Classic battle on cards for fans
IF KIRWAN State High School or Ignatius Park College hope to be crowned Australia’s schoolboy national champions this year, they must first conquer their local rivals in an Aaron Payne Cup semifinal blockbuster at Jack Manski Oval.
The schools could not be split in their round 1 clash, tying 20-all after Ignatius Park prop Henry Teutau steamrolled through the Kirwan defence to save his school from defeat.
Kirwan and Iggy Park tied on competition points as well, with three wins, one loss and their draw to take out second and third place on the Payne Cup ladder.
It’s fitting that the path to the North Queensland championship sees the arch rivals meet once again.
“It’s the best it gets for us,” Ignatius Park co-captain Matthew Hunter said.
“It’s going to be an adrenaline rush. It’s going to be a good watch for the fans, a good game for both of us teams.”
Kirwan skipper VJ Winterstein, the kid brother of Cowboys great Antonio Winterstein, couldn’t agree more.
The key to their victory will be in stopping Teutau and his middle forward mates Jamaine Stanley and Jamal Shibasaki, who spearheaded Ignatius Park to a Confraternity Carnival win and a record 100-0 thrashing of Mareeba SHS earlier in their Cup campaign.
Winterstein said his side had a plan to cut down their giant foes.
Kirwan coach Nathan Norford has instructed his team to attack wide and force the opposition core to tire themselves
out in chasing the game from edge to edge.
“We knew straight away what we did wrong (in round one) so we don’t need to overthink it,” Winterstein said.
“We’re just building up on them big three forwards. We don’t want to beat them through the middle so we’re just going to use our backs and attack them wide.
“Anybody who gets the ball in their hands has their job.”
No Kirwan player remains from the squad who won the Aaron Payne Cup in 2020, where NRL rookie of the yearin-waiting Jeremiah Nanai blitzed opponents in a state championship season.
Kirwan have lost their current answer to Nanai’s strike in Queensland Schoolboys centre Elekana Suavai, who will miss the Aaron Payne Cup clash with an injured finger.
Stepping into his position on the edge will be Kanye Pua’avase, the younger brother of former Kirwan standout D’jazirhae Pua’avase.
“He’s more powerful, he’s got strength in his carry,” Winterstein said.
Townsville Bulletin digital subscribers can view an exclusive live stream of the Aaron Payne Cup and Cowboys Challenge action from 1.30pm.