RL: Murris youngster in demand says Currie

AAP General News (Australia)
04-03-2007
RL: Murris youngster in demand says Currie

By Wayne Heming

BRISBANE, April 3 AAP - Former Australian Test centre Tony Currie says player managers
are already chasing outstanding Queensland Murris vice-captain Casey Fraser at age 15.

Fraser, who starred in Queensland's 34-14 loss to the NSW Kooris in the recent Indigenous
Challenge, was one of seven Queenslanders named today in Australia's under-16 Indigenous
side to tackle the New Zealand Maoris as a curtain raiser to Friday week's Test between
Australian and the Kiwis at Suncorp Stadium.

The strongly-built Fraser turned heads in the match against NSW, displaying a steely
determination to match his athletic ability.

He scored an impressive solo try and repeatedly drove back the opposition with his
big tackles to collect the Queensland Players Player award.

Hailing from Nanango in the South Burnett region, Fraser plays for Stanley Rivers in
the Sunshine Coast Junior Rugby League.

Murris coach Currie, the former Queensland Origin and Broncos player, said a handful
of player managers had contacted him after the interstate match to discuss Fraser and
his future.

Fraser will be joined in the national side by fellow Queenslanders Lyndon Law, Ricky
Barber, Leon Taylor, Dane Gagai, Jack Warwick and Robert McLeod.

NSW five-eighth Albert Kelly, another raw, exciting talent from Kempsey, will captain
the Australian side.

Kelly produced the play of the game in the second half to set up teammate William Beale
for a spectacular try.

Former Gold Coast Giants player Scott Mieni will coach the side who'll play the first
curtain raiser before the clash between Australia and New Zealand's Combined Services
and the Test on April 20.

The Australian Indigenous U-16 squad is: Karl Quinlan (NSW), Dewayne Sampson (NSW),
Lyndon Law (QLD) Tyrone Roberts (NSW), Trevor George (NSW), Albert Kelly (NSW), William
Beale (NSW), Ryan James (NSW), Ricky Barber (QLD), Lance Whitnall (NSW), Leon Taylor
(QLD), Kirran Shearer (NSW), Casey Fraser (QLD), Richard Peckham (NSW), Dane GAGAI (QLD),
Jack Warwick (QLD), Robert McLeod (QLD).

AAP wh

KEYWORD: LEAGUE INDIGENOUS

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