Walker and Finefeuiaki do Ipswich connection proud for Maroons
- FOGS
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Ipswich has been a reliable provider of outstanding Queensland players and halfback Sam Walker and powerhouse second-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki are continuing the fine tradition.
The great Allan Langer and the Walters brothers - Kevin, Kerrod and Steve - were famously known as the "Ipswich connection" and did the Maroons proud over a period stretching across 15 years in the late 1980s through to the early 2000s.
Walker, who made his debut in game one of this year's series, was taken by his father Ben to play at Langer's junior club Norths Tigers when he was a lad.
Finefeuiaki was born in New Zealand but moved to Ipswich with his parents when he was 11 for a better life.
He played for Redbank Plains Bears and went to Ipswich State High, Langer's former school, where he came to the attention of the rugby league world.
Ben Walker loved playing with Langer at Brisbane, as did his brothers Shane and Chris Walker, and wanted some of the Alfie magic to filter through to his son.
The pair, both small in stature but big on impact, share the ability to create something out of nothing and magical short kicking games.
"I debuted outside Alf at five-eighth for the Broncos when I played after I'd watched him from that age of 10," Ben Walker said.
"A lot of what Sam does now is his own style but very much influenced through ourselves and people that we watched and played with and Alf was a huge part of that.”
Sam Walker has also relished having Langer in camp on coach Billy Slater's staff where the little master has played a huge role in instilling belief.
"It has been awesome. I've had a great time in camp with him," Sam said.
"He is a larrikin who makes you laugh and is someone you just want to be around. I think he has got a real good energy around him.
"Alf is just a good person and fills you with a lot of confidence in your game. He’s been so good for me.”
Langer was more than impressed with Walker's display in the 22-20 loss in game one of this year's series where his two try assists and four goals from as many attempts took the Maroons to a 20-0 lead.
“It just shows he’s up to Origin level, which is good,” Langer said
“He's got a great short kicking game, and I know he works hard on his long kicking game as well. He's only at the start of his career, so he's got a big future ahead of him.”
Walker has heard all the comparisons between himself and Langer in style but is honoured and not daunted by them.
“Dad loved watching him play and I guess my game often gets comparisons with the similar way I play,” Walker said.
“It is an honour to be compared to someone like that and exciting as well. I spent a lot of time working on the little crafts in my game and I will continue to build them.
“I am really proud of where I am from. Ipswich is such a passionate place for rugby league fans and to represent them and everything they have done for me as well ...is special.
“I still pinch myself that I get to wear this jersey. It is something I always dreamt of as a kid.”
Finefeuiaki used to watch Origin as a boy and remembered hearing all the stories about Langer and the Walters brothers. It left an impression on him.
“It's pretty cool. There are a lot of greats come out of Ipswich like Alfie Langer," he said.
"He went to Ipswich State High. I went to Ipswich State High. We've got Sammy Walker here and he is from Ipswich as well. There is a lot of rich history there. For me to be a part of that rich history is pretty special.
“I lived in Mangere in south Auckland when I was young and it was a pretty tough area to grow up in. There was a lot of violence and a lot of things you don't want to see as a little kid so my parents made the decision to move to Ipswich for a better life and a better opportunity. I just want to repay that to Queensland.”
Finefeuiaki loves to trample opponents in the forwards and it was Maroons legend Greg Inglis, who did most of his trampling in the centres, who caught his eye.
“I just loved the way he played the game and the way he approached it. Every time I watched him he was pretty scary to look at,” Finefeuiaki said.
"I reckon a lot of young Queenslanders look up to him and I know that some of them will try and base their game off Greg Inglis.”
Slater has been a fan of Finefeuiaki for a long time and said his form for the Dolphins had come on in leaps and bounds.
“Kulikefu has been jumping out of the screen all year,” Slater said.
“He’s been playing the standard of footy that’s acceptable for this team for a long time.
“He runs pretty hard, it’s a big strength of his game,
“I like his consistency with his carries and the big improvement has been his defence.”
Slater has also been more than impressed with Walker and just wants him to showcase his strengths any time he plays for the Maroons.
“I think we all will agree that there's only one Alfie and you want him to be him. When you play in a representative team, you've got to bring your strengths and Sam's confident about that,” Slater said.
“I know how much Sam loves this state. Growing up in Ipswich, just west of Brisbane, I can just imagine him in the backyard dreaming of playing for Queensland with the number seven on his back.
“I am looking forward to him getting more opportunities and playing more footy at this level.”
