Talented Whakatāne High School teenager Taanenuiarangi Marshall-Wallace has signed with the Gold Coast Titans.

The 15-year-old, a relative of current and former professional league players Jeremy Marshall-King and Benji Marshall, has signed a three-year-deal with the side until the end of 2026.

It’s a massive shift for the teenager, who grew up in Waimana, where he was introduced to rugby and league by family.

He heads across the Tasman later this year and is looking forward to the new opportunity.

“It’s going to be a pretty big step in life, but I am looking forward to it.”

Signing with the Titans wasn’t something Taanenuiarangi envisioned.

“I definitely didn’t expect it, but my coach told me there was someone coming to watch me, so I knew I had to play as well as I could.

“It made me more fired up to play.”

Taanenuiarangi has been playing in the centre but is equally capable on the wing or at fullback.

He picked up league several years ago and hasn’t looked back, playing it alongside touch and rugby union.

There are two coaches he is grateful to for getting him into the sport and providing him with opportunities – Rikki Horlock and Te Kauru Edwards.

“Rikki took me to my first rugby league tournament. Te Kauru got me into it properly.”

The big hits and strong carries are what Taanenuiarangi enjoys about the 13-man code.

“I love the physicality of the game. Smashing people is exciting. The big contact is great adrenaline.”

He is expecting plenty of tough competition in Australia.

“It will be a lot of fitness, healthy eating, things like that. It’s pretty cool being able to say I come from a small town in New Zealand.”

He doesn’t have to look far for motivation, with his uncle Benji now coaching West Tigers and uncle Jeremy playing for the Dolphins.

“I really look up to both of them,” Taanenuiarangi said.

He doesn’t mind having to change allegiances to the Titans – “They beat the Warriors, so it’s all good.”

Taanenuiarangi expects he will miss the Eastern Bay.

“It’s going to be a lot bigger and busier in Australia, and the hardest part for me will be missing home.”

Competition wise, he knows it will also be tough.

“There’s always someone bigger and better than you, but that will just make me work harder to be better than them. It’s going to be a big step up skill wise, but I am just going to try my best every time I get out on the field.”

He’s in it for the long haul and hopes to one day make first grade.

Taanenuiarangi was spotted at the New Zealand Māori rugby league tournament earlier this year where he lined up for the Ngongotahā under the Waiariki banner.

A couple of weeks after the tournament, he officially signed the contract.

Growing up, Taanenuiarangi spent his junior days playing league for Tūhoe and rugby for Rūātoki.

His family marae is Piripari.

Mum Lenaye said she was incredibly proud of her son because he was showing other youngsters from Rūātoki, Waimana and the other small areas that opportunities were available to them.

Eventually, the entire family would relocate to Australia, but initially, Taanenuiarangi’s dad will accompany him to Australia.

“It’ll be cool having dad with me and then my family when they move over. It will be a big help,” he said.

For now, Taanenuiarangi is busy representing Bay of Plenty in age group league and fitting in as much rugby as he can.