Meet the Queensland 14-15 Years schoolboys competing at the ASSRL national championships
Who were the mini-Maroons set for battle at the ASSRL national championships to be staged in Townsville from this weekend? Here the state’s 40 best of the best schoolboy league players in the 14-15 years age group.
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The next generation of Queensland players will be on show from Sunday when the 14-15 years ASSRL national championships start in Townsville.
Queensland will field two teams: The No. 1 Maroons side, and also a high-class Queensland White outfit.
Both teams are crash hot and chock full of talent from all around the state.
MEET THE 15-16 YEARS QLD SCHOOLGIRLS
So who were these proud mini-Maroons who will fly Queensland’s flag loud and proud from Sunday until July 4?
Read on to get to know about the players.
2025 14-15 Years Boys Queensland Representative School Sport Rugby League (Maroon) squad
8. Jonah Bell (Metropolitan North)
A true-blue prop from Wavell SHS, Bell will hit the ball up hard and often across the week of representative football.
He has been a part of an outstanding Aspley under-15s side featuring top prospects Jesse Schuster (Redcliffe SHS), Levi Fien (Nudgee College) and Knight Tanielu (Nudgee College).
18. Ike Bilish (South Coast)
The younger brother of Jai (PBC SHS captain) and former-Langer Trophy premiership winner Rocco is forging a reputation of his own.
The New Zealand-born Bilish is a fast-footed utility whose tough defence can help the Queenslanders find success.
He is athletic, aggressive and skilled. The PBC SHS Year 10 adds a nice dimension to Queensland’s attack, whether as a centre, edge forward or even No. 13.
12. Kalani Ford-Stevens (Metropolitan North)
Ford-Stevens, a rampaging middle forward signed by the Dolphins, took the state championships by storm.
He is a big, powerful and mobile edge or middle forward who takes plenty of stopping in his age group.
Ford-Stevens has taken a liking to Wavell SHS’s gala homecoming days where the young Warrior has made a habit of playing out of his skin.
10. Lenton Steven Funaki (Metropolitan North)
A mighty prop forward’s performance at the state championships saw this impressive Wavell SHS prop named player of the carnival in the 14-15 years age group.
A young enforcer, Funaki is originally from New Zealand and like Ford-Stevens, he is storming through the ranks at Wavell and leaving plenty in his wake.
7. Jack Goodhew (Northern)
A halfback with clever hands and uncanny organisation skills, Goodhew is a quick between the ears footballer from the prolific Kirwan SHS catchment.
The Western Lions, Townsville teen will have a familiar face in behind in fellow Lions product Travel Ngatuakana, selected in the team as a fullback or outside back.
3. Digby Ioane (Met East)
A dynamic centre, Ioane was in a class of his own at the state championships.
He is a blockbusting outside back, very quick when he winds up.
The Brisbane State High student, the nephew of Reds legend Digby, gives Queensland strike power.
4. Joey Salafia (Met West)
A dangerous runner with good habits away from the ball, Salafia adds outside back depth and more than a sprinkle of x-factor.
Indeed this Maroons outfit is capable of anything with effective fullback Salafia reeling in kicks and returning the ball.
He can be safe and sound one minute and game-breaking the next.
15. Knight Tanielu (Met North)
Tanielu is persistent and painful in everything he does as a big prop forward.
A high-effort player who could hammer on the door until the opposition’s defensive line was battered down, young giant Tanielu has the skills to be extremely effective in his role.
A rising prop forward at Nudgee College, Tanielu made a name for himself as a student at Wavell SHS where for years he was a tone-setter within his year level.
14. Angus McLaughlin (Met North)
The humble, softly spoken Year 9 student will add plenty — just watch for the boy in bright boots.
Tough and uncompromising in defence, the gutsy McLaughlin will make his tackles and can score points too.
He is from the prolific Aspley Devils club where many of these inspired young guns are emerging out of.
13. Cruz Molo (Met North)
Yet another daring Aspley Devil who has been picked in this team.
The athletic Wavell SHS back rower garnished his excellent state championship campaign with a remarkable try in the grand final when he carried defenders 4m to the line to land a four-pointer well against the odds.
Molo also loves to attack with his defence and will be setting a high standard with his line speed.
19. Travel Ngatuakana (Northern)
Ngatuakana, a Kirwan SHS trump card, is an exciting outside back and goal kicker who can land conversions from outside, which could come in handy.
He adds strike to the Queensland side.
20. MJ Otunuku (South Coast)
Otunuku was a wonder at the state carnival, a man of the match awardee who showed he was a dynamic type with power.
A Keebra Park SHS talent, the hard-to-handle Otunuku is originally from Melbourne but is making waves in Queensland.
17. Marko Pauli (South Coast
The big youngster is set to hold down the middle or edge and can make an impact on both sides of the ball.
Tall and talented, Pauli has a big frame to grow into.
Originally from Auckland, New Zeland, Pauli now attends Keebra Park and plays local footy for the Coomera Crushers.
6. Maihi Pene (Met North)
A side-stepping whiz kid from Wavell SHS, the younger brother of Wavell’s 2024 school captain Keyarn is a footy-smart youngster who just gets it.
He has an astute kicking game, while his footy smarts and running game adds to this halves’ armour.
His feet are fancy and could take advantage of tired bodies from anywhere on the field.
16. Triston Sauaga (Met East)
A tough middle forward, Sauaga has a big motor and can play long minutes.
He will be a more than handy addition to the middle where he can spin out of tackles, make plenty of them and generate momentum with his fast-paced game.
He has been terrific for Marsden SHS so far this school season.
11. Kyanu Seiuli (Met West)
Seiuli has been simply superb in the Walters Cup.
He can give Queensland defensive clout on the edge and also be a driving force close to the try line and coming out of danger.
He leads with his actions and they’ll say plenty when push comes to shove at the national championships.
9. Tyson Tai (Met East)
A Logan Brothers back, Tai can cover multiple positions and also kick goals at a high level.
Wherever he is unleashed the output will be reliable and important.
2.Isaiah Te Pairi (Met East)
Te Pairi can cover the outside back positions with precision and has the skill and power to do a great job at this tournament.
A high achiever in both codes, Te Pairi plays every game like it’s his last and looks primed for a strong showing after last week making his Walters Cup debut for Mabel Park SHS at fullback.
1. Blake Tikinau Metropolitan West)
The Ipswich SHS halfback is just smart and composed under pressure.
The Springfield junior can create for his outside men with a deft kicking game and has the quick feet and footy smarts to take advantage of a half chance.
5. Jaxon Worthing (South Coast)
The highly touted Year 9 fullback has been at the centre of PBC SHS’s dominance in school football for years.
Yet another promising fullback in the squad, Worthing knows when to pounce and also knows when to pass.
The young gun moves quickly.
2025 14-15 Years Boys Queensland Representative School Sport Rugby League (White) Team
1. Kolby Walters (Met East)
A fullback whiz kid from Churchie, Walters is a rugby, touch football and basketball natural who also dabbles in surf lifesaving and athletics. He is exciting, a player who lit up the QRSS championships. Watch for him to be pushing up around the footy in support.
2. Tane Crampton (Met North)
This tall outside back is a Mr Versatile in that he can play fullback, centre or wing.
Crampton, a Nudgee College boy, carved up in last year’s Emerging Reds Cup as a rugby fullback but is also in his own rucking the ball back as a league winger.
3. Jasiah Parsons (Met North)
Parsons, a Wavell SHS student, has pace, sharp footwork and has been very impressive since going into camp, which concludes on Thursday.
He is a versatile type of player, electric with the ball and can break a game open when the chance arises.
4. Lennix Parfitt (Met East)
Parfitt will be a defensive hardman at the championships.
From Mabel Park SHS, Parfitt gained a lot from playing with Wynnum Manly in club football and, if his Walters Cup form is anything to go by, he will defend strongly and carry the ball with courage.
5. Jeffrey Tugai (Northern)
Every team needs pace and Tugai has plenty of it.
From Kirwan SHS, he will be required to support the middle during the early set restarts from his defensive end.
He has the speed and aggression to match his desire.
6. Jesse-James Schuster (Sunshine Coast)
This exciting five-eighth made every post a winner at the state championships. He has soft hands, a great long kicking game and can inflict damage when he goes himself.
A Redcliffe SHS playmaking ace signed by the Dolphins.
7. Leo Hunt (Met West)
Another classy half who will steer the ship, Hunt is sharp and is an instinctive player who will complement the players around him.
Hunt’s short and long kicking game is sound and his short passing game threatening as well.
8. Tyler Harry (Met East)
From rugby league heartland in Logan City Harry has made his mark with power running.
A Mabel Park SHS marvel who runs hard with the ball and is difficult to drag to the ground, Harry will be hard to contain at nationals.
His mission is to generate front-foot ball for hooker Max Imrie and he can get the job done.
9. Max Imrie (South Coast)
A terrific little hooker from Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Imrie is crafty around the ruck and is a natural with the ball in his hand.
With a license to play what’s in front of him, the rookie can do some damage at the championship.
He has been calm, composed and classy for the Reds through four rounds of the Walters Cup competition.
10. Tristen Renata-Kokiri (Met North)
Wavell SHS student Renata-Kokiri, a very strong ball carrier, played to his ability and consistently impressed at the state carnival in May.
He can make a palpable impact with his involvements through the middle and near the line.
11. Isaac Salei (Met North)
Wavell’s Isaac Salei follows in the footsteps of his older brother Loto, now a Devils Queensland Cup combatant, by making a Queensland schoolboys team.
An aggressive runner who angles himself into good lines, Salei also has late footwork which throws a spanner in the works.
12. Tyson Barnard (Met East)
From Marsden SHS, Barnard earns a starting position on the strength of his impressive
footwork and speed for an edge forward.
Barnard also rolls up his sleeves in the defensive line and with Salei manning the other edge, Queensland will have pillars of strength holding down the fort.
13. Tipene Moyes (Met East)
Arguably the best forward in the Renouf Shield competition last season when he helped Marsden SHS win the premiership, Moyes is a strong ball carrier with excellent footwork.
His quick feet at the line, power through the hips and quick change of direction can cause havoc against whatever he is thrown up against in Townsville.
14. Manti Eteru (Peninsula)
From the rugby league mad Far North Queensland district, Eteru is the Mr Fix-It of the team.
From Trinity Bay SHS in Cairns, he can play as a fullback, a half or a hooker, although he mostly plays No.9.
He impressed on both sides of the ball at the state championships, which is the sign of a great hooker.
15. Peter Ngaoire-Finau (South Coast)
Ngaoire-Finau is a powerful middle forward from Keebra Park SHS who opponents will find particularly difficult to bring down.
He is just what the doctor ordered coming off the bench.
Watch for his clobbering defence.
16. Lennox Lakatani (Met North)
There aren’t many rugby league names as good as Lennox Lakatani.
He is coming off a strong state carnival where he impressed as a strong ball carrier. He has speed, instincts and defensive grit.
Lakatani is the type of kid his teammates would love playing with.
17. Riley Apthorpe (Sunshine Coast)
From the Mountain SHS catchment, prop forward Apthorpe has been his team’s forward battleship during its historic foray into the Walters Cup schoolboy competition.
Originally a Highfields Eagles junior from Toowoomba, Apthorpe has been honing his craft on the Sunshine Coast.
18. Kayden Lemafa (Met West)
A natural footballer who is fast with good footwork, Lemafa loves running hard lines on the edge.
He was one of the very best players at the state carnival and earned his place in this company through performance and attitude.
19. Riley Lay (Wide Bay)
This Gympie State High School student, from a renowned football region, is a strong outside back with good speed.
The Gympie Devils centre is also a noted defender.
20. Chase Stewart (Sunshine Coast)
Stewart is a crafty No. 9 with great footwork and speed.
He has been helping his school team’s impressive first season in the Walters Cup, the Mountain Creek SHS student a brave hooker with snappy service.
FOOTNOTE: Kyan Simpson (Ambrose Treacy College) unfortunately had to withdraw from the carnival because of injury. An unheralded gem who shone brightly at the state championships, Simpson’s progression into the Queensland White side was extraordinary, after coming from the clouds to star in the Met West side.
Originally published as Meet the Queensland 14-15 Years schoolboys competing at the ASSRL national championships
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