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Jason Qareqare

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Jason Qareqare
Personal information
Full nameBalami Jason Qareqare
Born(2004-01-26)26 January 2004(age 20)
Lautoka, Fiji
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight13 st 3 lb (84 kg)
Playing information
PositionWing,Fullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2021– Castleford Tigers 38 20 0 0 80
2023(DR) →Midlands Hurricanes 2 0 0 0 0
2023(loan) →Bradford Bulls 2 0 0 0 0
Total 42 20 0 0 80
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2022– Fiji 2 1 0 0 4
Source:[1][2]
As of 19 September 2024

Jason Qareqare(Fi gian pronunciation:[ŋɡareŋɡare];born 26 January 2004) is a Fi gian professionalrugby leaguefootballer who plays as awingerorfullbackfor theCastleford Tigersin theSuper League.

He has previously played for theMidlands HurricanesinLeague 1and theBradford Bullsin theChampionshipon dual registration and loan fromCastleford.

Background

[edit]

Qareqare was born inLautoka, Fiji.As the son of aBritish Armysoldier, he lived inOsnabrück, Germanyfor four years before his family relocated toYorkshire.[3]

Growing up, he previously playedfootballwithYork Cityandrugby unionwith Ripon RUFC and school teams. He was inspired to take uprugby leaguebyFiji'srun to the2013 Rugby League World Cupsemi-finals as well as due to the sport's popularity in the area.[3][4][5]

Qareqare attendedSherburn High School.He played his junior rugby league for theKippax Knightsbefore signing for theCastleford Tigersacademy aged 14.[6]He joinedQueen Ethelburga's Collegiateon a rugby unionscholarship,where he studied Maths, Sport and Business, while training part-time with Castleford.[6]

Club career

[edit]

Castleford Tigers

[edit]

On 10 June 2021, Qareqare was given a late call up into theCastleford Tigersside to faceHull FCin theSuper League,having been expected to play for the under-19s that weekend.[6][7]He received a phone call from head coachDaryl Powellwhile in maths class at school, and started on the left wing to make hisSuper Leaguedebut for Castleford.[7][8]Inside the first minute, he rounded fullbackJake Connorto score a try with his first touch of the ball.[9][10]This was nominated for Super League Try of the Month,[11]and was later voted Castleford's Try of the Year despite strong competition.[12]He went on to make 2 further appearances in 2021, featuring off the bench againstWakefieldand starting at fullback in a youthful side againstSalford.[13][14]

Qareqare signed a two-year contract extension with Castleford in April 2022.[15][16]In his first start of the2022 seasonon 22 April, he once again scored a long-range try in the first minute with his first touch of the ball, beating fourSt Helensdefenders on the touchline.[17]This score went on to be voted Super League Try of the Month, and in December was voted Super League Try of the Season.[18][19][20]On 15 May, he scored two tries in Castleford's victory overHull Kingston Rovers.[21]The following week, Qareqare scored his second consecutive brace againstSalford,with his "pace and skill in tight situations evidenced by his sublime finishes".[22]He finished the season with 7 tries in 8 appearances.[1]

For the2023 season,Qareqare switched from squad number 33 to 31.[23]At the2023 Magic Weekend,he scored the late winning try for Castleford in their 26-24 victory against theLeeds Rhinos.[24][25]He scored again in the two following rounds againstSalfordandWarrington.[26][27]In round 25, Qareqare scored two tries for Castleford in their 29-12 victory overHull FC.[28][29]The second of these, a length-of-the-field interception from a Hull scrum play, went on to be voted Castleford's Try of the Season.[30]

In2024,Qareqare started in the opening rounds but suffered an ankle injury on 25 February, expected to keep him out for two months.[31][32]On 17 May, Castleford announced that Qareqare had signed a further two-year contract extension.[33][34]

Whitehaven (loan)

[edit]

On 22 July 2022, Qareqare joinedWhitehavenin theChampionshipon loan, alongside teammateCain Robb.[35][36]However, the following week, they were both recalled to Castleford without having made an appearance, as the Tigers were unable to name a full 21-man squad due to mounting injury issues.[37]

Midlands Hurricanes (dual registration)

[edit]

Qareqare made 2 appearances for theMidlands Hurricanesin theRFL League 1in 2023, through their dual registration agreement with Castleford.[1]

Bradford Bulls (loan)

[edit]

On 20 April 2023, it was announced that Qareqare had joined theBradford Bullsin theChampionshipon an initial 2-week loan deal, continuing on a rolling basis.[38]Tigers head coachAndy Lastexplained the move; "Jason is a player with huge potential and we want to create a pathway for him. Jason needs to work on some aspects of his game and getting some consistent rugby at Bradford will stretch him a little bit more than the reserves."[39]In June, having made 2 appearances, he was recalled to Castleford.[40]

Representative career

[edit]

Qareqare representedYorkshirein their Academy Origin victory againstLancashireon 4 August 2021. He played as awingerand scored the opening try of the game in the second minute.[41]He was named in the Yorkshire squad for the first match of the 2022 Academy Origin series, but did not take part due toSuper Leaguecommitments.[42][43]

In May 2022, Qareqare was named inFiji's initial 50-man squad in the build up towards the2021 Rugby League World Cup.[44]In September 2022, he was included in the extended 33-man training squad.[45]On 7 October 2022, Qareqare played on thewingfor Fiji againstEnglandin their warm-up game at theAJ Bell Stadium,[46][47]although missed out on a final selection in Fiji's 24-man tournament squad.[48][49]

On 6 October 2023, Qareqare was named inFiji's 20-man squadfor the2023 Pacific Championships.[50][51]He started in the second match on 29 October, scoring a try in Fiji's 43-16 win overPapua New Guinea.[52][53]He featured in the Pacific Bowl final on 5 November where Fiji lost 12-32 against Papua New Guinea.[54]

Statistics

[edit]
Appearances and points in all competitions by year
Club Season Tier App T G DG Pts
Castleford Tigers 2021 Super League 3 1 0 0 4
2022 Super League 8 7 0 0 28
2023 Super League 10 6 0 0 24
2024 Super League 17 6 0 0 24
Total 38 20 0 0 80
→Midlands Hurricanes(DR) 2023 League 1 2 0 0 0 0
→Bradford Bulls(loan) 2023 Championship 2 0 0 0 0
Career total 42 20 0 0 80
As of match played 19 September 2024

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcRL Record Keepers' Club
  2. ^Rugby League Project
  3. ^abSmith, Peter (4 January 2022)."Castleford Tigers: Schoolboy Jason Qareqare ready to make the grade in Super League".The Yorkshire Post.Retrieved1 February2022.
  4. ^Nasiko, Repeka (26 June 2021)."Jason hits headlines – Sacrifice and commitment pays off for youngster".The Fiji Times.Retrieved1 February2022.
  5. ^Smith, Peter (5 January 2022)."Jason Qareqare: How Castleford Tigers youngster was inspired by Fiji's performance at 2013 Rugby League World Cup".Yorkshire Evening Post.Retrieved3 November2022.
  6. ^abcHeppenstall, Ross (14 June 2021)."Jason Qareqare's remarkable journey to Castleford Tigers - meet the Fi gian on a union scholarship".Yorkshire Live.Retrieved13 September2023.
  7. ^ab"Jason Qareqare: Castleford Tigers debut try was 'an out-of-this-world feeling' despite loss to Hull FC".Sky Sports.10 June 2021.Retrieved21 September2023.
  8. ^"Super League: Castleford Tigers 12-30 Hull FC".BBC Sport.10 June 2021.Retrieved21 September2023.
  9. ^Wells, Jon (14 June 2021)."Jon Wells: A debut to remember for Castleford Tigers teenager Jason Qareqare".Sky Sports.Retrieved13 September2023.
  10. ^Craven, Dave (10 June 2021)."Castleford Tigers 12 Hull FC 30: Hull success but Castleford Tigers teenager shines on debut".The Yorkshire Post.
  11. ^Super League [@SuperLeague](12 July 2021)."An unforgettable debut try. Is Jason Qareqare's try for @CTRLFC your @northernassist Try of the Month for June?"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  12. ^"2021 End Of Season Awards".Castleford Tigers.4 October 2021.Retrieved1 February2022.
  13. ^"Super League: Wakefield Trinity 12-18 Castleford Tigers".BBC Sport.16 June 2021.Retrieved21 September2023.
  14. ^"Super League: Castleford Tigers 18-70 Salford Red Devils - Salford thrash youthful Cas side".BBC Sport.11 July 2021.Retrieved21 September2023.
  15. ^"Qareqare signs extension with Cas".Castleford Tigers.19 April 2022.Retrieved21 September2023.
  16. ^"Jason Qareqare: Castleford Tigers winger signs contract extension".BBC Sport.19 April 2022.Retrieved21 September2023.
  17. ^"Super League: Castleford Tigers 30-10 St Helens - Cas too good for Saints youngsters".BBC Sport.22 April 2022.Retrieved3 November2022.
  18. ^Super League [@SuperLeague](13 May 2022)."You've voted Jason Qareqare's stunning try as April's @northernassist Try of the Month"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  19. ^Super League [@SuperLeague](24 December 2022)."The 2022 @northernassist Try of the Season - Congratulations, @CTRLFC's Jason Qareqare"(Tweet) – viaTwitter.
  20. ^Walker, Callum (24 December 2022)."Super League Try of the Season awarded to Castleford Tigers star for incredible effort against St Helens".TotalRL.Retrieved21 September2023.
  21. ^"Super League: Castleford Tigers 32-0 Hull KR - Six-try Cas dismantle scoreless Rovers".BBC Sport.15 May 2022.Retrieved22 August2023.
  22. ^"Super League: Salford Red Devils 30-14 Castleford Tigers - Burgess scores treble as Salford see off Cas".BBC Sport.20 May 2022.Retrieved22 August2023.
  23. ^"Tigers announce squad numbers for 2023".Castleford Tigers.20 January 2023.Retrieved21 September2023.
  24. ^"Super League: Leeds Rhinos 24-26 Castleford - Tigers end six-game losing run".BBC Sport.3 June 2023.Retrieved22 August2023.
  25. ^Bazeley, Marc (3 June 2023)."Leeds Rhinos 24-26 Castleford Tigers: Jason Qareqare's converted try snatches vital Magic Weekend win".Sky Sports.Retrieved22 August2023.
  26. ^"Super League: Castleford Tigers 10-42 Salford Red Devils - Visitors move into top four after win".BBC Sport.9 June 2023.Retrieved21 September2023.
  27. ^"Super League: Castleford Tigers 23-14 Warrington Wolves - Home side hold off comeback".BBC Sport.24 June 2023.Retrieved21 September2023.
  28. ^"Super League: Castleford Tigers 29-12 Hull FC - Cas close in on survival".BBC Sport.8 September 2023.Retrieved21 September2023.
  29. ^O'Brien, James (8 September 2023)."Castleford Tigers 29 Hull FC 12: Jubilant hosts on brink of safety after precious win".The Yorkshire Post.Retrieved21 September2023.
  30. ^"Tigers host end of season dinner".Castleford Tigers.17 September 2023.Retrieved21 September2023.
  31. ^Walker, Callum (29 February 2024)."Castleford Tigers Boss Craig Lingard confirms serious injury blow with replacement confirmed for Warrington Wolves clash".TotalRL.Retrieved25 March2024.
  32. ^Bower, Aaron (7 March 2024)."Breaking down Castleford Tigers' squad situation after more key injury blows".Love Rugby League.Retrieved25 March2024.
  33. ^"Qareqare and Hill extend Castleford contracts".BBC Sport.17 May 2024.Retrieved17 May2024.
  34. ^O'Brien, James (17 May 2024)."Castleford Tigers tie down exciting winger Jason Qareqare to continue 2025 plans".The Yorkshire Post.Retrieved17 May2024.
  35. ^McAllister, Josh (22 July 2022)."Jason Qareqare makes Championship move on loan".Love Rugby League.Retrieved21 September2023.
  36. ^Ibbetson, Stephen (22 July 2022)."Castleford Tigers starlet Jason Qareqare joins Championship club on loan".TotalRL.Archivedfrom the original on 22 July 2022.Retrieved21 September2023.
  37. ^McAllister, Josh (27 July 2022)."Castleford recall Jason Qareqare days after loaning winger to Championship side".Love Rugby League.Retrieved21 September2023.
  38. ^Darbyshire, Drew (20 April 2023)."Castleford winger Jason Qareqare makes Championship loan move".Love Rugby League.Retrieved20 April2023.
  39. ^Walker, Callum (20 April 2023)."Castleford Tigers Boss Andy Last explains Jason Qareqare's move to Bradford Bulls".Total RL.Archivedfrom the original on 20 April 2023.Retrieved22 August2023.
  40. ^McAllister, Josh (2 June 2023)."Castleford coach lays down challenge for Jason Qareqare with starlet recalled from loan".Love Rugby League.Retrieved22 August2023.
  41. ^"Yorkshire earn comfortable Academy Origin victory".The RFL.4 August 2021.Retrieved21 September2023.
  42. ^O'Brien, James (2 May 2022)."Jason Qareqare and Jack Sinfield among Super League starlets named in Origin Academy squads".The Yorkshire Post.Retrieved22 September2023.
  43. ^"Origin Academy squads unveiled".The RFL.2 May 2022.Retrieved22 September2023.
  44. ^Thomson, Doug (29 May 2022)."Castleford Tigers star Jason Qareqare among Super League stars named in Fiji squad".Total Rugby League.Retrieved3 November2022.
  45. ^McAllister, Josh (7 September 2022)."Korbin Sims & Jason Qareqare included in Fiji's extended World Cup squad".Love Rugby League.Retrieved3 November2022.
  46. ^Hafez, Shamoon (7 October 2022)."England 50-0 Fiji: Dominic Young stars on debut in Rugby League World Cup warm-up".BBC Sport.Retrieved3 November2022.
  47. ^"Qareqare proud of Fiji debut".Castleford Tigers.12 October 2022.Retrieved3 November2022.
  48. ^Thomson, Doug (23 October 2022)."Qareqare inspired to push on with Tigers".Total Rugby League.Retrieved3 November2022.
  49. ^McAllister, Josh (6 October 2022).""Speechless" Jason Qareqare to fulfil dream of representing Fiji ".Love Rugby League.Retrieved3 November2022.
  50. ^Darbyshire, Drew (6 October 2023)."Super League duo called up to Fiji squad for Pacific Championships alongside NRL Grand Final winner".Love Rugby League.Retrieved7 October2023.
  51. ^"Exciting rookie duo headline talented Fiji Pacific Championships squad".NRL.6 October 2023.Retrieved7 October2023.
  52. ^Tomlinson, Daniel (29 October 2023)."Castleford Tigers flyer Jason Qareqare scores eye-catching try in Fiji rout of PNG".Yorkshire Live.Retrieved4 February2024.
  53. ^"PNG Kumuls 16 - 43 Fiji Bati".NRL.29 October 2023.Retrieved4 February2024.
  54. ^"Fiji Bati 12 - 32 PNG Kumuls".NRL.5 November 2023.Retrieved4 February2024.
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