The Mighty Maroons have middle-forward depth on the way courtesy of some of these excellent rookies
Eye spy the Maroons middle forward Origin future: Here’s 50 cracker rookies you simply must know, some certain to fortify Queensland’s campaigns this decade and beyond.
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Queensland’s recall of Woodridge SHS past student and NRL veteran Josh Papali’i for the State of Origin decider highlights the lack of middle forward depth in the Maroons ranks.
While Queensland’s State of Origin campaign is another typically gritty affair, the reality is the state is thin on the ground when it comes to middle men.
Although Queensland’s backline division has youthful green shoots — courtesy of Rob Toia, Jack Howarth, Ezra Mam, Xavier Savage and Co — prop or No. 13 forward depth is limited.
Good middle men like Corey Horsburgh (Canberra), Tom Gilbert (Dolphins), the injured Tom Flegler (Dolphins) and both game three emergencies, J’maine Hopgood (Parramatta) and Josh Kerr (Dolphins), have tasted Origin life around the established Maroons middle men, but more reinforcements will be needed this decade.
DEEP DIVE INTO THE 14-15 YEARS SCHOOLBOYS
MEET THE 15-16 YEARS SCHOOLGIRLS
So who were potential Queensland prop and No.13 contenders in the pipeline later this decade and beyond?
Here’s more than 50 top notch Queenslanders, firstly the props and then the locks, at various stages of development who could represent the Maroons in the future.
NRL’s BEST NEW FACES
Liam Le Blanc (South Sydney)
Le Blanc has been a high achiever since moving to Sydney.
A member of the national-title winning 2022 Queensland schoolboys side, Le Blanc was also a premiership winner with the Nudgee College First XV where he played No.8.
He is a Norths league junior who is fast gathering experience.
Xavier Va’a (Roosters)
Originally from Dalby, Va’a attended St Mary’s College in Toowoomba before relocating to Sydney to live and breathe life as a Sydney Rooster.
The former Queensland Under-19 captain scored a try in his NRL debut last month and is the real deal as an NRL player of the future.
WEAPONS IN WAITING
Josiah Pahulu (Storm)
A Springfield Panthers junior who captained Ipswich SHS to 2022 national championship success, Pahulu has played first grade at the Titans with distinction.
In the right environment the tackle-busting forward could flourish.
Ben Te Kura (Broncos)
Having made his NRL debut last season, the towering former Wavell SHS student is steadily gathering experience for the Broncos.
Most props take time to mature. Don’t forget Lindsay Collins was in the Broncos system battling away and then had to bide his time at the Roosters before breaking into the big league.
Te Kura will take time to mature, but is an exciting project player.
Lewis Symonds (Dolphins)
A No.13 with potential from his head down to his toes.
Symonds, A Marsden SHS graduate who first came to the surface as a Coombabah SHS student, is a polished player and the type of person you want in an organisation.
He is a high achiever, having been a national track and field medallist (throwing) throughout his schooling.
Ryan Jackson (Dolphins)
A St Laurence’s product now honing his craft in Central Queensland for the Capras, Jackson has long been a project player at the Dolphins.
The former Origin Under-19s middle is a tall 194cm and has plenty of meat on the bone.
He is a young veteran of his craft who would have to be close to breaking through.
CRYSTAL BALL PREDICTION: U19’S ELITE EIGHT
Who were the very best youth prospects signed by NRL clubs, who have only just dipped their toes into life at an NRL club?
Here is an Elite Eight rookies to watch out for breaking into the NRL this decade.
Oliva Smith (Canterbury)
Smith was Queensland’s best forward in the Maroons’ recent U19 victory.
A skilled, quick forward with huge hands, he was snapped up by the Bulldogs from Ipswich SHS earlier this decade and has been in their system since.
A junior representative premiership winner with the Bulldogs, Smith has quick feet and a hard edge to his game.
Bodhi Sharpley (Titans)
The raw-boned Gold Coast Titans signing from St Mary’s in Toowoomba rose to the occasion for the Queensland Under-19s.
The Blues went after him, but his performance enhanced his reputation where it counts.
Kobi Floro (Melbourne Storm)
An eye-catching rising star that towers over his teammates and opposition players through the middle of the park.
The former Wavell SHS and Norths Devils product had been in top form for Melbourne’s SG Ball side this season and earned Queensland Origin squad selection a year young.
David Leota (Canterbury)
An athletic and skilful middle forward from Ipswich, Leota was snapped up by the Bulldogs after starring for the Queensland 14-15 years schoolboys four years ago.
He has a massive engine, footwork and makes post contact metres.
Indeed he was a Bulldogs Harold Matthews premiership winner with Oliva Smith, his middle forward partner during the 2023 Langer Trophy season for Ipswich SHS.
Sam Hyne (Canberra Raiders)
A Wests Bardon junior, Hyne moved to the nation’s capital after a ripping 2023 GPS First XV rugby campaign for Nudgee College as its No.8.
This rough and tumble middle forward was also a part of the Queensland Under-19 squad after first playing representative rugby league at Norths.
Elijah Keung (South Sydney)
Keung is a fascinating prospect.
If he can continue his improved display in 2024, then the bloke could be anything.
A Mabel Park SHS graduate who moved from St James College to be the 2024 find of the year in both the Meninga Cup and Langer Trophy, Keung uses his imposing size very well.
De La Salle Va’a (Roosters)
Va’a, the brother of Roosters NRL prop Xavier, hailed from Dalby and attended St Mary’s, Toowoomba, before joining his brother at the Roosters.
The youngster is raw and has a long way to go, but is a very exciting middle forward product.
Only 19.
Jason Hallie (South Sydney)
The big fella from Cairns is a project prop forward at South Sydney.
Watch this space. He is a powerful middle with considerable raw potential.
BEST EMERGING SCHOOLBOY PROPS
Xzavier Timoteo (Ipswich SHS)
Signed by the Roosters, the Ipswich captain is not just a bash and crash prop. He is noted for his late footwork at the line.
A true blue, rip-and-tear Ippy boy who loves the contact, Timoteo is an off-the-back-fence type of forward leader.
Cody Starr (Redcliffe SHS)
An early signing by the Dolphins Academy team, the towering Starr has an uncanny ability to play the ball quickly after generating momentum for his side with a challenging ruck run.
He is a top-flight prop, recently named in the Queensland 16-18 years Queensland side.
Jairus Suliasi (Redcliffe SHS)
Suliasi is a wildcard talent who could be anything.
A No. 13 or prop, his point of difference is his footwork. He has power too.
The mobile middle has tremendous post-contact metres in his game and is a very good prospect.
Dyer Akauola (Brisbane Grammar School)
A prodigy.
The Dolphins-signed prop is aggressive in defence, mobile and plays with maturity beyond his years.
An exciting academy player who will play in the backrow for Brisbane Grammar’s First XV this winter.
Mace Andrew (Marsden SHS)
Andrew, now at Canterbury, played his way into the Queensland Schoolboys 16-18 years squad after an outstanding campaign at the state championships in Gladstone.
He is an agile middle, a past 14-15 years state selection whose fitness and mobility help his team on both sides of the ball.
Viliami Fifita (The Southport School)
Signed by the Gold Coast Titans for another four seasons, Fifita is a tough, mobile middle forward who is also hard to handle in rugby.
He will play First XV rugby for TSS this season in the backrow after a grand Connell Cup campaign in the middle for Tweed.
Josiah Fa’Aoso (PBC SHS)
A Queensland Country Under-17 selection, prop Fa’aoso has hit the ground running in the Langer Trophy after being voted the Players Player award winner following his season with the Tweed Seagulls in the Cyril Connell Cup.
He is signed by the Dolphins and originally from the sporting-rich Cairns where he played junior league for Edmonton.
But the Far North Queensland middle or edge forward is now based on the Gold Coast, in Year 12 at Palm Beach Currumbin SHS.
Fa’apale Feaunati (Keebra Park SHS)
A prop with an exhaustive work rate, Feaunati’s defence around the ruck and crash running was a high point of his season with Souths Logan’s Meninga Cup side.
He carries the ball strongly, but it’s his work rate that sets him part.
He is a former Queensland 14-15 years representative who has the build, and the character.
Karter Iva (Brisbane SHS)
A Queensland 14-15 schoolboys representative last season, Iva played as an under-age Cyril Connell Cup player in 2024 and is a mighty fine middle forward prospect who roared off the bench for Norths during the 2025 U17 club season.
FOOTNOTE: More under age prospects featured further down in this story.
SCHOOLBOY STUNNERS FROM UP NORTH
Cayde Miller (St Augustine’s College)
He is tough as teak and as hard as nails.
Do you get the message?
It is why Miller has been a leading player at the Northern Pride for years, muscling up against bigger and deeper opponents from South East Queensland.
Sitiveni Afu (Ignatius Park College)
A tremendous prop or edge forward who had a strong Meninga Cup season when available.
Afu isn’t the biggest forward out there but he makes up for whatever he lacks in size with his quick feet, good handling and smarts.
Afu’s eligibility would need to be checked because he is of New Zealand origin.
BEST NO. 13 PROSPECTS IN UNDER-19S
Charlie Dickson (Norths)
The finest forward in the 2024 Langer Trophy competition, Dickson was a No. 13 powerhouse whose thirst for work knew no bounds.
Signed by the Dolphins, this ultra fit Moreton Bay Raiders junior with tremendous late footwork is the type of kid who will work his way into an NRL side.
Cooper Bai (Titans)
One of Queensland’s best players in its upset win over NSW recently, Bai is an enforcer with a high work rate.
Bai was simply elite for the Tweed Seagulls in club football earlier this year and has the frame made for league.
Don’t fall off your chair if this Marymount College alumni plays NRL sometime next season.
BEST NO. 13 SCHOOLBOY PROSPECTS
Tupou Francis (Marsden SHS)
The fantastic Francis was Burleigh’s forward battleship in two successful premiership campaigns.
Francis was the star No. 13 in the under-17 club competition, and then was swung into prop for the under-19 Meninga Cup final series.
The Broncos have a good one here in the explosive, skilful No. 13 from Marsden State High.
Jared Horne (Wavell SHS)
Second rower or lock Horne is a terrific personality who suits a squad nicely.
He is a tremendous competitor with a high skill level, capable of playing various forward positions.
He was an elite No. 13 coming through the ranks at Norths but suffered a patella fracture playing for the Seagulls during the recent Meninga Cup season.
The three-season Langer Trophy forward will be back for Wavell SHS after the school holidays.
Nate Berrigan (Redcliffe SHS)
Berrigan is a beauty.
Like Queensland second rower Ruben Cotter, Berrigan is a terrific running forward with a high work rate and explosive leg speed.
He can play a number of positions, but could be a successful No. 13 or No. 14.
Jackson Koina (Mountain Creek SHS)
A good athlete and even better leader, Koina will play in the middle for the Queensland Schoolboys in the coming weeks when the national championships start in Coffs Harbour.
In that team were other top middles like Andrew, Francis, Horne and Timoteo, as well as Kiwi talent Torino Jackson.
Indeed Koina is one of two Sunshine Coast gems picked in the side, with Caloundra SHS’s Ellyjah Birve the other.
Jett Ryan (Falcons)
Ryan, the Sunshine Coast’s Connell Cup captain, has speed in his game and can generate quick play the balls.
He is a fine player with great leadership qualities. Ryan only turned 17 this year and will no doubt be a leading player at the Falcons nest for years to come.
LEADING YOUTH SENIOR FORWARDS
Mafiou Cherif (Northern Pride)
Recruited by the Cowboys from Ipswich State High, Cherif is a powerhouse prop capable of driving runs and post-contact metres.
He can generate momentum through the middle. That is for sure.
An Ipswich league junior, Cherif was just outstanding for the Northern Pride’s Meninga Cup team earlier this year.
Michael Waqa (Broncos)
Also watch to see if Wavell SHS past student Michael Waqa, an Albany Creek Crushers junior who helped Redcliffe win the 2023 Meninga Cup premiership, progresses through the Broncos system.
He was previously with the Dolphins.
Zac Kumbamong
Will we see Kumbamong emerge and earn a place on the Titans’ list?
He was a part of their train and trial program during the 2025 pre-season and represented the Junior Papua New Guinea side.
The 2024 Queensland Schoolboys prop knows his role well and has power, toughness and plenty of skill.
Jac Finigan (Dolphins)
Jac Finigan is a winner. He played a big role in PBC SHS’s dramatic schoolboy success over the last two seasons.
He plays as a second row or No. 13 and is a defensive rock.
Carter Ford (Dolphins)
Ford was a middle forward enforcer who drove the Dolphins Meninga Cup side to a grand final berth.
A graduate of St Brendan’s College, Ford is a top prospect.
Tavita Penaia Te’o (Mackay)
The mighty Mackay captain has what it takes.
Prop Te’o is an athletic forward marvel, a genuine prospect with legs of granite and a huge frame.
Brady Turner (Burleigh)
The Murwillumbah big-improver has been a man on mission over the past 12 months. The fact he was captain of the Broncos Under-20s last Sunday is a great indication of how highly thought of he is.
A no-frills middle from Palm Beach Currumbin SHS, Turner is a creature of habit and the result of his hard work was a Broncos contract after a grand 2024 Meninga Cup campaign.
Dirhys Sefo (Souths Logan)
A towering young man who knows no bounds.
Sefo has size, speed and strength in spades. The 19-year-old went to Brisbane State High and capped off two top-notch seasons for Souths Logan with a Broncos Under-20s berth last month.
Jasper Barry (Cowboys)
Barry’s rise over the past six months has been exceptional and who is to say he can’t stop rising?
A Marist College Ashgrove old boy with smarts on the footy field and in the class, Barry had a belter of a Meninga Cup campaign with Norths. He was reliable and regularly played more than 50 minutes in the middle.
The Cowboys took a liking to the nimble prop and now he is up north, currently training with the club’s under-20s side.
Marley Igasan (Broncos)
An elite middle forward, Igasan gave his all for the cause during the Bears’ run to the Meninga Cup premiership.
He is a nimble forward who knows his role back to front.
The Palm Beach Currumbin SHS talent has been in the Broncos Academy for years.
Ben Uini (Roosters)
A Wavell SHS old boy, Uini has been embedded in the Roosters system for several years.
Uini, a part of the club’s Harold Matthews and SG Ball teams over the past four years, hails from the prolific Moreton Bay Raiders club.
Beni Allen (Wynnum Manly)
A big, robust prop from John Paul College, Allen has plenty of thrust to his game and impressed during the 2023 and 2024 Meninga Cup seasons with Wynnum Manly.
The 20-year-old forward was born in Auckland and is a part of the Seagulls Hostplus Cup squad.
Nixon Pasese (Dolphins)
A blockbusting forward, Pasese has been in the Dolphins Academy for years and has honed his craft at both Wavell and Nudgee College playing both codes.
He is a huge customer, someone who has the foundations to be a very good middle.
Playing in the Langer Trophy last year was great for his development after a 2023 season hindered by injury.
More to come.
CRYSTAL BALL KIDS AT SCHOOL
Lincoln Dalton (BGS)
An early Dolphins Academy signing from Brisbane Grammar School, Dalton plays lock where his creative skills dovetail nicely with his toughness and physical presence.
He is a tremendous leader whose actions set a superb platform for his Norths Devils teammates earlier this year.
Hayden Polson (Wavell SHS)
Although Polson can play second row very well, his agility, aggressive defence and run also make him a fine middle forward prospect.
The Wavell SHS forward is in the Dolphins Academy.
Tomasi Vaitai (Keebra Park SHS)
Tomasi Vaitai had a big season in club football with the Jets, making this mastheads Connell Cup Team of the Season along with Hayden Polson, featured above,
Viliami Fifita, Tupou Francis, Lincoln Dalton and Jett Ryan, also all mentioned in this story.
Franck Iraguha (Gregory Terrace)
A rugby inside centre and rugby league prop, Iraguha is a young specimen with good ball skills and the leg power to be a driving force in the middle third.
He has been an exciting player to watch in rugby, playing for Gregory Terrace and at the Emerging Reds Cup tournament. In the summer, he was a beast for the high-achieving Wynnum Manly Connell Cup team working hard alongside the high-class Koby McGarrity.
Grayson and Nik Wharakura (Marsden SHS)
The Wharakura twins, Grayson and Nik, are both interesting youth products providing the New Zealand boys are eligible.
Both boys are towering players — Nik a prop and Grayson a fullback or centre.
They have the goods.
Lennox Whaiapu (Keebra Park SHS)
A Burleigh Bears’ Connell Cup premiership winner this season, the 2024 Walters Cup grand final ace has been signed by the Gold Coast Titans until the end of 2026.
The Year 11 student is a middle or edge forward who has followed suit of his high-achieving brothers Wailer (keebra 2023) and Anton (Keebra 2024)
QUEENSLAND SCHOOLBOYS 14-15 YEARS MIDDLE YOUNG GUNS
Kalani Ford-Stevens (Wavell SHS)
Capable of playing either second row or in the middle, this Albany Creek Crusher junior has been snapped by the Dolphins.
He is a big, powerful and mobile edge or middle forward who takes plenty of stopping in his age group.
Knight Tanielu (St Joseph’s Nudgee College)
A middle man who ploughed forward and helped Met North to its victory at the state schoolboy championships, Tanielu has made the Queensland Maroons 14-15 years side.
He is a young giant, a high-effort player signed by the Dolphins.
Lenton Steven Funaki (Wavell SHS)
Named in the Queensland Maroons 14-15 years side after being the Player of the Carnival at the state championship, Funaki is a defensive axeman while also having an ability to unload in contact.
He helped Met West to the state championship title this season. Again, his eligibility would have to be confirmed because he is of New Zealand origin.
Triston Sauaga (Marsden SHS)
An impressive middle forward prospect, Sauaga is tough and mobile who can take a ruck, then two tackles later take another.
He can twist and rebound off defenders and find his stomach.
Cruz Molo (Wavell SHS)
A relation of Francis and Michael Molo who were both Wavell SHS past students, this athletic, mobile forward is best suited at No. 13 but can also play middle.
He has been named in the 14-15 years Queensland schoolboys No. 1 Maroons side.
Riley Apthorpe (Mountain Creek SHS)
Named in the Queensland White 14-15 years side, the kid has a big motor who will no doubt be benefiting from his school side, Mountain Creek SHS, playing in the top tier Year 10 competition - the Walters Cup - this season.
Peter Ngaoire-Finau (Keebra Park SHS)
A Queensland white 14-15 years selection, Ngaoire-Finau is a powerful middle forward from Keebra Park SHS who opponents find particularly difficult to bring down. Also watch for his defence.
Billy Spicer (Nudgee College)
From Goondiwindi, Spicer can play prop although the Dolphins Academy signed played edge forward for Queensland’s 14-15 Years side last season.
Diezel Guilonta (Marsden SHS)
A good team man, the Marsden SHS is now in Year 10. He is powerful and aggressive, someone who played for the 2024 Queensland 14-15 Years representative team.
Isaac Salei (Wavell SHS)
Now a Walters Cup forward, the 2024 Queensland schoolboys 14-15 years representative is a tremendous young talent.
Jonah Bell (Wavell SHS)
Named in the Queensland White side, Bell is another middle forward on the rise at Wavell SHS which is a prolific catchment for junior talent. He is a specialist prop who has been a part of an outstanding Aspley under-15s side.
Tyler Harry (Met East)
A prop named in the Queensland White 14-15 years side, he hails from rugby league heartland - Logan City. Harry is a Mabel Park SHS marvel who runs hard with the ball and who is difficult to contain and drag to the ground.
Tipene Moyes (Marsden SHS)
Best suited to No. 13, Moyes is an athletic, strongarm middle forward with footwork and desire. He was the best forward in the Renouf Shield (Year 9) competition last season. His strength, leg drive and footwork on either side of the ruck often proved too hot to handle in his age group.
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 was another strong ball carrier, impressive at the state carnival in Gladstone.
Lennox Lakatani (Wavell SHS)
For a middle man he has speed, instincts and defensive grit which is why he was selected in the Queensland White 14-15 years side.
Lakatani is the type of kid his teammates would love playing with.
Marko Pauli (Keebra Park SHS)
Pauli is another whose eligibility would need to be confirmed, but he is a Coomera Crushers junior who made the No. 1 Queensland schoolboys Maroons side.
Israel Faialaga (Wavell SHS)
Wavell SHS student has a big frame that can bend defensive lines.
Originally published as The Mighty Maroons have middle-forward depth on the way courtesy of some of these excellent rookies
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