NRL Under-19 State of Origin: NSW Blues men win 32-14, Queensland Maroons women win 20-14
The NSW under-19s men have shut down the Maroons hopes for an Origin title cleansweep, after Queensland claimed a double in the women’s game. Here’s what we learned.
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NSW’s under-19s have saved the state from the ultimate humiliation with a 32-14 win over Queensland in Redcliffe on Thursday night.
The Blues were staring down a clean sweep in all four State of Origin grades leading into the final game of the series after the under-19s women went down 20-14 to Queensland earlier in the night.
It topped off series wins for the Maroons senior mens and women’s games across the past month, which has cast NSW into misery.
That was until the state’s brightest teenage talents gave fans a reason to hope again in a passionate show of pride.
Rising Raiders star Ethan Strange stole the show with a hatrick, while Eels halfback Ethan Saunders, Broncos hooker Blake Mozer and Cowboys’ playmaker Zac Lamont also impressed.
As the Origin series wrapped up, here are the things we learned out of the under-19s men’s and women’s games on Thursday night.
A STAR IS BORN
Ethan Strange announced himself on the big stage as the best player on the field in NSW’s 26-14 win over Queensland.
The 18-year-old Canberra centre/five-eighth was relentless for the teenage Blues in Redcliffe, scoring two tries, as well as six tackle-breaks and two-try assists to player of the match honours and some high praise.
Immortal Andrew Johns and guru Phil Gould were both singing his praises in Channel Nine commentary.
“Some kids have just got it. Things look easier for them,” Gould said.
“He’s done some really good things tonight. He’s a good player.”
“He’s got that raw bone strength that you cannot manufacture in the gym. He looks like a strong boy,” Johns added.
It’s no wonder either.
The rising Raiders star is the son of Roosters NRLW coach John Strange, so the rugby league education is inbuilt.
Pure magic from Ethan Strange! 🧙â€â™‚ï¸#U19sOriginpic.twitter.com/bS5zAz5Lzi
— NRL (@NRL) July 13, 2023
TENSIONS BOIL OVER
The men’s under-19s State of Origin got off to a spicy start with Queensland’s Mitchell Jennings sin-binned early for a dangerous high shot.
The Melbourne Storm centre was sent to the sheds after copping burgeoning NSW star Latu Fainu around the head early, with the Blues leading 4-0.
The moment sparked a flurry of aggression from both sides as they came together in a heated scuffle in the middle of the field.
Blues skipper and Manly-signed forward Samuela Fainu was lucky not to follow too, after coming in to defend his smaller teammate in the melee.
With a player in the bin, the Blues scored soon after to lead 8-0 midway through the half, going on to seal the win at the back end of the game.
QLD’S EPIC COMEBACK TO CLAIM HISTORIC WIN
Queensland have now claimed a double in the women’s game with the under-19s winning a 20-14 nail-biter at Redcliffe on Thursday night.
Here’s five things we learned.
SYSTEM WORKS
Each year this game is played we get a prime-time, free-to-air glimpse into the quality of the state junior systems, and each year it gets better.
Thursday night’s game was no exception.
It wasn’t perfect, and there were some glitches in the decisions each team made with the ball, but overall the game was entertaining, high intensity, and most importantly -- passionate.
And that’s as best as you can hope for to build on.
LATU IS THE REAL DEAL
It looks like Wests Tigers fans will have something to cheer for this year after all.
The women’s under-19s State of Origin has unearthed some fresh new talent by the name of Losana Latu, who will play for the Tigers in their inaugural NRLW side this season.
The 19-year-old Campbelltown junior was everywhere for the Blues in their 20-14 loss to Queensland in Redcliffe on Thursday night, a ball-playing lock who didn’t put a foot wrong.
Her kicking game was precise and her passing game even better, but she took the tough carries too putting herself firmly in the frame for a big season of NRLW, which kicks off next weekend.
Match Highlights 🎥 - #U19sOrigin
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) July 13, 2023
Sixteen points in the second half lifted Queensland to victory in the Women's U19s State of Origin! pic.twitter.com/cyZU5MwLg8
DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR BLUES
More pain for NSW.
Queensland women have now claimed the double in both State of Origin events, with the senior women claiming a victory over the Blues in their two-game series last month.
The men also took the first two games of their series, so overall it’s been a miserable Origin period in the southern state.
CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK
Pani Hopoate would have made her dad John proud with a huge effort in NSW’s loss on Thursday night.
The ex-Australia winger was sitting in the stands as she tore up the field for the Blues in Redcliffe.
19-year-old Pani is signed to the Roosters this year and has been a rising star of the game for two seasons now, but again she showed her pedigree in the final stages of Thursday’s 20-14 loss.
The hard-running prop made 100 metres, the most of any player on the field, and also a game-high 20 tackles.
TITANS WILL BE FINE THIS YEAR
Queensland second-rower Rilee Jorgensen was named player of the match for her effort in helping turn the game with hard runs and ruthless defence.
With NSW up 10-4 at halftime, the Maroons clawed their way back and Jorgensen and her Titans crew had their hands all over it.
She’s one of a number of players signed to the Titans for the upcoming NRLW season, along with Queensland halves Sienna Lofipo, Chantay Kiria-Ratu and fullback Destiny Mino-Sinapati.
U19S BLOCKBUSTERS: MEN, WOMEN’S MATCH-UP TO DECIDE ORIGIN GAMES
—Fatima Kdouh and Pamela Whaley
North Queensland are making significant headway in the race to develop the game’s brightest talent, eclipsing big brother Brisbane and matching strides with Penrith and Melbourne when it comes to representation in this year’s under-19s State of Origin clash.
The Cowboys have four players, headlined by dynamic fullback Mutua Brown and halfback Zack Lamont, while the Broncos have three players in a Maroons jersey on Thursday night at Kayo Stadium.
The Panthers have four players across the Blues and Maroons ahead Melbourne who have four representatives in the Queensland team.
Despite Queensland having a strong Cowboys flavour, there is one Broncos prospect keeping Blues coach Andrew Ryan awake at night – prodigious hooker Blake Mozer.
“For me, Mozer is a real threat, probably their biggest. Defensively our marker play around the middle of the park, we need to be good,” Ryan said.
We take a look at the spine match-up’s that will help determine the result of Thursday’s clash.
FULLBACK – Chevy Stewart v Mutua Brown
Chevy Stewart has made an immediate mark at Canberra, relegating much hyped fullback Xavier Savage to the wing in NSW Cup this year.
Ryan is expecting Stewart to have a similar impact on Thursday night.
“He’s a young guy, he’s super talented. It’s going to be a great match-up (against Brown),” Ryan said.
“He’s got really high energy. He’s predominantly a ball runner so hopefully he’ll get some opportunities to be in and around it. He’ll be right in the game.
One of the brightest prospects coming out of the Cowboys Academy, Brown has the skill set to match it with Stewart and his electric speed and footy smarts will cause the Blues defence headaches.
FIVE-EIGHTH – Latu Fainu v Stanley Huen
Manly rated Fainu so highly they signed the five-eighth at just 16-years old on a record deal that had the potential to turn him into a million-dollar player.
The Wests Tigers, Dolphins and Canterbury are in a bidding war to secure his services from next season.
“Just watching him he’s definitely a classy act. We’ll get to see it with some defence against us (tonight) but I really liked what I have seen from Latu so far,” Ryan said.
Melbourne Storm junior Huen also has a strong running game, and won’t shy away from the contact and physicality on Thursday night. He’ll be looking to emulate the performance of fellow Storm rookie playmaker Jonah Pezet, who delivered a man of the match performance for the Blues in last year’s under 19’s clash. The duo are seen as long-term halves prospects at the club.
HALFBACK – Ethan Sanders v Zack Lamont
With halves stocks thin at Parramatta, Sanders is being groomed as a back-up halfback to Mitchell Moses. But if Sanders continues on the same trajectory, his talent will surpass being a depth player.
He’s also on the radar of Canberra as they prepare for life without Jack Wighton.
“I’ve really liked what I have seen from Ethan so far. He’s a really calm guy. He’s a pretty decent size for a half, he’s got really good talk,” Ryan said.
“He‘s a different style of player to Latu Fainu but they gelled right away.”
Cowboys junior Lamont idolised club great Johnathan Thurston but he’ll have to overtake prodigious talent Tom Duffy on the halfbacks pecking order to get his hands on the no. 7 jumper. A strong showing tonight will help stake a greater claim.
HOOKER – Billy Scott v Blake Mozer
Penrith’s Scott has been named out of position at hooker but that won’t blunt his impact. The youngster has huge wraps on him at Penrith, where he is seen as a long term lock or edge player. He’ll begin a year long training deal in 2024 where he will train with the NRL side full time, before move to a development contact in 2025.
“He’s been playing predominantly at lock at club level but he’s a hooker too. He’s tough as nails and has slotted in perfectly this week,” Ryan said.
Mozer is nipping at the heels of Billy Walters and Cory Paix at Red Hill as he edges closer to an NRL debut. Not only is he expected to eventually own the Broncos no. 9 jumper but also develop into a Maroons mainstay.
WOMEN’S UNDER-19 PREVIEW: SEVEN EMERGING STARS TO WATCH
They’re the young guns of Queensland and NSW.
Thursday night’s under-19s women’s State of Origin clash in Redcliffe from 5.45pm (AEST) will debut some rising talent and familiar names that could light up the game for years to come.
To make them easier to spot, here are seven players to watch.
Shaylee Joseph (Queensland)
At 18, Shaylee Joseph is without doubt one of the brightest young prospects in the women’s game. The younger sister of Queensland star Keilee Joseph, who was player of the match in the Maroons’ first win over NSW early last month, Shaylee is starting to make a name in NRLW circles too.
The powerful prop has signed a contract with the Cowboys this season, and looks set to make her NRLW debut early in the season. A strong performance for Queensland in the under-19s on Thursday night will help her cause.
Monalisa Soliola (NSW)
This is Monalisa Soliola’s second year playing for the NSW under-19s side as part of her rise as a solid edge forward in the women’s game. Last season was a breakout year for the 18-year-old, who played five games with the Dragons before making the switch to Canberra for their inaugural season this year.
And if her last name sounds familiar — that’s her rugby league pedigree shining through. Her dad is the cousin of Raiders legend Sia Soliola.
Chantay Kiria-Ratu (Queensland)
It’s been a rapid but promising rise for the Queensland half, who looks set to make her NRLW debut with the Titans this season.
Back for her second year in the under-19s Queensland side, the 18-year-old was too young to make her NRLW debut last season but played for the Cook Islands in the Rugby League World Cup at the end of the year.
The Keebra Park product has come through the Titans development pathway and has been considered a future star of the game with all the composure of a much older player. She’ll get to put it to the test on Thursday night. She’s been named to start in the halves, with one eye on the No. 7 jersey at club land too.
Sienna Lofipo (Queensland)
Another player vying for a spot in the Titans halves this year, Sienna Lofipo is also an example of the kind of talent emerging out of South East Queensland and coming into the Gold Coast system.
The 18-year-old playmaker was named as 19th player for the Queensland Origin women’s side in game two last month in a nod to her potential in the representative system, after helping steer Wynnum Manly Seagulls to the BMD Premiership grand final.
She’ll be vying with Titans teammate and Maroons halves partner Kiria-Ratu to play alongside Jillaroo Taliah Fuimaono this season too.
Kalosipani Hopoate (NSW)
The Sydney Roosters forward has been a rising star of the women’s game for two seasons now thanks to her barnstorming skill as a front-rower and recognisable last name.
The 19-year-old is the daughter of ex-Australian winger John Hopoate, and the younger sister of NSW centre Will.
Signed to the Roosters, ‘Pani’ made her NRLW debut last season and went on to represent Tonga at the Rugby League World Cup, but there’s a still a huge future ahead for the exciting young prop.
Losana Lutu (NSW)
This is also the second under-19s Origin start for the 19-year-old Wests Tigers second-rower who has come through the club’s system as a Campbelltown junior.
The 19-year-old had a breakout season last year, made her NRLW debut with Parramatta, helped the Wests Tigers to the Harvey Norman women’s premiership and then was picked in the victorious NSW under-19s Origin side too.
Now back with the Tigers for their inaugural NRLW season, this could be another big year for the young Fijian.
Destiny Mino-Sinapati (Queensland)
The Queensland fullback has only been playing rugby league for two years, but it’s been enough time to know she has a gift.
The 18-year-old speedster grew up playing basketball, but made the switch to rugby league at famed nursery Marsden State High School, where she fell in love with the game.
She’s already been handed a top 24 contract with the Gold Coast, which says a lot about her natural ability and talent development in such a short space of time.
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Originally published as NRL Under-19 State of Origin: NSW Blues men win 32-14, Queensland Maroons women win 20-14
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