Which NRL clubs have picked up Meninga and Connell talents across the state uncovered here

NRL rookie watch: Which clubs are snapping up the elite junior rugby league talents running around in the Connell and Meninga Cup competitions? Find out here with all the signings across the state revealed. FULL LIST

Andrew Dawson and Nick Tucker

7 min read

March 28, 2024 - 12:00AM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Who is signed where in the Meninga and Connell Cups? Find out here. Picture by Richard Gosling

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As the Meninga and Connell Cups come to the eve of the finals, we name the competition’s young guns signed to NRL clubs.

The Connell competition has reached a flashpoint, with the Western Clydesdales to play the Blackhawks and Souths Logan to confront Redcliffe, both on April 6.

NRLW NEXT-GEN: HARVEY 19s TEAMS OF THE SEASON HERE

In the Harvey 19s women, pre-season favourites the Tigers will be pitched against Anthony Swain’s talented Tweed Seagulls, while the country division will see the increasingly impressive Western Clydesdales take on the well organised Mackay Cutters. The semi-finals will be played on April 6.

The Meninga Cup competition has been extended four weeks, with the semi-finals on May 4.

Following yesterday’s revelation of the Harvey under-19s Team of the Season, we name the NRL aligned players from both the Meninga and Connell competition who have helped their side immeasurably during the season so far.

Jump to: Cyril Connell Cup | Mal Meninga Cup | Harvey Norman U17s | Harvey Norman U19s

■ How do the finals work? Ultimate guide to Qld junior leagues

CYRIL CONNELL CUP

Northern Pride

Cayde Miller

Cayde Miller of the Pride. Picture Emily Barker.

Position: middle forward

NRL club aligned to: Cowboys

Ben Walker

Position: Hooker

NRL club aligned to: Cowboys

Leslie Fatafehi

Position: Outside back

NRL club aligned to: Cowboys

Tweed Seagulls

Kai Billish

Position: Hooker

NRL club: Titans

Nelson Maka’afi

Position: second row

NRL club: Titans

Viliami Fifita

Viliami Fifita in action for Future Titans. Picture: Titans Media

Position: Prop

NRL club: Titans

Josiah Fa’aoso

Position: Forward

NRL club: Dolphins

Harvey Smith

Position: Halves

NRL club: Souths

Torino Jackson

Position: Lock

NRL club: Titans

Devine Bates-Wellington

Position: Second row

NRL club: Titans

Santino Pekepo-Tevaga

Position: centre

NRL club: Titans

Xhai Waerea

Position: Centre

NRL club: Titans

Redcliffe Dolphins

Bond Bradley

Position: Playmaker, outside back

NRL club aligned to: South Sydney

Carter Welfare

Carter Welfare has been great this season.

Position: Five-eighth

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Noah Fien

Redcliffe player Noah Fien in action last season.

Position: Halfback

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Brian Pouniu

Brian Pouniu.

Position: Second rower

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Charlie Dickson

Wavell SHS senior Charlie Dickson has been a forward leader this year.

Position: Lock

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Mereki Warradoo

Mereki Warradoo attacks. Picture: Tertius Pickard

Position: Fullback

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Jairus Halahala

Jairus Halahala. Connell Cup under-17s action between the Tigers and Dolphins. Sunday, February 11, 2024.

Position: Prop

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Nate Berrigan

Queensland White player Nate BerriganPicture, John Gass

Position: Edge forward

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Duquan Talaepa

Duquan Talaepa.

Position: Edge forward

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Amare Wynyard

Position: hooker

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Nixon Pasese

Position: Prop

NRL club aligned to: Storm

Cody Starr

Position: Prop

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Wynnum Manly Seagulls

Dean Tauaa

Dean Tauaa eyeing up his rival.

Position: Centre

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Devine Timu

What a finish by Devine Timu.

Position: Winger

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Ezekial Jones

Ezekial Jones passing.

Position: Hooker

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Majah-Jose Peachey

Wynnum Manly player Majah-Jose Peachey Connell Cup rugby league between Wynnum Manly and Burleigh Bears. Saturday February 24, 2024. Picture, John Gass

Position: Second rower

NRL club aligned to: Titans

Jared Horne

Wynnum Manly player Jared Horne.

Position: Lock

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Taylan To’a

Position: Edge forward

NRL club aligned to: Titans

David Bryenton

David Bryenton and Dean Tauaa.

Position: Fullback

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Sunshine Coast Falcons

Tyson Fallen-May

Sunshine Coast Falcons Cyril Connell Cup player Tyson Fallon-May in action. Picture: QRL.

Position: Hooker

NRL club aligned to: Sea Eagles

Jackson Koina

Sunshine Coast Falcons Cyril Connell Cup player Jackson Koina in action. Picture: QRL.

Position: Lock

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Oliver Kleijn

Sunshine Coast Falcons Cyril Connell Cup player Oliver Kleijn. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Position: Second Row

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Taj Burke

Position: Second Row

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Kaio Moses

Sunshine Coast Falcons Cyril Connell Cup player Kaio Moses. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Position: Prop

NRL club aligned to: Storm

Zayde Carfantan

Position: Second Row

NRL club aligned to: Cowboys

Brisbane Tigers

Kobi Floro

Kobi Floro (left) and Max Blanch (right) making a tackle on Charlie Dickson.

Position: Prop

NRL club aligned to: Melbourne Storm

Keoki Koraba

Koeki Koraba with his game face on.

Position: Centre

NRL club aligned to: Melbourne Storm

Grayson and Nikorima Wharakura

Positions: Fullback and prop

NRL club: Storm

Donte Tahuhu-Wilson

Position: Fullback

NRL club: Titans

Jahzaysis Perenara

Position: Centre

NRL club: Titans

Ipswich Jets

Tyson Walker

Tyson Walker at last year’s Emerging Reds Cup.

Position: Fullback

NRL club aligned to: Roosters

Finn Kendall

Position: Centre

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Cooper Cracknell

Cooper Cracknell. Picture credit: Ipswich Jets Facebook.

Position: Prop/lock

NRL club aligned to: South Sydney

Xzavier Timoteo

Position: Prop

NRL club aligned to: Bulldogs

Innocent Baruani

Some members of the Ipswich SHS Hancock Cup Year 9 team (2023), including captain Innocent Baruani (middle). Baruani is an underaged player in the competition.

Position: Second rower

NRL club aligned to: South Sydney

Souths Logan Magpies

Adaquix-Jeremiah Watts-Luke

Adaquix Luke has deadly footwork.

Position: Fullback

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Siosaia Poese

Position: Winger

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Benson Tau

Benson Tau is a Marsden SHS student.

Position: Winger

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Joseph Tupuse

Joseph Tupuse. Picture credit: Dylan Fernley Media.

Position: Centre

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Alize Clarke

Position: Centre

NRL club aligned to: Storm

Tomu Cook

Tomu Cook loves a try.

Position: Centre

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Tom Parker

Tom Parker making a tackle.

Position: Five-eight/fullback

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Sam Martin

Position: Hooker

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Mace Andrew

Mace Andrew and teammates.

Position: Prop

NRL club aligned to: South Sydney

Ronnic Starkey

Position: Second rower

NRL club aligned to: Melbourne Storm

Fa’apale Feaunati

Position: Prop

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Norths Devils

Taoso Taoso

Position: Second rower

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Dyer Akauola

Position: Prop

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Lincoln Dalton

Position: Lock

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Ethan Grimshaw

Position: Winger

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

James Grey

James Grey.

Position: Centre

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Keyarn Pene

Keyarn Pene.

Position: Five-eighth

NRL club aligned to: Raiders

Burleigh Bears

Kingston Seve

Kingston Seve. Picture by Richard Gosling

Position: Fullback

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Marley McLaren

Position: Halfback

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Action between Burleigh and Tweed last weekend in the Connell Cup. Picture by Richard Gosling

Seth Gundry

Position: Fullback

NRL club aligned to: South Sydney

Hayden Watson

Position: Hooker

NRL club aligned to: Storm

Tupou Francis

Tupou Francis. Picture by Richard Gosling

Position: Prop

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Kilarney Lavender

Kilarney Lavender. Picture by Richard Gosling

Position: Edge forward

NRL club aligned to: Raiders

Western Clydesdales

Alastair MacLachlan

Position: Lock

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Braithen Scott

Braithen Scott of St Mary's College, Toowoomba.

Position: Halfback

NRL club aligned to: Broncos

Harry Robinson

Position: Five-eighth

NRL club aligned to: Bulldogs

Harry Green

Position: Halfback

NRL club aligned to: Bulldogs

Taj Singh

Position: Forward

NRL club aligned to: Bulldogs

Jackson Winnett

Position: Winger

NRL club aligned to: Bulldogs

Townsville Blackhawks

Riley Carbone

Blackhawks’ Riley Carbone. Picture: Evan Morgan

Position: Halfback

NRL club aligned to: Cowboys

Lincoln Baker

Ignatius Park's Lincoln Baker. Picture: Evan Morgan

Position: Half / fullback

NRL club aligned to: Cowboys

Kees Anderson

Kees Anderson. Picture: Clancy Blacklock / Blackhawks Media

Position: Half / centre

NRL club aligned to: Cowboys

Dylan Gourley

Brothers’ Dylan Gourley. Picture: Evan Morgan

Position: Centre

NRL club aligned to: Cowboys

Sitiveni Afu

Blackhawks’ Sitiveni Afu. Picture: Evan Morgan

Position: Middle forward

NRL club aligned to: Cowboys

Dane Ransom

Dane Ransom from Kirwan State High School's rugby league program.

Position: Middle forward

NRL club aligned to: Cowboys

Taakoi Benioni

Kirwan Bears player Taakoi Benioni.

Position: Backrow

NRL club aligned to: Cowboys

Eneliko Savelio

Kirwan's Eneliko Savelio. Picture: Evan Morgan

Position: Backrow

NRL club aligned to: Cowboys

Heath Bethel

Townsville Blackhawks under-17 player Heath Bethel.

Position: Winger

NRL club aligned to: Raiders

Zane Bethel

Zane Bethel from Kirwan State High School's rugby league program.

Position: Backrow

NRL club aligned to: Raiders

Ryan Van Zanden

Ryan Van Zanden from Kirwan State High School's rugby league program.

Position: Half / utility

NRL club aligned to: Raiders

Cohen Dittmann

Position: centre / fullback

NRL club aligned to: Roosters

Central Queensland Capras

Eli Mackay

Position: Centre

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins

Jay Marsh

Position: Hooker

NRL club aligned to: Dolphins