Rising Queensland halves ready to take next step after U19 win

Cool, calm and collected is the only way to describe Queensland Under 19 five-eighth Javon Andrews’ performance against New South Wales on Thursday night.

They’re qualities coach and Maroons great Darius Boyd is known for. Having learned from the best throughout the week, Andrews was well prepared to tackle any challenge thrown his way.

After losing skipper and kicker Coby Black to a HIA with 20 minutes left in the game, Andrews was responsible for slotting the conversion that pushed his team past the Blues to claim a 23-22 win.

While there were some nerves ahead of the kick from the sideline, the player of the match said it was never in doubt.

“It was a big loss, Coby… he’s a superstar, amazing kicking game, just so smart,” Andrews said. “But it was an opportunity to step up myself, as the other half, and I felt like I did it.

“You practice your whole life for [match-winning kicks], do all those extras, all the hard stuff… the kick went in today and I’m just grateful… I was always confident.

“When you’re a kid, you always dream of getting that player of the match and I’m just grateful. It’s a dream come true. My family’s been through a lot, I’ve been through a lot and to be here with the team, the boys, it’s so amazing.”

Andrews is in the Gold Coast Titans pathway and plies his trade for the Tweed Seagulls. The teenager has recently impressed for the Titans through the opening weeks of the new NRLQ Under 20 development competition. 

The opportunity to play for the Maroons was a dream come true and the youngster is eager to carry this experience forward into future campaigns. 

“When you're a kid growing up, you see those games, you just want to put that jersey on, make your state proud, make your family proud, make everyone proud," Andrews said.

“It all started for me at Logan Brothers… I grew up there, played there, moved down to Tweed the last couple of years and got the opportunity to play here now and put this jersey on.

“The experience of Origin footy is so different to anything else… it’s the best thing in the world. It's just amazing and I’m so grateful for it.

“It's been so fun… the whole camp…. how we won is the cherry on top… it’s been amazing.”

While Andrews took charge in the second half, it was his halves partner Coby Black who produced a sublime first-half performance to steer the side to a 13-6 lead.

His field goal in the final minute of the period ultimately came in very handy later in the night, while he scored a crucial try shortly after the break to make it 17-6.

Black's performance highlighted why he has long been earmarked as Adam Reynolds successor in the No.7 jumper at the Broncos and provided a glimpse into the future for Brisbane and Queensland fans. 

The Helensvale Hornets junior left the contest in the 50th minute after a head knock and was elated his teammates got the job done.

"I don't think there's a greater honour you can have than wearing a maroon jersey," he said.

"I think that's the pinnacle of the game, whether it's 19s or State of Origin, I think (in Game II) our men showed how it's done and we stepped up tonight.

"To be able to represent Helensvale Hornets, to have our names on our backs that represent not just our families, but where we grew up.

"We’ve got some country boys here. They're representing whole country towns. It's incredible the stuff these boys can do."