**Aussie schoolboy links with Tigers**
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HE MIGHT have been born in New Zealand, but Ipswich rugby league sensation Thomas Mikaele is proud to be Australian raised.
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Having already been named a 2015/16 QT-City of Ipswich junior monthly sportstar, Mikaele has earned himself a second nomination in 12 months, this time as a senior award winner.
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A fierce Queenslander who has enjoyed a massive year on and off the field, Mikaele said moving to the rugby league-mad city of Ipswich had been the perfect fit for the 115kg forward.
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"I fancy myself as Australian,” he said. "I'm NZ born but Australian at heart.
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"Australia is home. I've spent 10 years here, first in Durack and then my family and I moved to Redbank. We love it here in Ipswich.”
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At 18 years old, the Keebra Park State School student has already twice brought victory to his adopted country, as an Australian schoolboy representative.
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After helping Australia to victory over his former New Zealand countrymen last year, Mikaele returned to the green and gold to take on the touring England Academy.
>
Despite handing out a 50-12 thumping to the visiting Englishmen, the 180cm forward described the contest as one of his biggest challenges to date.
>
"They were big and tough,” he said. "I wasn't expecting them to be so physical. Those games are the toughest I've been in.
>
"There's a lot of pressure but once you get out there you just leave it all behind.
>
"After beating New Zealand last year I felt very fortunate to make it the second time in a row. We were in camp for about two weeks ”
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Now with his final school days fast approaching, Mikaele has earned himself a contract with the Wests Tigers NRL club.
>
Preparing to fly down two days after graduation, the former Goodna Eagles junior can't wait to test himself in a whole new environment.
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"I know it'll be tough,” Mikaele said. "But it will be different and I am looking forward to getting that feeling of independence.
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"I know a lot of blokes from Australian schoolboys who are down there and I've got a place in Sydney with a few of the other guys who have come down from Keebra Park.
>
"I'm sure my parents will miss me but I'll visit whenever I can.”
>
Confident that rugby league has taught him to be self reliant, Mikaele said he owed a lot to the sport he loves. "I wouldn't be the person I am now without rugby league,” he said. "It has made me a mature person and given me a sense of leadership.
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"I enjoy being role model to some of the younger guys and I think it has given me a fighting mentality.”
>
Already well used to juggling his extensive playing career with school study, the gentle giant hopes to continue his education while in Sydney.
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"I'll be doing a lot of training but I am also looking to go study in business,” he said.
>
"It's something I've been really interested since I've been in high school and I'd like to take that further.
>
"I did a short camp with them at the start of the year and I was just in awe of the guys down there.
>
"It's pretty cool seeing guys like Aaron Woods and those guys.
>
"I've followed the Tigers ever since I came over to Australia so I'm looking forward to doing a full pre-season there.”
http://qt.com.au/news/aussie-schoolboy-links-with-tigers/3083379/
>
HE MIGHT have been born in New Zealand, but Ipswich rugby league sensation Thomas Mikaele is proud to be Australian raised.
>
Having already been named a 2015/16 QT-City of Ipswich junior monthly sportstar, Mikaele has earned himself a second nomination in 12 months, this time as a senior award winner.
>
A fierce Queenslander who has enjoyed a massive year on and off the field, Mikaele said moving to the rugby league-mad city of Ipswich had been the perfect fit for the 115kg forward.
>
"I fancy myself as Australian,” he said. "I'm NZ born but Australian at heart.
>
"Australia is home. I've spent 10 years here, first in Durack and then my family and I moved to Redbank. We love it here in Ipswich.”
>
At 18 years old, the Keebra Park State School student has already twice brought victory to his adopted country, as an Australian schoolboy representative.
>
After helping Australia to victory over his former New Zealand countrymen last year, Mikaele returned to the green and gold to take on the touring England Academy.
>
Despite handing out a 50-12 thumping to the visiting Englishmen, the 180cm forward described the contest as one of his biggest challenges to date.
>
"They were big and tough,” he said. "I wasn't expecting them to be so physical. Those games are the toughest I've been in.
>
"There's a lot of pressure but once you get out there you just leave it all behind.
>
"After beating New Zealand last year I felt very fortunate to make it the second time in a row. We were in camp for about two weeks ”
>
Now with his final school days fast approaching, Mikaele has earned himself a contract with the Wests Tigers NRL club.
>
Preparing to fly down two days after graduation, the former Goodna Eagles junior can't wait to test himself in a whole new environment.
>
"I know it'll be tough,” Mikaele said. "But it will be different and I am looking forward to getting that feeling of independence.
>
"I know a lot of blokes from Australian schoolboys who are down there and I've got a place in Sydney with a few of the other guys who have come down from Keebra Park.
>
"I'm sure my parents will miss me but I'll visit whenever I can.”
>
Confident that rugby league has taught him to be self reliant, Mikaele said he owed a lot to the sport he loves. "I wouldn't be the person I am now without rugby league,” he said. "It has made me a mature person and given me a sense of leadership.
>
"I enjoy being role model to some of the younger guys and I think it has given me a fighting mentality.”
>
Already well used to juggling his extensive playing career with school study, the gentle giant hopes to continue his education while in Sydney.
>
"I'll be doing a lot of training but I am also looking to go study in business,” he said.
>
"It's something I've been really interested since I've been in high school and I'd like to take that further.
>
"I did a short camp with them at the start of the year and I was just in awe of the guys down there.
>
"It's pretty cool seeing guys like Aaron Woods and those guys.
>
"I've followed the Tigers ever since I came over to Australia so I'm looking forward to doing a full pre-season there.”
http://qt.com.au/news/aussie-schoolboy-links-with-tigers/3083379/
