By Michael Hillier (QRL Media)
Queensland Rugby League has today announced the City and Country teams for the Under 17 boys match on September 24.
The clash at Moreton Daily Stadium will showcase some of Queensland’s best young talent, with many players featuring prominently in this year’s Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup.
The game is part of a massive four-match program that also features the Queensland Under 17 City versus Country girls match, as well as the Hastings Deering Colts and Hostplus Cup grand finals.
The City boys team will be coached by former Brisbane Broncos player David Stagg, who was also involved in last year’s game as a City mentor.
“Off the back of last year and seeing what it is all about, it’s more about giving them an insight into what is required at this level and their progression moving forward,” Stagg said.
The Souths Logan Magpies and Wynnum Manly Seagulls are heavily represented with a combined total of nine players set to pull on the City jersey.
That list include Souths Logan trio Israel Leota, Devonte Vaiavela and Stanley Huen, all members of the Magpies team that beat the Townsville Blackhawks in the Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup grand final.
Country features Blackhawks pair Tekelu Mene and Hoani Harris, as well as multiple representatives from the Central Queensland Capras, Sunshine Coast Falcons, Mackay Cutters and Western Clydesdales.
Former Queensland Maroons forward Antonio Kaufusi will coach the Country team. He said he was humbled by the opportunity to bring together such a talented group of players from regional Queensland.
“It really resonates with me, growing up here in the Bundaberg region, and my experiences of what we go through with players… just the challenges of having to get to places,” Kaufusi said.
Queensland Under 17 City – Boys
Coach: David Stagg
| Number | Name | Club |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremy Trappett | Wynnum Manly Seagulls |
| 2 | Tyreece Tait | Norths Devils |
| 3 | Devonte Vaiavela | Souths Logan Magpies |
| 4 | Will Semu | Souths Logan Magpies |
| 5 | Israel Leota | Souths Logan Magpies |
| 6 | Karl Oloapu | Norths Devils |
| 7 | Stanley Huen | Souths Logan Magpies |
| 8 | Michael Waqa | Redcliffe Dolphins |
| 9 | Cameron Bukowski | Wynnum Manly Seagulls |
| 10 | Rene Bagon | Manly Sea Eagles |
| 11 | Beni Allen | Wynnum Manly Seagulls |
| 12 | Lewis Symonds | Wynnum Manly Seagulls |
| 13 | Isaiah Scanlan | Burleigh Bears |
| 14 | Xavier Atoa | Souths Logan Magpies |
| 15 | Jett Jackson | Tweed Seagulls |
| 16 | Larry Siala | Ipswich Jets |
| 17 | Mikael Ibrahim | Brisbane Tigers |
| 18 | Mitchell Rogers | Redcliffe Dolphins |
Queensland Under 17 Country – Boys
Head coach: Antonio Kaufusi
| Number | Name | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mutua Brown | Central Queensland Capras |
| 2 | Rayzarlin Pearson | Souths Townsville |
| 3 | Kai Simon | Mackay Cutters |
| 4 | Tariq Tanner | Norths Devils |
| 5 | Tekelu Mene | Townsville Blackhawks |
| 6 | Lykhan King-Togia | Western Clydesdales |
| 7 | Jaxon Purdue | Mackay Cutters |
| 8 | Jamal Shibisaki | Sydney Roosters |
| 9 | Xavier Kerrisk | Mackay Cutters |
| 10 | De La Salle Va’a | Sydney Roosters |
| 11 | Connor Hinds | Central Queensland Capras |
| 12 | Jayden Smith | Sunshine Coast Falcons |
| 13 | Mason Kira | Sunshine Coast Falcons |
| 14 | Hoani Harris | Townsville Blackhawks |
| 15 | Tyler Peckham-Harris | Ipswich Jets |
| 16 | Brock Thomas | Sunshine Coast Falcons |
| 17 | Bud Smith | Western Clydesdales |
| 18 | Tulloch McLelland | Sunshine Coast Falcons |
