NRLW, Jillaroos, State of Origin: How many 2021 U19s NSW, Queensland players kicked on
As Women’s State of Origin introduced the U19s in 2021, the likes of Jaime Chapman and Keilee Joseph featured. We take a look back at the inaugural fixture and see who has made it to the big time.
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Four years ago the game’s elite young female players had their showcase transformed into the Women’s State of Origin U19s.
Aligning with the change in age grades to the Tarsha Gale Cup and Harvey Norman competition in Queensland, it’s purpose is to showcase the next generation of female stars.
But has it achieved that?
We take a look back at the fixture on 25 June 2021 and the players who graduated from the first Women’s State of Origin U19s into first grade.
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NEW SOUTH WALES
JAIME CHAPMAN
One of the most recognisable players in the women’s game, Chapman was already preparing for her second NRLW season by the time this game rolled around. Made her Australian debut the next year before playing for NSW the following season. The Kurnell Stingrays junior boasts 19 tries from 31 NRLW games, putting her sixth all-time.
ANDIE ROBINSON
Played twice in this fixture, scoring a hat-trick in 2022 to solidify the outside back’s standing as an elite finisher. Was a late bloomer into league after a background in Sevens and Oztag, turning her shot in Tarsha Gale with Cronulla into 11 NRLW games with the Sharks and Dragons. Is now with Canterbury.
CASSEY TOHI-HIKU
Played in the centres on this evening, but in recent times has been the first choice five-eighth for the Parramatta Eels, racking up 22 appearances in first grade. Hailing from the St Clair Comets, Tohi-Hiku has also gone on to represent Tonga.
TEAGAN BERRY
Was the star of the show for NSW, scoring a double with tries on either side of the break to help them to victory. Made her NRLW debut in 2020 and now lays claim to the title of the greatest ever scorer in NRLW with an incredible strike-rate of 29 tries from her 32 first grade games.
RUEBEN CHERRINGTON
The dummy half who grew up in WA was poised for another full season of NRLW before a cruel blow last year saw her play just the one game before missing the rest of the season with injury. The Maori All Star will be chomping at the bit to get back on the field for the Eels for her fourth NRLW season.
HOPE TEVAGA
Had to wait until 2023 to make her first grade debut with the Tigers. The Hills Sports High student and St Marys junior came through the pathways at the Wests Tigers before eventually getting her shot. Without a contract for the upcoming season.
CHANTEL TUGAGA
Another St Marys junior to progress through to the elite level, Tugaga played three games over two seasons in 2021 and 2022 with St George Illawarra. Was last seen in the second row for Wentworthville in the HNWP as she looks to get back to the top.
TANEKA TODHUNTER
Finally earned her shot in first grade in 2023, and the unfortunate injury to Eels hooker Cherrington opened the door for her to play out the year in that role, rewarded with a contract extension. Grew up in Dubbo and has since represented the Indigenous All Stars.
TEGAN DYMOCK
Had a season with the Dragons under her belt before this fixture and has gone on to play 25 games of first grade, including in last year’s grand final for the Sharks. The daughter of Jim follows in her father’s footsteps this year when she joins Canterbury as a marquee signing for its inaugural season.
FOLAU VAKI
Got her shot at the top level in 2023 when playing three games for the Wests Tigers, the same season she made her international debut with Tonga. A Macarthur Saints and Campbelltown Collegians junior, Vaki played HNWP with the Tigers last year as she chases another NRLW chance.
QUEENSLAND
JASMINE PETERS
Ever since making her debut in the same year as her Queensland U19s appearance, Peters has been a regular in the NRLW with the Gold Coast and more recently North Queensland. A Norths Devils junior, Peters made her State of Origin debut for the Maroons this year.
EMMANITA PAKI
Quite an extraordinary journey to the State of Origin landscape for Paki, who was born in Victoria and raised in Emerald. Played four games with the Knights in 2022, her last taste of NRLW, but was called in to make her Maroons debut in 2024. Has now joined the returning Warriors on a two-year deal.
MAKENZIE WEALE
Another who has graduated from the U19s to the Maroons, Weale actually played in the centres on this night. We’ve become more accustomed to seeing her as a middle forward with the Knights and the Cowboys. Currently has a contract for the next three seasons with North Queensland.
JADA FERGUSON
The production line from this team continues with Ferguson making her State of Origin debut this year. It came on the back of 26 first grade games in four seasons with the Broncos, with the Toowoomba local linking with cousin Shenae Ciesiolka at Brisbane. Took over the starting hooker role last year.
KEILEE JOSEPH
Captained the Queensland U19s and the rest is history. Joseph has been an NRLW regular since 2022 with the Roosters before joining the Broncos last year. Has gone on to represent the Maroons, Indigenous All Stars and Australia, and is one of the most promising young players in the game.
JETAYA FAIFUA
A late bloomer from union who didn’t play league until 2021, showing just how talented she was to make this team in her first year. A versatile player who has filled in at fullback, hooker and prop in the NRLW, Faifua joins the Tigers for the upcoming season after stints with the Titans and Cowboys.
APRIL NGATUPUNA
Graduated into a 14-game NRLW player with the Titans and Cowboys, Ngatupuna made the switch to rugby union to player Super W with the Queensland Reds. A Wests Panthers junior, she has represented the Cook Islands in league twice, once after switching codes.
SARA SAUTIA
The Aspley Devils junior has found herself with St George Illawarra after a couple of seasons with the Broncos. Sautia has amassed 15 first grade games as a second rower and remains on contract for the upcoming season with the Dragons.
NAKITA SAO
After playing for both the Queensland U18s and U19s, Sao played the one NRLW game with Brisbane in the delayed 2021 season. Hasn’t given up hope on making it back to first grade, performing well for Goodna and North Sydney in the HNWP last year.
JAZMON TUPOU-WITCHMAN
Got her chance to show what she can do at the top level with a pair of games for the Sharks in 2023. Was playing HNWP with the Rabbitohs when North Queensland spotted her, calling her up for another game of NRLW last season.
HANNAH LARSSON
Played three games for the Broncos in 2022 as a second rower. Was called into the Brisbane squad last year and served a further game as an injury replacement, but didn’t get any time. Played with the Norths Devils as well.
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