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Queensland Under 19 emerging squad named

Members of Queensland’s Under 19 emerging squad will assemble in Brisbane this weekend to continue their development under a newly-appointed coaching and support team.   

Former Maroons hooker Matt Ballin will lead the camp for Queensland-based members of the squad, which is part of the QRL’s emerging Origin program that aims to help develop highly skilled rugby league players for future Queensland representation.

Southern-based players assembled last weekend in Sydney, where they were addressed by Ballin and former Maroons star Greg Inglis.

Players involved in the squad are striving for selection in the Queensland Under 19 team for the annual clash against New South Wales.

While the date and venue for this match is yet to be confirmed by the NRL, the young Maroons are well advanced in their planning and preparations.  

Hooker Blake Mozer is in the mix once again to represent the Queensland Under 19 Boys team. Photo: Vanessa Hafner/QRL
Hooker Blake Mozer is in the mix once again to represent the Queensland Under 19 Boys team. Photo: Vanessa Hafner/QRL

A current member of the senior Brisbane Broncos coaching staff, Ballin is taking on the head coaching position for the first time.

He replaces Kurt Richards, a long-serving coaching member of Queensland pathway programs.

Richards tasted success on numerous occasions with state underage teams, and has played a crucial role in the personal development of many young stars who feature regularly in the NRL.

Now with the NRL Dolphins, Richards will stay involved in the program through his role as a selector.

Ballin is being supported by assistant coaches Nathan Cross and Antonio Kaufusi.

Ballin and Kaufusi with the 2022 Queensland Country Under 17 Boys team. Photo: Scott Davis/QRL
Ballin and Kaufusi with the 2022 Queensland Country Under 17 Boys team. Photo: Scott Davis/QRL

The experienced Cross recently commenced work as the QRL’s pathways and performance coach, while Kaufusi is a former NRL and Maroons player who last year coached the Under 17 Queensland Country team against City.

The Queensland Under 19 squad features numerous players involved in that match, including City captain Stanley Huen and Country enforcer De La Salle Va’a.

A strong contingent of players involved in the Queensland Emerging Under 18 squad that came together in May last year have also been selected in this year’s Under 19 emerging squad.  

De La Salle Va'a. Photo: Scott Davis/QRL
De La Salle Va'a. Photo: Scott Davis/QRL

Queensland Under 19 Emerging Origin Squad

Name Club
Matua Brown North Queensland Cowboys
Chris Faagutu Wests Tigers
Jye Gray South Sydney Rabbitohs
Arama Hau Gold Coast Titans
Angus Hinchey Melbourne Storm
Stanley Huen Melbourne Storm
Caleb Jackson The Dolphins
Ryan Jackson The Dolphins
Mitchell Jennings Melbourne Storm
Mason Kira Melbourne Storm
Zack Lamont North Queensland Cowboys
Liam Le Blanc South Sydney Rabbitohs
Israel Leota Brisbane Broncos
Josh Lynn Parramatta Eels
Damon Marshall Canterbury Bulldogs
Haizyn Mellars South Sydney Rabbitohs
Blake Mozer Brisbane Broncos
Seth Nikotemo Gold Coast Titans
Karl Oloapu Canterbury Bulldogs
Josiah Pahulu Gold Coast Titans
Gabriel Satrick Melbourne Storm
Tim Sielaff-Burns Penrith Panthers
Elekana Suavai North Queensland Cowboys
Tyreece Tait Brisbane Broncos
Ben Te Kura Brisbane Broncos
Robert Toia Sydney Roosters
De La Salle Va'a Sydney Roosters
Michael Waqa The Dolphins
Kallum Weatherall-Stacey Canterbury Bulldogs
Del Wigmore Penrith Panthers

 

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.