The Blues and Maroons of the future are set to feature under the bright lights of Leichhardt Oval in this year’s Under 19 men’s State of Origin clash on Thursday night.
After the last two years were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the next generation of NRL stars will be on display from 7.45pm with the best young talent from both states kicking off an Origin-filled weekend which sees the senior women's sides met on Friday before Game II of the Ampol State of Origin series on Sunday.
Canberra Raiders lock Trey Mooney and Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs centre Paul Alamoti are set to headline the Blues-in-waiting, while Melbourne Storm centre Jack Howarth, Brisbane hooker Blake Mozer and exciting Gold Coast talent Sosefo Fifita will line up for Queensland.
The match will be broadcast on the Nine Network and Fox Sports, while each under-19s team will also be permitted to select two NRL or NRLW contracted “marquee” under-20s players for the match.
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Team News
New South Wales
Storm top-30 member Jonah Pezet has been named in the halves alongside Thomas Weaver, while Dragons-bound young gun Jack Bostock starts on the wing. Up front, Raiders forward Trey Mooney starts at lock after gaining NRL experience earlier this year while young Wests Tigers forwards Justin Matamua and Brandon Tumeth both earn spots in the run-on side.
Queensland
Broncos hooker Blake Mozer features in the number nine jersey and will be one to watch after inking a long-term deal with Brisbane recently. Storm sensation Jack Howarth starts in the back row, while talented Panthers playmaker Isaiah Iongi will start at fullback, where he has registered 10 try involvements in his last four Jersey Flegg games for Penrith.
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Key match-up
Paul Alamoti (NSW) v Sosefo Fifita (QLD)
The battle of the outside backs could well be the secret to success for the blue and maroon clash. Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldog Paul Alamoti will need to match Titans speedster Sosefo Fifita, who has been named 18th man for the Titans in their NRL clash against the Cronulla Sharks in Coffs Harbour — such is the prestige the young star is held in on the Gold Coast. Alamoti, 18, is one of the best strike centres coming through the junior representative grades and knows how to find the try line but will be tested against the cross-code star who is fast approaching an NRL debut.
Tune in details
- Australia: Live via Nine GEM, 9Now, Foxtel, Kayo Sports
- New Zealand: Live via Sky Sport NZ
- International: Digicel TBC