Big test for teammates

EMERALD State High School students Connor Jones and Sebastian Stiegler have got the inside knowledge on Central Highlands' teammate Isaiah Huet.

The added edge will prove handy when they run on in different teams for the statewide Cyril Connell Cup under-16 rugby league competition early next month.

Jones and Stiegler will play under the Central Division banner, while classmate Huet will trial under the Central Queensland Capras banner.

The league representatives joked about putting the "big hit" on their Emerald colleagues during the competition, but were equally aware come game time it was strictly business.

"Out on the field you take it serious," Huet said.

The players will battle it out in the competition's northern team pool for the right to challenge the southern pool's winner for the state championship.

If successful, further representation awaits the young hopefuls in the under-16 Queensland side - a prospect which sits very well with halfback Connor Jones.

"It would be a good experience... very exciting and a lot tougher," Jones said.

Central Highlands rugby league development officer Andrew Lawrence said the boys' selection was based on a number of attributes, not just the raw abilities of the player.

"A lot of it depends on their attitude," Lawrence said.

"It's their skills and attitude to the game."

The under-16 representatives will combine for a training camp on the Sunshine Coast and trial match in the weeks preceding their first cup competition game in March.

In the Mal Meninga Cup under-18 competition, Stewart Harris and Nick Devine from the Central Highlands were also successful in gaining selection.