From elite rugby schools to NRL pathways: Why league is winning the war these junior talents

The son of one of the Wallabies’ most decorated players is weighing up whether his future lies in rugby or with the Roosters. These are the 22 schoolboy rugby stars on the books at NRL clubs.

The 22 elite rugby schoolboys on the books at NRL clubs.

Wallabies legend Owen Finegan won a Rugby World Cup and played in Australia’s 2001 series win over the British and Irish Lions but he won’t begrudge his son and talented Sydney Roosters rookie James for not following in his famous rugby union footsteps.

James, who was crowned Roosters’ SG Ball (under-19s) player of the year in 2025, was also named in the Combined Associated School under-18s First XV for the Australian schools championships in June.

While Finegan, who scored a famous try in the Wallabies’ 1999 World Cup final win over France, says his son is yet to make a definitive call between a union or league and that he would support James’ decision to forge his own path in the NRL.

Given James’ rugby pedigree, a decision to pursue an NRL career over rugby would be one of the most high-profile defections in recent years.

“Yes, I played for the Wallabies but you look at Brad Fittler, his son Zac is off playing in Waratahs program at the moment,” Finegan said.

“James actually started playing league when he was 12 with mates on a Sunday and played school rugby on a Saturday and some seasons he’s gone from club league to club union.

“You don’t stand in the way of your kids, I’d be more than supportive of him playing rugby league if that’s what he wanted to do. If they have both options, great but if they have one they are more passionate about then that’s great.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE SCOUTING REPORTS ON RUGBY SCHOOLBOYS AFFILIATED WITH NRL CLUBS

“When you ask James what he prefers, he just likes the physicality of the game, and there are similarities between both, but he just likes running hard and tackling hard, being competitive.”

James’ work ethic, toughness and hard running has quickly captured the attention of the Roosters coaching staff.

But the Roosters Academy, which provides specialist coaching and development and is run by club legend Jake Friend, is also proving eye-catching to the Finegans as well.

“At the Roosters, for James to be able to be coached by Boyd Cordner this year and other great names like Jake Friend and Mitchell Pearce, all who are around the Roosters Academy set-up is a brilliant opportunity,” Finegan said.

Owen Finegan in the 1999 RWC final. Picture: Ross Setford/Getty Images

James Finegan is part of the Roosters’ Academy. Picture: Adam Wrightson Photography

“At the end of year 11, James had three weeks training with the top squad in the NRL. For a young 17-year-old kid, it’s an amazing opportunity to get that taste and a feel for what those players you watch on TV do every week.”

While the NRL is going from strength to strength through record profits and television ratings, Finegan believes rugby league’s aspiration factor is far more enticing to elite rugby juniors than the success of the sport itself.

Elite rugby schoolboy players have just watched boom Rooster Robert Toia, a product of Queensland’s prestigious Nudgee School rugby program, make his State of Origin debut this year in his rookie season.

While former Barker College student turned Dolphins star halfback Isaiya Katoa’s talents have dominated headlines in recent months.

Maroons and Roosters centre Robert Toia playing for Nudgee College in 2022. Picture: John Gass

“It makes the kids aspirational when they are seeing people who were once in their position in these league academies are now running out and playing NRL,” Finegan said.

“The NRL definitely also has more opportunities. If you want to be a rugby player here in Sydney, there is one team, the Waratahs and they have 33 contracted players and a few development contracts.

“Every NRL team has that and there are nine in Sydney, it’s a numbers game.

“When those elite rugby kids finish school, many who are playing both, they have opportunities in Sydney, or Melbourne or Brisbane. You see young kids doing that, good footballers who went to school in Brisbane but are coming down to Sydney to get an opportunity … the real advantage that league has over rugby.”

Talen Risati is part of The King’s School rugby program. Picture: Warren Gannon Photography

Those opportunities are only going to increase with the Perth Bears to enter the competition in 2027 and Papua New Guinea 12 months later, making elite rugby programs are crucial junior pathway in the NRL’s expansion endeavours.

But James Finegan isn’t the only cross-code hopeful turning heads in both rugby and league circles.

At the Parramatta Eels, five-eighth Talen Risati, from the prestigious The King’s School, is predicted to spark a Joseph Aukuso-Suaalii-like cross-code bidding war for his services.

We take a look at the next crop of schoolboys rugby union stars on track to become NRL starters.

Originally published as From elite rugby schools to NRL pathways: Why league is winning the war these junior talents