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2025 Langer Trophy live stream: Ipswich SHS v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Round 3
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He was given a baptism of fire against a tough Marsden State High in his Langer Trophy debut, and Ispwich's Baxter Best more than stood up to the challenge.
But what will be in store for the brother of Blues Origin star Bradman Best when he clashes with the might of reigning national champions Palm Beach Currumbin.
The clash will be streamed live and free on KommunityTV on Tuesday afternoon, headlining a big triple header which features the Walters Cup (Year 10) and Schoolgirls Cup.
WATCH THE QUEENSLAND SCHOOLS LEAGUE LIVE
LANGER TROPHY
NRL SCHOOLGIRLS CUP
Round 3
Tuesday, June 17
Ipswich SHS v Palm Beach Currumbin SHS
4.15pm: Walters Cup, 5.30pm: Langer Trophy, 6.45pm: Schoolgirls Cup
Wavell SHS v Keebra Park SHS
3.45pm: Walters Cup, 5pm: Langer Trophy
Marsden SHS v Redcliffe SHS - WATCH LIVE
3.15pm: Walters Cup, 4.30pm: Langer Trophy
Stretton State College v Mabel Park SHS
12pm: Walters Cup, 2.30pm: Langer Trophy, 3.45pm: Schoolgirls Cup
Keebra Park SHS v St James College
3pm: Schoolgirls Cup
A full News Corp Australia digital subscription will be required to watch the Walters Cup and Schoolgirls Cup.
There is a storied history between Ipswich and Palm Beach Currumbin, with the two schools meeting in back-to-back Langer Trophy deciders between 2022-23.
Palm Beach Currumbin enter round 3 with a 24-4 confidence-boosting win over Wavell behind them. Picture: Liam Kidston
Ipswich only just escaped the Makos by the skin of their teeth in round 2, with Best brilliant when he was thrust into the fray earlier than first anticipated.
'I said 'unless there's an injury, I'll put you on with about 20 minutes to go and we will give you an experience',' coach Josh Bretherton said.
Unfortunately a concussion to right centre Tomu Cook early in the match created the opportunity for the 16-year-old to show his wares as the youngest on the field.
With just his second touch of the ball, Best made a thrilling break and set-up the match-sealing try to fullback Tom Parker.
Best's sound performance was a great early indication of his ability to play above his age.
The Year 10 student is a rare breed because to accelerate his development, he is bypassing the Walters Cup to play Opens football.
Reece Walsh (Keebra Park) and Jared Horne (current Wavell senior) are a few others to have done this.
Wavell SHS senior Jared Horne, pictured as a Year 9 student, made his Langer Trophy debut in Year 10 and is making his way back from a patella fracture in his knee. John Gass
'We felt that the best thing to do was to try and challenge him,' said Bretherton.
'To try put him out of his comfort zone.'
Best thrived in the new environment.
'I thought he did a really solid job,' Bretherton said.
'I asked him to do some simple things defensively on exit and stuff and he did those things for me which is what I am most proud of.
'He did the team contribution stuff he needed to do and when the game broke open for him, he was able to do the bits everyone knows he can do.'
Baxter Best gets the ball away to Tom Parker. Picture courtesy of Jack O'Brien.
His positive touches and runs from right centre were welcomed given the turbulent lead up to Wednesday's game that saw Ipswich lose both its edge forwards.
Starting second rowers Innocent Baruani (concussion protocol) and Elsiyah Laumatia (ankle) were both late outs in the 24 hours leading up to the round 2 heavyweight bout, with Laumatia rolling his ankle the morning of.
With Ipswich lacking two potent forwards, Mel Nonu stepped up to produce a titanic performance on the wing.
Nonu, the younger brother of Dolphins young gun LJ, caught high balls extremely well under pressure and when his teammates were tiring late in the game, he maintained a high standard.
He caught the ball all alone with Marsden defenders rushing forward and carried the ball out of the Ipswich half with vim and vigour.
'He kept showing up and carrying. I couldn't be more proud. He was so, so valuable,' Bretherton praised.
Nonu's rapid rise to being one of the first picked each week for Ipswich is the product of a strong pre-season.
Mel Nonu has been outstanding in 2025.
Last year Nonu was getting better with every game in the Langer Reserves competition before going on to start all nine matches in this year's Mal Meninga Cup for the Jets.
'We thought he could play at this level but that he was going to have to work hard to get to this level and there was no guarantee he would've done it this year,' Bretherton reflected.
'When he rolled back in (after the summer holidays) and obviously watching how well he played for the Jets, it was like 'oh he will do it easy'.
'He was just a completely different player.'
