Kangaroo ‘brothers’ in schoolboys side

MANIHI Maurangi and Elekana Suavai dream of one day playing professional rugby league, and they’re on the way to making it happen after being selected in the Queensland under-15s schoolboys team.

Maurangi made the squad as a 14-year-old in 2018 but will be joined by school and club mate Suavai in 2019.

Both attend Trinity Bay State High School and play for Cairns Kangaroos in the Cairns District Junior Rugby League competition.

“He’s like a brother to me,” said Maurangi.

“I’ve been hanging out with him for ages, since we were kids. It’s an honour to play with him.”

As well as sharing the same school and footy club, Maurangi and Suavai also share a dream to one day play the sport professionally. But they know it won’t be easy.

“If I work hard enough and keep my head in the game, then hopefully I can make it to the NRL,” said Maurangi.

Suavai said he had worked hard to get on the Queensland team and would keep working towards his goal. “It means a lot,” he said. “All my family’s support is behind me. feeling.”

Family is also the driving force for Maurangi when he’s out on the field.

“I’m just always playing for the family,” he said, “representing who I am and what I stand for.”

“I’m proud to represent where I’m from, my state. “It just feels good.” The two earned their rep honours while playing for Peninsula at the Queensland School Sport Rugby League 15 Years State Championships earlier this month.

Trinity Bay State High School rugby league co-ordinator Shannon Riles said both players would make their presence It’s an amazing felt on the team.

“Elekana would’ve probably been picked for his defence, but also with the ball, he makes a lot of metres and is very strong,” he said.

“Manihi will bring that toughness up front. His biggest strength is probably his postcontact metres. He’s very hard to put down and very hard to defend against.”

The pair will play for the Queensland Maroons under-15s, one of two Queensland teams, at the National Championships in Redcliffe from June 30-July 5.

Cairns State High School student Marcellus Luki will play for Queensland Whites at the same tournament.