Women’s State of Origin U19s: NSW defeat Queensland 46-4, Dragons young guns Kasey Reh and Bronte Wilson dominate

The Dragons are in safe hands for the future with Kasey Reh, Bronte Wilson and a number of their other emerging NRLW stars putting on masterful performances as NSW U19s demolished QLD.

Kasey Reh celebrates a try for NSW. NRL Mens_Womens Under 19's SOO-NSW v QLD at Leichhardt Oval . Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

The future is fine at the Dragons.

A stack of Illawarra Steelers guns in NSW Blues jerseys handed Queensland a 46-4 thrashing in the under-19s women’s Origin at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday night.

Taking revenge for last year’s 20-14 loss to the Maroons, the Sky Blues ran rampant in a nine-tries-to-six win led by 10 Steelers players, who won the Tarsha Gale Cup premiership together back in April.

It was a rough night for the Maroons, with rising Broncos fullback Montaya Hudson put on report for a hair pull on Blues winger Tia-Jordyn Vasilovski in the second half.

They managed just one try in the first half to Cowboys winger Ebony Raftstrand-Smith.

Kasey Reh opens the scoring for NSW. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Rising star

Kasey Reh, niece of NRL premiership winners Glenn and Brett Stewart, announced herself as a star of the future on Thursday night.

The 18-year-old Australian Schoolgirls skipper continued her brilliant year by leading the Blues to a massive win for her state.

The crafty halfback looked a level above as she laid on three try assists, two line break assists and a try of her own in a wholly dominant performance.

Just two months ago the Blues captain led the Illawarra Steelers to the Tarsha Gale Cup premiership, and is in the frame for her NRLW debut with the Dragons in 2024.

“I definitely want to put that Dragons jersey on and I’m working for that, I think that’s the next goal I’ve got in my head,” she said on Thursday night.

“I’m training hard and whatever comes off the back of that, comes off the back of that, but until then I’ll just train hard and make sure I’m improving every time I get on the field.”

Lindsay Tui charges for the try line. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Speedster Indie Bostock scores a try for NSW. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

NSW celebrate a try. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Remember the name.

Bronte Wilson.

When others may have given up on the play, she chased a kick through to put pressure on Queensland fullback Montaya Hudson early in the second half and instead landed a magic bounce to score.

The try put the Blues up 24-4 as the streaked ahead on the scoreboard.

But she’s special for another reason.

The 17-year-old is the latest player to be granted an exemption to the age limit to play NRLW with the Dragons this season.

The last one was Knights’ premiership-winning halfback Jesse Southwell back in 2022.

Plenty of players apply to beat the age restriction, and they’re put through a rigorous testing process to ensure they’re ready, including physical and psychological testing as well as reports from employers, family and coaches.

Signed to the Dragons after coming through the club’s Tarsha Gale Cup system, she’s a gun in the making.

Originally published as Women’s State of Origin U19s: NSW defeat Queensland 46-4, Dragons young guns Kasey Reh and Bronte Wilson dominate