure consistency, thus enabling his forwards and play makers have confidence that his passes will find the mark with the appropriate velocity attached on every occasion.

From a speed perspective I would consider that Jai Billish’s speed when running out of dummy half is a touch above average for a dummy half but plays faster as he has become adept at running at the right time and focusses heavily when the markers are out of position, thus Jai Billish either makes ground himself putting his team on the front foot or draws a penalty, in both scenario’s he generates momentum for his side through the skill and intelligence Jai Billish has.

The impressive thing about when Jai Billish runs out of dummy half is the fact that he does not run to the same side of the ruck all of the time, Jai Billish will make a judgement on where the defence is the weakest and react accordingly. Some hookers always run out of dummy half in the same direction, Jai Billish is definitely not one of those, which shows that Jai Billish has a high level of intelligence and match awareness.

From a defensive perspective Jai Billish is a very solid tackler who makes good initial contact and is able to generate momentum through his core and drive into his opponent with his shoulder with enough force to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier. Jai Billish has both a solid low tackling technique as well as having the functional strength to make ball and all tackles effectively against the biggest of forwards looking to target him in the defensive line.

Jai Billish is also very quick out of the marker position and will get to forwards who are running one out before they can generate any significant momentum. In short Jai Billish defends like a backrower and certainly if he finds himself on the fringes of the ruck, Jai Billish has the speed, lateral movement and anticipation to also defend against smaller quicker halves looking to exploit a perceived speed advantage over him.

Jai Billish will start the 2025 season as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U17 CC Cup squad for the second season in a row. 2025 will also see Jai Billish line up for the Southport Tigers once again in the GCRL U18 Division One competition.

Jai Billish will also continue at PBC SHS with Jai Billish a certainty to start the 2025 School Boy Rugby League season Open A Langer Cup squad after making his debut in 2024.

Some players in key positions such as in the halves or fullback, want to not lose matches rather than to try to win them, Jai Billish 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...) Jai Billish appears to be definitely one of them.

Jai Billish is a superb organiser and game manager who has old head on young shoulders as the saying goes and Jai Billish is ideally suited to the hooker role in rugby league.

An NRL player comparison for Jai Billish is Melbounre Storm, Queensland State of Origin and Australian International hooker Harry Grant. Billish has the same type of intensity, will to win, game management and leadership attributes as the Queensland hooker.

Team mates follow Jai Billish through the sheer force of his will and pure effort, regardless of whether Jai Billish is the captain or not. Jai Billish’s leadership skills are far more than just being the captain of a top level team, Jai Billish 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. Jai Billish’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.

 

[mdrew]

Hai Hiawe King. In late 2024 Hai Hiawe King was named in the 2025 Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad for the second season in a row.

Day One of the 2024 QSSRL U18 School Boy Rugby League Championships saw Hai Hiawe King start in the front row for South Coast Maroon against Peninsula with Hai Hiawe King running the ball to the right of the dummy half in the 5th minute through the centre of the field from thirty metres to forty five metres from his try line.

Hai Hiawe King continued in the front row on Day Two against Met North with Hai Hiawe King making ten metres from the South Coast Maroon penalty restart in the 4th minute from forty metres from the try line.

In the 8th minute from the right of the play the ball Gai Hiawe King did well to get the ball from forty eight metres to thirty four metres from the try line. Also in the 15th minute from the right of the dummy half and eight metres inside his own territory Hai Hiawe King was able to promote the ball five metres into Met North territory.

Hai Hiawe King also started in the front row on Day Three against Met West with Hai Hiawe King making the fifth hit-up of the match from the left of the play the ball to get the ball from thirty two metres to forty two metres from the try line.

From the left of the dummy half in the 4th minute and thirty seven metres from his try line Hai Hiawe King ran the ball through the centre of the field to get to the halfway mark. Also in the 41st minute from the left of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King ran the ball from forty three metres to thirty metres from the ty line.

Hai Hiawe King made a good goal line drop-out return in the 18th minute when after receiving the ball five metres inside his own territory Hai Hiawe King carried the ball back to the thirty metre mark. Hai Hiawe King then rounded out a strong match in the 51st minute with a run to the right of the play the ball to get the ball from forty six metres to thirty two metres from the try line with approximately 70% of his metres gained being post contact.

Hai Hiawe King started in the front row in the 2024 QSSRL School Boy Rugby League Championship Final against Met East and inside the opening minute of the Championship final Hai Hiawe King ran onto the ball from two passes to the left of the play the ball to run the ball from thirty metres to forty metres from the try line.

In the 7th minute also from two passes to the left of the dummy half Hai Hiawe King got the ball within six metres of the try line in front of the left upright after running onto the ball twenty metre out. Then in the 10th minute from the left of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King ran the ball from forty two metres to thirty metres of the try line.

A 24th minute Hai Hiawe King penalty restart saw him promote the ball from twenty five metres to twelve metres from the try line. Also in the 32nd minute from the right of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty metres to twenty metres from the try line.

Hai Hiawe King did exceptionally well defensively in the 51st minute when after the Met East fullback had made a line break through the centre of the field from deep inside his own territory Hai Hiawe King was able to chase him down from behind and bring him down thirty five metres from the try line in the centre of the field.

Round One of the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition saw Hai Hiawe King start in the front row for PBC SHS against Ipswich SHS with Hai Hiawe King along with Kaleb Smith making the opening two tackles of the match from the PBC SHS kick-off.

Hai Hiawe King also started in the front row in Round Two against Redcliffe SHS with Hai Hiawe King making the opening run of the match from the Redcliffe SHS kick-off and in the 4th minute from the right of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King ran the ball from forth eight to thirty eight metres from the try line.

Hai Hiawe King then came off the bench in Round Three against Mabel Park SHS with Hai Hiawe King operating in the front row when he came onto the field.

Hai Hiawe King came off the bench to operate in the front row in Round Five against Marsden SHS and immediately Hai Hiawe King made his initial run from the left of the play the ball out to the thirty three metre mark.

From two passes to the right of the play the ball in the 19th minute Hai Hiawe King ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball from sixteen metres out and after cutting to his left upon receipt of the ball Hai Hiawe King ran to his left to get within mere centremetres of the try line ten metres to the left of the goal posts. Also in the 21st minute from two passes to the right of the dummy half Hai Hiawe King ran the ball from the halfway to forty metres out. Then in the 23rd minute from the right of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King was able to get the ball from Twenty five to thirty five metres from his try line with around 70% of his metres being post contact.

Hai Hiawe King executed a big tackle in the 18th minute when along with Isaac Harrison he smashed one of the Marsden SHS forwards to force a knock on in front of the posts twenty four metres from the try line.

Hai Hiawe King also came off the bench in Round Six against Wavell SHS coming onto the field to play in the front row in the 13th minute and in the 16th, minute broke a tackle after running onto a pass to the left of the play the ball from twenty to thirty eight metres from the try line with approximately 70% of his metres post contact.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 20th minute and thirty metres from the try line Hai Hiawe King ran the ball to within seventeen metres of the try line. Also in the 24th minute Hai Hiawe King ran an underneath route off a Zane Harrison pass to the left of the dummy half to get within two metres of the try line six metres to the left of the goal posts after receiving the ball sixteen metres out. Then in the 28th minute from the halfway mark and to the right of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King was able to make thirteen metres.

Hai Hiawe King moved into the PBC SHS starting side in the front row in the Round Seven local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Hai Hiawe King running the ball through the centre of the field from forty four to thirty two metres from the try line. Then in the 45th minute after running an underneath route to the left of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King carried the ball from the halfway mark twelve metres inside Keebra Park SHS territory.

Hai Hiawe King did well defensively in the 54th minute to be involved in holding up one of the Keebra Park SHS starting front rowers over the try line nine metres to the right of the goal posts.

Hai Hiawe King started from the bench for PBC SHS in their Langer Cup semi-final against Keebra Park SHS and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 15th minute and immediately carried the ball to the left of the play the ball from forty to thirty metres from the try line.

From the right of the play the ball in the 22nd minute and ten metres inside his half Hai Hiawe King ran the ball to six metres into Keebra Park SHS before winning a penalty for a flop by a Keebra Park SHS defender. Hai Hiawe King then made a strong kick-off return to the twenty metre mark in the 26th minute and followed up with an additional kick-off return also to the twenty metre mark in the 29th minute.

In the 56th minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King ran the ball from twenty to within ten metres of the try line and then in the 58th minute from the right of the dummy half Hai Hiawe King got the ball from ten metres inside his half to six metres into Keebra Park SHS territory. Also in the 59th minute from the left of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King carried the ball from thirty five to within twenty metres of the try line after looking like he would be held multiple times with Hai Hiawe King breaking three tackles as well.

Hai Hiawe King started from the bench for PBC SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Grand Final against Marsden SHS and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 15th minute Hai Hiawe King took his initial hit-up almost immediately from the right of the play the ball and as a result moved the ball from six metres from the halfway to eight metres into Marsden SHS’s territory.

From the right of the play the ball in the 39th minute Hai Hiawe King carried the ball from twenty three metres to thirty five metres from his try line and then in the 40th minute also from the right of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King got within centremetres of the try line next to the left goal posts after carrying the ball from twelve metres out.

Hai Hiawe King started from the bench 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 Hai Hiawe King coming onto the field to play in the front row in the 20th minute.

From two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 27th minute Hai Hiawe King carried the ball from forty two to within twenty eight metres of the try line and also from two passes to the left of the play the ball in the 31st minute Hai Hiawe King ran the ball from nine to twenty metres from his try line being the second hit-up of the second half.

Then three tackles later in the same set of six Hai Hiawe King ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball through the centre of the field from thirty six metres from his try line to within two metres of the halfway mark. Also in the 51st minute Hai Hiawe King once again ran through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball from twenty three to within seven metres of the try line.

Hai Hiawe King started from the bench for PBC SHS in the 2024 National School Boy Rugby League Final against Patrician Brothers Blacktown and came onto the field in the 16th minute to operate in the front row and made his initial run almost immediately from the left of the play the ball to carry the ball from eleven metres inside his half to the halfway. Then in the 57th minute also from the left of the play the ball and twenty eight metres from his try line Hai Hiawe King got the ball to forty one metres out.

In late September 2023 Hai Hiawe King was named in the 2024 Burleigh Bears U19 Mal Meninga Cup squad with Hai Hiawe King also MM Cup eligible in 2025 with the age group changes coming into effect in 2024 and later the same month Hai Hiawe King was also named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad with Hai Hiawe King ultimately being part of the Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad in 2024.

Round Six of the 2024 MM Cup competition saw Hai Hiawe King named on the Tweed Heads Seagulls extended for their match against the Souths Logan Magpies with Hai Hiawe King coming onto the field late in the first half to play in the front rwo and almost immediately after running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half from thirty metres from the try line Hai Hiawe King ran the ball through the centre of the field to within fifteen metres of the try line with approximately 70% of Hai Hiawe King’s metres being post contact with the defensive line.

In the 38th minute from the left of a Tweed Heads penalty restart Hai Hiawe King carried the ball from twenty one metres of the try line to ten metres out to win a six again for the Seagulls. Then in the 48th minute from the right of the dummy half and forty one metres from the try line Hai Hiawe King once again carried the ball through the centre of the field to get within thirty metres of the try line.

Hai Hiawe King then moved into the Tweed Heads starting line up in the front row in Round Eight against the Wide Bay Bulls with Hai Hiawe King making a strong kick-off return in the 7th minute to get the ball out to the twenty one metre mark. Hai Hiawe King made an additional good kick-off return in the 17th minute to return the ball to the twenty two metre mark.

In the 57th minute from the right of a Tweed Heads penalty restart Hai Hiawe King ran the ball from the halfway mark to forty metres out and then a tackle later Hia Hiawe received an inside pass from his left to run the ball from twenty metres from the try line to within thirteen metres.

Hai Hiawe King made another good kick-off return in the 48th minute to carry the ball out to the twenty metre mark with Hai Hiawe King following up with a 59th minute kick-off return to run the ball to the twenty metre mark after bouncing off one defender.

Hai Hiawe King making an even better kick-off return in the 62nd minute with Hai Hiawe King breaking four tackles to get the ball to the twenty metre mark with Hai Hiawe King then awarded a penalty for a dangerous tackle with Hai Hiawe King taking the subsequent tap to get the ball to within eight metres of the halfway mark.

Round Three of the 2024 GCRL U18 Division One competition saw Hai Hiawe King start from the bench for the Currumbin Eagles against the Burleigh Bears with Hai Hiawe King coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 16th minute.

Hai Hiawe King took the second hit-up of the second half from the left of the play the ball from just six metres out from his own try line and whilst continuing to run to his left Hai Hiawe King broke three tackles to get the ball out to the twenty six metre mark. Then in the 37th minute came desperately close to scoring after running onto the ball to the right of the dummy half from thirteen metres out.

Hai Hiawe King then started in the front row in Round Seven against the Beaudesert Kingfishers with Hai Hiawe King coming close to scoring in the 26th minute only to be held up under the posts after a charge from eight metres out.

In the 2nd minute from the left of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King ran the ball through the centre of the field from the halfway mark to thirty eight metres from the try line. Also in the 31st minute after receiving an off-load from his right Hai Hiawe King burst through the centre of the field from forty seven metres to within twenty nine metres of the try line breaking three tackles along the way.

Hai Hiawe King continued in the front row in Round Eight against the Burleigh Bears with Hai Hiawe King coming close to scoring in the 54th minute with a run from four metres out only to lose the ball over the try line five metres to the right of the posts.

Inside the opening two minute of the match from the left of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King got the ball to within ten metres of the try line after commencing his run twenty metres out. Then with less then two minutes remaining to book end the match Hai Hiawe King from the right of the play the ball continued to run to his right from the halfway mark to thirty three metres from the try line.

Hai Hiawe King ran the ball through the centre of the field from the right of the play the ball in the 5th minute from twenty seven metres from his try line to within five metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 31st minute also from the right of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King took a yardage carry to get the ball from eleven to twenty two metres from his try line. Then a Hai Hiawe King run from an Eagles penalty restart saw the ball progressed from twenty to within nine metres of the try line.

It was through the centre of the field where Hai Hiawe King ran in the 49th minute from the right of the play the ball from thirty to twenty metres from the try line and then from two passes to the play the ball in the 52nd minute Hai Hiawe King ran the ball to forty one metres from his try line after making eleven metres.

Hai Hiawe King also started in the front row in Round Eleven against the Southport Tigers and in the 2nd minute from two passes to the left of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King carried the ball through the centre of the field from six metres inside his half to ten metres into Southport territory and in the 4th minute from the right of the play the ball and forty two metres from the try line Hai Hiawe King was able to get the ball within thirty metres.

Hai Hiawe King continued in the front row in Round Thirteen against the Burleigh Bears and in the 5th minute a Hai Hiawe King run from the left of the play the ball through the centre of the field saw the ball moved from twenty to within eight metres of the try line.

In the 7th minute from the right of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King ran the ball through the centre of the field from forty to twenty four metres of the try line with Hai Hiawe King then awarded a penalty for ruck interference. Also in the 47th minute from the right of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King once again carried the ball through the centre of the field from twenty seven to forty metres from the try line.

Round One of the 2023 School Boy Langer Cup competition saw Hai Hiawe King named on the bench for PBC SHS against Marsden SHS with Hai Hiawe King coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 20th minute with Hai Hiawe King making a strong run in the 57th minute with a fourteen metres effort to get the ball eight metres inside Marsden SHS territory.

Hai Hiawe King also made a try saving tackle in the 35th minute when he held up the Marsden SHS hooker over the try line after he had tried to burrow over from dummy half from close range.

Hai Hiawe King was also named on the bench for Round Two against Caloundra SHS with Hai Hiawe King playing in the front row when he came onto the field in the 21st minute and in the 25th minute Hai Hiawe King made a fourteen metre run to the halfway mark from the left of the play the ball.

Hai Hiawe King made a good defensive effort in the 27th minute when after the Caloundra SHS left winger had taken a PBC SHS chip on the full he threatened to run eighty metres to score but Hai Hiawe King ran to his right to making an outstanding cover defending tackle. Then in the 29th minute Hai Hiawe King was on hand to stop the Caloundra SHS hooker from burrowing his way over from dummy half in front of the posts.

Hai Hiawe King continued from the bench in Round Three against Mabel Park SHS with Hai Hiawe King coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 21st minute.

Hai Hiawe King also started from the bench in Round Four against Redcliffe SHS with Hai Hiawe King coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 14th minute of the match.

Hai Hiawe King continued from the bench in Round Five against Ipswich SHS with Hai Hiawe King coming onto the field late in the first half to operate in the front row.

Hai Hiawe King was also named on the bench in the Round Six Gold Coast derby against Keebra Park SHS however a late change saw Hai Hiawe King start the match in the front row with Hai Hiawe King running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball in the 5th minute making twelve metres to get the ball within ten metres of the try line.

Hai Hiawe King followed up with a run of fifteen metres to within ten metres of the halfway mark from the left of the dummy half. Hai Hiawe King then made twelve metres from a PBC SHS penalty restart to get within thirteen metres of the try line and a tackle later Hai Hiawe King made another run from the left of the play the ball from seven metres out to get within centremetres of the try line mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

The 48th minute saw Hai Hiawe King take a hit-up from the left of the play the ball from thirty nine metres out from his own try line to get to the halfway mark.

In the 4th minute Hai Hiawe King made heavy defensive contact on the Keebra Park SHS lock front on to rock him back forty metres out and in the centre of the field.

Hai Hiawe King then moved to the bench in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Hai Hiawe King coming off the bench to operate in the front row in the 14th minute with Hai Hiawe King taking a hit-up almost immediately to make twelve metres to get the ball over the halfway mark.

Hai Hiawe King started the 2023 season off as part of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U18 MM Cup squad.

After Tweed Heads had a Round One bye Hai Hiawe King was named on the bench in Round Two of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga Cup against the Brisbane Tigers however Hai Hiawe King was a late scratching from the Seagulls side.

Hai Hiawe King made his MM Cup debut off the bench in Round Four of the 2023 season for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Hai Hiawe King coming off the bench to operate in the centre of the field in the 21st minute of the match.

Hai Hiawe King worked exceptionally hard in the 25th minute when after Wynnum Manly made a line break down their left side the Wynnum Manly left centre drew the Tweed Heads fullback and got the pass inside to his five eight just ten metres out but just as the five eight started to run towards the posts Hai Hiawe King came from the clouds to hit him from behind and force a knock-on.

Hai Hiawe King made a strong run in the 36th minute from the first hit-up of the second half with Hai Hiawe King getting the ball to close to the twenty metre mark. Then in the 43rd minute after a Wynnum Manly knock-on Hai Hiawe King ran back to take possession forty five metres out with his back towards his own try line, Hai Hiawe King turned around and carried two defenders all of the way to twenty two metres out from the try line.

Hai Hiawe King also started from the bench in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies with Hai Hiawe King coming onto the field to play in the front row in the 12th minute of the match.

The first of Hai Hiawe King’s strong runs in the match came in the 19th minute twenty two metres out from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball with Hai Hiawe King able to make thirteen metres against a set Magpies defensive line.

Then in the 24th minute Hai Hiawe King, from two passes to the left of the play the ball from a Seagulls penalty tap restart and twenty eight metres out from his own try line Hai Hiawe King promoted the ball to within seven metres of the try line with approximately 50% of his metres being post contact.

Hai Hiawe King added another strong run in the 26th minute from forty metres out from the try line and to the right of the play the ball with Hai Hiawe King cutting back in behind the play the ball and breaking two tackles as he got the ball to twenty two metres out.

Then in the 33rd minute from forty metres out and to the right of the play the ball and five metres short of the halfway mark Hai Hiawe King was able to get the ball ten metres inside Magpies territory through sheer perseverance and effort.

In the 61st minute Hai Hiawe King charged onto the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball with Hai Hiawe King receiving the pass twenty eight metres out and ran over the top of the Magpies left centre before being tackled ten metres out.

Hai Hiawe King also started from the bench in Round Six against the Norths Devils with Hai Hiawe King coming onto the field late in the first half.

Round One of the 2023 GCRL U18 Division One competition saw Hai Hiawe King start from the bench for the Currumbin Eagles against the Helensvale Hornets with Hai Hiawe King coming off the bench to operate in the front row in the 7th minute.

Hai Hiawe King then moved into the Eagles starting side in the front row in Round Two against the Coomera Cutters with Hai Hiawe King making a strong kick-off return in the 7th minute to get the ball to the twenty metre mark. Hai Hiawe King then made another strong kick-off return in the 12th minute, on that occasion getting the ball over the twenty metre mark.

Hai Hiawe King also started in the front row in Round Five against the Southport Tigers.

Hai Hiawe King then started from the bench in Round Eleven against the Helensvale Hornets with Hai Hiawe King coming off the bench to play in the front row in the 18th minute.

Hai Hiawe King almost scored in the 27th minute when after taking possession from an off-load sixteen metres from the try line, Hai Hiawe King broke two tackles as he charged at the try line only to be stopped less than a metre out in front of the posts.

Earlier in the 19th minute made a big tackle on one of the Helensvile wingers two metres out and directly in front of the posts forcing a knock on to give Currumbin the scrum feed.

Hai Hiawe King also started from the bench in Round Twelve against the Coomera Cutters and after coming onto the field to operate in the front row in the 22nd minute Hai Hiawe King immediately made a line break from a kick-off return with Hai Hiawe King bursting through a number of tackles as he charged into Coomera territory before being brought to ground in front of the posts and twenty nine metres from the try line at the opposite end of the field when where Hai Hiawe King’s run commenced.

In the 29th minute from the left of the play the ball Hai Hiawe King ran onto the ball from forty metres out from the try line and carried the ball within twenty three metres. Then to start the second half Hai Hiawe King made a strong kick-off return to get the ball out to the twenty four metre mark.

Hai Hiawe King rounded out a strong match in the 57th minute with a good effort to the right of the play the ball that saw Hai Haiwe King run the ball from thirty five metres out from the try line to sixteen metres out with Hai Hiawe King then able to get an off-load away to his right to Jaylen Taewa.

The 2023 Gold Coast Rugby League Division One Grand Final saw Hai Hiawe King start from the bench in the Eagles Grand Final victory against the Burleigh Bears and after coming onto the field to play in the front row in the 6th minute Hai Hiawe King made a strong kick-off return that saw Hai Hiawe King get the ball out to the twenty metre mark.

In early April 2023 Hai Hiawe King was named in the Queensland Rugby League U17 Positional Skills Day squad.

The young Titans partnered PBC SHS front rower was one of PBC SHS's best in the 2022 Walters Cup competition, including being named on the bench in the Courier Mail’s 2022 School Boy Walters Cup Team of the Year after starting all of his Walters Cup matches in the front row for PBC SHS in 2022. Hai Hiawe King was also named one of the most improved 2022 School Boy Rugby League players regardless of competition by the Courier Mail.

For a big strong young man, Hai Hiawe King also has above average (to plus) speed, not just off the mark but also when he is in clear space, when he makes a break Hai Hiawe King is more than capable of going the distance and normally easily out paces the cover defence, certainly an impressive feat for a front rower.

Hai Hiawe King is not just a strong runner of the ball he as noted above has excellent footwork prior to impacting the defensively line and also some very good short passing skills both before the line and when Hai Hiawe King is in contact with (usually multiple) opposition defenders.

On a lot of his runs Hai Hiawe King rather than trying to step his opposite number will really look to initiate the contact and then use his strength to hold the defender off his body to either push through the tackle or draw in the next defender to create space for his outside support.

Whilst his ball running skills are the first thing that you will likely notice when seeing Hai Hiawe King play his defence is equally effective even though it may not be as noticeable at first glance.

Defensively Hai Hiawe King has a hard edge to his play and his initial contact is more than sufficient to redirect the momentum of the ball carrier regardless of the size of the opponent. Hai Hiawe King sets a very good base which he uses to explode into the ball carrier looking to use their own momentum against them.

Hai Hiawe King’s good situation awareness also enables him to be well positioned when he is defending against smaller quicker players on the fringes of the ruck and he endeavours to minimise the time available for the opposing attacker to generate speed and to utilise their footwork but moving up quickly but at the same time maintaining his balance.

Hai Hiawe King is also able to change direction quickly to adjust to the directional changes of the attacker especially when he is marking up against multiple attackers running in his direction where he will hold his ground to let the play to develop in front of him before committing to a specific defensive course of action.

2025 will see Hai Hiawe King start the season as a member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad. Post the MM Cup competition Hai Hiawe King will likely line up for the Currumbin Eagles in the Gold Coast Rugby League competition starting in the U20 competition before pushing for a First Grade debut for the Eagles.

Hai Hiawe King does not just have outstanding size, strength and power, he also possess exceptional speed for a big young man. With that attribute combination, Hai Hiawe King has the ideal, physical and skill attributes as well as the correct mentality to be a representative level NRL front rower in coming years.

With his strength and never say die attitude Hai Hiawe King reminds me of Brisbane Bronco’s and former Parramatta Eels, Manly Sea Eagles, Canterbruy Bulldogs and New Zealand International front rower Martin Taupau plays both are big and strong and know how to use those attributes to their advantage on a rugby league field.

Hai Hiawe King was up there with the most intriguing players that I saw play in 2022 to 2024 regardless of the competition and I am very keen to see how Hai Hiawe King’s game progresses over the coming years as he moves into the senior rugby league competitions on a full time basis.

 

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Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi. The rescheduled 2024 Round One GCRL U18 Division One match saw Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi start at five eight operating on the right side of the field for the Currumbin Eagles against the Southport Tigers and in the 52nd minute after receiving an off-load from his right twenty metres from the try line Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi’s stepping run saw him break two tackles to get within four metres of the try line in front of the right goal post.

Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi started from the bench in Round Eleven against the Southport Tigers and after coming onto the field to operate at five eight in the 45th minute Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi produced a smart piece of play in the 52nd minute when after ball playing to the left of the play the ball he froze the Tigers defence and threw a great cut-out pass to his left to put his support runner into space and on the outside of his opposing defender ten metres from the try line but unfortunately the ball could not be held with the try line in sight.

Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi moved into the Currumbin Eagles starting side at five eight in Round Thirteen against the Burleigh Bears with Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi scoring in the 32nd minute when he backed up a line break by fullback Kaea Cribb to receive a right arm flick off-load from his left and run four metres to dive over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi continued at five eight in the rescheduled Round One match against the Southport Tigers and in the 52nd minute after receiving a pass from his right whilst to the left of the posts and sixteen metres from the try line Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi stepped off his right foot on three occasions before stepping off his left foot to get within four metres of the try line directly in front of the posts.

Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi also started at five eight in Round Fifteen against the Helensvale Hornets.

Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi started at five eight for the Currumbin Eagles in the 2024 GCRL U18 Division One Qualifying Final against the Southport Tigers and in the 30th minute Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi ran down a short right blindside from twenty to three metres from the try line breaking three tackles along the way.

Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi then came off the bench to operate in the halves in the late in the second half for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 Division One Week Two Elimination Final against the Burleigh Bears and in the 55th minute from the right of the play the ball and twenty five metres from the try line Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi stepped off his right foot on three occasions to get within centremetres of the try line directly in front of the posts.

Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi also started from the bench for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 Division One Preliminary Final against the Helensvale Hornets with Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi coming onto the field to operate at five eight in the 40th minute.

In New Zealand Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi attended Christchurch Boys High and was part of the South Island Scorpions side that won the 2023 New Zealand Rugby League U16 Championships with Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi named at five eight in the New Zealand U16 side at the conclusion of the Championships.

Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi is still U18 eligible in 2025 and thus will line up for the Currumbin Eagles in the GCRL U18 Division One competition for the second season in a row in 2025.

With his smaller frame and his undoubted courage to take the ball right to the line before he executes the play, whether that be kicking or passing as well as his intelligence, for me Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi has an uncanny playing style that resembles that of former Sydney Roosters and New South Wales State of Origin half/five eight Luke Keary.

Both Keary and Felahoia Te Pakeke-Kakoi have the strength of personality and toughness to take on any challenge on a rugby league field no matter how big the challenge (or opponent) is compared to how big they are.

 

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Ray Puru. In early January 2025 Ray Puru started at fullback for the Titans U19 JTS side in their annual match against the Newcastle Knights in Coffs Harbour in very wet conditions .

In late 2024 Ray Puru was named in the 2025 Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad after moving over from the Burleigh Bears where he played in the MM Cup in 2024.

The young fullback deservedly signed a contract with the Titans early in 2021 and is certainly an outstanding long term fullback prospect in rugby league with outstanding speed, body control, elusiveness and balance in absolute spades.

In early January 2024 Ray Puru started at fullback for a Titans U19 side in a round robin series of matches against the Penrith Panthers and the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs in Sydney.

Ray Puru produced a good kick return against the Penrith Panthers trial when in the 8th minute after taking a long Panthers clearing kick on the full just three metres from his own try line and directly in front of his goal posts Ray Puru was able to return the ball to over the twenty metre mark.

Ray Puru also started at fullback for the Titans JTS U19 side a week later in the Titans annual match in Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights and in the 9th minute after taking possession of the ball nine metres out from his own try line after fielding a Knight clearing kick Ray Puru was able to return the kick to the twenty three metre mark in the 7th minute.

Ray Puru made another good kick return in the 34th minute when after taking the ball on the full thirty metres from his try line near the right touchline Ray Puru ran the ball towards the centre of the field and get the ball to the halfway mark.

In the 28th minute after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball Ray Puru got the ball to two metres inside Newcastle territory after commencing his run thirty eight metres out from his own try line. Then in the 62nd minute Ray Puru ran to his right out of dummy half from five metres inside his own territory and after breaking a tackle Ray Puru cut back to his left before being tackled eighteen metres inside Newcastle territory.

In early March 2024 Ray Puru was named in the Open South Coast 2024 School Boy Rugby League Representative squad however injury prevented him from playing at the Championships.

In late May Ray Puru was named in the 2024 Queensland Rugby League U18 Emerging Boys Squad.

In late September 2023 Ray Puru was named in the 2024 Burleigh Bears U19 Mal Meninga Cup squad with Ray Puru also MM Cup eligible in 2025 with the age group changes. Later in October 2023 Ray Puru was also named in the Tweed Heads Seagulls MM Cup squad.

Round One of the 2024 MM Cup competition saw Ray Puru start at fullback for the Burleigh Bears against the Souths Logan Magpies with Ray Puru executing one of the greatest try saving tackles that I have ever seen in the 37th minute when after fellow Titan but Souths Logan five eight Javon Andrews split the Bears defensive line from twenty metres out he appeared certain to score but Ray Puru raced to his right and after getting in front of the five eight on the try line Ray Puru executed an incredible one on one steal as Javon Andrews was in the process of grounding the ball. Amazingly Ray Puru was able to get to his feet and get back into the field of play. Incredible effort by Ray Puru, absolutely incredible.

Ray Puru chimed into the Burleigh backline on the left side of the field in the 4th minute and after continuing to run to his left was able to get the ball from thirty two metres from the try line to within twelve metres.

In the 17th minute Ray Puru took possession of the ball to the left of a Burleigh scrum win twenty metres from his own try line and after cutting back to his right Ray Puru was able to get the ball out to the thirty two metre mark. Then i the 23rd minute Ray Puru ran to his right out of dummy half to get the ball from thirty one metres to eighteen metres out.

Ray Puru made a good kick return in the 13th minute when after taking a Souths Logan clearing kick on the full twenty metres out from his own try line Ray Puru returned the kick through the centre of the field out to the thirty metre mark before being awarded a penalty for a crusher tackle. Ray Puru produced another good kick return in the 62nd minute when after taking the Magpies kick on the full twelve metres from his own try line Ray Puru ran straight and hard to get the ball out to the thirty five metre mark.

Perhaps Ray Puru’s best and most important run came in the 67th minute when after Ray Puru collected a desperate Bears pass on the bounce seven metres inside his own in-goal and directly behind the posts Ray Puru ran to his left and did superbly to get the ball back into the field of play by sixteen metres.

In addition to his try saving heroics noted above Ray Puru earlier saved a try in the 7th minute when he held up the Souths Logan hooker who had tried to sneak over from dummy half eight metres to the right of the goal posts. As the Magpies hooker tried to get the ball down he eventually lost possession after being denied by Ray Puru.

Ray Puru also started at fullback in Round Two against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Ray Puru scoring a long range solo try in the 26th minute when after receiving the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball and still five metres inside his own territory, Ray Puru continued to run to his right before slicing between two defenders and sprinting down the right touchline to easily outpace the Dolphins full back to score four metres in from the right corner post.

Ray Puru also recorded a try assist for the Burleigh match sealing try for Sunny Kama late in the match in the 64th minute when after receiving the ball thirteen metres out and two passes to the right of the play the ball, Rya Puru surged to his right and after getting on the outside of his direct opponent and drawing in the Dolphins left centre, Ray Puru threw a short ball to his right when five metres out to put Sunny Kama into a gap and over to score five metres in from the right corner post.

Ray Puru made a line break in the 42nd minute when after taking possession of the ball thirty five metres from his own try line and to the left of the play the ball Ray Puru stepped off his left foot and after breaking two tackles Ray Puru burst downfield to the thirty metre mark but his pass to his right went to ground.

Ray Puru also did well in the 6th minute when after chiming into the Burleigh backline on the right side of the field and thirty metres from the try line Ray Puru shaped to pass the ball to his right before running himself between two back peddling defenders with Ray Puru able to get the ball within twelve metres of the try line as a result.

Ray Puru showed that he is prepared to roll up his sleeves and do the hard work in the 11th minute with a hard yardage carry from the right of the dummy half to carry the ball from just two metres out from his own try line out to the thirteen metre mark. Then in the 15th minute Ray Puru ran to his right out of dummy half to get the ball from twenty metres out from his own try line to thirty five metres out.

Then in the 18th minute Ray Puru ran the ball down a short right blindside from twenty one metres from the try line to thirty four metres out and in the 43rd minute from the left of the dummy half Ray Puru ran the ball from twenty metres out with within a metre of the try line. Then in the 62nd minute Ray Puru ran the ball down a left blindside from thirty metres from the try line to within fourteen metres.

Ray Puru made a good kick return in just the 2nd minute of the match when after taking a Redcliffe kick on the full two metres from his own try line and directly in front of his posts Ray Puru ran to his right to get the ball back to the twenty metre mark. Ray Puru also made a good kick return in the 37th minute when after taking a Dolphins kick ten metres out from his own try line Ray Puru returned the ball through the centre of the field to the thirty eight metre mark.

Ray Puru did well in the 14th minute when with Tweed Heads defending on their own try line the Dolphins halfback put in short grubber kick but Ray Puru moved forward and with Redcliffe feet everywhere Ray Puru dived on the rolling ball just in the in-goal area to eliminate the threat to the Seagulls line.

Ray Puru finished the match with a team leading and match leading 244 run metres.

As a result of his performance Ray Puru was named at fullback in the Courier Mail 2024 MM Cup Round Two Team of the Week.

Ray Puru continued at fullback in Round Five against the Norths Devils with Ray Puru scoring a double in a big Burleigh victory.

Ray Puru scored the first of his two tries in the 10th minute from a Burleigh scrum win in the centre of the field ten metres out and after receiving the ball to the right of the scrum, Ray Puru ran to his right and after getting on the outside of his direct opponent Ray Puru straightened up to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Ray Puru completed his double in the 24th minute as a result of a set move with his halfback who when ten metres from the try line put in a chip kick across his body to his right with Ray Puru darting through and taking the ball on the full four metres out to score midway between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field.

Ray Puru also recorded a line break assist in the 40th minute by way of a cut-out pass to his left for Ray Puru to put his left winger away down the left touchline from the halfway mark to thirty metres out. Ray Puru then moved into dummy half and ran to his right to get within elven metres of the try line.

Ray Puru ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and as a result Ray Puru ran the ball from forty metres from the try line to twenty four metres out with Ray Puru then awarded a penalty for ruck interference in the 8th minute. A minute later in the 9th minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball and four metres from the try line near the right touchline, Ray Puru cut inside by way of a right foot step to ultimately break three tackles before being tackled less than a metre from the try line one metre to the right of the goal posts.

In the 32nd minute after running onto the ball to the left of the dummy half to get the ball from forty six metres from the try line thirty five metres out. Also in the 48th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Ray Puru was able to get the ball from six metres inside his own territory to six metres into Devils territory.

Ray Puru made a solid kick return in the 55th minute when after taking a Norths bomb on the full under pressure ten metres out from his own try line and to the right of the posts Ray Puru returned the ball through the centre of the field breaking two tackles and running over the top of a third to get the ball to the forth metre mark.

Ray Puru also did well in the 68th minute when he chased a Burleigh short goal line drop-out to their right with Ray Puru jumping over his Norths opponents to take the ball on the full fourteen metres from the try line.

Ray Puru’s performance saw him named at fullback in the Courier Mail’s MM Cup Round Five Team of the Week.

Ray Puru also started at fullback in Round Six against the Brisbane Tigers with Rya Puru scoring a ninety eight metre (as the crow fly’s) solo try in the 7th minute when after retrieving a Tigers kick two metres from his own try line in his left corner, Ray Puru ran towards the centre of the field and when he had run the ball twenty eight metres from his try line ray Puru dummied to his right and then was just too fast for the cover defence to charge away to score under the posts.

Ray Puru also recorded a try assist in the 59th minute when after the Bears spun the ball wide to their right Ray Puru executed a lightening quick catch and pass to his right to put Sunny Kama away and over to score from twenty one metres out.

Ray Puru chimed into the Bears backline on the left in the 10th minute and after running the ball from the halfway mark to forty metres out Ray Puru drew one defender before passign to his left to Disharne Tonihi. Then in the 18th minute from two passes to the left of a Burleigh scrun win thirty five metres from the try line Ray Puru dummied to his left before slicing between two defenders to get within fifteen metres of the try line before once again getting an off-load away to his left to Disharne Tonihi.

After running out of dummy half to his left in the 62nd minute from five metres inside his own territory Ray Puru got the ball seven metres into Tigers territory before getting a right arm off-load away to his left to a trailing Austin Marsters.

Ray Puru then moved to five eight for the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and from two passes to the right of the play the ball in the 9th minute Ray Puru ran the ball from ten metres inside his own territory to nine metres into Seagulls territory before getting a right arm off-load away to his left to Sunny Kama. Then in the 25th minute from the right of a Burleigh scrum win Ray Puru took possession of the ball ten metres inside his own territory and after dummying to his right Ray Puru ran the ball eight metres inside Tweed Heads territory.

Ray Puru then came off the bench in Round Nine against the Ipswich Jets with Ray Puru operating at fullback when he came onto the field and it appeared that Ray Puru scored when he crossed in the 53rd minute but the pass from Coby Black was ruled forward.

After receiving the ball three passes to the right of a Burleigh scrum win thirty eight metres from his own try line and wide out on the right Ray Puru continued to run to his right before getting a left arm off-load away to his left to Creedence Donovan. Then in the 70th minute from the left of the dummy half Ray Puru broke three tackles including one with a counter clockwise spin as he ran the ball through the centre of the field from thirty two metres from his own ty line to six metres into Ipswich territory.

Ray Puru also highlighted his defensive strength in the 66th minute to pick up and drive back the Ipswich front rower No. 10 three metres to three metres from his own try line.

Ray Puru was then back in the Burleigh starting side at fullback in Round Ten against the Souths Logan Magpies with Ray Puru recording a try assist in the 42nd minute when after taking a pass from his left around his ankles when running at full speed on the right side of the field and twelve metres from the try line Ray Puru was still able to draw the Magpies left winger to put Sunny Kama over to score in the right corner.

The 3rd minute saw Ray Puru take a long Souths Logan kick on the full six metres from his own try line and returned the ball out to the seventeen metre mark. The 9th minute saw Ray Puru run out of dummy half to his right to get the ball from twenty nine metres to forty three metres from his try line. Then in the 10th minute after collecting a Magpies kick two metres from his own try line Ray Puru made a half break as he returned the ball to the sixteen metre mark.

From the left of the play the ball in the 50th minute Ray Puru was able to run the ball from two metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Souths Logan territory, then in the 61st minute after running out of dummy half to left Ray Puru got the ball from thirty two metres to within twenty metres of the try line.

Week One of the 2024 MM Cup Finals series saw Ray Puru start at fullback for the Burleigh Bears against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls with Ray Puru recording a try assist in the 55th minute when after making a line break from the left of the play the ball through the centre of the field from thirty five metres from his try line Ray Puru got an off-load away to his right to Bailey McConnell whilst slipping with Bailey McConnell racing away to score under the posts.

Ray Puru also made a line break in the 68th minute when he received a good inside pass from Cooper Bai who had run onto the ball to the left of the play the ball with Ray Puru darting through the centre of the field from thirty eight metres from his try line to five metres into Wynnum Manly’s half.

In the 5th minute from the left of the play the ball Ray Puru carried the ball from twenty six metres to thirty nine metres from his try line. Also in the 9th minute from the left of the play the ball Ray Puru targeted the area behind the markers as he carried the ball from thirty eight metres from his try line to a metre into Wynnum Manly’s half. Then in the 16th minute from the right of the play the ball Ray Puru was able to run the ball from thirty nine metres to the halfway mark with Ray Puru then getting a right arm flick off-load away to his right.

Ray Puru ran out of dummy half to his right in the 21st minute from forty five metres to thirty one metres from the try line. Then from the right of the play the ball in the 50th minute Ray Puru broke a tackle as he got the ball from thirty six metres to the halfway mark.

Ray Puru continued at fullback in the Preliminary Final against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Ray Puru scoring in the 8th minute when after chiming into the Burleigh backline fifteen metres from the try line and wide on the right side of the field Ray Puru shaped to pass to his righty before running him self and after slicing between two defenders Ray Puru scored four metres in from the right corner post.

Ray Puru also recorded a try assist in the 14th minute when after receiving a pass from his inside from Sunny Kama five metres from the try line and on the right touchline Ray Puru cut inside before throwing a superb right arm flick pass to his right to Creedence Donovan who had looped around from Rya Puru’s left to score in the right corner.

Ray Puru played his first match in the 2024 Langer Cup competition in Round Five against Marsden SHS when he started at fullback for PBC SHS.

Ray Puru celebrated his first match of the season by scoring in the 21st minute when after taking possession of the ball two passes to the right of the play the ball forty three metres from the try line Ray Puru stepped off his right foot to beat a rushing defender with Ray Puru then throwing a superb pass to his right to put Jac Finnigan onto a yawning gap with Ray Puru then backing up his second rower to get the ball back and run fifteen metres to dive over to score eight metres to the right of the goal posts.

In the 7th minute from the right of the play the ball Ray Puru stepped off his left foot twenty seven metres from the try line before dummying to his right and as a consequence Ray Puru carried the ball to within ten metres of the try line. Also in the 9th minute Ray Puru took a Marsden SHS kick on the full in front of his posts twenty five metres out and returned the ball to the forty three metre mark.

In the 12th minute Ray Puru willed a Marsden SHS kick to go over the dead ball line but alas Ray Puru had to take the ball less than a metre from the dead ball line with Ray Puru breaking a staggering four tackles including being tripped up and bouncing back to his feet twice as he did exceptionally well to return the ball to the twenty metre mark. Another Ray Puru kick return in the 34th minute saw ray Puru take a kick on the full twenty metres from his try line and ten metres in from the right touchline and return the kick to the forty metre mark. Then in the 49th minute after a Marsden SHS kick bounced over the dead ball line Ray Puru collected the ball and race back to the twenty metre mark to take a quick tap and run to his right out to the thirty five metre mark.

Ray Puru also started at fullback in Round Six against Wavell SHS and in the 35th minute after taking a Wavell SHS kick on the full a metre out from his try line and in front of the posts and was able to return the ball to the twenty one metre mark. Also in the 44th minute after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Ray Puru ran the ball from thirty to forty two metres from the try line.

Ray Puru continued at fullback in the Round Seven local derby against Keebra Park SHS with Ray Puru making his initial foray out of dummy half to his left in the 5th minute to carry the ball to the halfway from thirty eight metres from his try line.

Ray Puru also ran out of dummy half in the 37th minute to his right from six metres from his own try line to twenty metres out. A minute earlier in the 36th minute Ray Puru ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and get from thirty to forty three metres away from his try line.

Ray Puru ran out of dummy half once again in the 49th minute to his right to get the ball from the halfway mark to thirty eight metres from the try line before getting a pass away to his right. Also in the 53rd minute from the left of the play the ball Ray Puru carried the ball from thirty metres from his try line to within four metres of the halfway mark. Then in the 55th minute Ray Puru continued his efforts out of dummy half when he ran to his left from ten metres inside his half to the halfway mark before getting a right arm flick pass away to his right.

Ray Puru also did well defensively in the 54th minute when he was involved in holding up one of the Keebra Park SHS starting front rowers No. 10 nine metres to the right of the goal posts. Ray Puru made another strong tackle in the 58th minute when he brought down his opposing custodian with a good low one on one tackle after the Keebra Park SHS fullback had made a line break through the centre of the field to twenty metres from the try line.

PBC SHS’s Langer Cup Quarter Final saw Ray Puru start at fullback against Stretton State College with Ray Puru recording a try assist in the 16th minute with a smart catch and pass from ten metres out to his right to put Callum Bowles over to score after chiming into the PBC SHS backline wide on the right side of the field.

Ray Puru recorded a second try assist in the 33rd minute when after receiving a pass from his left Ray Puru ran the ball to his right to ten metres from the try line Ray Puru threw a high cut-out pass to his right to put Dylan Watkins into space and over to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Ray Puru also recorded a line break assist in the 21st minute when after taking possession of the ball to the right of the play the ball near the left touchline Ray Puru stepped off his left foot on multiple occasions to get to the centre of the field and thirty five metres from the try line with Ray Puru then throwing a thirty metre cut-out “harbour bridge” to his right onto the chest of Dylan Watkins who raced down the right touchline.

In the 3rd minute after taking a Stretton State College clearing kick in the full Tay Puru’s kick return saw him bring the ball from twenty to thirty three metres from his try line. Ray Puru made an additional kick return in the 10th minute when after taking possession of the ball ten metres from his try line near the right touchline Ray Puru ran to his left towards the centre of the field all of the way to the left of the goal posts and broke a tackle to get the ball out to the twenty three metre mark. Another Ray Puru kick return in the 15th minute after recovering the ball ten metres from his own try line Ray Puru got the ball out to the twenty eight metre mark.

Ray Puru made another good kick return in the 32nd minute when after taking a kick on the first bounce eleven metres from his own try line to the left of the goal posts Ray Puru ran to his right and through sheer speed and stepping Ray Puru broke four tackles to get the ball out to the thirty two metre mark before off-loading to his right to Callum Bowles.

Ray Puru returned an additional kick in the 42nd minute when after taking the kick on the full twenty metres from his try line and ten metres in from the right touchline Ray Puru carried the ball to his left to the right of the posts using two right arm fends to beat defenders to get to forty two metres out in the centre of the field.

Ray Puru started at fullback for PBC SHS in their Langer Cup semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Ray Puru making a half break from the fifth hit-up of the match from a burst out of dummy half to his left from seven metres inside his half with Ray Puru breaking through two attempted tackles as he surged forward to get to thirty six metres from the try line.

Ray Puru ran the ball down a short right blindside in the 5th minute as he ran from forty six to thirty two metres from the try line. The 14th minute saw Ray Puru race out to take a quick twenty metre tap before the defensive line was set and as a result Ray Puru beat three defenders including one with a counter clockwise spin as he stepped his way to within four metres of the halfway mark.

From the right of the play the ball in the 23rd minute and after exploding downfield from the right of the play the ball from thirty five metre to twenty metres from the try line Ray Puru put his right second rower into a gap with a smart short pass to his right. Ray Puru ran to his right out of dummy half in the 26th minute to make twelve metres before being tackled on the halfway.

Rqy Puru darted down a right blindside in the 39th minute to carry the ball from thirty two metres from his try line to within four metres of the halfway and then in the 42nd minute after receiving an inside pass from his right from Zane Harrison twenty metres from the try line ray Puru bumped away from one defender as he got within eight metres of the try line.

Ray Puru started at fullback for PBC SHS in the 2024 School Boy Rugby League Langer Grand Final against Marsden SHS with Ray Puru recording a try assist in the 40th minute when after a great right foot step to easily beat a rushing defender after taking a pass from his left from Zane Harrison twelve metres from the try line Ray Puru ran the ball from sixteen to twelve metres from the try line to draw the Marsden SHS left winger to put Sunny Kama over to score two metres in from the right corner post.

In the 12th minute Ray Puru carried the ball through the centre of the field from the left of the play the ball to promote the ball from halfway twelve metres into Marsden SHS territory. After trapping a bouncing Marsden SHS long kick with his knees ten metres from the try line Reay Puru, after collecting the ball made thirteen metres before being awarded a penalty for a flop by a Marsden SHS defender.

The 2024 Queensland School Boy Rugby League Phil Hall Cup Grand Final to determine Queensland’s best 2024 School Boy Rugby League School Boy side saw Ray Puru start at fullback for PBC SHS against Kirwan SHS.

Ray Puru scored in the Final in the 4th minute when from two passes to the right of a PBC SHS scrum win and twelve metres from the try line Ray Puru continued to right to his right to get on the outside of the opposing defender to score five metres in from the right corner post.

Ray Puru also recorded a try assist in the 51st minute when from two passes to the right of the play the ball and after running from fourteen to eight metres from the try line Ray Puru threw a cut out pass to his right to allow Sunny Kama to beat his opposing winger with a hit and spin to score in the corner.

Ray Puru made a significant impact in the Final inside the opening minute when after taking a Kirwan SHS clearing kick on the first bounce twenty four metres from his try line and twelve metres from the left touchline Ray Puru moved to his right by way of three left foot steps to run the ball to the halfway mark near the right touchline.

In the 2nd minute from two passes to the right of the play the ball Ray Puru ran from twelve to eight metres of the try line and at the last moment put a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the ball taken dead by the Kirwan SHS fullback to require a goal line drop-out.

Ray Puru took a long Kirwan SHS kick on the full skilfully above his head in both hands in the 12th minute sixteen metres from his try line and returned the ball to the thirty two metre mark. Also in the 27th minute when after collecting a rebounded PBC SHS gruber kick eighteen metres from the try line Ray Puru stepped his way to within five metres of the try line in front of the right goal post.

Ray Puru ran the ball down a right blindside in the 33rd minute with Ray Puru stepping inside off his left foot to get the ball from thirty eight to twenty two metres from the try line. Then in the 37th minute Ray Puru ran out of dummy half to his right to get the ball from forty metres from his try line to three metres into Kirwan SHS territory. Ray Puru also ran of dummy half in the 42nd minute this time to his right to run from thirty eight to twenty six metres from the try line.

From wide on the left side of the field in the 47th minute Ray Puru from thirty three metres from the try line beat two defenders with steps to get the ball to within twenty one metres of the try line. Also in the 54th minute from the left of the play the ball Ray Puru ran the ball through the centre of the field from six metres inside his half to eight metres into Kirwan SHS territory.

At the completion of the 2024 Queensland School Boy Rugby League season Ray Puru received a special mention in the 2024 Courier Mail Langer Cup Team of the Year discussion.

Ray Puru continued at fullback in the 2024 National School Boy Rugby League Final for PBC SHS against Patrician Brothers Blacktown with Ray Puru making a stepping run in the 8th minute to get from fourteen metres from the try line to within centremetres ten metres in from the right touchline.

Ray Puru made a line break in the 30th minute off an inside pass from his right from Zane Harrison to charge from forty to twelve metres from the try line however the play was called back after a dangerous tackle on Zane Harrison.

After accelerating onto the ball from the right of the dummy half in the 12th minute Ray Puru charged from twenty five to within six metres of the try line and in the 22nd minute from the left of the play the ball Ray Puru’s yardage carry saw the ball propelled from ten to twenty two metres from the try line. Then in the 30th minute Ray Puru ran out of dummy half to his left to carry the ball through the centre of the field from twenty to thirty four metres from the try line. Also in the 51st minute Ray Puru stepped off his right foot after running the ball to the right of the dummy half to get from thirty to within eight metres of the try line.

Ray Puru made the tackle of the match in the 26th minute with a superb ball and all tackle on a charging Patrician Brothers left second rower with Ray Puru wrapping him up and then rolling him onto his back over the try line to prevent him from getting the ball to the ground.

In January 2023 Ray Puru started at fullback for the Titans JTS U17 side in their annual match at Coffs Harbour against the Newcastle Knights with Ray Puru making the Titans opening run of the match. At the end of the Knights and the game’s opening set of six they kicked downfield with Ray Puru taking possession just sixteen metres out from his own try line with Ray Puru able to promote the ball to thirty two metres out from his own line.

Then in the 22nd minute Ray Puru made fifteen metres out of dummy half to get the ball to the halfway mark. Ray Puru followed that up with a dummy half run to his left in the 36th minute making sixteen metres to get the ball twenty six metres out.

Then in the 63rd minute Ray Puru took a Newcastle Knights clearing kick on the full on his own twenty metre area and then Ray Puru ran to his right to get the ball forty metres away from his own try line.

Ray Puru produced an outstanding defensive play in the 57th minute when after the Newcastle winger leapt high to take an attacking kick on the full near the Titans left corner and right on the try line, Ray Puru along with Beau Hartmann were able to prevent the winger from scoring by holding him up over the try line by flipping the winger onto his back and then trapping the ball onto his chest to ensure that the ball could not touch the ground.

Ray Puru also started at fullback a week later for the Titans U17’s against the Brisbane Bronco’s U17’s on the Gold Coast with Ray Puru once again outstanding including a strong kick return from inside his own twenty metre area after the first set of six from the Bronco’s to get the match underway after the Titans had kicked off.

Perhaps the best moment for Ray Puru came in around the 10th minute mark when from a Bronco’s scrum win on their own twenty metre mark, they immediately kicked downfield. Ray Puru turned and chased down his left touchline with Ray Puru getting to the ball around twenty metres out from his own touchline, Ray Puru beat the first Brisbane chaser with an outstanding step whilst still facing his own touchline with Rya Puru then cutting back towards the centre of the field and then beat the Bronco’s halfback with a strong left arm fend.

In early December 2022 Ray Puru 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 Ray Puru was named in the 2023 Burleigh Bears MM Cup Squad.

After missing Round One Ray Puru was named at fullback for Round Two of the 2023 U18 Mal Meninga (MM) Cup against the Souths Logan Magpies however Ray Puru was a late scratching from the Bears side.

Ultimately Ray Puru was unable to take part in any MM Cup matches in 2023.

In early March 2023 Ray Puru was named at fullback for the South Coast School Boy Rugby League Open Representative side however injury prevented him from taking his place at the Championships.

Round One of the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup competition saw Ray Puru named at fullback for PBC SHS against Marsden SHS with Ray Puru doing well defensively in in the 4th minute when along with Bailey McConnell and Will Saunders, they held up the Marsden SHS five eight over the try line ten metres from the left upright.

Ray Puru saved another try in the 32nd minute with a tackle on the Marsden SHS lock five metres to the left of the uprights.

In the 8th minute from the left of a PBC SHS scrum win Ray Puru did well to carry the ball fourteen metres downfield from his own twenty metre mark. The in the 24th minute from the left of the play the ball Ray Puru carried the ball from six metres inside his own territory to eight metres inside Marsden SHS territory.

Ray Puru was also named at fullback for Round Two against Caloundra SHS with Ray Puru scoring in the 60th minute when Ray Puru backed up a PBC SHS movement on the left side of the field and after receiving an off-load ten metres out Ray Puru kept running to his left to score left metres in from the left corner post.

The 5th minute saw Ray Puru involved in a PBC SHS movement that nearly led to a try when from five metres inside PBC SHS territory Ray Puru ran out of dummy half to his right and after getting the ball five metres inside Caloundra SHS territory got a right arm off-load away around the back of a defender to his left to Baley McConnell who after making twelve metres got an off-load away to his left to Will Saunders who was able to get to within thirteen metres of the try line.

A minute later in the 6th minute Ray Puru ran onto the ball to the right of the play the ball and from twelve metres out from the try line Ray Puru took the ball right to the defensive line before putting in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal with the Caloundra SHS fullback forced to take the ball dead in-goal requiring a Caloundra SHS goal line drop-out.

Then in the 32nd minute Ray Puru made seventeen metres when running to the left of the play the ball with Ray Puru receiving the ball on his own twenty metre mark. The 38th minute saw Ray Puru run onto the ball to the right of the play the ball to get to within eight metres of the try line before getting an off-load away to Will Saunders just inside Caloundra SHS territory.

Ray Puru made a good kick return in the 34th minute when after taking a Caloundra SHS clearing kick on the full ten metres out from his own try line and in front of the posts, Ray Puru returned the ball to the thirty four metre mark through the centre of the field.

Ray Puru highlighted his positional awareness in the 27th minute when Ray Puru raced to his right to field a Caloundra SHS attacking grubber kick with Ray Puru getting to the ball just inside the field of play with Ray Puru then doing well to get to the ground at the feet of three Caloundra SHS players to prevent being dragged into the in-goal.

Ray Puru then did well in the 54th minute to shepherd a Caloundra SHS grubber kick over the dead ball line with Ray Puru then racing out to the twenty metre mark and after taking the restart quickly Ray Puru made fifteen metres before being hit in a high territory and subsequently being awarded a penalty.

Ray Puru continued at fullback in Round Three against Mabel Park SHS with Ray Puru making a line break in the 6th minute when after running out of dummy half to his left Ray Puru burst straight through the centre of the field from thirty metres out from his own try line with Ray Puru getting the ball to twenty metres from the try line.

Earlier Ray Puru had made a good kick return in the 2nd minute when after taking the kick on the full in the centre of the field and twenty metres out from his own try line, Ray Puru made twenty metres downfield when faced with a straight Mabel Park SHS defensive line following the kick downfield.

Ray Puru made another good kick return in the 58th minute from his own ten metres mark to thirty five metres from the try line. Then in the 60th minute Ray Puru when just out from his own try line jumped high to take a high bomb on the full under heavy pressure.

Then in the 46th minute Ray Puru made sixteen metres after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball to get the ball twelve metres into Mabel Park SHS territory.

Ray Puru did well in the 10th minute to force a Mabel Park SHS goal line drop-out when from twenty metres out and to the left of the play the ball Ray Puru put a right foot chip into the in-goal with the Mabel Park SHS fullback trapped there.

Ray Puru also started at fullback in Round Four against Redcliffe SHS with Ray Puru scoring an impressive double.

Ray Puru scored his first try in the 20th minute when after backing up a line break down the right touchline and after the PBC SHS right winger put in a grubber kick towards the centre of the field, Ray Puru, instead of trying to pick up the wickedly bouncing ball, kneed the ball forward and collected it in the in-goal to score under the posts.

Ray Puru completed his double in the 33rd minute when after receiving the ball eight metres out and to the right of the play the ball Ray Puru stepped off his right foot into a gap with Ray Puru then being far too quick for the Redcliffe SHS cover defence to score ten metres in from the right corner post.

Ray Puru also recorded a try assist in the 25th minute when from the left of the play the ball Ray Puru took the ball to the line and when he was sixteen metres out Ray Puru threw a long cut-out pass to his left to Sunny Kama away down the left touchline to score in the left corner.

Ray Puru was also very good defensively against Redcliffe SHS including a good one on one try saving tackle on a run-away Redcliffe SHS lock in just the 2nd minute of the match twenty two metres out from the try line. Ray Puru also did well defensively when along with Will Saunders, Ray Puru held up the giant Redcliffe SHS lock over the try line in the 9th minute two metres to the left of the uprights.

Ray Puru also did well in the 10th minute to run to his left to take an attacking Redcliffe SHS grubber kick on the bounce just out from his own try line with Ray Puru then doing well to get down low and stay in the field of play.

Ray Puru did well once again in the 43rd minute with a great take on the full from a short Redcliffe SHS under immense pressure.

After missing a number of matches Ray Puru was named on the bench for PBC SHS in the Langer Cup Semi-Final against Marsden SHS and after coming onto the field to operate at fullback in the 21st minute Ray Puru ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half in the 24th minute to run the ball from his own sixteen metre mark to the thirty three metre mark.

The 25th minute then saw Ray Puru, from the right of the play the ball, get the ball from eighteen metres out to thirty three metres out off a Marsden SHS turnover. In the 55th minute Ray Puru came close to scoring after running an underneath route from twenty metres out with Ray Puru actually getting over the try line before being pushed back into the field of play ten metres to the right of the uprights.

Ray Puru rounded out a great match in the 59th minute with an effort to the right of the play the ball that saw Rya Puru get the ball to within ten metres of the try line after commencing his run from thirty five metres from the try line.

Ray Puru also started from the bench in the 2023 School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Grand Final against Ipswich SHS and after coming onto the field to operate at fullback in the 21st minute Ray Puru turned the match in its head with a scintillating performance.

Ray Puru incredible second half included a try assist in the 38th minute when after receiving the ball down a short right blindside six metres from the try line Ray Puru double pumped a pass to his right to Sunny Kama who stepped inside his opposing winger to score in the right corner.

Ray Puru also recorded a line break in the 37th minute when Ray Puru came forward off his own try line to take an Ipswich SHS grubber kick on the fly ten metres from his own try line and burst past two Ipswich SHS chasers with Ray Puru running downfield to get the ball twelve metres inside Ipswich SHS territory.

Earlier in the 23rd minute Ray Puru ran the ball from a PBC SHS penalty tap restart to get the ball to the thirty two metre mark. Then after taking an Ipswich SHS kick on the full ten metres out from his own try line Ray Puru ran the ball to his left to get the ball out to the twenty six metre mark.

The 46th minute saw Rya Puru ran onto the ball to the right of the dummy half and get to within ten metres of the try line after initiating his run thirty one metres out. Also in the 50th minute from the left of the play the ball Ray Puru carried the ball from his own twenty metre mark to within five metres of the halfway mark.

Ray Puru rounded out an outstanding match in the 44th minute with a run from ten metres inside his own territory to ten metres into Ipswich SHs territory from the left of the play the ball once again.

At the conclusion of the Langer Cup Ray Puru was named on the bench in the 2023 Courier Mail School Boy Rugby League Langer Cup Team of the Year.

Ray Puru also started from the bench 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 and after coming onto the field in the 18th minute to play at fullback, Ray Puru once again turned the match on its head with a scintillating display.

It took just a few minutes after coming on, in the 19th minute for Ray Puru to make a line break when after running the ball out to the twenty metre mark for a tap restart, Ray Puru ran to his right and after getting on the outside of the St Patrick’s left winger, Ray Puru burst down the right touchline all of the way down to thirty metres from the try line.

Ray Puru made another line break in the 35th minute when from around forty metres out, Ray Puru ran onto a good inside ball from Zane Harrison and darted and stepped his way to within eight metres of the try line with Ray Puru then getting away a right arm off-load to his left with PBC SHS scoring from the next play.

Ray Puru made his third line break of the Queensland School Boy Final in the 58th minute when after picking up a dropped ball twenty two metres from his own try line Ray Puru broke four tackles, including a counter clockwise spin to break one tackle as Ray Puru got the ball to within thirty five metres of the try line.

In the 34th minute from the left of the play the ball Ray Puru was able to promote the ball from his own ten metre mark out to the twenty two metre mark on a good yardage carry. Then in the 46th minute from the right of the play the ball Ray Puru cut back to his left and he got the ball from twenty seven metres away from his own try lien to within five metres of the halfway mark.

Ray Puru also made a try saving tackle in the 49th minute when Ray Puru hit the St Patrick’s five eight on the try line on the right side of the field with Ray Puru initially holding up the five eight over the try line before forcing him back into the field of play.

Ray Puru also started from the bench in the NRL School Boy Rugby League Grand Final against Westfield Sports High with Ray Puru coming onto the field to play at fullback in the 15th minute.

In the 23rd minute Ray Puru collected a Westfield’s Sport High grubber kick in his own in-goal area after the ball had come off the post and was able to get the ball out of the in-goal under heavy pressure to the four metre mark. Then in the 38th minute after taking possession of the ball to the right of a PBC SHS scrum win Creedence Donovan ran the ball from ten metres out from his own try line to get the ball out to the twenty four metre mark.

At the end of the 2023 school boy rugby league season Ray Puru was eighth in the 2023 PBC SHS Craig Weston Medal with Ray Puru receiving four votes.

At the conclusion of the 2023 School Boy sporting season Ray Puru was named one of the top 2023 School Boy Rugby league talents by the Courier Mail.

In early September 2023 Ray Puru was named in the Queensland City U17 squad for their annual match against Queensland Country U17’s however Ray Puru did not appear in the match due to injury.

In early April 2023 Ray Puru was named in the Queensland Rugby League U17 Positional Skills Day squad.

In late January 2022 Ray Puru started at fullback for the Titans U16 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Sydney Bulldogs with one of Ray Puru’s best moment in the match coming in the 23rd minute when a kick return of his accounted for twenty two metres.

In early May 2022 Ray Puru also started at fullback 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 July 2022 Ray Puru 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.

In late September 2022 Ray Puru also started at fullback for the Titans U16’s in their annual Anthony Laffranchi Cup match against the Balmain Tigers with Ray Puru scoring in the 6th minute when he leapt over the Tigers defence to take a kick on the full to score.

In mid-December 2021 Ray Puru 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 October 2021 Ray Puru was named in the exciting and talented Burleigh Bears U16 Cyril Connell Cup squad.

Round One of the 2022 U16 Cyril Connell Cup saw Ray Puru named at fullback for the Burleigh Bears against the Tweed Heads Seagulls however he was a game day scratching from the match. Ray Puru was then named on the Bears extended bench for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies.

Ray Puru was then named to start at fullback for Round Three against the Norths Devils and had a solid first Cyril Connell Cup game of the season with his initial significant contribution coming in the 8th minute with a good run to the right of the dummy half with two left foot steps across field making seventeen metres before Ray Puru extended the ball by way of a right arm flick off-load.

Ray Puru showed his enthusiasm in the 26th minute when he came forward to take a hit-up to the right of the play the ball near mid-way. Ray Puru raced to the line dumping off one defender before off-loading to his right to Sam Stephenson.

Ray Puru also did well in the 29th minute when with Burleigh on the attack Ray Puru had to track back to twenty eight metres out after an errant pass to retrieve the ball. After taking possession Ray Puru ran to his left before executing a great right foot step to beat one Norths defender and got to just eight metres out from the line before he was brought down. Ray Puru was on his foot in a flash to execute a quick play the ball with Sam Stephenson scoring down a short left blindside as a result.

Ray Puru made a further strong run in the 43rd minute when he took a hit-up to the right of the play the ball receiving the ball twenty two metres from his own try line and getting the ball to thirty six metres away.

Ray Puru then continued at fullback in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and it only took six minutes of the match for Ray Puru to highlight his class when from a midfield Burleigh scrum win around twenty metres from the line, Ray Puru ran to his left getting on the outside of two defenders before drawing in the Wynnum Manly right winger and putting Izayah Petrichvich away down the left touchline, unfortunately Izayah Petrichvich lost the ball in a tackle just short of the try line.

Ray Puru produced a moment of brilliance in the 21st minute when he stood under a high ball almost on his own line with Ray Puru being smashed by two defenders as soon as his feet touched the ground but Ray Puru brilliantly was able to stay in the field of play. Ray Puru could have been excused for taking a moment but after Izayah Petrichvich ran the ball from Ray Puru’s play the ball, he stayed alive taking an off-load three metres for the line and exploding downfield getting the ball to twenty metres away from his own line.

Ray Puru made a further outstanding run in the 36th minute when he chimed into the Burleigh backline on the right, once again getting on the outside of the Wynnum Manly defensive line and racing away down the right touchline on a thirty metre run and then Ray Puru was able to get the ball back inside to Billy Wellard before being taken into touch around ten metres out from the right corner.

Then in the 57th minute Ray Puru was loitering in the centre of the ruck as the Bears were bringing the ball away from their own line and received an off-load just ten metres from his own line and burst sixteen metres downfield through the centre of the Wynnum Manly defensive line.

Ray Puru was also solid defensively including along with Amarni Wetini-Ngaropo and Anton Whaiapu he held the Wynnum Manly five eight over the try line in the 39th minute.

Ray Puru showcased his positioning and safe hands at fullback in the 49th minute when he made a great diving catch on a Seagulls long clearing kick close to the left touchline.

Ray Puru was named on the bench for the Bears opening 2022 trial against the Tweed Heads Seagulls and then started at fullback for Burleigh in their final 2022 trial against the Western Clydesdales operating on the left side of the field with Ray Puru chiming into the backline on the right side of the field in the 7th minute and after drawing in the Western Clydesdales winger put Sunny Kama over in the right corner.

Ray Puru also produced a great defensive effort in the 18th minute. The Clydesdales from a scrum win just ten metres out from their own line kicked deep, Ray Puru turned and chased and was easily leading everyone in the chase to the ball, Ray Puru copped a horror bounce when it bounced back right over his head into the arms of one of the Western Clydesdales chasers who then took off from near halfway. Ray Puru had to stop, turn 180 degrees and chase, comfortably reeling in the attacker near the twenty metre mark.

In late May 2022 Ray Puru also represented South Coast in the U18 QSSRL School Boy Championships.

Ray Puru returned to PBC State High School in 2022 starting Round One of the Langer Cup School Boy competition against Marsden SHS at fullback and produced a strong match which included a 25th minute try assist when whilst operating to the left of the play the ball Ray Puru threw a great cut-out pass to his left to put his left winger into space and dive over in the left corner.

Ray Puru’s first run of the match came in the 5th minute when he darted out of dummy half to his right to bring the ball away from his own try line. Ray Puru then did well in the 33rd minute when after taking a long clearing kick on the full thirty metres from his own try line he burst away down the left touchline before cutting inside to beat the Marsden SHS fullback but as the cover defence converged, unfortunately Ray Puru’s inside pass went to ground.

Ray Puru did exceptionally well in the 6th minute when he raced to his left and took a long Marsden SHS clearing kick on the full whilst sliding on his knees towards the right corner, Ray Puru was able to get to his feet and promote the ball downfield.

Ray Puru then started Round two against Redcliffe State High School at five eight and scored through a piece of individual brilliance in the 32nd minute when after receiving an off-load Ray Puru ran to his left before executing a brilliant left foot step to totally bamboozle the Redcliffe SHS defence and explode away to score ten metres to the right of the uprights.

After the mid-season break, Ray Puru started at fullback in Round Four of the Langer Reserve competition against Ipswich State High School and whilst Ray Puru did not get many opportunities to run the ball in the wet and heavy conditions at Tugun, Ray Puru had an outstanding match from a defensive perspective.

In the 29th minute Ray Puru was on the spot to hold up the hard charging Ipswich SHS left second rower (No. 12) mid-way between the goal posts and corner post on the right side of the field. Then in the 37th minute Ray Puru executed a great tackle on the Ipswich SHS No. 4 cutting him down near the right corner to save a certain try.

Ray Puru also started at fullback in Round Five against Mabel Park SHS with Ray Puru scoring in the 32nd minute when after receiving an off-load thirty eight metres out, Ray Puru immediately put in a great right foot chip over the on-rushing Mabel Park SHS fullback with Ray Puru racing through to retrieve his kick on the bounce and race away to score under the posts.

Ray Puru had chimed into the backline on the left side of the field in the 14th minute with Ray Puru then throwing the last pass to his left centre who crashed over to score in the corner.

Ray Puru continued at fullback in Round Six against local rivals Keebra Park SHS with Ray Puru scoring a great solo try in the 28th minute. Ray Puru received the ball on the left side of the field around nineteen metres out and cut back to his right before straightening up and breaking three tackles to dive over five metres to the left of the uprights.

Ray Puru also made a line break in the 18th minute when after taking a Keebra Park SHS clearing kick on the full ten metres out from his own try line, Ray Puru ran to his right getting on the outside of the Keebra Park SHS defensive line with Ray Puru flying forty metres down the right touchline.

Ray Puru did well defensively in the 14th minute when along with Will Saunders, Ray Puru held up the Keebra Park SHS hooker adjacent to the right upright.

Ray Puru continued at fullback in Round Seven against Wavell SHS with Ray Puru recording three try assists in a solid PBC SHS.

In many respects all three of Ray Puru’s try assists which came in the 2nd minute, 16th minute and 36th minute were similar both in terms of execution and also who Ray Puru set up to score. On each occasion Ray Puru received the ball on the left of either the play the ball or a PBC SHS scrum win and ran flat out to his left at the defensive line and on each occasion Ray Puru’s speed and running line meant that he got on the outside of his direct opponent and forced the Wavell SHS right winger to come in. As soon as the wing committed to Ray Puru he passed to his left to Creedence Donovan who raced over to score in the left corner.

One of Ray Puru’s try assists did stand out however in terms of the lead-up, when in the 16th minute Ray Puru made a great sixty metre line break from a kick return before off-loading to Creedence Donovan to score in the left corner.

Ray Puru almost scored himself in the 9th minute when Ray Puru received the ball from the back of a PBC SHS scrum win with Ray Puru receiving the ball twelve metres out and running to his right only to be brought down just short of the line near the right corner.

Ray Puru then started at fullback for PBC SHS in the 2022 Langer Reserve Semi-final against Keebra Park SHS with Ray Puru along with Will Saunders holding up the replacement Keebra Park SHS dummy half three metres to the right of the uprights after he had run out of dummy half from close range in the 23rd minute.

2022 also saw Ray Puru 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.

Ray Puru started at fullback for the Bears in their Week One Finals victory over Helensvale with Ray Puru the standout player on the field, scoring two tries and also recording a line break in the Bears hard fought win.

Ray Puru scored his first try of the Final in the 39th minute when on the left side of the field and forty five metres out Ray Puru flew through the gap between two defenders with Ray Puru then stepping off his left foot to beat the Helensvale fullback and race away to score ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Ray Puru added a second try in the 48th minute when Ray Puru exploded onto an off-load from Nayte Saaga forty five metres out from the try line with Ray Puru then stepping off his left foot to beat the Hornets fullback with Ray Puru diving over to score under heavy pressure next to the right upright.

Ray Puru also made a line break in the 13th minute when to the right of the play the ball and thirty five metres out from his own try line, Ray Puru burst between two defenders before drawing the Hornets fullback and got the ball away to his left to Jac Finnigan who was backing up on his inside.

In early June 2022 Ray Puru was named on the wing in the New Zealand Māori Tama U17 All-Tournament Team after playing for E Tu Heita Uri Ariki in the Tournament.

In May 2021 Ray Puru was part of the South Coast U15 QSSRL School Boy representative side, starting the Championship Final against Met West at fullback and scoring in the 31st minute of the Final.

In the 31st minute, Ray Puru looped around to the right behind Zane Harrison, receiving the ball thirty metres out and to put to simply from there Ray Puru was just too quick for the defence blowing through the defensive line and getting the ball down mid-way between the goal posts and right corner post.

Ray Puru would not even have been in a position to score had it not been for another outstanding play of his just a minute prior when he raced to his left to field a Met West attacking grubber kick twenty metres out from his own line. As soon as he took possession, Ray Puru headed back towards centre field before a left foot step took him back towards the right wing, breaking four tackles along the way and making twenty metres.

Ray Puru split the defensive line once again in the 39th minute when he ran onto the ball on the left side of the field, thirty metres out from the line, stepping off both feet to get to ten metres out when he off-loaded to his left to five eight Nayte Saaga who got to within two metres of the line before he offloaded to his left for Jett Bryce to dive over fifteen metres in from the left corner post.

Ray Puru showcased his elite footwork in the 18th minute of the Championship Final when he ran the ball to the right after a South Coast scrum win, stepping off his left foot on three separate occasions in his run that made fourteen metres.

Ray Puru recorded a Championship Final try assist in the 24th minute when he took the ball down a short right blindside ten metres out and popping a good ball to Jac Finnigan who crashed over in the right corner.

Ray Puru started at fullback on Day One of the Championships as South Coast took on Met West with Ray Puru producing a dazzlingly stepping run in the 20th minute when after receiving the ball from the back of a scrum on the right side of the field, Ray Puru produced a series of left foot steps across field, bamboozingly a number of defenders before off-loading to Zane Harrison.

Ray Puru showcased his ball playing ability in the 27th minute when he chimed into the backline on the right side of the field and put right centre Joseph Tupuse away on a thirty run down the right side of the field before he was able to off-load on his inside.

Day Two saw Ray Puru once again start at fullback against Capricornia recording a 39th minute line break when he exploded off the mark from forty metres out from his own line after receiving an off-load whilst standing still. Ray Puru simply exploded through the Capricornia defensive line and got to twenty metres out before being tackled high and justifiably was awarded a penalty.

Also in the 16th minute, Ray Puru made fourteen metres from a winding stepping run after receiving the ball from the dummy half, getting the ball out of his own twenty metre area.

In 2021 Ray Puru continued at PBC as part of the school’s Elite Rugby League Program and made an impressive start from fullback for the PBC Walters Cup side in their Round One 16 all draw against Ipswich State High School.

Ray Puru contributed a try assist to PBC’s cause in the 9th minute when he chimed into the PBC backline on the right side of the field, holding the ball until the last minute before throwing a flat cut-out ball to put his right winger over in the corner.

It was clear that Ray Puru stood a class apart in the match as early as the 3rd minute with his initial kick return of the match. Ray Puru tracked the ball to collect it in the right corner and moving to his left getting on the outside of two Ipswich SHS chasers to make twenty metres.

Ray Puru also started at fullback in Round Two against Forest Lake State High School and he was once again at his electric best contributing a try assist and two line breaks to PBC’s cause in their 28 – 6 victory.

Ray Puru’s try assist came in the 24th minute when after receiving an off-load from Jonah Beaven, Ray Puru drew the Forest Lake SHS right winger to send his left centre on an uninterrupted thirty five metre run to the try line.

Ray Puru made his first line break of the match in just the 2nd minute when he retrieved a Forest Lake SHS clearing kick, moving to his left before bursting down the left touchline making twenty four metres before being tackled and after his attempt at a quick play the ball was stifled he was awarded a penalty.

Ray Puru recorded another line break in the 35th minute when he ran the ball from a PBC scrum win on the left beating three defenders in a twenty metre run but just as he was being tackled the ball unfortunately came loose.

Ray Puru also started at fullback in Round Three against Coombabah State High School, recording two a try assists. Ray Puru recorded his first try assist in the 44th minute when he collected the ball ten metres from his own try line and ran to his right and literally ran around the Coombabah SHS left side defence, racing seventy five metres down the right touchline before drawing the fullback and passing to his left to Zane Harrison who raced away to score under the posts.

Ray Puru recorded his second try assist in the 47th minute, when Will Saunders darted out of dummy half down a short right blindside ten metres from the line, drawing a defender before getting the ball away to Zane Harrison who threw an out the back pass to Ray Puru who put his right winger in the corner.

Ray Puru also had a very solid match from fullback in Round Four against Marsden State High School and was also solid in Round Five against Keebra Park SHS after once again starting at fullback against PBC’s traditional rivals.

Ray Puru was at his dominating best from fullback in Round Six against Redcliffe State High School scoring a first half hat trick with the three tries coming in a six minute burst. Literally Ray Puru wreaked havoc every time that he touched the ball.

Ray Puru scored his opening try in the 19th minute after receiving the ball on the left side of the field, twenty two metres from the line and was simply too quick, easily slicing through the Redcliffe right sided defence to score five metres in from the left corner.

Ray Puru added his second try in the 22nd minute with the try once again coming on the left side of the field. After he received the ball nineteen metres from the line, Ray Puru cut off his left foot to beat one defender and then cut back inside to beat a second before carrying a third defender over the line to get the ball down five metres in from the left corner post.

Ray Puru competed his hat trick in the 25th minute, and this time he scored on the right side of the field after he received the ball twenty five metres out. After receiving the ball, Ray Puru ran to his right beating one defender with a left arm fend and from there Ray Puru outpaced the Redcliffe cover defence to score in the right corner.

Ray Puru also started at fullback (although he played some left wing in the second half) in the final round after the Covid 19 lockdown was lifted against Wavell State High School, scoring twice as PBC qualified for the final.

Ray Puru’s opening try came in the 38th minute when he crossed in the left corner after some good work on his inside. Ray Puru completed his double in the 45th minute when he found space down the left touchline, initially receiving the ball just inside his own territory. When Ray Puru came to the Wavell SHS winger who had dropped back, Ray Puru chipped over the top and after the ball had taken a wicked bounce, Ray Puru retrieved the ball and raced out to get the ball down mid-way between the corner post and goal posts on the left side of the field.

Ray Puru almost scored another try in the match when he chased through a mid-field bomb that was put up by Zane Harrison. The Wavell SHS fullback let the ball bounce and Ray Puru raced through to regather the ball but was eventually tackled ten metres out from the try line.

Ray Puru also started at fullback in PBC’s semi-final victory over Wavell State High School and produced a great solo try for PBC.

In the 35th minute Ray Puru flew onto an off-load around the halfway mark, immediately cutting towards the left wing. Ray Puru was chased by the Wavell SHS fullback who got to Ray Puru just short of the line. Ray Puru however was not held and immediately got to his feet and dive over to score three metres in from the left corner post.

Ray Puru had made an earlier line break in the 11th minute when from a kick return, he ran to his left making twenty metres down the left touchline before being rounded up.

Whilst Ray Puru was outstanding running the ball, he was also solid defensively including in the 46th minute with the game still on the line, Ray Puru was involved in holding up the Wavell SHS fullback.

The 2021 Walters Cup Grand Final against Keebra Park SHS saw Ray Puru named to start on the right wing scoring twice in the first half as PBC SHS won the Grand Final 30 – 12. Whilst he started the match on the right wing, Ray Puru moved to fullback for portions in the second half of the Grand Final and was equally effective in both positions when he alternated with Creedence Donovan.

Ray Puru scored his first try of the Grand Final in the 9th minute when he was on the end of a PBC SHS backline movement from a scrum win inside the Keebra park SHS twenty metre area with Ray Puru diving over in the right corner untouched.

Ray Puru’s second try was a great individual effort in the 21st minute. Ray Puru received the ball whilst stationary around twelve metres from the line, right on the touchline. Ray Puru darted inside a fraction before exploding down the right touchline, reaching out to get the ball down with his right arm in the right corner under heavy pressure from the Keebra Park SHS cover defence.

The talented Titans contracted PBC student started on the right wing for the 2020 PBC Hancock Cup School Boy Grand Final side that went down in heart breaking fashion 26 – 24 to Marsden State High School who kicked a penalty goal after the final siren.

Ray Puru scored an impressive double in the match with the first of his two tries coming early in the second half when he produced an outstanding in and away to beat the Marsden left winger down the blind side to dive over in the right corner. The play appeared to be a set move from the back of a scrum with Will Saunders picking up the ball from the back of a scrum ten metres out before getting it quickly and early to Ray Puru to turn his speed and elusiveness into an outstanding try.

Ray Puru’s second try came late in the match when his scintillating speed was on display once again. Ray Puru was on the end of a PBC backline movement starting in their own territory. Ray Puru had to back track to take the long pass to his wing around eighty five metres out from the Marsden SHS line. When he spun around after collecting the ball Ray Puru exploded down the right touch line beating the initial desperate Marsden defenders with sheer pace. To beat the fullback Ray Puru produced and outstanding left arm fend and then was able to dive over ten metres in from the right corner post to level the scores at 24 all.

Ray Puru also scored in Round Four against Forest Lake State High School when he crossed in the left corner untouched from ten metres out after some good work in his inside by hooker Will Saunders. The second half of the match also saw Ray Puru make an outstanding run after fielding a kick off. Ray Puru took the ball near the right touch line bring the ball towards the centre of the field before stepping off his left foot to beat the initial defensive line before he was brought down after a thirty metre effort.

Ray Puru also scored in Round Three against Coombabah State High School when he was on hand to get the ball down in the right corner after diving full stretch to get his hands on the ball after the Coombabah left side defence misjudged a PBC kick to the wing, allowing Ray Puru to get to the ball just before it went touch in goal.

In early October 2020 Ray Puru 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 with the players wearing Titans jerseys for the match.

Ray Puru’s speed plays very well on a rugby league field and he is exceptionally quick down the sidelines with a good in and away to beat defenders on the outside and will not get caught from behind if he gets into open space.

In addition to his speed Ray Puru seems to have the ability to “freeze” his direct opponent with his ability to step off both feet before accelerating around them usually on the touchline side although his situational awareness and innate understanding of where the touch line is means that he understands when he should cut back inside thus not to risk being forced into touch.

I really like the way that Ray Puru runs at full speed regardless of the situation. When he has made a break Ray Puru runs at the full back at full pace and does not look to be too cute by trying to out think the opposing fullback. By running at speed directly at the fullback, Ray Puru, not only stops the lateral momentum of the fullback but also reduces the time that the fullback has to make a decision on how to defend against Ray Puru.

Like most of the modern day fullbacks Ray Puru also has the ability to find the try line in some unlikely situations where it appears that there is no way he could possibly get the ball down without going into touch. His straight line speed would be considered plus, Ray Puru is just incredibly quick both off the mark and when he is in motion.

Ray Puru has very good hands low to the ground on grubber kicks or when defenders drop bombs and uses his reach to get to the ball quickly before defenders. Ray Puru will also chase general play kicks with vigour trying to improve the effectiveness of his teams kicking game as well as gaining better field position for his team as the opposition are forced to use up tackles to get out of their own territory.

Ray Puru just seems to have the uncanny ability to take advantage of even the most remote opportunity to score, which ultimately is a trait that is naturally occurring rather than a process or mindset that can be taught or developed in any significant way.

In addition Ray Puru is also deceptively effective running out of dummy half trying to gain field position when bringing the ball out of their own territory. Normally running to the right of the play the ball (Ray Puru is a left winger to be fair), Ray Puru just seems to almost always make the initial defender miss.

In terms of running the ball back from kicks, similarly Ray Puru just seems to make the initial defender miss often. What I also like in terms of kick returns is that Ray Puru does not jog after the ball, thus allowing the defence to converge, Ray Puru sprints after the ball to collect it and then makes an immediate decision whether to look to run around the defensive line if it is a short line or is staggered or just run the ball directly into the defensive line to make as much ground as possible.

Defensively one area that Ray Puru has impressed me is his ability to defend against any size opponent, from small quick opposing outside backs to big strong powerful centres or backrowers running wider of the ruck in his direction.

Ray Puru seemingly has more strength that his size and body shape would dictate, and he uses this strength to move up and hit just under the ribcage, redirecting the momentum of the ball carrier and thus eliminating the attacking threat in the short term.

When he is outnumbered from a defensive perspective, Ray Puru has the ability to mirror the movement of the attacker with the ball and hold off committing to the tackle, thus forcing the attacker to commit to a course of action (either run the ball themselves or draw Ray Puru and pass.

This attribute of Ray Puru’s puts the pressure back onto the attacker and puts Ray Puru in a far better position to negate the paly himself or at the very least buys Ray Puru’s team mates time to come across in cover defence. Ray Puru is just a smart defender in all types of situations and that holds him in very good stead into the future.

Regardless of where and how he defends Ray Puru sets a good base and uses his leg strength to direct his strength through the core of his body into his opponent. Ray Puru just intuitively knows how to defend from a timing and technique perspective and rarely loses contact with the attacker once he has engaged them defensively.

Ray Puru uses this contact to redirect the momentum of the attacker towards the touch line. Ray Puru also gets low and this is able to get underneath any fend that is looking to hold Ray Puru off from him initiating contact with the body of his opponent and thus further disrupt his momentum.

Ray Puru will start the 2025 season as a member of the Tweed Heads Seagulls U19 MM Cup squad after transferring from the Burleigh Bears.

Even though he spent time on the wing in 2020 and 2021 Ray Puru seems destined to end up as a lightning quick elusive fullback with more than enough ball playing skills to play as a second receiver in attack on either side of the field when either he chimes into the backline or Ray Puru lines up on a particular side of the field to ensure that his team has a ball player on either side of the ruck.

From an NRL player comparison perspective for Ray Puru, think along the lines of former North Queensland Cowboys and Queensland State of Origin fullback Matt Bowen as a fullback with exceptional pace and footwork who is also courageous when it comes to defending against kicks and his defensive duties.

Both have Ray Puru and Matt Bowen have strength and courage that belie their size and both just have an amazing knack of finding the try line on a regular basis as well as making the impossible look routine, something that Ray Puru did on a number of occasions in 2023. I believe however that based on my observation, Ray Puru has considerably more straight line speed as the former North Queensland and Queensland State of Origin fullback.