Latest news with #IpswichSHS
Courier-Mail
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
2025 Langer Trophy: What Kulikefu Finefeuiaki said to inspire the Ipswich SHS captain Xzavier Timoteo
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local sport. Followed categories will be added to My News. At Ipswich SHS's pre-season launch of the school's rugby league season, Dolphins ace and Ipswich SHS past captain Kulikefu Finefeuiaki took current Ipswich skipper Xzavier Timoteo aside from a chat. They laughed and they joked, hamming it up on a celebration of the Ipswich SHS rugby league community. But two words of advice Finefeuiaki struck a match with Timoteo, the Sydney Roosters-signed prop who was named in the Australian schoolboys side last Saturday. One related to the importance of hitting Roosters pre-season training at the end of the year as fit as he could possibly be. The other piece of advice related to maintaining a good diet, which struck a cord given Timoteo was once a 'small, fat kid.'' 'I was. You can ask the coaches. I was very over weight in Years 7, 8 and 9,'' said Timoteo, a lover of his mum's lasagne and potato bake. But with encouragement from the Ipswich SHS teacher, Timoteo transformed himself into one of the most feared forwards in his age group. Indeed the coaches have helped make Timoteo into the player - and person - he is today. 'My coaches are more like my big brothers. They will always take time out of their day to help you,'' he said. Timoteo also has Finefeuiaki's desire to run hard, or 'run the bust'' as he calls it. 'I've learnt to do it. It (running hard) has come with confidence probably.'' Xzavier Ttimoteo is the Ipswich SHS Langer Trophy captain who made the Aussie schoolboys. Picture, John Gass With advice from Finefeuiaki ringing in his ears, Timoteo, the Souths Acacia Ridge Magpies junior, shone for the Queensland schoolboys recently and was one of five young Maroons to make the Aussie schoolboys side. The other were Mountain Creek SHS middle forward Jackson Koina (Parramatta), PBC SHS Kiwi centre recruit Antonie Verhoeven (Broncos), Marsden SHS hooker ace Hayden Watson (Storm) and Keebra Park SHS's New Zealand eligible fullback, David Bryenton (Canterbury Bulldogs, 18th man). The Australian schoolboys squad: 1. Cameron Bamblett (Parramatta Eels) 2. Filipe Fakauaho (Sydney Roosters) 3. Toby Winter (Newcastle Knights) 4. Dayne Jennings (South Sydney Rabbitohs) 5. Antonie Verhoeven (Brisbane Broncos) 6. Callum Grantham (Cronulla Sharks) 7. Toby Batten (The Dolphins) 8. Jackson Koina (Parramatta) 9. Liam Bell (Sydney Roosters) 10. Jake White (Cronulla Sharks) 11. Pheonix Godinet (Wests Tigers) 12. Darcy Smith (Sydney Roosters) 13. Thomas Dellow (Cronulla Sharks) Interchange 14. Hayden Watson (Melbourne Storm) 15. Roman Tuaimau (Canberra Raiders) 16. Xzavier Timoteo (Sydney Roosters) 17. Christoper Petrus (Parramatta Eels) 18. David Bryenton (Canterbury Bulldogs)
News.com.au
13-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki attends gala launch of the Ipswich SHS rugby league program season
Australian school rugby league powerhouse Ipswich State High last night launched its rugby league season with a bang at a gala event which included a special guest appearance from Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, one of the school's more recent NRL players. Ipswich SHS, overall the nation's most successful rugby league school in 2024, unveiled captains across all male and female teams on Monday night in Ipswich. The respective captains are: Langer Trophy : Xzavier Timoteo NRL Schoolgirls: Summer Hoet and Orianna Clark Langer Reserves: Clement Karauti and Lleyton Fotu Walters Cup: Blake Tikinau (Year 10) Hancock Cup: Malachi Kirk (Year 9) Renouf Shield: Cooper Hunt (Year 8) BBOB: Bentley Tikinau (Year 7) Year 10 girls: Monaiya-Lee Lilia and Tahli Campbell Year 9 girls: Kiera Roia Former captain Finefeuiaki (2020-21), now a star recruit with the Dolphins after starting his NRL career with the Cowboys, was interviewed on stage by Langer Trophy coach Joshua Bretherton, and his story was a source of inspiration for the next generation of players at Ipswich SHS. Last year Ipswich SHS won the NRL Schoolgirls Cup at both state and national level, while the Langer Trophy team went unbeaten until the last grand final qualifying fixture. In addition, from years 7-12, Ipswich were the only South East Queensland school to have teams in all male Brisbane Broncos-sponsored Cup competition semi-finals. This season around 130 girls and more than 230 boys will play rugby league at Ipswich SHS. PLAYER Q and A Xzavier Timoteo (Langer Trophy) What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: In 2023 we won the Langer reserves and I loved when our coach Dorey (coach, Jonathan Dore) ran on against Keebra after we won. He shed a tear. Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My mum and the coaching staff, especially in the junior grades because I was not the best when I was young. But they stuck by me. What were your short and long term goals: Make the U18 schoolboys and make the U19 Origin side. Orianna Clark (NRL schoolgirls Cup) What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: Winning the nationals last year with all the girls. It was one of the biggest experiences we have had, and to win all three medals was amazing. Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My brothers who are younger than me, but they have pushed me. What were your short and long term goals: Win the nationals again and to play for Australian schoolgirls, and then hit the big girls in the NRLW. Summer Hoet (NRL schoolgirls Cup) What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: Winning the nationals last year. It took us a couple of years to get there but it was a good team and a great bunch of girls. Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My parents who are always there for me. What were your short and long term goals: Win the nationals again and long term, get on the field in the NRLW. Clement Karauti (Langer reserves) What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: I have not been here that long, but just celebrating the wins with the boys. Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My parents and coaching staff. And NRL player Shaun Johnson for his skills and footwork. What were your short and long term goals: To get a grand final win and also play an A-grade game. Lleyton Fotu (Langer reserves) What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: Moving to Ipswich SHS from New Zealand. Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My brother Tre (2022 national championship winnining centre) What were your short and long term goals: To play A-grade (Langer Trophy). Blake Tikinau (Year 10) What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: Winning the Year 8 grand final. That was special because the year before it was not so special, but we picked it up the following season. Who has been the biggest influence on your career: All of my coaches and family. My coaches have been there to listen when I needed them. What were your short and long term goals: Make the Queensland 14-15s and hopefully make it (NRL) eventually. Malachi Kirk (Year 9) What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: Playing in the grade 8 grand final when I was in grade 7. We won it. Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My coaches and my parents. The coaches help take my game to the next level, while my parents take me to all the games and all the trainings. What were your short and long term goals: Make Queensland this year, keep playing and make the NRL. To have a strong career. Cooper Hunt (Year 8) What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: Making it to the finals last year. Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My parents and my brother What were your short and long term goals: To make the Team of the Year again and improve. Bentley Tikinau (Year 7) What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: Playing my very first game. I was nervous. Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My dad What were your short and long term goals: NRL. Monaiya-Lee Lilia (Year 10, girls) What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: It has been improving in my training, working with my coaches and getting to know new people. Who has been the biggest influence on your career: Miss Cox and Shalom Sauaso, the way she plays and the consistency in her training. What were your short and long term goals: Have a stable job and be a coach. Tahli Campbell (Year 10 girls) What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: My best moment has just been being with all the girls and the staff members. Everyone is great at supporting each other and being there for each other. Who has been the biggest influence on your career: My coach Coxy. She has influenced all the girls to be the best we can to the best of our abilities. She told us to keep our heads up high and have a great mind set. What were your short and long term goals: I want to make NRLW. I don;t mind which team, as long as I get an opportunity. Kiera Roia (Year 7-8 girls) What is your most memorable moment at Ipswich SHS: When I first came to school. It was emotional because I got to spend that time with my cousin Shalom Sausao. Who has been the biggest influence on your career: God who has played a huge part in my life. What were your short and long term goals: Better fitness.
