CHAMPS OF THE FUTURE GET TIPS FROM BEST

GOLD Coast juniors turned Queensland Reds players James Slipper and Angus Blyth are spurring on the next wave of rugby union talent.

Slipper, a Bond Pirates product, has gone on to become a Reds and Wallabies stalwart but says his junior memories still hold “a special place in my heart”.

“The main reason why I started up was to find friends, coming to the Gold Coast as a young kid,” he recalled.

“Some of the people I call my closest mates are due to the fact that I played rugby with them.”

Having recently come through the pathway to now be knocking on the door for a Super Rugby debut, Blyth is “passionate” about giving back to the grassroots.

Zane Hanna, a 12-year-old who plays flyhalf for Casuarina – the club Blyth lined up for once upon a time – was excited to be in close quarters with the pair.

“I’d love to be a Reds player,” he said.

Palm Beach Currumbin’s Tai Smith, also 12, can’t wait to rip in for his eighth season – which will kick-off with Round 1 on April 28.

Picture: ELLYTHEA WAHLSTROM Juniors Archie Verheijen (aged 5, Colleges), Cooper Leahy (8, Helensvale), Darcy Halloran (9, Pirates), Charlie Claydon (Nerang, 8), Jaden Burton (Surfers, 11), Tai Smith (12, PBC), Zane Hanna (12, Casuarina), Nauvoo Reweti (11, Eagles) and Thomas Hogg...