Superstars of the game: Where NSW’s 2014 U18s Origin side is 10 years on from their victory
The likes of Tom Trbojevic and Latrell Mitchell led the NSW U18s to victory in 2014. With some of the biggest current names in the game, we look at where all 17 players are today.
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It’s been 10 years since the NSW U18s kept their hot run over Queensland alive with a solid win over the enemy.
The young Blues outclassed the junior Maroons 24-10 at Homebush on June 18 as a pre-cursor to the men’s side ending Queensland’s winning run later that night.
How many from the U18s went on to play on the biggest stage?
We take a look back at the 17 that represented New South Wales that night and see where they are now.
1. MATTHEW DUFTY
The two-try hero on the night as Dufty played a key role in helping to take down Queensland.
Was a livewire fullback coming through those junior ranks and also lined up for the NSW U20s in 2016.
Made his long-awaited NRL debut in 2017 for the Dragons, including scoring one of the great tries on Anzac Day in 2019, before making a move to Canterbury and then to Warrington in the Super League.
2. PAUL MOMIROVSKI
A junior star after leading the Roosters to SG Ball glory, Momirovski went on to play NYC in the same year he lined up for the Blues.
Took a while to crack it in first grade, but made an impact for the Roosters in their 2018 premiership season.
Won competitions with Melbourne and Penrith in 2020 and 2021 respectively and is now plying his trade in the Super League with Leeds.
3. SIONE MATA’UTIA
After picking up two tries in the 2013 edition, Mata’utia maintained his spot in the centres for another NSW victory.
It was an incredible year for him, making his NRL debut and becoming the youngest ever Kangaroo.
After playing 124 games with Newcastle, he has been with St Helens since 2021, winning back-to-back competitions and the 2023 World Club Challenge.
4. TOM TRBOJEVIC
We’ve seen Turbo tear it up for NSW in the centres, and he formed a lethal partnership with Latrell on the right side for the U18s.
Scored a try and set up another that night to cap off a big year as he scored tries for fun in the NYC.
Made his first grade debut the following year, and despite injury concerns he has put together an incredible career, including a Dally M in 2021 and a World Cup win.
5. LATRELL MITCHELL
It’s been a while since we’ve seen Mitchell on the wing, but he was placed there due to a stacked backline as a 17-year-old.
Scored a try on the night and was an Australian Schoolboys representative later that season.
Latrell has gone on to play over 150 NRL games with the Roosters and Rabbitohs, with his strong form forcing his way back into the Blues this year.
Has won two premierships, a World Cup and is one of the most outspoken players in the modern game on social issues.
6. JACKSON HASTINGS
This marked his second appearance for the NSW U18s after he scored a double and scored 20 points in the 2013 thrashing of Queensland.
Kicked two goals as a running five-eighth.
Is now in his second season with the Newcastle Knights after helping them make a finals run last year and is fast approaching 200 combined games in the NRL and Super League.
7. LACHLAN CROKER
Got the nod at halfback alongside Hastings after impressing at the U20s level for Canberra.
Took a while to earn a regular spot in first grade, earning just one game with the Raiders in two years before injuries plagued his first two years with the Sea Eagles.
Is now a regular with Manly as his new position of hooker and has locked down a spot in the team.
8. SONI HALA
Burst his way into the NSW side after a barnstorming Schoolboys career with Patrician Brothers as a damaging front rower.
Earned his place in this side after making the NSW U16s two years prior.
Made his NYC debut with the Panthers before switching over to the Bulldogs in 2016. alongside the likes of Reimis Smith and Marcelo Montoya.
9. GRANT GARVEY
A South Sydney junior who came through the grades with the Sydney Roosters, Garvey took the reins as hooker for the clash.
He made his NRL debut in 2016, playing just the one game with the Roosters. He enjoyed a successful career in the lower grades with a NYC premiership and NSW Cup title with Newtown.
Garvey is now part of Southwest Florida in the USARL competition.
10. JACOB HOST
The St George junior played for the NSW U18s as a mobile front rower before lining up for the Australian Schoolboys later in the year.
Played 51 games for St George Illawarra over the course of five years from 2016 before making a move to South Sydney.
Has shifted into the second row and has played more regular first grade at the Rabbitohs.
11. TYRELL FUIMAONO
Fuimaono came off the bench in 2013 and graduated to a starting spot as an edge back rower in 2014, the same year he made the Australian Schoolboys side.
Linked with Parramatta for the NYC after coming through as a Penrith junior, before making his NRL debut at South Sydney.
Played 66 NRL games with three clubs before making the move to the Thirroul Butchers in the Illawarra competition.
12. TEVITA PANGAI JNR
Another returning face from the 2013 success, holding his spot in the back row.
Is one of just three players from the team to graduate to the NSW Blues with his lone match last year.
Fast approaching 150 games and will get the chance to reach that after receiving an NRL lifeline with the Dolphins after a short boxing stint.
13. HAME SELE
The strong middle forward powered his way into the lock forward position after coming through as a St George junior.
Had to wait until 2017 to make his NRL debut with the Dragons before moving to Penrith and enjoying four years with South Sydney.
The Tongan international has come full circle with a return to St George Illawarra this year.
14. TEVITA COTTRELL
The lone Rabbitoh chosen in the side with the hulking centre picked on the interchange.
Cottrell played in South Sydney’s U20s side but was unable to crack it into first grade. His career highlights included representing Fiji and being picked as an Australian Schoolboys player in 2014.
He’s now playing in the second row with Mounties in the Sydney Shield competition.
15. ALEX TWAL
Has become a cult hero in recent times after coming through as a star junior, making this side followed by the NSW U20s and Junior Kangaroos.
Made the move from Parramatta to the Wests Tigers where he made his debut in 2017 and has gone on to play over 130 games since.
It took him an incredible 116 games to secure that elusive first NRL try in a feel-good moment for fans of all clubs.
16. LUCIANO LEILUA
Similar to Sele, Leilua’s journey started with St George and in 2014 he made both the NSW U18s and Australian Schoolboys.
A star NYC player who made his NRL debut in 2016 before spending time with the Wests Tigers and Cowboys.
Has gone on to represent Samoa and after being given a release from North Queensland, returned to the Dragons this year.
17. MATTHEW JURD
Jurd was one of five St George Illawarra players chosen in the side, coming off the bench in the victory.
Jurd went on to play NSW Cup football for Illawarra, Newtown and South Sydney after his stint with the Dragons in the U20s NYC.
Most recently he has been involved in Ron Massey Cup with Glebe and Hills.
Originally published as Superstars of the game: Where NSW’s 2014 U18s Origin side is 10 years on from their victory
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