Robert Toia may have only been 10 games into his NRL career before being called up to make his State of Origin debut, but he was by no means a novice when it comes to interstate rivalry.
Selected in the centres by Queensland coach Billy Slater, Toia is just one of the recent graduates of the Under 19 State of Origin concept, having represented his state in 2022 in the representative format.
Established in 2012 as an Under 20 representative fixture for boys, it became an Under 19 match in 2022, with the 2021 event cancelled due to COVID complications.
Maroons utility Kurt Mann featured in the first game in 2012 and 13 years later, he is set to make his Origin debut after being handed the number 14. jersey by Slater for Game Two in Perth.
For girls, the pathway began as an Under 18 game in 2019, before converting to Under 19 in 2021.
Players like Jaime Chapman, who captained New South Wales in the first Under 19 game, and more recently Queenslander Jasmine Peters have both gone on to represent their state in senior Origin.
Below are just some of the outstanding graduates to emerge from the Under 19 State of Origin concept.
The Graduates
Jaime Chapman - New South Wales Under 19 Girls – 2021
Captain of the 2021 NSW Girls team, ‘Chappo’ has gone on to one of the most recognisable names in women’s rugby league, representing her heritage with the Indigenous All Stars as well as suiting up for the Jillaroos, the PMs XIII last year and this year’s series winning NSW Blues side. The Gold Coast Titans back loves to score a try and has crossed for 19 tries in her 31 NRLW games. Chapman also played for New South Wales in the inaugural Under 18 State of Origin match in 2019, a precursor to the current Under 19 format.
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Robert Toia has got some fancy footwork
Robert Toia - Queensland Under 19 Boys – 2022
The Sydney Roosters centre became the least experienced player (10 NRL games) to get picked for the Queensland Maroons in this year’s opening series and didn’t look out of place in the arena. Praised for his perseverance and resilience after coming back from multiple season-ending injuries, in his short career so far, the Redcliffe Dolphins junior has shown why he was touted as one to watch coming through the grades.
Jack Bostock - New South Wales Under 19 Boys – 2022
The 2024 NRL Dally M Rookie of the Year has continued his fantastic form in 2025, helping to lead the charge for the Dolphins. In Round 15, the winger ran in for a historic haul of four tries as his side beat the Cowboys 56-4, making him the first in the club to reach that tally. Last year, the Shellharbour Stingrays junior played in 23 games for the Dolphins, adding to the three in his debut season in 2023, and scored 14 tries.
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That's four, count 'em
Jasmine Peters - Queensland Under 19 Girls – 2021-2022
Versatile back Peters made her senior State of Origin debut for Queensland this year, earning kudos for her performance in Game Three as the Maroons avoided a whitewash. Now with the Cowboys, Mackay-born Peters made her NRLW debut with the Titans in 2021 and has also played for the Indigenous All Stars side on multiple occasions, representing her Torres Strait Islands culture. Peters also played for Queensland in the inaugural Under 18 State of Origin match in 2019 at North Sydney Oval before the change to the Under 19 format.
Paul Alamoti - New South Wales Under 19 Boys – 2022
Paul Alamoti proved himself to be a key member of Penrith’s backline last season, scoring a decisive try in their title win. The former the former Milperra Colt, who debuted in the NRL with the Bulldogs, also made a splash on the international scene while representing Tonga, most recently in the Pacific Championships where the island nation pushed Australia all the way in the Pacific Cup final.
Keilee Joseph - Queensland Under 19 Girls – 2021
Talented middle forward Keilee Joseph has had an interesting path to the top, from playing junior rugby league with Waterford Demons to earning a rugby league scholarship with Mabel Park, travelling to Sydney to pursue an opportunity with the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy, before later debuting in the NRLW with club. Now back in Brisbane with the Broncos, Joseph has represented the Australian Jillaroos, Queensland Maroons and Indigenous All Stars. Like Peters, Joseph also played for Queensland in the inaugural Under 18 State of Origin match in 2018 and was captain.
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Origin pathways graduate: Teagan Berry
Teagan Berry - New South Wales Under 19 Girls – 2021
Dragons speedster has been near the top of the tally for tries scores in back-to-back NRLW seasons and is a key cog in attack for any team she plays with. Her talent was spotted early and like her former Dragons teammate Chapman, played for New South Wales in the inaugural Under 18 State of Origin match in 2019. After consistently strong performances, Berry has featured in multiple Prime Minister's XIII sides as well as representing NSW Country.
Jack Howarth – Queensland Under 19 Boys – 2022
The Storm centre has been selected in Billy Slater’s Game Two extended squad, with many pundits predicting a State of Origin debut is not too far away. Howarth came of age last season, helping Melbourne reach the grand final with impressive showings in his 16 games. The Brisbane Tigers junior and schoolboys star has also represented the Māori All Stars team.
Latu Fainu - New South Wales Under 19 Boys – 2023
Part of a talented rugby league family which includes brother Samuela Fainu who also played for the New South Wales Under 19 team, Latu Fainu has been earmarked as one to watch as the Wests Tigers rebuild. The young half turned heads as part of the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Harold Matthews Cup team where he was Player of the Series in their premiership-winning year of 2021. Fainu also made his Test debut for Tonga in 2023.
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Fainu and Strange combine
Sienna Lofipo - Queensland Under 19 Girls – 2023
The versatile Lofipo had a massive year on the representative front in 2024, going from the Queensland Under 19 team to making her senior Maroons debut. Later in 2024, the Gold Coast Titans young gun also played for Fetu Samoa, helping them to qualify for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup. Known as a lock, Lofipo can also play in the halves and was the winning halfback (and captain) of the 2023 Under 19 Queensland team.
Match: QLD U19s v NSW U19s
Round 1 -
home Team
QLD U19s
away Team
NSW U19s
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
The 2025 Under 19 Origin matches will take place at Sunshine Coast Stadium this Thursday and you can follow all the action on NRL.com's live blog.
Match: QLD U19s v NSW U19s
Round 1 -
home Team
QLD U19s
away Team
NSW U19s
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium, Sunshine Coast
Tickets for Thursday's Under 19s Origin are available from NRL Tickets.
