Standouts from u18 schoolboys
Author : Brent Read News Corp Sport
Standouts from u18 schoolboys carnival
ASSRL National U18 Schoolboys carnival: Jett Cleary leads top five players on day 1
Jett Cleary burst out of the shadow of his famous father and brother in the opening round of ASSC. See the top five players from day one.
Toby Rodwell converting a try for the Roosters against the Sharks in the Harold Matthews competition (Photo : Steve Montgomery)
Jett Cleary burst out of the shadow of his famous father and brother on Monday as he set alight the Australian Second School Championships with a hat-trick in the NSW Combined Catholic Colleges win over Combined Affiliated States.
The son of Penrith coach Ivan Cleary and younger brother of Panthers and NSW star Nathan Cleary nabbed a pair of tries in the opening half and completed his hat-trick 16 minutes into the second stanza as NSW CCC made light work of their opposition.
The pick of his three tries came 16 minutes into the game when he took a pass, fended off CAS defender and raced 30 metres to score.
Jett Cleary has been a familiar figure in and around the Penrith dressing sheds in recent years, celebrating the Panthers success which has been largely orchestrated his brother and father.
He showed enough on Monday to suggest his time may coming as well. The teenager spent this year as a key figure in the Penrith SG Ball side and is aligned to the Panthers for at least another year, although rival clubs will now sit up and take notice.
TOP 5 PLAYERS FROM DAY ONE
1. Jett Cleary (NSWCCC)
Cleary was the star of the show for NSW CCC in their big win over CAS. Started the tournament as a back-up in the halves but pushing for a stating spot.
2. Cody Hopwood (NSWCCC)
The Newcastle front rower was too big and too strong for his CAS opponents. Was rewarded with a couple of tries as he trampled his opposition.
3. Wilson Decourcey (NSWCCC)
Decourcey, a Penrith centre, was too hot to handle as the NSWCCC made light work of their weaker opponents.
4. Mark Tuialii (ACT)
Classy centre Tuialii showed some silky skills to set up his outside backs and put his side on the path to victory.
5. Patrick Young (NSW )
Bulldogs fans endured a tough weekend but they can take solace in the performance of Patrick Young – son of former Wallaby Bill Young – at the schoolboys titles. He was a rock on the middle of the field for NSWCIS.
He wasn’t the only star for NSW CCC. Penrith SG Ball teammate Wilson Decourcey grabbed a couple of tries of his own along with powerful prop Cody Hopwood, who is locked into the Newcastle Knights having rejecting big offers from elsewhere.
NSW CCC were too slick and powerful for their outgunned opposition, which was largely made up of players from Victoria. However, the CAS enjoyed a moment to savour in the final minutes when Micah Warena crashed over from close to the tryline.
There was still time for Parramatta hooker Zaidas Muagututi’a to sneak over in the final minute as the NSW CCC finished the group stage with a second emphatic victory.
FAMOUS NAME MAKES BIG IMPACT ON DAY ONE
ACT made a flying start against NSW Combined Independent Schools and it saved them in the end as they enjoyed a successful day at the schoolboy titles.
The boys from the nation’s capital raced to a 22-0 lead early in the second half through the skill of halfback Jonah Anderson and the guile of hooker Xavier Caccitotti.
It was all one-way traffic until NSWCIS halfback Toby Rodwell – aligned with the Sydney Roosters – grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck.
Rodwell started the comeback when he threw a dummy and stepped through the ACT defence. Moments later, he set up a try for one of his teammates with another piece of skill.
When Coby Thomas scored in the corner it was on for young and old. ACT held on in the end but it was a nail-biting finale as they secured a 22-16 victory.
Young Rooster Toby Rodwell had a big game for NSWCIS. Credit: Facebook.
TOP FIVE PLAYS ON DAY ONE
Jett Cleary (NSWCCC)
Cleary took a pass early in the game, fended off a defender and beat the fullback in a footrace to the corner. Genuine class.
Max Mercer (ACT)
Showed some great hole running and smart footwork to slice through NSWCIS early in the second half of their game.
Micah Warena (CAS)
The combined side made up largely of Victorian kids had a tough day but Warena got his reward for staying in the fight as he snuck over from dummy half for rather lone try of the day in the infra minutes.
Toby Rodwell (NSWCIS)
It was a tough day at the office for the Combined Independent Schools but Rodwell showed his class as he bamboozled defenders with a monster dummy and step to score.
Schoolboy Top 50
50 – Nisifolo Fauonuku
State: Combined Affiliates
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Melbourne Storm
School: Brighton Grammar School, Brighton
Scored a good try in the curtain raiser to the opening State of Origin game to catch the eye of CAS selectors and win a place at the national championships.
49 – Alex Conti
State: NSWCIS
Position: Five-eighth
Affiliation: Wests Tigers
School: St Patrick’s College, Strathfield
Conti captained the Balmain side in thew Harold Matthews Cup and was a member of the Junior Blues squad named at the end of last year. Conti is also on the radar of rugby union as a member of the NSW Waratahs Academy
48 – Jezaiah Funa-iuta
State: NSWCCC
Position: Second row
Affiliation: Parramatta
School: Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown.
Funa-iuta captained the Eels’ Harold Matthews Cup side and capped his season by being named as the side’s best and fairest player.
47 – Jacob Halangahu
State: NSWCCC
Position: Second row
Affiliation: St George Illawarra
School: Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown.
Another member of the Dragons’ Harold Matthews team, Halangahu was a member of the Junior Blues squad last year.
46 – Heath Mason
State: NSWCCC
Position: Fullback/five-eighth
Affiliation: Wests Tigers
School: St Gregory’s College, Gregory Hills.
A half or fullback who has blistering speed and an ability to take the right option at the right time. Another player who the Tigers have earmarked to lift them out of the current malaise.
45 – Simione Laiafi
State: NSWCHS
Position: Prop/second row
Affiliation: Manly
School: Bass High School
Laiafi was a member of Manly’s Harold Matthews Cup side this season, playing in the second row. The side endured a difficult year but he was one of the standouts for the Sea Eagles.
44 – Mark Tuialii
State: ACT
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Canberra Raiders
School: Erindale College, Wanniassa
A powerful centre who attended Wavell High School in Queensland and is now part of the Raiders system.
43 – Luke Laulilii
State: NSWCHS
Position: fullback/winger
Affiliation: Wests Tigers
School: Westfields Sports High School
Laulilii was named captain of the Wests Magpies’ Harold Matthews side this season. One of the reasons for hope at the Tigers as they look to build a brighter future.
42 – Cyrus Stanley-Traill
State: NSWCHS
Position: Second row
Affiliation: St George Illawarra
School: Endeavour Sports High School
The nephew of former Dragons stars Chase and Kyle Stanley, Cirus was on the Bulldogs books before he was lured to the Dragons and has played in the back row for their Harold Matthews side.
41 – Sosefo Finau
State: NSWCHS
Position: Second row
Affiliation: Wests Tigers
School: Westfields Sports High School
Finau played in the back row in the Wests Magpies’ SG Ball side and has been earmarked for big things by the Tigers.
40 – Logan Spinks
State: NSWCHS
Position: Second row
Affiliation: Bulldogs
School: Farrar Memorial Agricultural High School
Spinks was captain of the Northern Tigers in the Laurie Daley Cup and impressed enough to win a contract with the Bulldogs.
39 – Alton Naiyep
State: Queensland
Position: Wing
Affiliation: Manly
School: Ipswich State High School
One of the best outside backs in the Meninga Cup this year and was rewarded with a Manly contract.
38 – Finau Latu
State: NSWCCC
Position: Lock
Affiliation:St George Illawarra
School: Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown.
The nephew of former Test forward and boxing champion Solomon Haumono was at the centre of a tug-of-war involving three clubs. St George Illawarra eventually won the day.
37 – Alex Challenor
Alex Challenor Cronulla Sharks (Photo : Steve Montgomery)
State: NSWCCC
Position: Prop/Lock
Affiliation: Cronulla
School: De La Salle Catholic College, Cronulla
Tough, hard working lock who can also play in the front row. Gets through a mountain of work in attack and defence. A respected leader.
36 – WIll Semu
State: Queensland
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Melbourne Storm
School: Marsden SHS
Formerly on the books at the Gold Coast Titans, Semu is a talented centre who has pledged his future to the Storm.
35 – Kade Reed
State: NSWCHS
Position: Halfback
Affiliation: St George Illawarra
School: Illawarra Sports High School
A crafty half who was the chief playmaker for the Illawarra Steelers’ Harold Matthews side this season. Smart head on his shoulders with a good kicking game.
34 – Beau Slade
State: NSWCIS
Position: Prop
Affiliation: Newcastle
School: Hunter Sports High School
Slade was a member of the Newcastle SG Ball side that made it all the way to the grand final. He scored a try but it wasn’t enough as they were beaten by Parramatta.
33 – John-Paul Donevski
State: Queensland
Position: Centre/wing/fullback
Affiliation: The Dolphins
School: Wavell State High School
Recruited from Penrith by the Dolphins, Donesvki can play anywhere in the outside backs.
32 – Loko Pasifika Tonga
State: NSWCHS
Position: Prop
Affiliation: St George llawarra
School: Endeavour Sports High School
Tonga was recruited out of Queensland by St George Illawarra and handed a long-term deal. Has been compared to Melbourne powerhouse Nelson Asofa-Solomona due to his physical dimensions – he stands at 194cm and weighs 122kg.
31 – Zach Fittler
State: NSWCIS
Position: Second row
Affiliation: Sydney Roosters
School: The Scots College, Bellevue Hill
The son of Sydney Roosters legend Brad Fittler, Zach was a member of the Junior Blues last year. He is also a standout rugby union player.
30 – Zac Sarfati
State: NSWCHS
Position: Fullback/Half
Affiliation: Sydney Roosters
School: Randwick Boys High School
Sarfati was named best back for the Roosters’ Harold Matthews side last season and graduated to the SG Ball side this season, helping the Roosters to the finals.
29 – Jonah Anderson
Position: Halfback
Affiliation: Canberra Raiders
School: Erindale College, Wanniassa
Anderson was named players player for the Raiders’ Harold Matthews team and is highly rated for his skill and leadership. Was captain of the Canberra that that made the finals.
28 – Daniel Lua
Position: Second row
Affiliation: South Sydney
School: Newington College, Stanmore
The captain of South Sydney’s Harold Matthews team also dabbles in rugby union. He was the Rabbitohs’ player of the year last year and is regarded as smart and a leader by his actions rather than his words.
27 – Jett Cleary
State: NSWCCC
Position: Halfback
Affiliation: Penrith Panthers
School: St Dominic’s College, Kingswood
The son of Penrith coach Ivan Cleary and brother to Panthers star Nathan, Jett is an organising half with a quality kicking game following the same path as Nathan.
26 – Cameron Bukowski
State: Queensland
Position: Hooker
Affiliation: Brisbane Broncos
School: Villanova College, Cooparoo
A talented cricketer, Bukowski is also captain of the Wynnum-Manly side in the Meninga Cup. A hooker and goal kicker.
25 – Xavier Cacciotti
State: ACT
Position: Hooker
Affiliation: Canberra Raiders
School: Erindale College, Wanniassa
Cacciotti was a try-scoring machine in the Laurie Daley Cup for the Monaro Colts this season, scoring tries at a rate of knots. Played so well he was recruited to the Raiders’ SG Ball side.
24. Mason Kira
State: Queensland
Position: Prop
Affiliation: North Queensland Cowboys
School: Mountain Creek State High School
A member of the Queensland under-19 emerging squad, Kira is a powerful front rower who is contracted to the Cowboys.
23 – John Fineanganofo
State: Queensland
Position: Lock
Affiliation: Dolphins
School: Redcliffe State High School
A member of the Dolphins academy, Fineanganofo is equally any home at lock or five-eighth. Was outstanding in the Mal Meninga Cup as he helped the Dolphins win the premiership.
22 – Alex Leapai
State: Queensland
Position: Prop
Affiliation: Gold Coast Titans
School: Mabel Park State High School
Leapai Jnr, the son of professional heavyweight boxer Alex Snr, is a powerful prop who was formerly on the books at the Sydney Roosters and recently joined the Titans pathways program.
21 – Zac Garton
State: Queensland
Position: Second row
Affiliation: The Dolphins
School: Caloundra State High School
A Sunshine Coast product who was signed to the Dolphins Academy, Garton is an edge forward who helped his club win the Meninga Cup.
20 – Sam Stephenson
State: Queensland
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Gold Coast Titans
School: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS
The son of former Cronulla and a manly player, Stephenson is a powerful centre who is on the Gold Coast’s books.
19 – De La Salle Va’a
State: NSWCCC
Position: Prop
Affiliation: Roosters
School: Marcellin College, Randwick
Va’a and his brother Xavier were poached from the Broncos by the Roosters. Va’a was a member of the emerging Maroons earlier this season alongside and aspires to study medicine like his mother, Alma.
18 – Nikora Williams
State: NSWCHS
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Cronulla Sharks
School: Endeavour Sports High
The son of former Canterbury winger Jason Williams, Nikora is a goalkicking centre, having played Harold Matthews Cup in the Sharks system.
17 – Jett Bryce
State: Queensland
Position: Second row
Affiliation: Brisbane Broncos
School: Keebra Park SHS
Bryce was a standout at the Queensland titles in the back row and the Wynnum-Manly product is a member of the emerging Maroons under-18 squad.
16 – Riley Pollard
State: NSWCCC
Position: Five-eighth
Affiliation: Cronulla Sharks
School: St Dominic’s College, Kingswood
Another talented teen to emerge from the Panthers system, Pollard has found a home at the Sharks. Goalkicking half.
15 – Wilson De Courcey
State: NSWCCC
Position: Wing/centre
Affiliation: Penrith Panthers
School: Patrician Brothers College, Blacktown
Another star of the Penrith junior system, Decourcey has been earmarked for big things by the Panthers.
14 – Hayden Buchanan
State: NSWCHS
Position: Centre
Affiliation: St George Illawarra
School: Kiama High School
Buchanan is a local junior who has signed a long-term deal with St George Illawarra. Was a member of the Steelers’ Harold Matthews side this season.
13 – Patrick Young
State: NSWCIS
Position: Prop
Affiliation: Canterbury Bulldogs
School: St Joseph’s College, Hunters Hill
The son of former Wallabies prop Bill Young has signed a contract with the Bulldogs that will see him start on a development deal next season. Powerful prop.
12 – Mitchell Woods
State: NSWCIS
Position: Fullback/Halfback
Affiliation: Canterbury Bulldogs
School: St Patrick’s College. Strathfield
Woods was captain and named player of the match for the Bulldogs in their Harold Matthews Cup win earlier this year. Is also a talented rugby union and AFL player.
11 – Toby Rodwell
Toby Rodwell converting a try for the Roosters against the Sharks in the Harold Matthews competition (Photo : Steve Montgomery)
State: NSWCIS
Position: Halfback
Affiliation: Sydney Roosters
School: Newington College, Stanmore
The son of former Illawarra star Brett Rodwell, Toby has been a standout at halfback in the Sydney Roosters’ SG Ball side.
10 – Xavier Kerrisk
State: Queensland
Position: Hooker
Affiliation: North Queensland Cowboys
School: St Patrick’s College, Mackay
Another player from the Cowboys system. A skilful hooker who has been part of the emerging Maroons under-18s. Kerrisk and Jaxon Purdue are good friends and teammates.
9 – Zaidas Muagututi’a
State: NSWCCC
Position: Hooker
Affiliation: Parramatta
School: Patrician Brothers College, Fairfield
Scored a host of tries for Parramatta in the Harold Matthews Cup where he played a prominent role in the Eels’ march to the finals.
8 – Mutua Brown
State: Queensland
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: North Queensland Cowboys
School: The Cathedral College, Rockhampton
A talented fullback who is on the Cowboys books, playing for the Central Queensland Capras, and has been named in the Queensland under-19 emerging squad.
7 – Blake Steep
State: NSWCIS
Position: Lock
Affiliation: Sydney Roosters
School: The Scots College, Bellevue Hill
Steep has been a star at lock in the Sydney Roosters junior ranks. Rugby union also had him in their sights but the Roosters won the day.
6 – Kaiden Lahrs
State: Queensland
Position: Prop
Affiliation: North Queensland
School: Kirwan State High School
The son of Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Kaiden won the Sam Thaiday Medal – awarded to the best league player at the famous Kirwan State High School – while still in Year 11. Now on the books at North Queensland.
5 – Jaxon Purdue
State: Queensland
Position: Halfback
Affiliation: North Queensland Cowboys
School: St Patrick’s College, Mackay
Classy half who is in the books at the Cowboys, having started playing footy with Norths Devils when he was six. Teammate and close friend of Xavier Kerrisk.
State: NSWCHS
Position: Five-eighth
Affiliation: Wests Tigers
School: Westfields Sports High School
Wests Tigers kid who has been earmarked for big things by the club. Gives the club hope that all is not lost when it comes to their halves.
3 – Coby Black
State: Queensland
Position: Halfback
Affiliation: Brisbane Broncos
School: Marsden State High School
Recently signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Broncos until the end of 2025. The long-term replacement for Adam Reynolds.
2 – Jaxen Edgar
State: NSWCCC
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Penrith Panthers
School: St Dominics College, Kingswood
Another Penrith kid. Playing a year young. Brilliant fullback who some have compared to Darren Lockyer. Was named Harold Matthews Player of the Year.
1 – Casey McLean
State: NSWCIS
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Penrith Panthers
School: Newington College, Stanmore
Younger brother of winger Jesse McLean, both of whom are in the Penrith system. Gun centre who will play first grade sooner rather than later.
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