Queenslander Athletes Dominate in the 2025 Australia Under-16s Finals
The towering Nudgee College athlete, Denver Bradford, hailed today's match as the pinnacle of his remarkable year, solidifying his status as a rising star in Australian rugby.
At just 16 years old and standing at 2.02m, Bradford has been a standout performer for his school, the Reds Under-16s, and the Buildcorp Reds Academy, culminating in his selection for the country's elite U16 team.
The match against the Queensland Reds U17s Development XV at Wests Rugby Club was a closely contested affair in the first half, with the Australia U16s ultimately prevailing 61-12.
The young Reds initially trailed 14-12, but just before halftime, they secured a crucial 5m attacking lineout. However, a moment of indiscipline saw key fullback Hemi Rakuita sin-binned for deliberately knocking down a pass during an attacking play.
With a reduced squad of 14 players to start the second half, the Queenslanders faced heightened pressure. They committed errors, including a dropped restart and a bungled kick-off, both of which resulted in tries for the Australian team's swift outside backs.
The final score of 26-12 sealed the game, but the Queenslanders' resilience and hometown support at Sci-Fleet Stadium were notable.
Seven Queenslanders were part of the starting lineup and reserves, with six of them forwards, including starting props Jeremiah Kite and Moses Faleafa. These players were celebrated with lolly leis, a traditional Polynesian honor, post-match.
Bradford expressed his enthusiasm for training with the Australian squad and his pride in wearing the national jersey, highlighting the camaraderie and competition within the team.
He also acknowledged the challenge of the first half, attributing the team's success in the second half to their faster and more disciplined performance.
Looking ahead, Bradford is optimistic about his prospects for the First XV at Nudgee and the Reds U18s, aiming to push for the Australia U18s team.
Kite, a Brisbane Boys' College prop, praised the professional setup of the U16s program, commending the clear coaching and the pride he felt in participating in the match.
Poluleuligaga, another standout player, reflected on his journey back to full fitness after shoulder surgery, missing games and playing only half the GPS season. He expressed his desire to have a full year of competition next year and to press for selection in the U18 teams.
