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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 (Fijian pronunciation: [ŋɡareŋɡare]; born 26 January 2004) is a Fijian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a winger or fullback for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.

He has previously played for the Midlands Hurricanes in League 1 and the Bradford Bulls in the Championship on dual registration and loan from Castleford.

Background

[edit]

Qareqare was born in Lautoka, Fiji. As the son of a British Army soldier, he lived in Osnabrück, Germany for four years before his family relocated to Yorkshire.[3]

Growing up, he previously played football with York City and rugby union with Ripon RUFC and school teams. He was inspired to take up rugby league by Fiji's run to the 2013 Rugby League World Cup semi-finals as well as due to the sport's popularity in the area.[3][4][5]

Qareqare attended Sherburn High School. He played his junior rugby league for the Kippax Knights before signing for the Castleford Tigers academy aged 14.[6] He joined Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate on a rugby union scholarship, where he studied Maths, Sport and Business, while training part-time with Castleford.[6]

Club career

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Castleford Tigers

[edit]

On 10 June 2021, Qareqare was given a late call up into the Castleford Tigers side to face Hull FC in the Super League, having been expected to play for the under-19s that weekend.[6][7] He received a phone call from head coach Daryl Powell while in maths class at school, and started on the left wing to make his Super League debut for Castleford.[7][8] Inside the first minute, he rounded fullback Jake Connor to 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 against Wakefield and starting at fullback in a youthful side against Salford.[13][14]

Qareqare signed a two-year contract extension with Castleford in April 2022.[15][16] In his first start of the 2022 season on 22 April, he once again scored a long-range try in the first minute with his first touch of the ball, beating four St Helens defenders 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 over Hull Kingston Rovers.[21] The following week, Qareqare scored his second consecutive brace against Salford, 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 the 2023 season, Qareqare switched from squad number 33 to 31.[23] At the 2023 Magic Weekend, he scored the late winning try for Castleford in their 26-24 victory against the Leeds Rhinos.[24][25] He scored again in the two following rounds against Salford and Warrington.[26][27] In round 25, Qareqare scored two tries for Castleford in their 29-12 victory over Hull 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]

In 2024, 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)

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On 22 July 2022, Qareqare joined Whitehaven in the Championship on loan, alongside teammate Cain 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)

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Qareqare made 2 appearances for the Midlands Hurricanes in the RFL League 1 in 2023, through their dual registration agreement with Castleford.[1]

Bradford Bulls (loan)

[edit]

On 20 April 2023, it was announced that Qareqare had joined the Bradford Bulls in the Championship on an initial 2-week loan deal, continuing on a rolling basis.[38] Tigers head coach Andy Last explained 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

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Qareqare represented Yorkshire in their Academy Origin victory against Lancashire on 4 August 2021. He played as a winger and 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 to Super League commitments.[42][43]

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