Stars of the game: Where NSW’s 2015 NSW U18s Origin team is 10 years on

With the likes of Ryan Papenhuyzen and Jesse Ramien leading the charge, NSW’s future was on display in 2015. But who kicked on? We take a look at where the NSW U18s from a decade ago are today.

A look back at the 2015 NSW U18s side.

This year marks a decade since the NSW U18s tasted defeat at the hands of Queensland.

Despite the scoreline, some of the most well-known faces in the modern game featured as they forged their path to the NRL.

We look back at the 17 representatives in blue who took the field for NSW in 2015.

1. RYAN PAPENHUYZEN

One of the most popular players in the modern game, Papenhuyzen was just a week over 17 for the fixture. Made his NRL debut in 2019 before becoming a regular start the next season, where he won the Clive Churchill Medal in their grand final win. Named in the 2020 Blues Origin squad and was desperately unlucky not to play in game three. Has been denied a jersey by James Tedesco and more recently Dylan Edwards.

2. REIMIS SMITH

The Mascot Jets junior scored a try on the night in NSW’s defeat. Went on to make his NRL debut as a 19 year old with the Bulldogs, before becoming a teammate of Papenhuyzen in 2021 at the Storm. Played 117 games in the NRL before joining Catalans midway through last year.

3. CURTIS SCOTT

A highly touted junior who was in hot demand after a stellar 2015 saw the 17-year-old lead Cronulla to an SG Ball title, represent the NSW U18s and playing in the U20s comp. Made the move to Melbourne and made his debut the following season, going on to play 72 NRL games with them and the Raiders. His first grade career appears over following DV charges. Is now playing in the Macarthur A-grade competition.

4. JESSE RAMIEN

Came to the big smoke from the Coonamble Bears, playing U20s at Manly and Cronulla. Graduated to first grade in 2017 with the Sharks, playing for two seasons before a switch to the Knights in 2019. Had an unhappy time there and returned to the Shire, where he remains today. Has three Indigenous All Stars caps to his name.

Reuben Garrick during his junior days. Photo Patrick Gorbunovs

5. REUBEN GARRICK

A Gerringong junior who came through the pathways at Illawarra. Garrick reached NSW Cup with the Dragons before linking with Manly in 2019. Has been a mainstay in the backline ever since, and with close to 1300 points to his name, is on track to take the mantle as the club’s leading pointscorer by the time his career winds up.

6. BROCK LAMB

Maitland born and bred, Lamb caught the eye of NSW selectors as a Knights U20s prospect and Australian Schoolboys representative. Kicked goals on the night for the Blues, nailing three from three. Played 33 games of NRL with Newcastle and the Roosters, before a failed stint with Parramatta in 2020 saw him return to Maitland, where he remains with the Pickers in the strong Newcastle comp.

Jack Cogger (left), pictured with Jacob Liddle in 2014. Picture: Waide Maguire

7. JACK COGGER

An Australian Schoolboys rep from the Toukley Hawks, Cogger has enjoyed an unconventional path at the top level. Had stints at Newcastle and Canterbury before spending two years with Huddersfield. Returned to the NRL in 2023 where he won a premiership with the Panthers, playing a key role in the win, and is now back in Newcastle.

8. DANIEL VASQUEZ

Grew up in the Shire, playing his junior footy with St Joey’s and Yarrawarrah. Won an SG Ball title with the Sharks and represented the Australian Schoolboys, before eventually making his NRL debut in 2020. An international with Chile, Vasquez played just the one first grade game, and was last spotted winning a title with Joey’s in the Cronulla comp.

Daniel Peck playing with the Central Coast in his younger days. Picture: Simon Chillingworth

9. DANIEL PECK

Hails from the Central Coast and came through the grades at Balmain, Peck was a promising U20s players with the Tigers, taking out Player of the Year honours in 2017. Played NSW Cup with Newcastle before moving onto A-grade with Lakes United in their local comp.

10. BLAKE LAWRIE

Has lived out the dream of most juniors in the Wollongong region. The Dapto and Wests junior graduated to U20s before making his first grade debut with St George Illawarra in 2017. Has been with the club ever since, notching over 150 games in the top flight and has his sights set on 200.

11. BRODIE JONES

Another Maitland talent in this side, with the Cessnock junior coming through the pathways at Newcastle. Had to bide his time in the lower grades at the Knights, before finally earning his NRL debut as a 21-year-old in 2020. Has largely been a regular since as an impact player off the bench.

Ray Stone made his NRL debut with Parramatta. Photo: Emma Murray

12. RAY STONE

A Moss Vale junior in the Southern Highlands, Stone always had talent as he came through the Tigers pathways, earning Australian Schoolboys honours in the same year as his NSW U18s appearance. Made the move to Parramatta where he played 31 games over a five-year span, before relocating to Redcliffe where he has been one of the first picked at the Dolphins.

13. GABE HAMLIN

A South Sydney junior with the La Perouse Panthers, the NSW U16s and U18s rep played in the U20s with the Rabbitohs before moving to the Super League to join Wigan in 2018. Last spotted trialling with Cronulla in 2021 after copping a drug charge in England.

14. SAM ELLIOT

Born in Lismore and coming through the junior ranks with Marist Brothers, Elliot was on the radar of the Titans as their junior reps player of the year in 2015. Has been a mainstay in the Queensland Cup where he has played with Souths-Logan, Easts and Redcliffe before joining Norths in 20223 where he remains today.

15. BROCK ILETT

The Endeavour Sports product was a Como Jannali and Cronulla Caringbah junior, and part of Cronulla’s 2015 SG Ball title. Went on to play NSW Cup with the Sharks, Norths and Newtown before a stint with Burleigh in 2022. Now runs a digital marketing agency based out of Mermaid Beach.

Billy Magoulias has won multiple premierships with Newtown in NSW Cup. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

16. BILLY MAGOULIAS

A Cronulla pathways player by way of the Mascot Jets and Cronulla Caringbah, Magoulias was a NSW Cup regular with Newtown before making his NRL debut with the Sharks in 2019, playing 17 games in three seasons before spending a year in Warrington. The Greek international returned to Newtown in 2023. Forever remembered for his 2019 NSW Cup grand final and State Championships heroics.

17. BILL BAINBRIDGE

The Manly junior with Christian Brothers worked his way into this side after featuring with Manly’s NYC team. Played three games of first grade with the Sea Eagles in 2016 and 2017.