From NRL rookies to teen prodigies, Thursday’s Under 19s State of Origin clash promises to deliver.
Familiar names like Canberra gun Chevy Stewart, Penrith’s McLean brothers and Matt Arthur — son for former Eels coach Brad — will feature for the New South Wales side coached by Bulldogs legend Andrew Ryan.
Meanwhile, a stack of Queensland’s next generation will run out for the Maroons — coached by Ben Te’o — including Israel Leota and Mason Kira.
Keep an eye out too for Coby Black, who made headlines earlier this year for scoring 46 points in ta single Mal Meninga Cup game, as well as towering Roosters prop De La Salle Va’a, who is studying a biomedical science degree away from footy.
Here foxsports.com.au breaks down the NSW and Queensland Under 19s squads ahead of Thursday’s game, which you can watch at 7:45pm AEST on Fox League.
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NEW SOUTH WALES
1. CHEVY STEWART
Age: 18
Club: Canberra Raiders
The NRL got a taste of what Chevy Stewart can do when he filled in at fullback for Jordan Rapana earlier this year. The 18-year-old Kurnell product shone on debut, but more importantly showed his character the following week when put under pressure by the Broncos. Stewart, who played in last year’s Under 19s Origin too, has long been regarded a star of the future. He started training full-time with the Raiders at just 17-years old after making the move from the Sharks’ system and is signed on a Top 30 deal until the end of 2026, with an option for 2027. And for what it’s worth, he’s got the confidence and swagger to match his rockstar name.
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2. JESSE MCLEAN
Age: 19
Club: Penrith Panthers
After being promoted to the Top 30 last season, Jesse McLean made his NRL debut in Round 26 following an outstanding 2022 in which he won the SG Ball premiership and was named in the Australian Schoolboys squad. McLean split his time between centre and wing last season in NSW Cup but this season has focused solely on being a winger and has scored eight tries in 11 games. He was rewarded with his second NRL appearance in Round 13, in which he also scored his first NRL try.
3. CASEY MCLEAN
Age: 18
Club: Penrith Panthers
Just like his older brother Jesse, Casey McLean is a star on the rise. He was the Panthers’ joint winner of their Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Year award last season and leapfrogged SG Ball to start this season in Jersey Flegg. McLean, who only turned 18 this year, made his NSW Cup debut in Round 9 and has retained his spot ever since. He’s clearly athletically gifted, but McLean is also a very switched on young man, whose work ethic and attention to detail is second to none.
4. HAYDEN BUCHANAN
Age: 18
Club: St George Illawarra Dragons
When it comes to promising talent coming through the ranks at the Dragons, Hayden Buchanan sits near the top of the list. The 18-year-old captained the Steelers’ SG Ball earlier this year and made his NSW Cup debut in Round 13. When speaking on the Fox League Podcast this season, Dragons legend Jason Nightingale actually singled Buchanan out as a real prospect for the club. He’s quick, athletic and a powerful runner of the ball.
5. MICHAEL GABRAEL
Age: 19
Club: Cronulla Sharks
The Wentworthville Magpies product played for the Eels in the Harold Matthews Cup before making the switch to the Bulldogs last season to link up with his brother. But the Sharks were keeping a close eye on the highly regarded outside back and swooped ahead of this season. In a clear sign of how highly Craig Fitzgibbon thinks of him, Gabrael joined Cronulla on a three-year Top 30 deal before he had turned 19.
6. JAKE ELLIOTT
Age: 18
Club: Sydney Roosters
Like so many others in this team, Jake Elliott’s development has been fast-tracked. He was a standout in SG Ball earlier this year and has since leapfrogged Jersey Flegg to cement a spot in the Roosters’ NSW Cup team with four tries and three try assists in five appearances. Not afraid to take on the line, keep an eye out for this Central Coast product’s running game.
7. MITCHELL WOODS
Age: 18
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Bulldogs fans will know all about Mitchell Woods. He captained the club to a Harold Matthews premiership in 2023 and earlier this season was crowned SG Ball Player of the Year after steering the team to a grand final appearance. As a talented Aussie rules player too, Woods was a member of the Sydney Swans’ Academy and was selected in the 2022 Under 16’s AFL All-Australian team. But Woods’ future is in rugby league and the local product has been locked in by the Bulldogs until the end of 2027.
8. LOKO JNR PASIFIKI TONGA
Age: 18
Club: St George Illawarra Dragons
You won’t miss this towering prop. Standing at 195cm tall and weighing 118 kgs, Loko Junior Pasifiki Tonga cuts a very imposing figure… and he’s still only 18-years old! Pasifiki Tonga made 2023 Australian Schoolboys squad and earlier this year started in the front row in the Dragons’ SG Ball Grand Final win over the Bulldogs.
9. MATTHEW ARTHUR
Age: 19
Club: Parramatta Eels
All eyes will be on Matthew Arthur — the son of former Eels coach Brad. The 19-year-old is a crafty hooker with vision beyond his years to go with his strong kicking and passing game. Arthur made his NSW Cup debut at the end of last season and this year has made the No.9 jersey his own while also training full-time with the NRL squad.
Age: 18
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Afer a rock-solid season in the Bulldogs’ SG Ball side, Fanafou Seve has since made a seamless transition to Jersey Flegg. Still only 18-years old, he’s just at the beginning of his journey but there’s no doubt the future of this hard-running, giant local junior is bright.
11. JERMAINE MCEWEN
Age: 19
Club: Newcastle Knights
After being selected in the extended squad for last year’s Under 19s Origin, Jermaine McEwen now gets his opportunity in the starting side. The 19-year-old is a Penrith junior but joined the Knights’ SG Ball team in 2023 and went on to win the team’s Player of the Year award.
12. NOAH MARTIN
Age: 19
Club: Canberra Raiders
It’s been a big couple of months for Noah Martin. The Narooma Devils junior made his NSW Cup debut in Round 5, scored his first Cup try a fortnight ago and now he’s set to make his Under 19s Origin debut. Martin was the Raiders’ recipient of the 2022 Don Furner Senior NSW Country Scholarship — an initiative set up to provide financial assistance to young and emerging players.
13. BLAKE STEEP
Age: 19
Club: Sydney Roosters
After missing majority of 2023 with a knee injury, Blake Steep is now in the midst of a very rapid rise. He came into the 2024 season on a development deal but was upgraded to the Top 30 following and outstanding SG Ball campaign where he captained the Roosters to a semi-final and was crowned their Player of the Year. He made his NRL debut in Round 13.
14. ZANE HARRISON
Age: 18
Club: Gold Coast Titans
The Palm Beach Currumbin product is regarded a genuine NRL half of the future, which is why he joined the Titans on a full-time basis over the summer at just 17-years old before returning to school to complete Year 12. Most recently, he captained the Tweed Seagulls to a Mal Meninga Cup premiership three weeks ago — and was named Player of the Match.
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15. JACOB HALANGAHU
Age: 18
Club: St George Illawarra Dragons
Although being developed in the Dragons’ system, Jacob Halangahu is a Penrith junior having played for Brothers and the Minchinbury Jets. He joined the Dragons last season and captained their Harold Matthews Cup side and later earned selection in the Australian Schoolboys squad. He was a key member of the Dragons’ premiership-winning SG Ball side earlier this year and was crowned Player of the Match following the grand final. Halangahu will join the full-time squad in 2025.
16. KAIDEN LAHRS
Age: 18
Club: North Queensland Cowboys
Already training with the Cowboys’ NRL squad as part of his development deal for 2024, Kaiden Lahrs is well ahead of others his age. The 18-year-old prop made his Queensland Cup debut in Round 8 for Northern Pride and has retained his spot ever since. He’s been playing off the bench and is yet to miss a tackle. Lahrs is a product of renowned rugby league nursery Kirwan State High and was awarded the Sam Thaiday Medal in 2022, while still in Year 11 — an honour given to the school’s best player.
17. SAM TUIVAITI
Age: 19
Club: Parramatta Eels
This is Sam Tuivaiti’s second appearance in the Under 19s Origin so he knows exactly what this clash is all about. Tuivaiti was a part of the Eels’ 2023 SG Ball premiership-winning side and has stepped up to play every game of the season for the Jersey Flegg side.
18. CONNOR VOTANO
Age: 18
Club: Newcastle Knights
After being crowned the Knights’ 2023 Harold Matthews Cup Player of the Year in 2023, Connor Votano — a fullback — captained the Knights’ SG Ball side earlier this year. He will now get the experience of mixing with fellow up-and-coming players in camp ahead of Thursday’s game.
19. CODY HOPWOOD
Age: 19
Club: Newcastle Knights
Cody Hopwood has a very impressive resume. He was a part of the 2023 Australian Schoolboys side while still in Year 11 and starred for the Knights’ SG Ball side earlier this year, earning their Player’s Player and Player of the Year honours.
20. LOGAN SPINKS
Age: 18
Club: Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
A great opportunity for the Tamworth product to get in and among representative duties. Spinks was been developed in the Bulldogs pathways and played for the Greater Northern Tigers in last year’s Laurie Daley Cup. He was also a member of last year’s Australian Schoolboys squad and earlier this year started in the second row in the Bulldogs’ SG Ball grand final appearance.
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QUEENSLAND
1. JAXON PURDUE
Age: 18
Club: North Queensland Cowboys
With two NRL games under his belt, Jaxon Purdue is the most experienced player in the Maroons line-up. The versatile Purdue made his NRL debut in the centres in Round 13 and then played off the bench the following week for the Cowboys. He’s also been carving up in the halves for Mackay in the Queensland Cup, scoring five tries and setting up two in six appearances, while also averaging just under 100 running metres per game.
2. ISRAEL LEOTA
Age: 19
Club: Brisbane Broncos
Israel Leota is back for his second shot at glory in the Under 19s clash. The 19-year-old speedster has been in great touch while playing in the Queensland Cup, scoring four tries in three games this season. He began playing rugby league at eight-years old but switched to rugby union and Aussie rules four years later before returning to the code at 16. Leota on a development deal for this season and then will move into the Broncos’ Top 30 next year.
3. LJ NONU
Age: 18
Club: The Dolphins
After starring for the Dolphins at fullback in the Mal Meninga Cup earlier this season, LJ Nonu has since stepped up to play in the centres and on the wing in Queensland Cup — and has two tries in three games.
4. SAM STEPHENSON
Age: 18
Club: Gold Coast Titans
Rugby league runs in the blood of this 18-year-old, who is the son of former Manly Sea Eagles and Cronulla Sharks player Paul Stephenson — the Titans’ football operations and wellbeing manager. Stephenson, a Palm Beach Currumbin product, started playing rugby league at seven-years old and has had one dream ever since — to pull on a Queensland jersey just like his idol Greg Inglis. He has a strong carry and scored a try in Tweed’s grand final win over Burleigh in the Mal Meninga Cup.
5. TYREECE TAIT
Age: 18
Club: Sydney Roosters
Left the Broncos system to join the Roosters’ SG Ball side ahead of this season. After scoring nine tries in 10 SG Ball appearances, he’s made the step up into NSW Cup and has three tries in three games. His speed is his greatest asset — he can run 100 metres in 11 seconds.
6. STANLEY HUEN
Age: 19
Club: Melbourne Storm
Back in the No.6 jersey after playing five-eighth in last year’s Under 19s Queensland side, Stanley Huen returns to the Origin arena a much more experienced player. Despite still being 19-years old, Huen has been captaining the Storm’s Jersey Flegg side (under 21s) this year and is thriving with the extra responsibility on his shoulders.
7. COBY BLACK
Age: 18
Club: Brisbane Broncos
Coby Black was in the headlines earlier this season after scoring 46 points for Broncos feeder club Burleigh in their 130-0 win over Wide Bay Bulls in the Mal Meninga Cup. Black is on a development deal for this season and is tipped to be a long-term No.7 for the Broncos in the future.
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8. MICHAEL WAQA
Age: 19
Club: The Dolphins
This 189cm, 107kg prop joined the Dolphins ahead of last season on a train-and-trial and has been impressing as he makes his way through the grades. Waqa — a local Redcliffe product — captained the Dolphins to the Mal Meninga Cup premiership last year and also played off bench for the Queensland under 19s side. His back, but this time gets the chance to start.
9. CAMERON BUKOWSKI
Age: 18
Club: Brisbane Broncos
After being a part of the Queensland Rugby League’s Emerging Origin squad for the last two years, talented hooker Cameron Bukowski will get the chance to show what he can do in a Maroons jersey. According to those in the know, Bukowski has been one of the best No.9s in his age group for quite some time. He’s also an accomplished cricketer and rugby union player — and away from sport he’s studying construction management.
10. DE LA SALLE VA’A
Age: 18
Club: Sydney Roosters
It’s only a matter of time until this hulking prop makes his NRL debut for the Roosters. 18-year-old De La Salle is the younger brother of fellow Roosters prop Xavier, but is just big as him standing at 198cm tall and weighing 114kg. Va’a played SG Ball earlier this year and has also had a taste of NSW Cup. Away from the field he’s just as impressive — he’s studying a biomedical science degree.
11. ZAC GARTON
Age: 17
Club: The Dolphins
After playing for the Dolphins in the Mal Meninga Cup for the last two years, Zac Garton has earned a call-up to pull on a Queensland jersey for the Under 19s Origin. Garton first started playing rugby league for the Dolphins as a five-year old before stints with the Gympie Devils, Noosa Pirates, Kawana Dolphins and Sunshine Coast Falcons. He played
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12. JAMAL SHIBASAKI
Age: 19
Club: North Queensland Cowboys
After playing off the bench in last year’s Under 19s Origin, Jamal Shibasaki has been named to start and will return to the arena with a lot more experience under his belt. The Townsville product has been in red-hot form for Mackay in the Queensland Cup, scoring seven tries in 11 games and was rewarded with an NRL debut off the bench in Round 13.
13. MASON KIRA
Age: 19
Club: North Queensland Cowboys
This young gun on the rise gets his chance to start after being 18th man for this team last year. Sunshine Coast product Mason Kira joined the Cowboys’ system ahead of this season and spent eight weeks during pre-season training full-time with the NRL squad. He’s a tough forward that’s equally at home in the middle or on an edge and has impressed many in the game with his leadership qualities.
14. MUTUA BROWN
Age: 19
Club: North Queensland Cowboys
Mutua Brown wore the No.1 jersey in last year’s Under 19s clash but this time will be Queensland’s x-factor off the bench. Brown hails from far North Queensland and was selected at fullback in the 2023 Australian Schoolboys squad. He’s lightning quick and a real student of the game.
15. BENI ALLEN
Age: 19
Club: Brisbane Broncos
At 197cm and 104kg, you won’t miss Beni Allen. The Logan product is a powerful forward that was on the radar of the Titans’ a couple of years ago but knocked back their interest to commit to the Broncos.
16. LEWIS SYMONDS
Age: 19
Club: The Dolphins
A product of Marsden State High School, whose resume also boasts silver medals in shot put, discus and hammer at the under 18s national track and field championships a couple of years ago. He has also represented Australia in power lifting at the Youth Oceania Championships. Symonds is a lock/second-rower and is training full time with the Dolphins’ NRL squad.
17. HARRY ARMSTRONG
Age: 19
Club: Brisbane Broncos
A great opportunity for Harry Armstrong, who captained Wynnum Manly’s Mal Meninga Cup side early this year. Since the completion of that competition he’s been training with Wynnum Manly’s Queensland Cup side and playing local A-grade. Armstrong is a Hervey Bay product, who moved to Brisbane after he finished school to pursue his NRL dream.
18. AMARE MILFORD
Age: 18
Club: Melbourne Storm
A graduate of renowned rugby league nursery Keebra Park State High, Amare Milford started at second row in Burleigh’s grand final loss in the Mal Meninga Cup and has since joined the Storm’s system. He’s got a rugby union background and played for the Queensland Reds’ under 18s team earlier this year.
19. REECE FOLEY
Age: 18
Club: Sydney Roosters
Reece Foley, a five-eighth/halfback, played for Townsville Blackhawks in their Mal Meninga Cup Grand Final loss last year before joining the Roosters. He’s been plying his trade in Jersey Flegg but has had a taste of NSW Cup with two try assists in four games to his name.
20. COOPER BAI
Age: 19
Club: Gold Coast Titans
As the son of former Storm player and PNG international Marcus Bai, Cooper has rugby league very much in his blood. As a lock, Bai looks up to Victor Radley and Cameron Murray and will get a lot out of the experience of being in the extended squad.