Shem shapes up to Rangers challenge
Massey Cup team at Pizzey Park. Vaoa was left speechless when informed of his selection and is champing at the bit to help the Rangers’ quest for a third straight win in the annual clash.
It will mark another highlight in a year in which he has played his first two games at Queensland Cup level, including being part of the Seagulls’ victory in Papua New Guinea last weekend.
“That was like the most physical contest of my life. It was a whole lot of pain over there,” the Palm Beach Currumbin High School product said.
As a rising star, Aucklandborn Vaoa declined the chance to link with the Titans a few years ago, simply happy to play park footy.
“I think they were going through all their problems around that time so, I don’t know,” he said.
“A couple of years before there were rumours that Brisbane was having a look and stuff but I didn’t actually hear from them.”
He sat out last season but was talked into strapping the boots back on by Tweed Agrade mentor Darryl Fisher, who had coached Vaoa to an under-20s premiership at Burleigh.
Meanwhile, headlining Gold Coast Rugby League action this weekend will be a showdown between brothers Grayson and Keanu Te Kiri when Tugun host Burleigh tomorrow.
Keanu switched from 2016 premiers Tugun to runnersup Burleigh for a crack at playing Queensland Cup and has already featured in seven state league games for the Bears this year.
Seahawks coach Martin Griese said the pair – both halves – could find themselves marking one another.
“We want people to come to our club, develop and move onto bigger things,” he said.
“But in saying that we have been stirring him up on Facebook so look hopefully there is that brotherly rivalry there.”