10 rising stars to watch in Under 19's Origin games

Rugby league fans get a look at the very best crop of young talent coming through when New South Wales and Queensland meet in the U/19's representative arena on Thursday night.

• Under-19's State of Origin Team Lists

Ahead of both the men's and women's teams facing off at Leichhardt Oval, here are 10 players to keep an eye on. 

10 rising stars to watch in U-19 Origin games

1. Mitch Woods (New South Wales Men)

A hugely talented athlete who excelled in a number of sports through his earlier teenage years, the Bulldogs moved quickly to lock Woods up on a long-term deal earlier this year which will keep him at Belmore until at least the end of 2027. Judged the SG Ball Player of the Series after guiding the Bulldogs to the final in April, the 18-year-old has smooth playmaking skills and a good tactical understanding, with a strong natural running game complimented by a booming long kick. His skillset at a young age has seen Bulldogs GM of football Phil Gould draw parallels to former Blues No.7 Steve Mortimer at the same point of his career. 

2. Jaxon Purdue (Queensland Men)

Having given everyone a strong hint of what was to come in 2024 with a stellar showing in the Cowboys’ Pre-Season Challenge hit out against the Broncos in February, in which he scored a try, broke six tackles and clocked 203 metres, Purdue has impressed at every step since. After torching opposing defences in the Queensland Cup this year, scoring tries in five of his six games for the Cutters, Purdue was called up to North Queensland’s NRL squad in Round 13 and 14 to play at centre and off the bench. An evasive runner with a long stride, he’s a huge problem when given space with ball in hand.  

Jaxon Purdue: Young man who 'knows how to play footy'

3. Maleala Su'a (Queensland Women)

A player who has achieved some remarkable feats long before celebrating her 20th birthday. Su’a made her debut for the Samoa women’s rugby league team against Fiji last year, continuing her fast rise in the 13-person game after proving a sensation in rugby union and playing for the Queensland Reds senior team at the age of 16. Su'a, who captained Mabel Park to the inaugural National Schoolgirls Cup national title last year, has joined the Titans’ top squad on the back of playing nine games for Souths Logan in the Queensland women’s competition in 2024. 

4. Coby Black (Queensland Men)

The likely future Broncos No.7 in waiting, such is Black’s talent he was mentioned as a potential replacement for Adam Reynolds in Brisbane’s NRL side when the veteran was injured earlier this season. The Helensvale Hornets junior hit the headlines earlier this year when he scored a phenomenal 46 points for Burleigh in a Mal Meninga Cup match and earlier in the season he was also impressive in Brisbane’s trial win over Wynnum-Manly. With strong long kicking game and good vision, Black is a game manager who also has the potential to change a contest in the blink of an eye with his individual brilliance. 

Black: Words can't describe putting on this jersey

5. Kasey Reh (New South Wales Women)

A born leader who captained the Australian Schoolgirls in 2023 and this year was skipper of the Illawarra Steelers as they went all the way to Tarsha Gale Cup final in April, Reh was a natural choice to have the ‘C’ for NSW. A composed player who comes from rich rugby league stock, Reh is the niece of former NSW representatives Brett and Glenn Stewart. Judged the top player in the Tarsha Gale Cup for 2024, the 18-year-old will be eyeing off an NRL debut later this year after agreeing to terms with the Dragons on a long-term deal that will keep her at the club until at least the end of 2026.

Adams opens the scoring

6. Skyla Adams (Queensland Women)

Having already well and truly caught the eye of senior Maroons coach Tahnee Norris, who included Adams in her wider squad for both of the opening two Origin games, the talented playmaker is primed to own the U-19 arena in 2024. A try-scorer in last year’s age-group triumph over NSW while playing in the centres, Adams moves into her preferred role at halfback this year after impressing for Souths Logan in the Queensland women’s competition and guiding them to wins in her final four games. Signed to the Broncos for the next two years with an additional club option for 2026, Adams shapes as the long-term heir apparent to Ali Brigginshaw.  

7. Ella Koster (New South Wales Women)

After appearing in eight NRLW games for the Dragons last year, in which she scored two tries and averaged 69 run metres, Koster brings a huge amount of elite-level experience to the NSW pack. A starting prop for NSW Country in this year’s win over NSW City, she’s equally at home on the edge and is a valuable player to have on the interchange. Koster has been a hit since converting to rugby league from rugby union, where she represented the Waratahs at the age of 16.

Ella Koster Try

8. De La Salle Va'a (Queensland Men)

A hulking front-rower who already has the build of an NRL middle forward, Va’a has been progressing well through the Roosters’ pathway this year on the back of representing the Australian Schoolboys in 2023 alongside the like of Wests Tigers ace Lachlan Galvin. Having moved into the Tricolours’ NSW Cup side in recent weeks, he’s edging closer to an NRL debut after being included in Trent Robinson’s wider squad earlier this month when Lindsay Collins and Spencer Leniu were out on Origin duty.

9. Casey McLean (New South Wales Men)

After breaking into the Panthers’ NSW Cup team this year McLean has nailed down a left centre spot alongside his older brother Jesse, with the pair set to carry that combination into Thursday night’s showdown with Queensland. At 18 years of age McLean is already showing an ability to put forward consistent performances against senior opponents, with an eye to emulating 2023 Blues U-19 centres Ethan Strange and Josh Feledy in going on to debut in the NRL on the back of star showings for their state. A busy player who goes looking for work, the Blacktown-born player is averaging over 15 touches and 120 run metres per game this year in the NSW Cup.

10. Jamal Shibasaki (Queensland Men)

Used as an impact player off the bench for Queensland last year, the powerfully built Townsville product – who can play both on an edge and through the middle – gets his chance in the run-on side this time around. After scooping player of the year honours in the Mal Meninga Cup in 2023, Shibasaki has been a revelation at Queensland Cup level this for the Cutters, scoring seven tries in 11 games and averaging almost four tackle busts per game. It’s clearly caught the eye of Cowboys coach Todd Payten, who handed him a first-grade debut back in Round 13.

Who's who: Profiling the 19's Origin teams

Men – New South Wales v Queensland

*** Blake Steep won't play in the U/19's game after being withdrawn to make his NRL debut for the Roosters against the Bulldogs.

Women – New South Wales v Queensland