Meeting the bumper Queensland 16-18 years schoolboys side set for its ASSRL national championships charge
Queensland schoolboys rugby league special: Which NRL clubs have signed them ahead of the 16-18 years ASSRL national championships? Read an insight into the elite squad ahead of Saturday’s opener.
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Queensland’s next generation maroons will be in action when the Queensland Schoolboys 16-18 years rugby league team launch its ASSRL National Championship campaign from July 12.
An elite outfit of players have been picked on form from the state championships in May, and also on their suitability to the squad and touring life.
MEET THE 15-16 YEARS QLD SCHOOLGIRLS TEAM
MEET THE 14-15 YEARS QLD SCHOOLBOYS TEAMS
MEET THE 17-18 YEARS QLD SCHOOLGIRLS TEAM
Queensland will be without two first-choice forwards — Wavell SHS senior Jared Horne (Broncos) and St Eugene College school captain Brian Pouniu (Dolphins).
Palm Beach Currumbin SHS captain and hooker Jai Bilish (Titans), as well as Kirwan SHS captain Eneliko Savelio (Cowboys), come into the squad.
Queensland return to International Stadium in Coffs Harbour where last year they were edged out, 26-24, in the semi-final clash against the NSW Combined High Schools.
Read on for an insight into the state’s finest schoolboy rugby league players and which NRL systems they are aligned to.
QUEENSLAND SQUAD
David Bryenton (Keebra Park SHS, Canterbury)
Bryenton rules the roost when it comes to fullbacks — and backs — in this age group.
Outstanding at No. 6 but even better at No. 1, Bryenton’s bewildering evasive skills were dazzling.
Originally a Broncos signing since arriving at Keebra Park SHS in 2023 from New Zealand, Bryenton is now another junior recruit for Canterbury Bulldogs.
Saia Poese (Keebra Park SHS, Broncos)
The Broncos have this fast outside back talent from Keebra Park SHS in their system.
Selection in this sensational squad is a big milestone for Poese whose development continues at pace after being exposed to the elite Langer Trophy competition for the first time this year after moving from Gregory Terrace.
He was also coming off a grand club football season for Souths Logan.
Sangstar-Saulala Figota (Wavell SHS, Dolphins)
Once a Roosters Academy fullback signing but now a Dolphins outside back prospect, Figota is a leader in the Wavell SHS Langer Trophy squad.
The 2022 Queensland 14-15 years state team selection is progressing nicely after the former Westlake Boys High School student from Auckland moved across the ditch.
Figota, 18, has fantastic footwork.
Antonio Verhoeven (PBC SHS, Broncos)
Queensland’s boom new boy.
The electric Verhoeven was snapped up by the Broncos playing First XV rugby on New Zealand’s South Island and moved to the Gold Coast this year.
He is an athletic centre who lit up the Meninga Cup for premiers Burleigh and is heading PBC SHS’s Langer Trophy defence.
Melchizedek Nonu (Ipswich SHS, unsigned)
Nonu’s successful 2025 season will reach a flashpoint in Coffs Harbour.
The trusty Ipswich SHS winger has been rising with the tide after showing flashes of brilliance in the second half of the 2024 Langer Reserves school competition.
The Melbourne-born Nonu started all nine Meninga Cup games for Ipswich earlier this year and has shown he is the complete-package winger with his safety under the high ball and valued contributions exiting his half getting Ipswich SHS off to a positive 2-2 start in the Langer Trophy.
Ellyjah Birve (Caloundra SHS, Storm)
Birve is a young veteran in the Queensland jersey.
He was a star player for Queensland White’s 14-15 years team during the 2022 season and found himself in another Maroons jumper three years later.
The Caloundra SHS goal-kicker is an electric five-eighth who can tip a match with his running game.
His off-the-cuff wizardry is hard to come by.
Taj Lateo (PBC SHS, unsigned)
Lateo, the Palm Beach Currumbin SHS captain, is a well respected player in this age group whose kicking game will be an asset come Saturday.
He is a Mr Reliable who can play fullback, halfback, No. 14 — anywhere really — and do a fine job.
Lateo has been a winner at PBC SHS during his schooling and knows how to get a team around the paddock with a minimum amount of fuss.
He has an uncanny ability to take the most effective option.
Torino Jackson (PBC SHS, Titans)
The premiership-winning PBC SHS prop is getting better and better.
A New Zealand arrival in 2024 after signing with the Titans, Jackson gained his footing on Aussie soil by being front and centre in the Reds’ march all the way to the national championship glory.
He ticks every box when it comes to front row play.
Hayden Watson (Marsden SHS, Storm)
The Player of the Championships at the state carnival when he played hooker and halfback, Watson will look to continue a rich vein of form.
He has a running game like retired Warriors champion Shaun Johnson, can organise and is an outstanding goal kicker.
He has gotten better since playing in the same tournament this time last year.
Mace Andrew (Marsden SHS, Canterbury)
Andrew, another former 14-15 years Queensland representative, is a mighty mobile middle. His agility in defence, fitness and lateral movement make him a vault without the ball.
In attack his work rate, explosive legs and ability to get himself effectively around the ground were his points of difference.
Andrew has the runs on the board although he has been injured for the first four rounds of the Langer Trophy.
Ethan Jackson, Levi Rusin and Koby McGarrity have been stepping up in his absence.
Taylan To’a (Marsden SHS, Titans)
A school mate of Andrew, Watson and Tupou Francis in the state side, To’a has been a long-term project player for the Titans.
Tall and nimble, To’a had a bumper club season with Tweed and deservedly played his way into the Queensland team as a left edge attacking threat.
Has soft hands for a forward.
Duquan Tevi (Mabel Park SHS, Dolphins)
From the Moreton Bay Raiders’ catchment, Mabel Park SHS forward leader Tevi continues his rise up the footy ladder.
Tevi has enhanced his reputation considerably this year, having delivered for the goods for Norths in the Meninga Cup.
Friends and family will be hoping Tevi’s deceptive speed can come into play.
Tupou Francis (Marsden SHS, Broncos)
Francis will be Queensland’s forward leader.
He runs without fear, aggressively leads the defensive line and somehow finds the energy to be just as explosive in the 70th minute as he is in the seventh minute.
The real deal Marsden SHS senior adds polish to this esteemed outfit.
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Ezra Leota (Mabel Park SHS, Canberra Raiders)
This fellow is really mounting a case for being a potential NRL player.
A livewire dummyhalf, Leota’s desire to maximise his potential saw him play the 2024 Harold Matthews Cup for Parramatta while uncontracted.
While the Mabel Park SHS student was not signed by the Eels, the Raiders displayed they still have clout on the recruitment front in Logan City by snapping him up.
He can and will take advantage of lazy defenders.
Xzavier Timoteo (Ipswich SHS, Roosters)
The Ipswich SHS captain is an outstanding junior prospect who will give Queensland plenty of grunt when he rips and tears.
The mobile prop has terrific late footwork, explosive power and agility at the line.
He is also a strong defender and it is little wonder the astute Roosters’ recruitment arm snared him.
Cody Starr (Redcliffe SHS, Dolphins)
The tall, impressive Redcliffe SHS prop is an exciting big man.
He can find momentum with his post contact metres, and then land on his stomach which adds to possession flowing his team’s way.
He would’ve been among those first chosen in this team.
Jackson Koina (Mountain Creek SHS, Broncos)
The Broncos have done well to pick up this rugged No. 13 from the Sunshine Coast.
Koina, who has a nice pass at the line, sits in the middle of the park tackling blokes for fun, and with the ball uses his strength in contact to get that last-minute advantage for his side.
Jackson, the son of former Parramatta player Nathan, has played matches for the Broncos Under-20s recently around his school commitments.
Israel Lotaki (Keebra Park SHS, Storm)
An x-factor player, Lotaki is at home at centre or at fullback.
He has been a high achiever in his Keebra Park SHS cohort over the years and his elevation to Queensland status will shock no one who has followed his career.
He has added headgear to his game-day look in 2025, playing as a Year 11 in the ladder-leading Keebra Park Langer Trophy team.
Jai Bilish (PBC SHS, Titans)
Bilish, who is originally from New Zealand, has ramped up his career since moving to the Gold Coast.
To put it simply, the PBC SHS captain and hooker has been ultra-impressive. The Titans have him under lock and key until 2028.
His presence as the third hooker in the squad frees Hayden Watson to be used as a halfback if needed.
Eneliko Savelio (Kirwan SHS, Cowboys)
A tremendous Far North Queensland prospect, Kirwan SHS captain and second rower Savelio comes into the side as a replacement player.
Originally from the beautiful Queens Beach district of Bowen, the long-serving Kirwan student will be jumping out of his skin to represent the Maroons.
He enjoyed a Cowboys Young Guns pre-season and played in the Mal Meninga Cup with distinction for Townsville.
BLAST FROM THE PAST
2024 TEAM
1. Mason Barber Keebra Park SHS, Southport
2. Sunny Kama Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Palm Beach
3. Sam Stephenson Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Palm Beach
4. Phillip Coates Marymount College, Burleigh Waters
5. Saifiti Junior Saifiti Ipswich SHS, Ipswich
6. Zac Herdegen Wavell SHS, Wavell Heights
7. Zane Harrison Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Palm Beach
8. Kanaan Magele Ipswich SHS, Ipswich
9. Jai Bowden Mountain Creek SHS, Mountain Creek
10. Elijah Keung Mabel Park SHS, Slacks Creek
11. Zac Garton Caloundra SHS, Caloundra
12. Jared Horne Wavell SHS, Wavell Heights
13. Jac Finigan Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Palm Beach
14. Hayden Watson Marsden SHS, Waterford West
15. Xzavier Timeteo Ipswich SHS, Ipswich
16. Zac Kumbamong Keebra Park SHS, Southport
17. Charlie Dickson Wavell SHS, Wavell Heights
18. Maddox Goodwin Wavell SHS, Wavell Heights
19. Elijah McKay The Cathedral College, Rockhampton
20. Seth Gundry Miami SHS, Miami
2023 TEAM
1. Mutua Brown (The Cathedral College)
2. Alton Naiyep (Ipswich State High)
3. Prestyn Laine-Sietu (Nudgee College)
4. Sam Stephenson (Palm Beach Currumbin SHS)
5. John-Paul Donevski (Wavell SHS)
6. Jaxon Purdue (St Patrick’s College)
7. Coby Black (Marsden SHS)
8. Kaiden Lahrs (Kirwan SHS)
9. Xavier Kerrisk (St Patrick’s College)
10. Mason Kira (Mountain Creek SHS)
11. Zac Garton (Caloundra SHS)
12. Jett Bryce (Keebra Park SHS)
13. John Fineanganofo (Redcliffe SHS)
14. Cameron Bukowski (Villanova College)
15. Aholoka Toia (Redcliffe SHS)
16. Alex Leapai (Mabel Park SHS)
17. Lauloto Salei (Wavell SHS)
18. Presley Folau (Keebra Park SHS)
19. Will Semu (Marsden SHS)
20. Dom Sandow (Ipswich SHS)
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