NRL Schoolboys Cup grand final dynamic duo’s Weaver-Bryant, Maua’i-Faagutu
Author : Andrew Dawson News Corp Sports
NRL Schoolboys Cup grand final dynamic duo: PBC SHS pair Tom Weaver Oskar Bryant meet in a birthing suite; Marsden SHS pair Jieye Maua’i and Chris Faagutu mates from way back.
Tune in LIVE to see the best schoolboys in Queensland battle it out for the titles.
It is little wonder Palm Beach Currumbin SHS pair Tom Weaver and Oskar Bryant seem to be able to read each other’s minds on the field – after all they were first together on the day Bryant was born.
Halfback Weaver and hooker Bryant will be two of the dynamic duos involved in today’s NRL Schoolboys Cup grand final to be played between Langer Trophy champions Marsden SHS and PBC SHS at Kougari Oval.
The three matches livestreamed by News Corps today will be:
— Caloundra SHS v Mabel Park (De Vere Cup, 12.30),
— Redcliffe SHS v Clairvaux MacKillop College (open Gee Cup, 1.45pm)
— Marsden SHS v PBC SHS (NRL Schoolboys Cup, 3pm).
Weaver and Bryant, both Gold Coast Titans signings, have had parallel lives since Weaver was in the birthing suite the day Bryant was born.
“My dad (Aaron) and his dad (Glenn) played footy together and my mum (Renee) and his mum (Joanne) went to school together,’’ Bryant explained.
Oskar Bryant, left, and Tom Weaver – together again.
“I have known him for 18 years this year, and have been playing footy with him since under 6s at Cudgen (northern NSW),’’ Bryant said.
“Every team we have made, we have played together.
“It (our combination) just comes naturally. I just look at him and the play he calls, I just put the ball straight on his chest.’’
Tom said: “We have been mates since we were born.
“We have just grown up in the same families basically – our families are still really close and that just led to us playing footy together since we were six-years-old.
“It really helps out on the field.
“He knows when I want the ball and there are times when I am not in the right position to get a kick away or put a play on and he will run it himself or kick it himself.
“We are instinctive – that we know what each other needs.’’
Palm Beach Currumbin State High School senior rugby league side at training. Picture Glenn Hampson
PBC SHS Tim Maccan said it was an uncanny association which reminded him of when he played with Brad Davis at both school (PBC SHS) and Intrust Super Cup (Seagulls) level.
PBC SHS five-eighth Michael Roberts said it was great playing alongside Weaver and Bryant.
“Tom directs the boys into the right place and Oskar is eyes up – he knows when to go at the right times,’’ Roberts said.
Marsden SHS also have their own version of Batman and Robyn – Jieye Maua’i and Chris Faagutu.
Both backrowers, the boys first met playing under 9s at Logan Brothers have enjoyed plenty of good times together wearing the Marsden SHS jersey.
Jieye Maua’i and Chris Faagutu at Marsden State High School, Thursday, August 19, 2021 – Picture: Richard Walker
“I remember training with him in under 9s and we got to know each other,’’ Maua’i said.
Maua’i said they had a great understanding of each other on the field.
“He leads by example and sets the standards for the middles and everyone in the team,’’ Maua’i said.
“And off the field he is a good person to know.’’
Faagutu said his mate Maua’i was a quiet achiever. “He works hard, tackles hard and achieves a lot.’’
Marsden SHS’s Tyree Bowman. Picture: Liam Kidston.
LIVESTREAM SCHEDULE
Wednesday
De Vere Cup (Year 10)
12.30pm: Caloundra SHS v Mabel Park SHS
Gee Cup (opens)
1.45pm: Redcliffe SHS v Clairvaux MacKillop College
NRL Schoolboys Cup southern conference
3pm: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS v Marsden SHS
September 7:
Broncos Challenge grand finals (Carina Easts Leagues)
2pm: Broncos Old Boys (Year 7)
3pm: Renouf Cup (Year 8)
4pm: Hancock Cup (Year 9)
September 8: COVID Contingency Week, including Walters Cup and Langer Reserves grand finals
More Coverage
WATCH LIVE: Caloundra v Mabel Park in De Vere Cup grand final
September 15: Phil Hall Cup (Redcliffe)
Northern Conference Final, Southern QLD winner (PBC SHS) v Northern QLD winner (St, Brendans College)
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