State of Origin season is in full-swing and while the men’s and women’s series have been dominating headlines, the young guns are finally getting their chance to shine.
On Thursday night, the best Under 19s players from both NSW and Queensland will take to the field in a blockbuster one-off clash at Leichhardt Oval.
Plenty of future first graders – and even some current ones – will be in action for the Blues and Maroons respectively, with fans getting an opportunity to see the future of their clubs perform on a big stage.
READ MORE: ‘He had a fiver on it’: Aussie’s brush with King in $1.2m win
READ MORE: ‘Homesick’ star eyes NRL return after Keary switch
READ MORE: Smith responds to wild transfer rumour after breach
Wide World of Sports takes a look at five players from each team to keep an eye on in the Origin clash and what the future may hold for them in the NRL.
NSW BLUES
Mitchell Woods – Canterbury Bulldogs
One of the brightest young talents in rugby league, Woods made the huge decision last year to commit his future to the Bulldogs on a four-year contract.
Despite excelling in AFL and rugby union, the young gun opted to remain in the 13-man code and is now expected to become Canterbury’s long-term halfback.
Phil Gould is a huge fan of Woods and has publicly endorsed him on numerous occasions, with the club likely to transition him into NSW Cup later this year.
“Our game is lucky that Mitchell has chosen rugby league … the Bulldogs are both honoured and excited that Mitchell has chosen our club,” he said in January.
“He is obviously still young, and has a long way to go, we certainly won’t be rushing him but we won’t be holding him back either. I am extremely excited about his prospects.”
https://twitter.com/PhilGould15/status/1797430785496281381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Woods led the SG Ball side to a grand final appearance earlier this year, falling short against a quality St George outfit, before being named the comp’s Player of the Year.
He will move into the full-time NRL squad next season and could debut in 2025.
Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga – St George Illawarra Dragons
Speaking of the Red V, a lot of their hopes are pinned on the progression of towering teenage front-rower Pasifiki Tonga, who appears destined for big things in the NRL.
The 18-year-old got a taste of NSW Cup last year at the Dragons, before dropping back to age-group football and dominating in the club’s first SG Ball title since the 1990s.
Pasifiki Tonga represented the Australian Schoolboys in 2023 and has already signed a long-term extension with St George Illawarra, moving into the top 30 squad next year.
“I’m very grateful,” he said during NSW camp.
“I was pretty happy and didn’t think I was going to make it this far. Origin footy is a different ballgame. I know it’s going to be very physical and fast.
“Achieving those goals and ticking this box off right here is pretty special to me. I never knew that I would be here right now.”
Pasifiki Tonga is 195cm tall and has been spotted regularly training alongside the likes of Jaydn Su’A and Hame Sele as he pushes for a spot in the top grade.
Jesse and Casey McLean – Penrith Panthers
Two more products of the highly-successful Panthers system, the McLean brothers are exciting young outside backs with plenty of potential to become NRL stars.
Jesse has already played two first grade games for the club, scoring the first try of his career on the wing against the Dragons in round 13.
Younger brother Casey is a centre and has huge upside at the foot of the mountains, already featuring on six occasions for the club’s NSW Cup team.
According to Wide World of Sports’ The Mole, the pair are expected to re-sign with the Panthers despite attracting plenty of interest from rival clubs.
Jacob Halangahu – St George Illawarra Dragons
Another bright young prospect from the SG Ball premiership team, Halangahu may be the best of a dominant forward pack emerging at Kogarah.
A physical and aggressive back-rower, Halangahu was vital to the side’s grand final win over the Bulldogs and was named Man of the Match in the 40-18 triumph.
Halangahu is already touted for an NRL debut in the coming years and possesses similar attributes to Titans wrecking ball David Fifita.
Originally a product of the Penrith junior system, Halangahu moved across to the red and white before playing above his age-group in the elite U19s competition.
St George Illawarra have already extended the edge forward and he is expected to join the full-time NRL squad for the 2025 campaign.
Kaiden Lahrs – North Queensland Cowboys
If the last name sounds familiar, there’s good reason for that.
The son of former Blues prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs has been chipping away at the Cowboys, featuring in five Queensland Cup games this season as he edges closer to a debut.
Lahrs will come off the bench for NSW in the U19s Origin clash and in an interview during camp, the young front-rower spoke about following in his father’s footsteps.
“He’s been great the old boy, it’s always good to have a chat with him … he’s actually been ringing me throughout the week,” he told NSWRL.
“I don’t know who’s more excited, me or him. He just wants to hear all I’ve been doing each day, just stay in the loop.”
QUEENSLAND MAROONS
Coby Black – Brisbane Broncos
Already touted as the long-term successor to Adam Reynolds, the teenage halfback has been making a mark in the lower grades up north and has plenty of smart judges backing him for success in the top grade when his opportunity arrives.
Black recently made his reserve grade debut and has received plenty of internal praise at Red Hill, with head coach Kevin Walters hopeful of pushing him into the top squad.
Earlier this year, Black scored an astonishing 46 points in the Mal Meninga Cup clash between Burleigh Bears and Wide Bay Bulls, with his side recording a 130-0 victory.
His battle with opposing No.7 Woods will be one of the best parts of Thursday’s fixture, with both players expected to be long-term NRL prospects down the line.
Jaxon Purdue – North Queensland Cowboys
After already tasting first grade, Purdue was a no-brainer selection for the U19s Maroons team after recently impressing in his debut for the Cowboys.
A versatile backline player, the teenager featured in the centres against the Roosters in round 13 and was selected on the bench in round 14 in a show of faith from Todd Payten.
The youngster has been carving up in reserve grade this year for Mackay, crossing for five tries in six games in the Queensland Cup competition.
Purdue will play in a more preferred role of fullback against the Blues and with his blistering speed and freakish footwork, he’ll certainly be one to keep an eye on.
De La Salle Va’a – Sydney Roosters
One of the biggest forwards coming through the grades at any NRL club, Va’a was recruited by the Roosters a number of years ago and is already making waves.
Standing at 198cm, the hulking front-rower played SG Ball earlier this year and has made the jump straight to NSW Cup, with club officials hopeful of a first grade debut soon.
The prop attended Marcellin College – the same school as Kangaroos internationals Campbell Graham and Braith Anasta – after moving down from Queensland.
Va’a also has an older brother Xavier at the Chooks, with both players on the radar of head coach Trent Robinson and plenty of the club’s diehard fans.
Israel Leota – Brisbane Broncos
For the second year in a row, Leota has been selected for the Maroons and is continuing to impress out wide for the Broncos in lower grades.
The exciting outside back recently returned for Souths Logan in reserve grade and has already scored four tries in three games.
Brisbane have major plans for Leota, who is on a development contract this year but will move into the top 30 squad next season.
Jamal Shibasaki – North Queensland Cowboys
Another player from the Cowboys who recently made the jump to first grade, Shibasaki came off the bench in the side’s upset win over the Roosters back in round 13.
Shibasaki featured in this same clash last season for the Maroons and came off the bench, but will earn a start this time around against the Blues.
The back-rower has scored seven tries in 11 reserve grade games this season for Mackay, while his defensive efforts have also been sound with 22 tackles per game.
The younger brother of rugby league journeyman Gehamat Shibasaki, he’s certainly a player that coach Todd Payten is banking on long-term, especially with the impending exit of boom edge forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.