The stage is set for an exciting Under 16 development clash on Wednesday night when the Future Titans face the Melbourne Storm in Brisbane.
Featuring some of the best young talent waiting in the wings of the Gold Coast, the pathways battle will be headlined by a number of impressive rising stars, including up-and-coming dummy-half Jai Bilish who is fresh off winning the National Schoolboys Cup with Palm Beach Currumbin, Fynn Laffranchi - son of Titans legend Anthony, and Jojo Fifita's younger brother Viliami who is a powerful front rower.
The clash kicks of at 6.15pm at Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane.
Future Titans v Melbourne Storm
1. Fynn Laffranchi 2. Mai Walker 3. Leo Briggs 4. Jahzayis Perenara-Livapulu 5. Tyson MacDonald 6. Murphy Phillips 7. Jordan Hotere 8. Viliami Fifita 9. Jai Bilish 10. Majah Peachey 11. Kalani Patu 12. Jyah White 13. Lennox Whaiapu 14. Jonty Coutts 15. Brooklyn Campbell 16. TBC 17. Kingzen Lefono 18. Julius Matiseni 19. Roy Sio 20. TBC 21. Treleque Boyce-Silimaka
Titans.com.au has identified several Future Titans players to watch in the showdown:
Jahzayis (JZ) Perenara-Livapulu
Contracted to the club at 15, Perenara-Livapulu is a talented outside back who recently represented Met West and Queensland in the Under 15s and has had another break out year. Impressing at the Brisbane Tigers in the Cyril Connell Challenge season before testing himself against Palm Beach Currumbin State High School with Stretton College in the Langer Cup quarter finals, look for his carries out of his own end and his defensive reads to shut down the Storm backline.
Jordan Hotere
This 16-year-old rising playmaker hails from Wavell State High School and also represented Wynnum-Manly in the Cyril Connell Challenge, leading to his signature after a strong seasons in 2024. Hotere will be the one pulling the strings and steering the young Titans side around the park against Melbourne.
Kalani Patu
A Keebra Park and Southport Tigers junior, Patu joined the Titans at age 15 as a versatile middle or edge forward and will be eager to impress against Melbourne, especially after recently inking an extension on the Gold Coast after a strong year with the Tweed Seagulls in the Cyril Connell Challenge.
Lennox Whaiapu
Lining up at lock against the Storm, Whaiapu is a strong 16-year-old forward who recently signed to the club after a breakout Walters Cup schoolboys season with Keebra Park. The Burleigh Bears junior will be everywhere on the field in his first Gold Coast appearance.
