State of Origin Under 19s: Young guns to take centre stage
The game's brightest young stars are set to take over North Sydney Oval when the historic venue hosts a State of Origin Under 19 double-header on Thursday night.
The Under 19 women will kick off proceedings at 5.45pm before the Under 19 men follow at 7.45pm.
The event has long acted as a launch pad for superstardom, with a host of NRL and NRLW players progressing through the junior Origin pathway.
Ethan Strange, Rob Toia, Indie Bostock and Sienna Lofipo are among the talent to step up after starring in this arena in the past few years.
The NSW Under 19 women are out to continue a two-game winning streak in the clash, while Queensland have their sights on a first victory since 2023.
Emerging Rooster Logan Fletcher impressed for the Blues in last year's 26-10 win and she is set to line up in the centres on Thursday night.
Playmaker Javon Andrews kicked a sideline conversion to secure Queensland a thrilling one-point victory in the men's contest 12 months ago, with the Blues still hurting from the tense loss.
Hayden Watson came off the bench for the Maroons in last year's win and he will wear the No.7 jersey alongside Cowboys product Taj Lateo as the visitors look to go back-to-back.
Team News
NSW Blues Under 19 Men v Queensland Under 19 Men, Thursday 7.45pm at North Sydney Oval
Match: NSW U19s v QLD U19s
Round 1 -
home Team
NSW U19s
away Team
QLD U19s
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for NSW U19s is number 1 Toby WinterFullback for QLD U19s is number 1 Tyler Pereira
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Winger for NSW U19s is number 2 Jope RauqeWinger for QLD U19s is number 2 Siosaia Poese
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Centre for NSW U19s is number 3 Dayne JenningsCentre for QLD U19s is number 3 Alize Clarke
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Centre for NSW U19s is number 4 Marcellus IakopoCentre for QLD U19s is number 4 Kingston Seve
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Winger for NSW U19s is number 5 Archie MesritzWinger for QLD U19s is number 5 Joseph Litidamu
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Five-Eighth for NSW U19s is number 6 Onitoni LargeFive-Eighth for QLD U19s is number 6 Taj Lateo
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Halfback for NSW U19s is number 7 Carter MarekoHalfback for QLD U19s is number 7 Hayden Watson
Forwards
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Prop for NSW U19s is number 8 Ryda TalagiProp for QLD U19s is number 8 Jackson Koina
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Hooker for NSW U19s is number 9 Diesel HaganHooker for QLD U19s is number 9 Amare Wynyard
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Prop for NSW U19s is number 10 Christian Taupau-MoorsProp for QLD U19s is number 10 Cody Starr
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2nd Row for NSW U19s is number 11 Christopher Petrus2nd Row for QLD U19s is number 11 Bishop Neal
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2nd Row for NSW U19s is number 12 Darcy Smith2nd Row for QLD U19s is number 12 Frank Howarth
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Lock for NSW U19s is number 13 Thomas DellowLock for QLD U19s is number 13 Tupou Francis
Interchange
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Interchange for NSW U19s is number 14 Toby BattenInterchange for QLD U19s is number 14 Ellyjah Birve
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Interchange for NSW U19s is number 15 Roman TuaimauInterchange for QLD U19s is number 15 Chaev Kolone
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Interchange for NSW U19s is number 16 James FineganInterchange for QLD U19s is number 16 Taylan To'a
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Interchange for NSW U19s is number 17 Eddy CaylessInterchange for QLD U19s is number 17 Jett Ryan
Reserves
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Replacement for NSW U19s is number 18 Cameron BamblettReplacement for QLD U19s is number 18 Adaquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Blues: The Blues will line up 1-17 with no late changes. Sea Eagles playmaker Onitoni Large and Roosters young gun Carter Mareko start in the halves, with Newcastle talent Diesel Hagan to wear the No.9 jumper. Ryda Talagi, younger brother of Panthers gun Blaize, will start in a front row also featuring Tigers product Christian Taupau-Moors. Knights young gun Toby Winter has been listed to start at fullback in an electric backline also featuring Cowboys youngster Archie Mesritz and Bulldogs' Fijian talent Jope Rauqe. Eddy Cayless, son of former Eels star Nathan, will come off the bench.
Maroons: Queensland are 1-17 as named. Hayden Watson will wear the No.7 jersey 12 months after he came off the bench in his state's tight victory, with Cowboys youngster Taj Lateo to line up at five-eighth. Frank Howarth, younger brother of Storm star Jack Howarth, has been named in the back row alongside highly-touted Warriors talent Bishop Neal. Redcliffe product Amare Wynyard is set to start at hooker, with Titans talent Tyler Pereira listed at fullback. Adaquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke, son of World Cup winning hooker Issac Luke, has come into the extended squad.
