Q-CUP 2025 Queensland Cup Discussion

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The Broncos have unearthed Selwyn Cobbo’s replacement with a teenage New Zealand sensation tipped to take the NRL by storm.
Australian Schoolboys flyer Antonio Verhoeven is locked down at Brisbane until the end of 2027 and will join the Broncos’ fulltime squad this year.

A rangy centre-winger, ‘Nio’ has been in devastating form for Palm Beach Currumbin High School in the Langer Cup after the Broncos brought him to Australia.

This video compiled by the Queensland Rugby League of Verhoeven playing for Burleigh in the Mal Meninga Cup shows how powerful and athletic he is.

With a host of NRL scouts watching on, Verhoeven scored a try for PBC in their thrilling 8-6 win against Gold Coast rivals Keebra Park on Tuesday night.

He is in his final year of school at the renowned Gold Coast nursery and has been tipped to have a big future in the NRL with the Broncos.

“He is a proper all-round athlete,” said PBC assistant coach and former Titans flyer Anthony Don.

“He is aggressive with his carries and will leap above people to score tries.

“He is a great defender, can read the play and is solid in contact.

“He is the complete package.”

While the Warriors are looking to move in on Brisbane’s territory after setting up an academy at Logan, the Broncos spotted Verhoeven playing for Christchurch school St Bede’s at a sevens tournament in New Zealand last year.

Also talented at basketball, union and athletics, Verhoeven was invited to Brisbane to trial with the Broncos and it didn’t take long for them to sign him.

The Broncos helped Verhoeven relocate to Australia for his final year of school at PBC - the school that has helped produce the likes of Darius Boyd and Tom Dearden.

He was named on the wing in the Australian Schoolboys team last month, finishing at No.6 on Code Sports’ top 50 ASSRL schoolboys, and is a potential replacement for Dolphins-bound Cobbo.

Verhoeven is still filling out his 198cm frame and Don said he had the work ethic to succeed in the NRL.

“I think he will be an NRL player,” he said.

“He is a really good kid. He’s got a great work ethic and puts in effort at school.

“He will be good for the Broncos for years.”
 
I stand by what I said earlier in the year, he could play Cup now, if it wasn't for Arthars, Karapani and Mariner I think he would be.

I would love Bears to give him a run. It's his balance at makes him different; he can fend and move without losing his balance. The try he scored against Ipswich State High should be in outside back coaching manuals.
 
Innes on the wing today for Broncos. Not sure how I feel about that.

@Big Pete have you seen Verhoeven's form in NRLQ as the only disappointment this year? He's slotted in at Bears and PBC but Broncos been really nothing.

Not sure if that reflects this team or not.

Today is the big Test, Dolphins at Lang Park.
 
1910 said:
@Big Pete have you seen Verhoeven's form in NRLQ as the only disappointment this year? He's slotted in at Bears and PBC but Broncos been really nothing.

Not sure if that reflects this team or not.
Click to expand...
The only play I remember came after that Gundry flick pass to Poese.

Scott doubles up down the blind, gives good ball to Verhoeven and he does that big shrug off like he was known to do at Burleigh only to get pinged for a forward pass coming back on the inside. Otherwise he struggled to get on the same page with Scott who had his own issues.

That was coming off the back of Verhoeven's debut against the Dolphins. I've yet to watch the replay, but 3 errors doesn't paint a good picture.

I'd say he's long odds of making his QCup debut. If Burleigh had the Clydesdales you'd want him to have that opportunity, but Devils followed by an away game against the Falcons is a big ask and I can't see Burt taking that risk.

Especially if he doesn't come away with the two points this afternoon.
 
After all that, Verhoeven has been pulled from the game.

Morcom into the centres.

Schoolboys #7 Batten in action for the Phins.
 
Big Pete said:
After all that, Verhoeven has been pulled from the game.

Morcom into the centres.

Schoolboys #7 Batten in action for the Phins.
Click to expand...

Any idea why or by who he got pulled
 
Dolphins receive back to back penalties before Carpenter strolls past Scott to score.

4-0 Dolphins
 
After a weight of possession, Scott returns serve and slices through to open the Broncos account.

4-all KTC.
 
Dolphins concede a set restart and the Broncos capitilise. McConnell squares up the defence and puts Bryce through half a gap and Jett does the rest.

10-4 Broncos KTC
 
Broncos go close but Dolphins hang on.

McConnell tackled just short after a dummy and go. Cassidy went straight from dummy half but was spun onto his back. Then on the last McConnell goes to the air, Poese bats the ball with Coates dotting down in the corner but it's ruled a knock on by the officials.

Broncos back on the attack after a Dolphins mistake.
 
Cassidy from dummy half, grubbers for himself, it comes off a Dolphins foot back into the body of Cassidy and he grounds the ball.

18-4 Broncos.

24 gone.
 
Broncos well on top when Bryce decides to rub his elbow in one of the Dolphins' faces.

Dolphins move the ball around well, leave Bryce lying in the ruck, Feaunati is in no-man's land at marker so Rogers just races out and puts Dickson over under the uprights to get the Phins back into it.

Disappointing stuff from Bryce.

18-10 Broncos
 
Broncos run a scrum play that gives Poese an open passage to the try line but he's ruled to have knocked on.

Phins turn the ball over again, it's been a scrappy game from them.

Broncos return there and they make no mistake this time.

22-10 Broncos

HT
 
Gundry gets his arms free puts McConnell into a gap but Bailey loses it cold.

Not an ideal start, but the Broncos will receive another attacking opportunity after the Dolphins are ruled off-side.
 
Ford puts Sifo through a nice hole, fullback to beat, Carpenter rises to the challenge and Sifo's pass to McConnell is ruled forward. The cover defence had McConnell covered regardless - was a great hit.
 
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