Ultimate 2026 Queensland Under-19 State of Origin player breakdown and their NRL and NRLW ties

Heading south across the border to North Sydney Oval on Thursday, June 18, both Maroons squads are stacked with premier teenagers plucked from the state’s most competitive pathway programs.

The men’s side, guided by former Origin great Darius Boyd, will be fiercely defending their crown after tasting ultimate success in last year’s campaign.

They boast a formidable mix of NRL system prospects and recent Mal Meninga Cup grand finalists, headlined by a premiership-winning Townsville Blackhawks contingent. Maia Tua-Davidson takes the reins of an incredibly dynamic women’s squad built to handle the fast and physical demands of the interstate arena.

Featuring a strong core of Harvey Norman Under-19 standouts, BMD Premiership heavyweights, and NRLW development players, this new wave of Maroon talent is ready to leave a lasting mark on the representative stage.

Jump to the women’s squad here.

QLD U19 MEN 2026

Ellyjah Birve (Penrith Panthers)

Birve well and truly made his mark on the SG Ball competition for the Panthers this season after the PNG and Sunshine Coast product wasn’t re-signed by the Melbourne Storm.

The electrifying halfback is able to create something out of nothing whenever he gets his hands on the footy.

Consistently finds the try line, is a reliable goal-kicker and brings crucial point scoring ability to any team.

Alize Clarke (Melbourne Storm)

Clarke was the sleeping giant of rugby league in Queensland. He was an under the radar type with great fitness and ticker.

He is also very versatile in the backline.

Hailing from the footy hotbed of Logan, Clarke attended Mabel Park SHS and has since ticked boxes as a part of Melbourne’s pathway teams.

Kobi Floro (Melbourne Storm)

A towering man mountain prop who dominates the middle third, Floro is returning for his second crack at the Under-19 Origin arena after featuring in last year’s squad.

The former Wavell SHS and Norths Devils product uses his massive frame to set a relentless platform, rapidly establishing himself as a formidable force with unlimited potential in the engine room.

Tupou Francis (Burleigh Bears / Brisbane Broncos)

A prized teenage prodigy and former Marsden SHS captain, Francis is widely considered one of the best ball-playing middles in the state at just 17 years old.

The younger brother of Titans player Tony Francis recently inked a massive long-term contract extension with the Broncos, highlighting his undeniable star power.

Frank Howarth (Melbourne Storm)

Progressing through the Storm’s Junior Academy, Frank is a hard-running player who brings genuine strike power to the field.

The younger brother of Storm squad member Jack, he is steadily carving out his own impressive reputation within the club’s prestigious pathway.

Jackson Koina (Parramatta Eels)

A rangy and athletic middle forward, Koina has been a central figure and primary enforcer for the Parramatta Eels’ junior representative squads.

The former Sunshine Coast product and Australian Schoolboys star has an immense work rate and his ability to control the ruck has made him an indispensable asset.

Chaev Kolone (Canberra Raiders)

Another player like Clarke who caught the eye as a student at Mabel Park.

Kolone was an early favourite of ours earlier this decade when he was a tackling terror for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls.

Seriously, there weren’t many better in the middle than this tough, uncompromising youngster.

Taj Lateo (Townsville Blackhawks / North Queensland Cowboys)

The undisputed general of Townsville’s spine, this tall Palm Beach Currumbin product uses his booming right boot and tactical awareness to pin opposition teams on their own line.

Whether playing five-eighth or halfback, Lateo seamlessly releases his outside backs and dictates the game’s tempo.

Has endured a massive 2026 season to date.

Lui Lee (Sydney Roosters)

Carrying a surname familiar to rugby league fans, Lui is an emerging outside back progressing steadily through the Roosters’ ranks.

He is a highly-rated talent who combines natural size with the athleticism needed to develop into a long-term NRL prospect.

Joseph Litidamu (Melbourne Storm)

From the Darling Downs, Litidamu represents his footy-mad family.

Litidamu, whose brothers, sisters and cousins play rugby and league very well also, went to the same school as Johnathan Thurston - St Mary’s College - and is a fast paced back with glorious finishing skill.

He could have been joined in this team by good mate Braithen Scott although Scott, another Mary’s product, has been injured (ACL).

Bishop Neal (NZ Warriors)

Neal is a phenom from Christchurch. He is eligible because he played junior rugby league at the fertile Coomera Cutters club on the Gold Coast.

Neal is imposing and has a good turn of foot for a big man.

There’s lots of excitement around him so let’s just wait and see what he pulls out of the hat on Thursday week.

Tyler Pereira (Ipswich Jets / Gold Coast Titans)

An Iona College product and slick Redlands junior, Pereira is a silky attacker who completely dictates the flow of the game out wide.

Slotting in anywhere in the back five, he has a magical ability to keep the ball alive and march his side down the sideline to create devastating overlaps.

Siosaia Poese (Souths Logan Magpies / Brisbane Broncos)

A player known for saving tries and sparking dynamic attacks.

Featuring in three NRLQ under-21 matches this season, the Marsden SHS product is a highly dangerous outside back with incredibly light footwork

Brian Pouniu (Redcliffe Dolphins / Dolphins)

Pouniu is already proving he belongs on the game’s biggest stage after making a highly anticipated NRL debut for the Dolphins in Round 12.

The strike centre pairs a terrific rugby league IQ with an elite work ethic, seamlessly translating his dominant junior form into the top grade.

Jett Ryan (Melbourne Storm)

The former Sunshine Coast gem and 2025 Cyril Connell Cup Player of the Year, Ryan has gone to a new level since joining Melbourne’s junior pathways system full time.

A pure definition of a workhorse lock, he brings consistent, high-octane energy to the middle of the park every single week.

Whether he is hitting gaps at speed to cross for crucial tries or tackling himself to a standstill, you always know exactly what you are going to get from him.

Cody Starr (Redcliffe Dolphins / Dolphins)

There is no denying that Starr lived up to his surname this season.

The imposing middle forward was an absolute rock in the engine room, churning out heavy minutes with superb consistency.

His durability and sheer quality caught the attention of the senior coaching staff, earning him some reserve spots for Redcliffe’s Hostplus Cup squad.

Taylan To’a (Townsville Blackhawks / North Queensland Cowboys)

Following a late switch from the Titans via Ipswich, the Cowboys landed a serious edge weapon in Taylan To’a.

The rising forward hasn’t skipped a beat this season, instantly establishing himself as a premier strike threat up north.

Good luck trying to stop him when he hits a gap with sheer power and perfectly timed, brilliant line running.

Hayden Watson (Melbourne Storm)

Very few players get a second crack at the Under-19 Origin arena, but Watson’s inclusion was a no-brainer.

After featuring in last year’s squad, the talented halfback returns as a premier playmaking talent with a massive future.

He is already turning heads with elite tactical execution and mature game management that goes well beyond his years.

Sam Williams (Wynnum Manly Seagulls / Brisbane Broncos)

From a Churchie First XV rugby union standout to a rapidly developing league forward, Williams is on a steep upward trajectory.

Broncos recruiters were immediately drawn to the rookie’s massive engine and non-stop motor.

Despite his raw background, his relentless work rate through the middle of the ruck has already impressed for the Broncos NRLQ line-up.

Amare Wynyard (Redcliffe Dolphins / Dolphins)

If Redcliffe’s attack had a heartbeat, it was Amare Wynyard.

Operating out of dummy half, the Redcliffe State High product carved up defensive lines all season long with slick service and razor-sharp decision-making.

Tasked with captaining the side, he consistently thrived under fatigue, delivering high-standard minutes that rightfully booked him a ticket to the NRLQ side in his final junior rep campaign.

QLD U19 WOMEN 2026

Mia Byrnes (Burleigh Bears)

Byrnes provides Queensland with a nice combination of versatility and country toughness.

Byrnes hails from the Darling Downs and her ticker will go down a treat. She’s a tough competitor who has made a winning move to the Burleigh Bears in 2026.

Okalani Compton (Souths Logan Magpies)

The ultra-coachable Compton has been a leading dummyhalf coming through the ranks and she gets her shot here having only recently turned 18.

Compton is a team-first type who punches into the line aggressively and sticks to the game plan when the going gets tough.

Enah Desic (Brisbane Tigers / Gold Coast Titans)

What’s better than one good dummy half? Two of them.

Desic, like Compton, is a hooking hero whose footy IQ is well advanced. A fierce competitor on the rise at the Titans, Desic relishes tough challenges and always seems one play ahead.

Sienna Ibrahim (Souths Logan Magpies / Gold Coast Titans)

Ibrahim is one of numerous comeback queens who have been picked. Ibrahim’s junior footy was stalled by ACL injuries and more recently a PCL which hampered her under-19s season.

The one thing about Ibrahim is she doesn’t stay down or out for long. The tough, dedicated centre-wing knows what she wants and pursues her goals like few others.

Her carries out of the backfield are gold.

Lorren Ieli (Brisbane Tigers)

Leli enjoyed a fabulous under-19s season with the premiership-winning Easts Tigers and will set a tone for Queensland.

Beyond her football ability, Leli is just a great teammate who would be a perfect fit for the team.

‘Lolo’ is unselfish and in the opening round of QRL’s BMD Premiership, showed her power and ability agaist older opposition.

Lilianah Lewis (Souths Logan Magpies / Gold Coast Titans)

Lewis was always destined for this stage.

The high-class halfback has long punched above her age and size and one thing about Lewis is she loves getting her hands on the ball.

For Queensland, this is a good thing. She takes the game head on, backs her ability and can pull a rabbit out of a hat.

Torah Luadaka (Tweed Seagulls/Bears BMD / Gold Coast Titans)

Like Lewis, Luadaka has been a notable halfback at the age-group level but could be utilised as a fullback come Thursday.

Luadaka is confident, determined, very athletic and could be full of energy after playing a little less footy than some of her teammates so far this year.

Watch for Luadaka’s sublime timing when injecting herself into the backline.

Lacey McLaren (Tweed Seagulls / Gold Coast Titans)

Like a bolt from the blue, McLaren caught the selectors’ eye and won a place in this prestigious squad.

McLaren, whose older brother Marley is a mightily fine playmaker, has made every post a winner since returning from an ACL injury.

Absent from the Maroons camp in February, McLaren made an instant impression at the May camp with her athletic ability, conditioning and high football IQ.

The fleet-footed fullback is still just in Year 12 at Palm Beach Currumbin SHS.

Amanii Misa (Souths Logan Magpies / Brisbane Broncos)

Middle forward marvel Amaani Misa is one of four returning players from last year’s side. The others are Deleni Paitai, Keira Rangi and Harlem Walker, along with squad members Brianna Toopi and Kiara Wright.

Misa’s skill as a lock and her slick ball distribution was noted by the Broncos, who have placed her in their NRLW squad.

A standout junior, Misa plays with composure and has a strong frame to challenge the NSW girls.

Tia Molo (Redcliffe Dolphins / Brisbane Broncos)

Molo’s form during the recent under-19s season for Redcliffe was unreal.

At centre or as a second rower, Molo showed speed, athleticism and skill. Her background as a state-level netballer helps paint the picture of an emerging edge player primed to continue her purple patch of form against quality rivals.

Lilli Nati (Redcliffe Dolphins / Falcons BMD)

Nati impressed at fullback playing up an age in the under-19s competition for Redcliffe.

The Deception Bay schoolgirl catches the eye time and again with sheer physicality, uncompromising carries and cover defence.

Nati improved tremendously this year and has been rewarded.

Deleni Paitai (Redcliffe Dolphins / Brisbane Broncos)

Paitai, a cream of the crop centre from Redcliffe, will lead the way with composure, significant effort, and strong leadership.

A Broncos prospect, Paitai does not overplay her hand and excels in the ‘one percenters’.

Ace Pollock (Sunshine Coast Falcons)

Pollock, a Caloundra State High product, represents the Sunshine Coast. She will play up front offering strong charges at prop.

Pollock is a bit of a prodigy with a strong frame and good skills.

Keira Rangi (Souths Logan Magpies / Gold Coast Titans)

Rangi roared off the bench last year and made a palpable impact. She will start on Thursday.

A try-scoring sensation during the under-19s season, Rangi will reprise her combination with half Lewis after the pair ran rampant for Souths Logan.

Rangi is a key player with an axe to grind and revenge on mind against NSW.

Gabriella Savage (Canberra Raiders)

Savage, like her older brother Xavier, can really motor. From Cairns in Far North Queensland, Savage has been gaining valuable tips and knowledge from Xavier while living with him and his partner in the Nation’s Capital over recent years.

Savage has taken a leap in her game, particularly in defence.

The rangy outside back covers space quickly.

Elishama Suavai (Northern Pride)

‘Shama’ Suavai set the under-19s season alight with some great forward play for the Northern Pride.

The well-respected Cairns kid plays tough and with a smattering of mongrel. Off the field, she is sweet and kind but on it, she won’t take it easy on NSW if given the chance.

Born in 2008, Suavai will be in the mix again next year after strong club performances demanded her selection in this squad.

Brianna Toopi (Burleigh Bears)

Toopi is a student of the game and fabulous teammate. You could see it in the way she carried herself last year as a squad member.

The robust centre has a gymnastics background and is freakishly athletic and strong. This was evident when she captained Burleigh in the recent club season.

Sienna Trew (Souths Logan Magpies)

Trew enjoyed an outstanding club season with Souths, where in a stacked outfit she continually showed vast improvement in her game.

A goer through the middle, Trew is Ms Consistent and only 18.

Harlem Walker (Souths Logan Magpies / Brisbane Broncos)

Walker will bring power, strength and fitness to the fold at prop.

A Broncos top 24 prospect, Walker is quiet off the field and ruffles plenty of feathers on it with tone-setting tendencies.

She is a leader through actions, not words, and might catch a player or two off guard on Thursday with her thunderous carries.

Kiara Wright (Tweed Seagulls)

Last but not least is Wright, another comeback queen who has shed her injuries and is on the up.

Wright is strong and versatile. Tweed have used her as a prop, second rower, lock and half, so her skill set is varied.

Originally published as Ultimate 2026 Queensland Under-19 State of Origin player breakdown and their NRL and NRLW ties