Sky is the limit for teen star Leapai

Sky is the limit for teen star Leapai

Author : Mike Simpson QRL correspondent – Rugby League Brisbane

When you have a pedigree embedded in you like that of the Leapai family, you know that you will excel in any sport requiring explosive strength and ability.

This perhaps can be said about Alex Leapai Jnr, who has one foot each entrenched in his chosen sports of rugby league and boxing, both showing off his tremendous sporting ability.

At age 15 and standing over six-feet tall, the 120-kilogram Samoan powerhouse has the world at his feet.

A product of Mabel Park State High School, it was evident from an early age that the son of one of Australia’s most feared boxers was going to be a star in the making.

The hulking forward has made such an impression at the schoolboy level, that he was elevated to the elite Langer trophy competition by his coach Lee Addison.

Leapai Jnr is a current student at Mabel Park State High School.

After a successful debut in that inaugural competition and having been on the radar at several NRL clubs, the Sydney Roosters finally won the race to secure the services of Leapai Jnr; one that will send shivers down other rival clubs’ spines.

Addison is confident about Leapai’s journey, saying the giant front row forward can be “anything”.

“Alex still has a lot to learn about the game, but with his feared reputation and aggression, he will be able to match it with the more senior players as he continues to learn along the way,” the Mabel Park SHS coach said.

But it’s not just rugby league that the Logan-based athlete excels at, he is in fact quite a handy boxer, trained by his father Leapai Snr at the NTG gym in Slacks Creek.

Watching the behemoth thunder into the boxing bags and seeing him spar with men much older than his youthful 15 years, you get a sense that whichever sport Leapai Jnr chooses professionally, it will be a success.

In a strange twist of fate, Leapai Jnr’s first official boxing match would be against Jermaine Pangai Jnr – the brother of NRL-contracted player Tevita Pangai Jnr.

After five gruelling rounds, Leapai Jnr eventually took the win over his older opponent on a points decision, sending an ominous warning to other boxers that he was in fact the real deal.

Leapai Jnr preparing for his bout against Jermaine Pangai Jnr.

However, having inked a contract with the Roosters, the sky is the limit for Leapai Jnr as he will enter a system that once boasted the likes of Brad Fittler and Sonny Bill Williams and is home to current internationals James Tedesco and Joseph Manu.

Leapai Sr is confident his son can go all the way in the NRL, saying he is mentally tough for his age.

“A lot of clubs were after my son’s signature,” the Samoan Australian professional boxer said.

“I thought the Roosters were the perfect fit and after talking to a few people involved in rugby league on the Roosters set up and hearing what the club had to say, we agreed to sign.

“My son is very focused in the gym and lets his actions do the talking. There’s nothing stopping him from taking this opportunity at the Roosters with both hands.

“I’m proud of him as he’s worked really hard to get here.”

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