NSW women’s U19s State of Origin danger players, famous names, full squad list for match v Queensland

There’s a teen from a famous rugby league family, a ‘clever’ player from last year’s winning team and a forward pack that will be ‘hard to handle’. NSW women’s U19 State of Origin squad

Monalisa Soliola in the Harvey Norman women's premiership grand final at Leichhardt Oval.

There’s a talented teenager with a famous rugby league surname, a forward pack that will be “hard to handle’’ and a young star who will provide “spark on the edge’’ for NSW as they bid to extend their winning run over Queensland at the upcoming under 19s women’s State of Origin.

NSW U19s Origin coach Kate Mullaly has named a squad she believes has depth across the board ahead of their much-anticipated match against their Queensland opposites on July 13.

Mullaly, the assistant coach for the NSW Sky Blues, has named just one player who took the field in NSW’s 22-6 romp over Queensland last year in Monalisa Soliola.

The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs forward and Kalosipani Hopoate, who played for Tonga in 2022 and is the daughter of former NRL player and boxer John, are Mullaly’s most experienced players in a squad which will be whittled down closer to match day.

Monalisa Soliola playing for the Canterbury Bulldogs.

“Mona has played at the Dragons and is now with Canberra,’’ said the NSW coach.

“She is pretty clever, she has the skills of a five eight but plays in the back row and will provide spark on the edge.

Mullaly said Hopoate is another asset for the Blues.

Pani Hopoate, daughter of John Hopoate, used to play with the Beacon Hill Rugby League club.

“She is unreal. She is the one who will provide us with go-forward,’’ Mullaly said.

“She represented Tonga last year and that clashed with Origin. Now she’s really excited to be here for us.’’

“She is big and strong, a front rower who is very coachable and is in the Roosters system.’’

Mullaly identified her forwards as another squad strength.

“I think our forward pack with Pani (Hopoate) and Alexis (Tauaneai) in the middle – those two are looking to be starting props with Monalisa on the edge – they will be hard to handle.

“And our two wingers showed speed at the national’s. Georgia and Grace, they are quite speedy. They proved they can be lethal, scoring some long range tries.’’

John Hopoate with his eight children in 2009 – William (16), Jamil (14), Laumaile (11), John (10), Albert (8), Tupou (7), Kalosipani (5) and Lehi (4).

HARVEY NORMAN NSW WOMEN’S UNDER 19s SQUAD

Charlotte Barwick (Newcastle Knights) Marley Cardwell (Penrith Panthers) Kate Fallon (South Sydney Rabbitohs) Tatiana Finau (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) Litia Fusi (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) Kalosipani Hopoate (North Sydney Bears) Chloe Jackson (North Sydney Bears) Evie Jones (Newcastle Knights) Noaria Kapua (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) Chelsea Makira (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) Leah Ollerton (Newcastle Knights) Latisha Smythe (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) Monalisa Soliola (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

Brooke Talataina (Sydney Roosters) Alexis Tauaneai (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) Lindsay Tui (Parramatta Eels) Grace-Lee Weekes (North Sydney Bears) Georgia Willey (Canberra Raiders) Sienna Williams (North Sydney Bears). Coach: Kate Mullaly

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Originally published as NSW women’s U19s State of Origin danger players, famous names, full squad list for match v Queensland