Junior Development

[mdrew]

In October 2022 Jakequan Roberts-Walsh was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad after a strong 2022 campaign in the Northern New South Wales Group One U15 Junior Rugby League competition with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh part of the Northern Rivers Titans squad that played the Tweed Heads Seagulls CC Cup squad in a trial at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh spending time on the left wing.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh has been named to start on the left wing in Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters this weekend.

In 2022 Jakequan Roberts-Walsh played for Lismore Marist in the Group One U15 competition with the young half scoring fifteen tries and kicking seven goals in finish with an individual points haul of seventy four points.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scored a staggering five tries in Round Eight against the South Grafton Rebels. Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also scored doubles in Round One against the Ballina Seagulls, Round Eleven against the Clarence Coast Magpies, Round Fourteen against the South Grafton Rebels and in Week One of the Finals against the Grafton Ghosts. Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also scored in Round Five against the Kyogle Turkeys and Round Twelve against Clarence Coast.

From a goal kicking perspective Jakequan Roberts-Walsh kicked three conversions in Round One against Ballina and kicked two conversions in Round Fourteen against South Grafton.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh finished the 2022 Group One U15 season as the competition’s equal 3rd leading try scorer with fifteen tries and also finished as the competition’s equal 5th leading points scorer with seventy four points from those fifteen tries as well as seven conversions.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also played for Marist in the 2021 Group One U14 competition with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh once again playing at halfback with Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scoring ten tries and kicked one conversion (Round Thirteen against South Grafton) in the Covid 19 impacted season.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh scored doubles in Rounds Three, Five and Eight against Casino RSM, Kyogle and Clarence Coast respectively. Jakequan Roberts-Walsh also scored in Round Two against Ballina, Round Ten against Casino RSM, Round Twelve against Kyogle and Round Thirteen against South Grafton.

Jakequan Roberts-Walsh finished the 2021 Group One U14 season as the competition’s equal 8th leading try scorer with ten tries and also finished as the competition’s equal 13th leading points scorer with forty two points.

[mdrew]

In October 2022 Owen Woods was named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 Andrew Johns Cup squad with Own Wood’s first match in 2023 coming in the Northern Rivers Titans Andrew Johns Cup first trial against the North Coast Bulldogs in Coffs Harbour.

Owen Woods was named to start on the Northern Rivers Titans extended bench for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters this weekend.

2022 saw Owen Woods play for the Mullumbimby Giants in the Group 18 U15 competition with Owen Woods being awarded the 2022 Mullumbimby Giants U15 Players Player Award at the Mullumbimby Giants annual presentation.

In early December 2021 Owen Woods played in a Titans U14 Group 18 Development Squad Trial in Northern New South Wales against a Titans U14 Group One Academy squad with both sides wearing Titan’s jerseys in the trial.

Owen Woods played the 2022 season with the Mullumbimby Giants in the Group 18 U15 competition.

In 2021 Owen Woods played for the Mullumbimby Giants in the Group 18 U14 competition, being named the 2021 Murwillumbah Colts Group 18 U14 Best Back.

In the 2021 Group 18 U14 competition the Mullumbimby Giants won two of their nine matches, scoring 156 points and conceding 276 to finish with a points deferential of -120.

Owen Woods also played for the Mullumbimby Giants in the Group 18 U13 competition being named the 2020 Murwillumbah Colts Group 18 U13 Best Back.

[mdrew]

Great to see Corey Thompson join the Keebra Park SHS Rugby League Academy in 2023 as a specialst coach.

[mdrew]

2022 Group One Junior Rugby League Grafton Ghosts U15 hooker Cooper Armfield-Stevens has been named in the 2023 Northern Rivers Titans U16 New South Wales Country Andrew Johns Cup squad with Cooper Armfield-Stevens part of the Northern Rivers Titans squad that played the Tweed Heads Seagulls CC Cup squad in a trial at Burleigh Juniors as part of the Titans Annual Super Saturday series of matches.

Cooper Armfield-Stevens has been named on the Northern Rivers Titans extended bench for Round Two against the Central Coast Roosters this weekend.

Playing for the Ghosts at hooker in the 2022 Northern New South Wales Group One U15 competition Cooper Armfield Stevens scored four tries including a double in Round Twelve against the Kyogle Turkeys. Cooper Armfield-Stevens also scored in Rounds Eight and Nine against Kyogle once again and the Clarence Coast Magpies respectively.

2022 also saw Cooper Armfield named in the U15 North Coast School Boy Rugby League Representative side out of Grafton High School.

In 2021 Cooper Armfield-Stevens played for the South Grafton Rebels in the Group One U14 competition with Cooper Armfield-Stevens playing at lock with Cooper Armfield-Stevens scoring forty two points from eight tries and five conversions.

Cooper Armfield-Stevens scored two tries in Round Six against the Kyogle Turkeys and Round Seven against Lismore Marist. Cooper Armfield-Stevens also scored in Round Two against the Clarence Coast Magpies, Round Four against the Ballina Seagulls, Round Eight against Casino RSM and Round Thirteen against Lismore Marist once again.

[mdrew]

Jayden Campbell has been named at fullback for the Titans NRL side in their opening 2023 trial against the Brisbane Bronco’s on the Sunshine Coast

Round One of the 2022 NRL competition saw Jayden Campbell start at fullback for the Titans against the Parramatta Eels. Playing the entire eighty minutes Jayden Campbell ran for eighty five metres (thirty one post contact), had a line break assist, broke an equal team leading seven tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.98 seconds and made three tackles.

Jayden Campbell also started at fullback in Round Two against the New Zealand Warriors in the Titans first home game of 2022 with Jayden Campbell recording a 14th minute try assist when on the right side of the field he threw a long cut out pass to his right to put Greg Marzhew over for the first of his two tries.

In his eighty minutes on the field Jayden Campbell ran for 146 metres (thirty six post contact), had a line break assist, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.23 seconds and made eight tackles.

Jayden Campbell then continued at fullback in Round Three away to the Canberra Raiders. Playing seventy seven metres Jayden Campbell ran for eighty eight metres (sixteen post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.79 metres and made one tackle.

Unfortunately a rib injury that Jayden Campbell suffered in the final minutes against the Raiders ruled him out until Round Seven when Jayden Campbell was named on the Titans NRL extended bench against the North Queensland Cowboys as well as in Round Eight against the Penrith Panthers and Round Nine against the Sydney Roosters.

Jayden Campbell returned to the Titans NRL side, starting at fullback in Round Ten being the NRL Magic Round against the St George Dragons.

In a Player of the match performance Jayden Campbell played the entire ninety minutes, running for a team leading and match leading 266 metres (forty nine post contact), made a line break from a great kick return, broke an unbelievable team leading thirteen tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.84 seconds and made two tackles.

Jayden Campbell also started at fullback in Round Eleven against the Cronulla Sharks and in his eighty minutes on the field Jayden Campbell ran for a team leading 165 metres (sixty post contact), recorded a line break assist and try assist, broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.66 seconds and made ten tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Jayden Campbell continued at fullback in the Round Twelve local derby against the Brisbane Bronco’s scoring in the first half when he sliced through the Bronco’s lien to score wide out on the left.

Playing all eighty minutes Jayden Campbell ran for 135 metres (thirty nine post contact), made a line break, broke two tackles played the ball at an average speed of 2.88 seconds and made eight tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.88%.

Jayden Campbell also started at fullback in Round Thirteen against the North Queensland Cowboys but unfortunately had to come off after fifty nine minutes with a hamstring injury. In those minutes Jayden Campbell ran for 132 metres (twenty four post contact), broke six tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.03 seconds and made four tackles.

After missing multiple rounds Jayden Campbell started from the bench in Round Nineteen against the Canterbury Bulldogs. Playing the final thirty one minutes of the match at fullback, Jayden Campbell ran for eighty three metres (twenty five post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.07 seconds and made four tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Jayden Campbell continued off the bench in Round Twenty against the Canberra Raiders with Jayden Campbell scoring the final two Titans tries.

The first of Jayden Campbell’s tries came in the 56th minute when he backed up a line break by Beau Fermor to score under the posts. Jayden Campbell scored his second try in the 79th minute when once again he backed up a line break by Beau Fermor to once again score under the posts.

Playing forty three minutes, Jayden Campbell ran for eighty six metres (nineteen post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 2.72 seconds and made seven tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Jayden Campbell moved back into the Titans starting side at fullback in Round Twenty One against the Melbourne Storm.

Playing the entire eighty minutes of the match Jayden Campbell ran for 113 metres (thirty one post contact), broke seven tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.77 seconds and made nine tackles at a tackling efficiency of 81.82%.

Jayden Campbell continued at fullback in Round Twenty Two against the Manly Sea Eagles and in his eighty minutes on the field Jayden Campbell ran for 155 metres (thirty four post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.67 seconds and made six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 85.71%.

Jayden Campbell also started at fullback in Round Twenty Three against the St George Dragons and whilst playing all eighty minutes of the match Jayden Campbell ran for a team leading 238 metres (sixty four post contact), broke seven tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.14 seconds and made five tackles.

Jayden Campbell also started at fullback in Round Twenty Four against the Newcastle Knights with Hayden Campbell recording try assists for David Fifita in the 11th minute and Greg Marzhew from a grubber kick in the 32nd minute.

Playing sixty seven minutes Jayden Campbell ran for 125 metres (thirty two post contact), had a line break assist, played the ball at an average speed of 2.71 seconds and made nine tackles.

Jayden Campbell also started at fullback in the final round of the 2022 NRL Premiership season, being Round Twenty Five against the New Zealand Warrior with Jayden Campbell scoring a slashing try under the posts in the 73rd minute of the Titans Gold Points 27 -26 victory.

Playing all eighty four minutes Jayden Campbell ran for a team leading 220 metres (sixty seven post contact), broke eight tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.21 seconds and made eight tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In the 2022 NRL competition Jayden Campbell played in fourteen matches, scoring four tries, recoding four try assists, made four line breaks, broke seventy two tackles, made eighty four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 85.7% and ran for 2 067 metres at an average of 147 metres per match.

Jayden Campbell started the Titans first 2022 NRL trial against the Brisbane Bronco’s at Cbus Stadium at fullback and in his forty metres on the field Jayden Campbell ran for eighty three metres (eight post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.93 secodns and made four tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Jayden Campbell also was named to start at fullback in the Titans second and final 2022 trial in Redcliffe against the New Zealand Warriors however the match was abandoned due to poor weather conditions.

[mdrew]

Toby Sexton has been named at five eight for the Titans NRL side in their opening 2023 trial against the Brisbane Bronco’s on the Sunshine Coast

Round One of the 2022 NRL competition saw Toby Sexton start at halfback for the Titans against the Parramatta Eels. Playing all eighty minutes, in addition to kicking four conversions from five attempts Toby Sexton ran for thirty seven metres (eight post contact) had a line break assist, played the ball at an average speed of 3.41 seconds made fifteen tackles and kicked on eleven occasions for 280 metres.

Toby Sexton also had a 23rd minute try assist when he threw a long cut-out pass to his left which put Brian Kelly over in the left corner.

Toby Sexton also started at halfback in Round Two against the New Zealand Warriors in the Titans first home game of 2022 kicking two conversions from four attempts in the Titans 20 – 18 victory.

Playing the entire eighty minutes Toby Sexton ran for 111 metres (twelve post contact), broke two tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.36 tackles, made twenty six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 89.66% and kicked on fourteen occasions for 407 metres and also forced two line drop-outs.

Toby Sexton also started at halfback in Round Three away to the Canberra Raiders and kicked three conversions from four attempts. Playing the entire match, Toby Sexton ran for fifty seven metres (ten post contact), recorded a try assist for Beau Fermor, a line break assist for David Fifita, broke four tackles in a touch run that saw him held up over the line adjacent to the left upright, played the ball at an average speed of 3.12 seconds, made eighteen tackles and kicked on eleven occasions making 361 metres.

Toby Sexton continued at halfback in Round Four against the Wests Tigers, kicking a first half penalty goal and then with less than a minute to go converted AJ Brimson’s bizarre try to give the Titans an 8 – 6 victory.

Toby Sexton was also awarded a try assist for his 79th minute kick that hit the left goal post on the full and was then lost by the Wests Tigers for AJ Brimson to score the only try of the match.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match Toby Sexton ran for fifty three metres (twelve post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.77 seconds, made seventeen tackles and kicked on seven occasions making 140 metres.

Toby Sexton also started at halfback in Round Five against the Parramatta Eels, kicking two conversions from four attempts with another conversion hitting the posts. One of Toby Sexton’s successful conversions was from the right touchline to convert David Fifita’s unbelievable 66th minute try.

In his eighty minutes on the field Toby Sexton ran for thirty seven metres (ten post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.17 seconds, made fourteen tackles and kicked on eleven occasions, accounting for 398 metres.

Toby Sexton continued at halfback in Round Six against the Manly Sea Eagles and kicked one conversion from four attempts but two of the misses hit the post with both of those conversions being kicked from each touchline.

Playing all eighty minutes, Toby Sexton ran for seventy nine metres (six post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.78 seconds and made seventeen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 89.47%.

Toby Sexton also started at halfback in Round Seven against the North Queensland Cowboys once again playing all eighty minutes of the match. In those minutes Toby Sexton ran for five metres, played the ball at an average speed of 2.86 seconds, made eleven tackles and kicked on ten occasions accounting for 298 metres.

Toby Sexton also started at halfback in Round Eight against the Penrith Panthers. Once again playing all eighty minutes Toby Sexton ran for forty one metres (eleven post contact), broke a tackle played the ball at an average speed of 3.88 seconds, made thirteen tackles and kicked on twelve occasions for 255 metres.

Toby Sexton continued at halfback in Round Nine against the Sydney Roosters with Toby Sexton kicking two goals from four attempts with one of his misses hitting the post.

In his eighty minutes on the field Toby Sexton ran for ninety three metres (eighteen post contact), made a line break, broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.57 seconds, made fourteen tackles and kicked on eight occasions accounting for 187 metres.

Toby Sexton continued at halfback in Round Ten being the NRL Magic Rounds against the St George Dragons. Playing all ninety minutes Toby Sexton ran for thirty four metres (eleven post contact), recorded a line break assist and a try assist, played the ball at an average speed of 3.55 seconds, made twenty three tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.46% and kicked on nineteen occasions for 544 metres as well as forcing four line drop outs.

Toby Sexton also started at halfback in Round Eleven against the Cronulla Sharks and in his eighty minutes on the field Toby Sexton ran for fifty metres (eleven post contact), recorded a try assist, broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.9 seconds, made thirty two tackles at a 88.89% and kicked on fifteen occasions for 365 metres.

Toby Sexton continued at halfback in the Round Twelve local derby against the Brisbane Bronco’s contributing three first half try assist, two with short kicks with the outside of his right foot and a great long cut out pass to his left to put Cory Thompson.

Playing forty nine minutes Toby Sexton ran for thirty six metres (four post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 4.52 seconds, made fourteen tackles and kicked on nine occasions for 282 metres.

Toby Sexton also started at halfback in Round Thirteen against the North Queensland Cowboys with Toby Sexton scoring in the 15th minute diving over on the left side of the field after receiving an off-load from AJ Brimson.

Playing the entire eighty minutes Toby Sexton ran for forty three metres (nine post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 4.23 seconds, made twenty three tackles and kicked on eighteen occasions making 418 metres.

Toby Sexton continued at halfback in Round Fourteen against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs a threw the long cut out pass to Greg Marzhew for his early first half try.

Playing the entire eighty minutes Toby Sexton ran for sixty two metres (twelve post contact), broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.76 seconds and made twenty six tackles.

Toby Sexton also started at halfback in Round Fifteen against the Cronulla Sharks and in his eight minutes, Toby Sexton ran for sixty two metres (one post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 4.28 seconds and made eleven tackles.

Toby Sexton continued at halfback in Round Sixteen against the Newcastle Knights and whilst playing all eighty minutes, made twenty tackles at a tackling efficiency of 95.24% and kicked on eleven occasions to make 347 metres.

Toby Sexton also started at halfback in Round Eighteen against the Brisbane Bronco’s with Toby Sexton recording a try assist in the 28th minute after he put in a grubber kick to the left of the uprights for Tannah Boyd to chase through to dive on the ball in the in-goal ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match, Toby Sexton ran for sixty metres, played the ball at an average speed of 3.32 seconds, made twenty six tackles at a 92.86% tackling efficiency, forced three drop-outs and kicked on nineteen occasions making 599 metres.

Toby Sexton also started at halfback in Round Nineteen against the Canterbury Bulldogs scoring one try, setting out two more and kicking three conversions. Toby Sexton scored in the 9th minute when he followed through an Aaron Booth grubber into the in-goal out of dummy half for Toby Sexton to ground the ball next to the right upright.

Both of Toby Sexton’s try assists were similar. On both occasions, in the 38th minute for David Fifita to score and in the 52nd minute for Phillip Sami, Toby Sexton put in a right foot grubber kick into the in-goal.

Playing all eighty minutes, Toby Sexton ran for sixty six metres, played the ball at an average speed of 3.34 seconds, made twenty four tackles at an 88.89% tackling efficiency and kicked on sixteen occasions accounting for 340 metres.

Toby Sexton continued at halfback in Round Twenty against the Canberra Raiders with Toby Sexton kicking four conversions from as many attempts. Playing all eighty minutes, Toby Sexton ran for twenty two metres (two pot contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.74 seconds, made eight tackles and kicked on eight occasions for 264 metres.

In total in the 2022 NRL competition Toby Sexton played in nineteen matches scoring two tries and kicking twenty five goals (62.5% conversion rate) to finish with fifty eight points). Toby Sexton also forced twenty three line drop-outs, kicked for an average of 360.4 metres per match, recorded nine try assists and five line break assists, made 355 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 82.8% and ran for 954 metres at an average of fifty metres per match.

Toby Sexton started the Titans first 2022 NRL trial against the Brisbane Bronco’s at Cbus Stadium at five eight playing the opening half in the match.

Toby Sexton scored in just the 1oth minute of the match when he charged onto the ball from around ten metres out to crash over next to the left upright. Toby Sexton then stepped up to convert his own try. Toby Sexton kicked another rconverion in the 21st minute to covert Tremain Spry’s opening try from the left touchline.

In total in his forty minute on the field Toby Sexton ran for twenty two metres, played the ball at am average speed of 3.48 seconds and made ten tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

Toby Sexton also was named to start at halfback in the Titans second and final 2022 trial in Redcliffe against the New Zealand Warriors however the match was abandoned due to the poor weather conditions.

Round Nineteen of the 2022 Queensland Cup competition saw Toby Sexton start at halfback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against the Townsville Blackhawks with Toby Sexton scoring in the 2nd minute when he received the ball two passes to the right of a Tweed Heads scrum win near the centre of the field and after he received the ball Toby Sexton continued to run to his right, dummying to his right before getting over the try line five metres in from the right corner post.

Playing all eighty minutes Toby Sexton ran for sixty five metres (eight post contact), broke a tackle played the ball at an average speed of 4.59 seconds and made fifteen tackles.

Toby Sexton continued at halfback in Round Twenty against the Easts Tigers and whilst playing the entire eighty minutes Toby Sexton ran for forty four metres (seven post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.73 seconds and made nineteen tackles.

Toby Sexton started at halfback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls in their Queensland Cup Week One Final against the Easts Tigers. In his eighty minutes on the field Toby Sexton ran for eighty six metres (seventeen post contact), recorded two try assists and two line break assists, broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 2.53 seconds and made fourteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 87.5%.

Toby Sexton also started at halfback in Week Two of the Finals against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Toby Sexton scoring in the 25th minute when he backed up a line break from Tremain Spry to receive the ball fifteen metres out and bring the ball around to score under the posts.

Playing all eighty three minutes Toby Sexton ran for 165 metres (thirteen post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.74 seconds and made sixteen tackles.

Toby Sexton’s performance was strong enough that he was named at halfback in the Queensland Rugby League Week Two Finals Team of the Week.

In total in the 2022 Queensland Cup competition Toby Sexton played in four matches scoring twice. Toby Sexton also forced three line drop-outs, kicked for an average of 204.8 metres per game, recorded two try assist and three line break assists, made sixty four tackles at a tackling efficiency of 84.2% and ran for 362 metres at an average of ninety metres per match.

[Homer.J.]

Looking forward to watching J.R.W tomorrow. The young fella did some freakish things in the trial games and is absolute greased lightning at training.

[mdrew]

Tannah Boyd has been named at halfback for the Titans NRL side in their opening 2023 trial against the Brisbane Bronco’s on the Sunshine Coast

Round One of the 2022 NRL competition saw Tannah Boyd initially named on the Titans extended bench for their match against the Parramatta Eels however late in the week Tannah Boyd moved into the Titans seventeen to start from the bench after AJ Brimson was ruled out.

When he came on Tannah Boyd played twenty four minutes in the dummy half role running for twelve metres (two post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 2.24 seconds and made thirteen tackles.

Round Two against the New Zealand Warriors saw Tannah Boyd move back to the Titans extended bench. After missing a number of weeks as a result of a broken jaw, Tannah Boyd was named on the Titans NRL extended bench for Round Six against the Manly Sea Eagles and also in Round Seven against the North Queensland Cowboys.

Tannah Boyd then made his return to the Titans side in Round Eight when he was named on the bench against the Penrith Panthers coming on in the second half to play twenty two minutes in the dummy half role.

In his twenty two minutes on the field Tannah Boyd ran for five metres (one post contact), played the ball at a speed of 3.64 seconds and made ten tackles at a tackling efficiency of 90.91%.

Tannah Boyd was also named on the bench for Round Nine against the Sydney Roosters coming on in the second half to play in the dummy half role. In his twenty seven minutes on the field Tannah Boyd ran for eighteen metres (three post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 2.6 seconds and made twelve tackles.

Tannah Boyd continued off the bench in Round Ten being the NRL Magic Rounds against the St George Dragons, playing thirty one minutes in the dummy half role and recording a late try assist for Jarrod Wallace to score to send the match into golden points.

In his time on the field Tannah Boyd ran for fifty eight metres (nineteen post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.17 seconds and made seventeen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 94.44%.

Tannah Boyd also started from the bench in Round Eleven against the Cronulla Sharks and in his twenty four minutes in the dummy half role Tannah Boyd ran for nineteen metres (three post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.68 seconds and made sixteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.89%.

Tannah Boyd continued off the bench in the Round Twelve local derby against the Brisbane Bronco’s coming on late in the first half to play at halfback before transitioning to the dummy half role in the second half.

Playing forty eight minutes Tannah Boyd made twenty three tackles at a tackling efficiency of 88.46% and kicked on two occasions making sixty six metres.

Tannah Boyd also started from the bench in Round Thirteen against the North Queensland Cowboys playing thirty nine minutes in the dummy half role. In those minutes Tannah Boyd ran for twenty eight metres (four post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.84 seconds and made twenty one tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.3%.

Tannah Boyd continued off the bench in Round Fourteen against the Souths Sydney Rabbitohs and recorded a try assist in the 48th minute when from close range Tannah Boyd threw a good short ball to his left to put Tino Fa'asuamaleaui over the first of the Titans captains two tries.

Playing thirty six minutes in the dummy half role Tannah Boyd ran for twenty five metres (seven post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.48 seconds and made nineteen tackles.

Tannah Boyd also started from the bench in Round Fifteen against the Cronulla Sharks playing forty six minutes in the dummy half role, running for thirteen metres (two post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.28 seconds and made twenty six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.86%.

Tannah Boyd continued off the bench in Round Sixteen against the Newcastle Knights a recorded a try assist in the 57th minute when he threw a long cut out pass to his left to put Greg Marzhew over in the left corner.

Playing thirty three minutes in the dummy half role Tannah Boyd made seventeen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 94.44%.

Tannah Boyd then moved to start at five eight in Round Eighteen against the Brisbane Bronco’s with Tannah Boyd scoring in the 28th minute after he chased through a Toby Sexton grubbed kick to dive on the ball in the in-goal ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match, Tannah Boyd ran for seventy seven metres (eleven post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.78 seconds and made twenty tackles.

Tannah Boyd also started at five eight in Round Nineteen against the Canterbury Bulldogs recording a try assist in the 57th minute when a cross kick from the left side of the field was taken on the full by Patrick Herbert in the in-goal.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match including a stint in the dummy half role in the second half, Tannah Boyd ran for twenty three metres, played the ball at an average speed of 5.14 seconds, made twenty tackles at a tackling efficiency of 90.91% and kicked on two occasions, making twenty three metres.

Tannah Boyd continued at five eight in Round Twenty against the Canberra Raiders with Tannah Boyd scoring a try and setting up another.

Tannah Boyd scored in the 39th minute when from eight metres out Tannah Boyd ran to his left out of dummy half to score adjacent to the right upright.

Tannah Boyd’s try assist came in the 12th minute with a deft right foot grubber whilst running to his right with the ball sitting up for Brian Kelly to score.

Playing all eighty minutes Tannah Boyd ran for fifty metres (six post contact), broke a tackle, played the ball at an average speed of 3.74 seconds and made thirty one tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.94%.

Tannah Boyd then moved to halfback in Round Twenty One against the Melbourne Storm kicking one conversion from three attempts.

Playing the entire eighty minutes of the match Tannah Boyd ran for sixty eight metres (six post contact), broke four tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.94 seconds, made sixteen tackles and kicked on nine occasions making 256 metres.

Tannah Boyd continued at halfback in Round Twenty Two against the Manly Sea Eagles with Tannah Boyd kicking six conversions from seven attempts as well as recording a try assist in the 21st minute with a long cut-out pass to the right wing to put Jojo Fifita over in the right corner.

Playing all eighty minutes Tannah Boyd ran for fifty three metres, broke a tackle, played the ball at ana average speed of 5.2 seconds, made fifteen tackles at a tackling efficiency of 83.33%, kicked on eleven occasions for 320 metres and forced two line drop-outs.

Tannah Boyd also started at halfback in Round Twenty Three against the St George Dragons with Tannah Boyd kicking four conversions from as many attempts as well as a penalty goal near half time.

Playing all eighty minutes of the match Tanah Boyd ran for fifty one metres (six post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 4.42 seconds and made twenty nine tackles at a tackling efficiency of 93.55%.

Tannah Boyd also started at halfback in Round Twenty Four against the Newcastle Knights with Tannah Boyd scoring a 35th minute try when he ran off a great off-load from Tino Fa’asuamaleaui to score twelve metres to the left of the uprights and kicking four conversions.

Playing all eighty two minutes Tannah Boyd ran for forty nine metres (sixteen post contact), broke two tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 4.73 seconds, made nineteen tackles at a 95% tackling efficiency and kicked on seventeen occasions making 528 metres.

Tannah Boyd also started at halfback in the final round of the 2022 NRL Premiership season, being Round Twenty Five against the New Zealand Warriors with Tannah Boyd kicking the match winning field goal in the 4th minute of golden point. Tannah Boyd also kicked four conversion and a penalty goal from as many attempts.

Playing all eighty four minutes Tanna Boyd ran for fifty eight metres (six post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.04 seconds and made twenty tackled at a tackling efficiency of 83.33%.

In total in the 2022 NRL competition Tannah Boyd played in eighteen matches, scoring three tries and kicking twenty three conversions (82.1% conversion rate) to finish with fifty eight points. Tannah Boyd also forced five goal line drop-outs, recorded seven try assists and six line break assists, kicked for an average of 104.7 metres per game, made 344 tackles at a tackling efficiency of 87.5% and ran for 616 metres at an average of thirty four metres per match.

Tannah Boyd started the Titans first 2022 NRL trial against the Brisbane Bronco’s at Cbus Stadium at hooker, playing around sixty eight minutes and Tannah Boyd also converted Esan Marsters 50th minute try. In those sixty eight minutes Tannah Boyd ran for twenty six metres (seven post contact) and made twenty six tackles at a tackling efficiency of 92.86%.

In the Titans second and final 2022 trial in Redcliffe against the New Zealand Warriors Tannah Boyd was named on the bench.

Tannah Boyd was named to start at halfback for the Tweed Heads Seagulls and operated on the left in Round One of the 2022 Queensland Cup competition against the Easts Tigers with Tannah Boyd kicking a conversion in the Seagulls 20 – 16 loss. One of Tannah Boyd’s best moments in the match came in the 38th minute when he took the defensive line on down a short left blindside with Tananh Boy making a halfbreak to get the ball to near the halfway mark.

In the match Tannah Boyd played fifty two minutes, running for sixty three metres (twenty three post contact), broke three tackles, played the ball at an average speed of 3.45 seconds, made nine tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency and kicked on three occasions making sixty nine metres.

Unfortunately Tannah Boyd broke his jaw in the match and was out for an extended period of time.

Tananh Boyd returned from injury from the bench in Round Five against the Townsville Blackhawks, coming on to play forty minutes at hooker.

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Vaka Sikahele has been named on the bench for the Titans NRL side in their opening 2023 trial against the Brisbane Bronco’s on the Sunshine Coast with Vaka Sikahele coming onto the field in the

Impressively Vaka Sikahele was named as the 18th man for the Burleigh Bears in their Queensland Cup Week One Final against the Norths Devils and after being activated to become Burleigh Queensland Cup Player No. 393 Vaka Sikahele played six minutes running for twenty seven metres (twelve post contact), played the ball at an average speed of 3.4 seconds and made three tackles at a 100% tackling efficiency.

In early December 2022 Saka Sikahele took part in an annual joint training session between the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL squad.

Unfortunately for Vaka Sikahele he suffered a serious achilles injury whilst training with the Titans NRL squad during their 2021 Pre-Christmas block of off-season training which will keep him out for an extended period of time in the 2022 season.

After an extended injury lay-off Vaka Sikahele was named on the Burleigh Bears Hastings Deering’s Colts extended bench for their Round Eight match against the Easts Tigers before starting the match on the bench and coming on in the 21st minute to operate in the dummy half role.

Vaka Sikahele did well in the 26th minute when after positioning himself as the first receiver to the left of the play the ball and after receiving the pass Vaka Sikahele ran to his left dummying to a runner who came back underneath before taking the ball deep into the defensive line before throwing a hard flat pass to the left that created space for Burleigh to score wide out on the left through Tate Roberts.

Vaka Sikahele continued off the bench in Round Nine against the Sunshine Coast Falcons with Vaka Sikahele coming onto the field in the second half to operate primarily as a running forward.

Round Ten against the Norths Devils saw Vaka Sikahele start at hooker before transitioning to a running forward role towards the end of the first half.

Vaka Sikahele made his initial dummy half run in the 30th minute when he ran to his right and was able to take ten hard fought metres to get the ball thirty five metres out from the try line. The in the 35th minute whilst he was operating as a running backrower Vaka Sikahele made a strong run to the right of the play the ball with Vaka Sikahele’s run accounting for fifteen metres from the halfway mark. Then in the 37th minute Vaka Sikahele was able to make thirteen more metres into Norths territory from the right of the play the ball.

Vaka Sikahele also had a strong match defensively against the Devils including in the 14th minute when he along with Samuel Shannon held up the giant Norths front rower No. 18 midway between the cover post and goal posts on the right side of the field after the front rower had tried to barge his way over from close range.

Then Vaka Sikahele made the second tackle of the second half with Vaka Sikahele’s strong initial contact forcing the ball loose and putting Burleigh immediately onto the attack.

Vaka Sikahele continued off the bench in Round Eleven against the Northern Pride with Vaka Sikahele operating as a running backrower in the second half in a big Burleigh 78 – 12 victory.

Vaka Sikahele performed very well as a running forward including in the 56th minute when he was able to make fourteen metres after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball with Vaka more than 50% of Vaka Sikahele’s metres being of the post contact variety with Vaka Sikahele getting the ball to within three metres of the halfway mark.

Vaka Sikahele made another strong run in the 60th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball, Vaka Sikahele, from own forty metres mark made eighteen metres to get the ball into Northern Pride territory.

Vaka Sikahele continued off the bench in Round Twelve against the Ipswich Jets with Vaka Sikahele scoring a smart try in the 43rd minute after coming on to operate in the dummy half role in the 32nd minute.

In the 43rd minute Vaka Sikahele moved into dummy half with the play the ball three metres out and mid-way between the goal line and corner post on the right side of the field. Vaka Sikahele darted out of dummy half to his right before straightening up and getting down low at attack the line. Vaka Sikahele was hit by two defenders still short of the line and was spun around but with his back towards the try line and going to ground, Vaka Sikahele was able to twist his left arm carrying the ball above his head and get the ball down right on the try line.

Vaka Sikahele then started at lock in Round Thirteen against the Townsville Blackhawks.

Vaka Sikahele then moved back to hooker for the Round Fourteen local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls with Vaka Sikahele scoring a double in a tough six point loss.

Vaka Sikahele scored the first of his two tries in the 16th minute when after receiving an off-load five metres out, Vaka Sikahele darted to his right and after initially being held up, Vaka Sikahele was able to reach out and plant the ball down with his right hand to get the ball down five metres to the left of the uprights,

Vaka Sikahele scored his second try in the 53rd minute when from ten metres out and in front of the posts Vaka Sikahele ran to his right out of dummy half and crashed through three tackles to get the ball down under the posts.

Vaka Sikahele continued at hooker in Round Fifteen against the Mackay Cutters with Vaka Sikahele making the opening tackle of the match.

Vaka Sikahele was then back at lock in Round Sixteen against the Western Clydesdales and also in Round Seventeen against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

In early May 2021 a Titans U19 side travelled to North Queensland to play an U19 Cowboys selection in a curtain raiser to a Cowboys v Broncos NRL match with Vaka Sikahele starting the match at hooker in his first match in a Titans jersey.

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Well done to Keano Kini who recently was nominated for the Gold Coast Junior Sports Star of the Year Award.

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Impresively Keano Kini started training with the Titans NRL squad on an NRL Development contract in early November 2022 with Keano Kini’s contracted then extended until the end of the 2025 NRL season which included Keano Kini being part of the Titans Top 30 NRL squad in 2024 and 2025. Keano Kini, even at just 18 years stood out in the fitness sessions in the Titans 2022/23 NRL off-season program.

Keano Kini has been 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 in the

In early December 2022 Keano Kini took part in a joint training session betweed the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL squad.

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]

Josiah Pahulu has been named on the bench for the Titans NRL side in their opening 2023 trial against the Brisbane Bronco’s on the Sunshine Coast with Josiah Pahulu coming onto the field in the

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

In early December 2022 Josiah Pahulu took part in a joint training session betweed the Titans JTS contracted players and the Titans NRL squad.

Josiah Pahulu initially signed with the Titans in early 2019 after starring for one of the two Titans U15 Invitational sides that played a round robin series of matches at Mudgeeraba in February 2019. The other team in the round robin was a Western Mustangs representative side. That afternoon was the firsty occasion that I saw Josiah Pahulu play. I was impressed that day and I have been impressed in every match of Josiah Pahulu’s that I have seen since.

In early May 2022 Josiah Pahulu was named in the Queensland U19 Rugby League Representative side for their annual match against New South Wales with Josiah Pahulu starting the match from the interchange bench. Josiah Pahulu came onto the field in the 25th minute and impressively played the remainder of the match.

Impressively Josiah Pahulu was named by the Courier Mail as the 2022 Ipswich Rugby League best junior rugby league talent.

In late July 2022 Josiah Pahulu was part of the Titans U19 squad that played a North Queensland Cowboys squad as a curtain raiser to the Titans NRL Round Twenty match against Canberra at Cbus Stadium with Josiah Pahulu more than holding his own against a giant Cowboys forward pack.

In late January 2022 Josiah Pahulu started in the front row for the Titans U19 side in a match at Pizzey Park against the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side with Josiah Pahulu being involved in the opening tackle of the match after Tom Weaver kicked off to get the match underway.

Josiah Pahulu also executed a great front on tackle in the 10th minute on TJ Devery when he drove his right shoulder into the Burleigh forward forcing him back a number of metres.

The first of a number of strong hit-ups by Josiah Pahulu in the match came in the 14th minute when he charged to near to the twenty metre mark off the kick-off to Ryan Foran’s opening try. The halftime break did not slow Josiah Pahulu down and the 56th minute he made a strong eleven metre charge to the right of the dummy half to get the ball to the twenty metre mark.

Josiah Pahulu continued his strong match in the 58th minute making twelve metres to get the ball to five metres into Burleigh territory after receiving the ball to the right of the play the ball. As soon as he was brought to ground, Josiah Pahulu immediately fought to get to his feet for a quick play the ball but after being denied that opportunity, Josiah Pahulu was awarded a deserved penalty after being held down. From the subsequent set of six tackles, Josiah Pahulu took the second hit-up, getting the ball to fifteen metres out.

Another strong charge from Josiah Pahulu came in the 62nd minute, on that occasion making ten metres to get the ball twenty out from the try line.

In late July 2022 Josiah Pahulu started in the front row for a Titans U19 side that played their annual match against the North Queensland Cowboys that was played as a curtain raiser at Cbus Stadium to the Titans Round Twenty NRL match against the Canberra Raiders with Josiah Pahulu making strong charge in the 12th minute from the kick-off return from Keano Kini’s opening try.

Josiah Pahulu made a further strong kick-off return in the 25th minute from the kick-off from another Keano Kini try with Josiah Pahulu able to promote the ball to twenty eight metres out from his own try line.

Josiah Pahulu was also strong defensively against the Cowboys including a great hit in the 56th minute on the North Queensland left centre as he attempted to bring the ball out of his own twenty metre mark.

In mid-December 2021 Josiah Pahulu 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 where Josiah Pahulu spent a fair portion of the joint session working with David Fifita.

Josiah Pahulu made his Hastings Deering’s Colts debut from the bench in the Round Two local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls coming onto the field at around the 24 minute mark to play in the front row with Josiah Pahulu’s first run coming just after he came on when he made eight metres after taking possession to the right of the play the ball.

Then in the 29th minute Josiah Pahulu made a strong run from a Burleigh penalty restart with Josiah Pahulu making eight metres into the teeth of the Seagulls forward pack but when he was taken to ground, Josiah Pahulu was not held and was back to his feet in a flash and was able to make a further six metres.

Josiah Pahulu produced a further strong run in the 34th minute when after picking up a loose ball from Burleigh he was able to make twelve metres to get the ball back to near the halfway mark.

In the 48th minute Josiah Pahulu almost was able to put Samuel Shannon over after he got an away a good off-load to Samuel Shannon but he was in the end Samuel Shannon was held up over the line.

Josiah Pahulu kept pumping his legs post contact with the defensive line in the 61st minute when he got within two metres of the try line after a strong fifteen metre burst.

As he is quickly becoming known for Josiah Pahulu just keeps going and going on matter what and that was the case in the 69th minute when he willed himself to his left to tackle Thomas Weaver who had beaten one tackle and set sail for the try line five metres out and directly under the posts but Josiah Pahulu got there to make the tackle and prevent the try.

Josiah Pahulu also started from the bench in Round Three against the Western Clydesdales and in the 38th minute Josiah Pahulu scored his first Colts try of his career in the 39th minute after coming onto the field to play in the front row mid-way through the first half.

Josiah Pahulu scored in the 39th minute when he ran off an off-load from Isaac Matalavea-Booth with Josiah Pahulu running to his left after receiving the ball before straightening up to crash over five metres to the left of the uprights.

Josiah Pahulu also recorded a try assist in the 28th minute when after receiving a pass to his right off the dummy half just eight metres from the line, Josiah Pahulu moved to his left before throwing a good short ball to his left to a charging Isaac Matalavea-Booth who was able to crash over from close range.

Josiah Pahulu was once again named on the bench for Burleigh in Round Five against the Souths Logan Magpies however he was a late scratching from the match due to his selection in the Queensland U19 squad.

In late October 2021 Josiah Pahulu was named in the Ipswich Jets 2022 U18 MM Cup squad with Josiah Pahulu looking certain to be the corner stone of the Jets powerful forward pack. However in early 2022 Josiah Pahulu transferred to the Burleigh Bears MM Cup squad for the 2022 MM Cup season.

Round One of the 2022 MM Cup competition saw Josiah Pahulu named on the bench for the Burleigh Bears against the Easts Tigers however the match was rained out due to extreme weather conditions.

Josiah Pahulu was then named to start on the bench for Round Two against the Souths Logan Magpies. After coming on in the 17th minute, there was no doubt that Josiah Pahulu was comfortably the Bears best in their ten point loss, including a great eighteen metre charge from the Souths Logan kick-off to Xavier Asi’s early second half try.

Even in the final minute with Burleigh down by ten Josiah Pahulu was not about to give up and charged onto a pass from the dummy half to the left of the play the ball, rumbling sixteen metres downfield, at least 50% of which were post contact metres to get the ball within thirty metres of the try line. The match saw Josiah Pahulu run for a match leading 173 metres.

Josiah Pahulu also had a big match defensively and in the 69th minute he chased through a long Burleigh clearing kick, smashing the Souths Logan Magpies fullback who was returning the ball with the ball coming loose as a result and Burleigh getting the subsequent scrum feed.

Josiah Pahulu also was named to start from the bench in Round Three against the Norths Devils however Josiah Pahulu in fact started the match in the front row and had a huge game including scoring a barnstorming try in the 28th minute when Josiah Pahulu charged onto the ball from ten metres out and to the right of the play the ball and just to the left of the uprights. After taking possession Josiah Pahulu cut back to his left bumping off one defender and then Josiah Pahulu crashed over between four defenders.

Josiah Pahulu could not have gotten into the match any quicker when he took the first hit-up from the kick-off getting the ball out to the twenty metre mark. Josiah Pahulu made a further strong run in the 3rd minute with Josiah Pahulu making another thirteen hard yards.

The 21st minute saw Josiah Pahulu once again attack the North’s line when he charged onto a Bear penalty tap restart thirty metres from the try line with Josiah Pahulu initially cutting back to his left upon receipt of the ball. After getting rid of two would be tacklers, Josiah Pahulu ran across field to his right before straightening up and being tackled thirteen metres out. Josiah Pahulu then executed an exceptionally quick play the ball with VJ Semu scoring from the resultant play.

Only three minutes later in the 24th Josiah Pahulu made another strong run from a penalty tap restart making twelve metres to get the ball within eight metres of the try line and then once again Josiah Pahulu’s exceptionally quick play the ball led to a try to EJ FInau on the next play.

Josiah Pahulu was then at it again from the kick-off to EJ Finau’s try with yet another great charge from the back fence in the 26th minute. Then from the kick-off after he scored in the 28th minute, Josiah Pahulu took the second hit-up and once again bent the North’s Devils defensive line backwards.

Then in the 63rd minute Josiah Pahulu from a penalty restart charged at the defensive line from inside Devils territory. Just as he was about to engage the defensive line Josiah Pahulu slipped, going to ground. One defender went over the top of him so Josiah Pahulu was back onto his feet in an instant and continued towards the try line, getting to within five metres before the referee finally called held, even if Josiah Pahulu disagreed.

Josiah Pahulu’s dominant performance saw him named in the front row in the Courier Mail U18 Mal Meninga Cup Round Three Team of the Week.

Josiah Pahulu then continued in the front row in Round Four against the Wynnum Manly Seagulls and once again was one of Burleigh’s best in their come from behind 40 – 24 victory.

Josiah Pahulu’s initial key contribution came in the 4th minute from the kick-off after Wynnum Manly’s opening try when Josiah Pahulu along with Joseph Shannon hit the Seagulls forward with the ball coming loose as a result of the contact. Burleigh scored their opening try of the match from the resultant set of six.

Josiah Pahulu made a strong charge in the 29th minute from a Burleigh penalty restart with Josiah Pahulu bending the defensive line back and then Josiah Pahulu was able to get his left arm free and off-load to Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki who was able to promote the ball five metres further Josiah Pahulu immediately got to his feet and took the hit-up from Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki’s play the ball, making a further thirteen metres and breaking one tackle along the way.

The halftime break certainly did not stop Josiah Pahulu which was shown when he took the third hit-up of the second half after the Seagulls had kicked off.

Another right arm off-load from Josiah Pahulu in the 41st minute was part of the Bears best move of the match that ultimately led to a try by Karauria Stokes-Mahara score in the left corner.

Josiah Pahulu ran the ball around twenty five metres out and to the right of the play and it looked for all money that Wailer Whaiapu would take the line on but after committing a number of defenders he threw a great ball to Josiah Pahulu who had worked into space on Wailer Whaiapu’s right. Josiah Pahulu engaged the defensive line and whilst still engaged with one defender Josiah Pahulu got a right arm off-load away to Bailey McConnell who promoted the ball to Arama Hau who then off-loaded for Karauria Stokes-Mahara dive over in the corner.

Josiah Pahulu got another off-load away in the 43rd minute when after charging onto the ball to the right of the dummy half Josiah Pahulu getting the ball out of his own twenty metre area he got his left arm free with three defenders engaged and got the ball away to Wailer Whaiapu.

Josiah Pahulu also scored in the 48th minute when he burst onto an off-load near the line and kept his legs pumping and for a moment it appeared that he had scored by the referee adjudged that he was brought down short of the line, but Josiah Pahulu did not dwell on not scoring and got to his feet immediately with his quick play the ball assisting in Dorian Mapusua-Lotaki being able to dive over from dummy half.

Josiah Pahulu showed that he is not all about powerful hard running in the 51st minute when he received an off-load that he was not excepting and was immediately hit by two defenders but Josiah Pahulu maintained his compose and got an off-load away to Bailey McConnell to extend the movement.

Josiah Pahulu pulled off a strong tackle in the 57th minute when along with Taniela Mapusua-Lotaki he smashed the Easts Tigers front rower who as taking the kick-off return.

Such was the quality of Josiah Pahulu’s performance that he was named in the front row in the Courier Mail’s MM Cup Round Four Team of the Week. That was the second round in a row that Josiah Pahulu was named in the front row in the Courier Mail Team of the Week.

Josiah Pahulu continued in the front row in Round Six against the Redcliffe Dolphins with Josiah Pahulu scoring a deserved try in the 29th minute. With Burleigh playing the ball less than a metres from the try line, Josiah Pahulu lined up to the right of the play the ball, receiving a short pass from the dummy half which came to him just over his left shoulder with the direction of the pass forcing Josiah Pahulu to turn completely around to have his back to the try line. That did not deter Josiah Pahulu however as he backed his way towards the line. As he got to the line, Josiah Pahulu spun to his left to get the ball down right on the try line and just to the left of the uprights.

Josiah Pahulu’s first hit-up was the second of the match with Josiah Pahulu making twelve metres by way of a half break after he had a received a good short ball from his right from Wailer Whaiapu. As is his want Josiah Pahulu was looking for a quick play the ball and after being denied that opportunity was awarded a deserved penalty.

Josiah Pahulu continued his strong start to the match in the 8th minute with a fifteen metre charge from a penalty restart with his run into the Dolphins set defensive line commencing on his own twenty metre mark.

In the 25th minute Josiah Pahulu took on the Devils defensive line one again in the 25th minute when after receiving the ball twenty two metres from the try line, Josiah Pahulu broke three tackles as he got to within three minutes of the try line directly in front of the goal posts.

I have noted a number of outstanding runs from Josiah Pahulu but probably Josiah Pahulu’s best run of the match came in the 50th minute when from a penalty tap re-start Josiah Pahulu broke five tackles in a twenty five metre charge with Josiah Pahulu getting the ball from inside his own territory to just thirty metres from the line.

As a result of his outstanding performance Josiah Pahulu was once again named in the front row in the Mal Meninga Cup Round Six Courier Mail Team of the Week.

Through the opening six rounds of the 2022 U18 Mal Meninga Cup competition Josiah Pahulu had run for the 7th most metres being 536 metres at an average of 179 metres per match and also made a line break.

Josiah Pahulu was also named to start in the front row in the Round Seven local derby against the Tweed Heads Seagulls but was a late scratching when he was called up to the Burleigh Hastings Deering’s Colts side.

Josiah Pahulu was also named to start in the front row in the rescheduled Round One match against the East Tigers and once again Josiah Pahulu putting in a Player of the Match performance including an outstanding first half try.

In the 16th minute Josiah Pahulu stationed himself two passes to the right of the play the ball and then cut back underneath Bailey McConnell, taking possession twelve metres from the try line, Josiah Pahulu stepped off his right foot to beat one defender before straightening up and making contact with a defender four metres out. From there Josiah Pahulu kept battling and forced his way over the try line after being twisted around and landing on his back but Josiah Pahulu was able to get the ball down on his third attempt ten metres to the left of the uprights.

Josiah Pahulu was still fired up from his try when he ran back the resultant kick-off getting the ball twenty two metres away from his own try line.

Josiah Pahulu got himself into the match early by taking Burleigh’s third hit-up of the match in the 2nd minute. Josiah Pahulu made a further strong run in the 6th minute from the 2nd run after Burleigh’s opening try with Josiah Pahulu taking possession twenty metre out and to the left of the play the ball and getting the ball over the thirty metre mark.

Josiah Pahulu led from the front and through his actions and not words in the 11th minute when after three tackles Burleigh were only six metres out from their own line, Josiah Pahulu took it upon himself to do something about that when he charged onto the ball to the right of the play the ball with Josiah Pahulu getting the ball all of the way to his own twenty metre mark with at least ten of the fourteen metres that Josiah Pahulu post contact.

Josiah Pahulu had a number of positive defensive moments in the match including in the 11th minute when he along with Seth Nikotemo sandwiched the Tigers halfback just metres from the try line after he had stepped past one Bears defender who had raced out of the line.

Josiah Pahulu made a further strong run in the 15th minute once again getting the ball over his own twenty metre mark, Josiah Pahulu was then awarded a penalty after not being allowed to his feet in a timely fashion.

Josiah Pahulu was literally everywhere in the match and in the 39th minute made a ball and all tackle on the Easts left winger with the ball popping up in the air, Josiah Pahulu nabbed the ball at its apex just inside his own territory and even with Tigers players all around him Josiah Pahulu was still able to get the ball five metres into Tigers territory.

Getting the ball back to the twenty metre mark is the goal from a kick-off return and Josiah Pahulu certainly matched that goal in the 57th minute as the Bears looked to stay in front in a see-sawing second half.

Josiah Pahulu was also named in the front row in the 2022 MM Cup Courier Mail Team of the Season.

Josiah Pahulu was also named the 2022 Burleigh Bears MM Cup Best and Fairest.

Josiah Pahulu’s first match in a Bear’s jersey came when he started on the bench coming on to play in the front row in the 23rd minute of Burleigh’s February 2022 trial against the Western Clydesdales with Josiah Pahulu producing a dominate display for his new team.

Josiah Pahulu’s first touch of the ball came almost immediately after coming on when he charged onto the ball from a kick-off after a Burleigh’s third try of the match. Josiah Pahulu made a further strong charge in the 28th minute when from the right of the dummy half, Josiah Pahulu got the ball to within five metres of the halfway after a fifteen metre run and Josiah Pahulu was then awarded a penalty when he was not allowed to his feet in a timely fashion.

Halftime time certainly did not slow Josiah Pahulu as in the 53rd minute Josiah Pahulu charged to five metres inside the Western Clydesdales territory after making fifteen metres from the left of the dummy half.

Josiah Pahulu produced a great bit of skill in the 62nd minute with from the left of the dummy half Josiah Pahulu produced a great catch and pass to his left to put his team mate into a hole in the defensive line.

Defensively Josiah Pahulu also had a strong game, an example being in the 37th minute when he produced a try saving tackle less than five metres from the try line on the right side of the field from behind. Josiah Pahulu was actually at marker and kept tracking the ball to the left and was on hand to save a try when the Clydesdales attacked had stepped his way through the Bears defensive line.

In late May 2022 Josiah Pahulu also represented Met West in the U18 QSSRL School Boy Championships starting both of Met West’s matches in the front row and at the conclusion of the Championships Josiah Pahulu was named in the 2022 Queensland Open School Boy Rugby League Representative side and just prior to the commencement of the Championships, Josiah Pahulu was named by the Courier Mail as the tenth best U18 Rugby League player in Australia.

Josiah Pahulu started in the front row in Queensland’s opening round of the Championships against the Australian Capital Territory with Josiah Pahulu scoring Queensland’s opening try of the Championships in the 8th minute when he received the ball two passes to the left of the play the ball. The ball to Josiah Pahulu was fractionally behind him and whilst twenty one metres out from the try line, Josiah Pahulu spun 360 degrees clockwise before bursting through two tackles and charging over to score six metres in from the left corner post. As Josiah Pahulu was charging towards the try line the ACT fullback was coming across but he wanted no part of trying to stop Josiah Pahulu from scoring.

Then from the subsequent kick-off Josiah Pahulu charged onto the ball and got the ball thirty five metres away from the try line before being awarded a penalty with Josiah Pahulu then taking a hit-up from the subsequent penalty restart.

Josiah Pahulu had a strong start to the match, taking Queensland’s first hit-up to get the ball over the halfway mark and then also ran the ball on the 5th tackle in the same set and after making contact with the defensive line Josiah Pahulu was able to get away a left arm off-load with his back towards the try line.

Josiah Pahulu continues his strong match in the 34th minute with a strong charge to the right of the play the ball that got the ball thirty metres away from his own try line.

Josiah Pahulu also started in the front row in Match Two being the semi-final against NSW CIS with Josiah Pahulu taking the opening hit-up of the match. Then in the 5th minute Josiah Pahulu made a strong charge in the 5th minute when after running onto the ball to the right of the play the ball Josiah Pahulu made a tough twelve metres which saw Josiah Pahulu get the ball ten metres into NSW CIS territory.

Josiah Pahulu continued his strong match in the 34th minute from his own twenty metre mark with Josiah Pahulu making fifteen metres after taking possession to the right of the play the ball.

Josiah Pahulu also started at in the front row in Queensland U18 ASSRL Championships Grand Final victory over NSW CHS with Josiah Pahulu making the third tackle of the match with Josiah Pahulu’s heavy contact forcing the ball loose and putting Queensland immediately onto the attack.

Josiah Pahulu made another strong tackle in the 6th minute with a huge front-on hit on the NSW CHS right second rower with Josiah Pahulu’s heavy contact forcing the NSW second rower back a number of metres.

Josiah Pahulu added a further strong tackle in the 35th minute when he smashed one of the NSW front rower around thirty five metres out from the try line. Then after the front rower tried to get an off-load away which went straight up in the air, Josiah Pahulu smartly got to his feet to take the ball on the full and completely change the momentum of the match early in the second half.

I have mentioned Josiah Pahulu’s defence but Josiah Pahulu was also outstanding running the ball, always making himself available and one of Josiah Pahulu’s strongest runs came in the 48th minute when a strong charge from his own thirty metre mark and after engaging the defensive line, Josiah Pahulu got away a good left arm off-load after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball.

Josiah Pahulu’s outstanding performances over the course of the 2022 ASSRL U18 Championships saw Josiah Pahulu noted by the Courier Mail by being named on various other lists including one of the “Best Mobile Big Men”.

Josiah Pahulu’s performances over the course of the 2022 ASSRL U18 Championships saw Josiah Pahulu named in the Australian School Boys Squad for their Fijian tour with Josiah Pahulu presented with the No. 8 jersey prior to heading to Fiji.

Josiah Pahulu started in the front row for the Australian School Boys side in their match against Fiji Schools with Australia recording a big win.

Round One of the 2022 Langer Cup School Boy competition saw Josiah Pahulu start in the front row and captain for Ipswich State High School against Keebra Park State High School with Josiah Pahulu putting in an outstanding performance to lead from the front as Ipswich SHS recorded an impressive first up 24 – 16 victory.

Josiah Pahulu also started in the front row and captain in Round two against Mabel Park State High School with Josiah Pahulu once again putting in a powerful performance in another big Ipswich SHS victory.

After the mid-season break, Josiah Pahulu started from the bench in Round Four against PBC State High School coming onto the field in the 23rd minute to operate in the front row and in the seven minutes until the halftime break Josiah Pahulu made an impressive five hit-up, accounting for in excess of fifty metres gained.

Josiah Pahulu’s dominance continued in the second half including in the 39th minute with a strong charge and off-load and then in the 43rd minute Josiah Pahulu made twenty tough metres to forty metres out after taking possession to the right of the play the ball.

Josiah Pahulu continued in the front row in Round Five against Wavell SHS as well as in Round Six against Coombabah SHS and Round Seven against Marsden State High School.

Josiah Pahulu also started in the front row and captain for Ipswich SHS in their Quarter Final against Coombabah SHS with Josiah Pahulu outstanding in his two stints on the field.

The first of multiple exceptional runs from Josiah Pahulu came in the 4th minute with Josiah Pahulu made a great eighteen metre charge to his own forty metre mark with around 75% of the run made up of post contact metres after running onto the ball to the left of the play the ball.

Then in the 9th minute Josiah Pahulu once again charged onto the ball to the left of the play the ball with Josiah Pahulu making twenty two metres to get the ball just into Coombabah SHS territory.

Josiah Pahulu added a further strong run in the 15th minute by making twenty more metres and breaking three tackles as he charged from his own forty metre mark to forty metres out from the try line.

Josiah Pahulu was just as outstanding in his second stint on the field as was evidenced in the 54th minute when from an Ipswich SHS penalty tap restart Josiah Pahulu made a twenty metre charge to get within five metres of the try line with at least 50% of Josiah Pahulu’s metres post contact.

Josiah Pahulu also started in the front row in the 2022 Langer Cup Semi-Final against Marsden SHS.

Josiah Pahulu started in the front row in the 2022 School Boy Langer Cup Grand Final against PBC SHS with Josiah Pahulu putting in a dominating performance including an exceptional solo try mid-way through the first half when from an Ipswich SHS penalty tap restart fifteen metres out and towards the right touchline, Josiah Pahulu charged onto the ball and immediately cut towards the centre of the field and broke through a number of attempted tackles to score under the posts.

It was clear from the opening minutes that Josiah Pahulu was in for a big match when in the 9th minute made a hard charge for the left of the play the ball with Josiah Pahulu getting the ball from two metres inside his own territory to twelve metes inside PBC SHS territory.

Josiah Pahulu made a great play in the 51st minute when with the Grand Final in the balance PBC SHS put up a bomb from inside their attacking twenty metre area towards the Ipswich SHS left corner. Joshua Pahulu willed himself across field and jumped high amongst a myriad of players from both teams to take the ball on the full just a metre out from his own try line.

At the completion of the 2022 Langer Cup season Josiah Pahulu was named in the front row in the Courier Mail Langer Cup Team of the Year.

Josiah Pahulu then started in the front row and captain as Ipswich SHS took on Ignatius Park SHS in the 2022 Queensland School Boys Final with Josiah Pahulu leading from the front once again as Ipswich SHS became the 2022 Queensland School Boy Champions with Josiah Pahulu deservedly raising the trophy as captain and leader of the Ipswich SHS team.

Josiah Pahulu also started in the front row and captain for Ipswich SHS in the Australian School Boy Championship match against Patrician Brothers Fairfield.

At the end of the 2022 season Josiah Pahulu was named in the front row in the Ipswich State High School Team of the Year.

Josiah Pahulu was also named as the fifth best School Boy Rugby League or Rugby School Boy player in the 2022 Courier Mail Top 30 school boys.

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The Northern Rivers Titans U18 Laurie Daley Cup side hold on to beat the Central Coast Roosters 22-20 to remain undefeated so far this season.

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Strong performance by the Tweed Heads Seagulls Colts side to beat Souths Logan five tries to two at Logan this afternoon.

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Oskar Bryant was part of the Tweed Heads QCup side that defeated Souths Logan 32-24 in tonight's trial.