NRL Under-19s State of Origin: Maroons men claim 23-22 victory, Blues women win 26-10
The Queensland under-19s have claimed a historic win in one of competitions greatest series deciders while the New South Wales under-19s women kept their hands on the shield for another year. Here’s who starred and what we learned.
The under-19s women’s State of Origin contest has been run and done with a cracking contest unfolding at the Sunshine Coast Stadium on Thursday night.
In the opening contest the Blues snagged a 26-10 victory in the women’s match before Queensland claimed a 23-22 win over New South Wales.
It was a night for numerous future NRL stars to shine with Kasey Reh, Coby Black, Mitch Woods, Tess McWilliams, Zac Garton, Jacob Halangahu and Phoenix-Raine Hippi all impressing.
With the under-19s State of Origin series in the books for another year, here are the things we learned.
BATTLE OF THE HALVES
All eyes were on both team’s halfbacks heading into the contest with both players named as their side’s respective captains.
Coby Black got his Maroons side off to the better start of the two but once Mitch Woods settled in you could see his teammates grow in confidence.
Black, who is signed to the Broncos, just flowed in and out of the match early as he popped up and created space for his outside men while also playing a key role in defence.
His non-stop communication was evident on both sides of the ball, complimented well by his successful drop goal before halftime.
As did his side, Woods got going in the final 20 minutes of the first half but was helped by his side’s interchange bench.
Black was able to score a sneaky try to open the first half off the back of a bobbling catch attempt but Woods had his side up and about.
Black exited the match with an unfortunate head knock and did not return for the evening as the Blues managed to score three straight tries and take a well deserved lead.
Mitch Woods then then left the field with a HIA concern of his own with less than 10 minutes to play.
Maroons number six Javon Andrews was called upon with the game up for grabs but so did Blues five-eight Toby Rodwell.
The Maroons got a roll on and grew an extra leg without their captain on the field, gaining some key repeat sets before Prestyn Laine-Sietu dived on a grubber kick to make it a one point game.
Second choice goalkicker Javon Andrews stepped up to the tee from the left touchline, striking the ball well as it narrowly cleared the crossbar to the eruption of the crowd.
With the clock ticking down Queensland were able to keep the ball down their end as the siren sounded with the scores 23-22.
SECOND TIME'S A CHARM
Dolphins signed talent Zac Garton got his second taste of under-19s State of Origin on Thursday evening after he was selected in Ben Teo’s Queensland side in 2024.
The Gympie and Sunshine Coast junior came out firing on his home stadium with some big repeat efforts in attack to start the match.
The low-running edge forward snagged a try of his own before the 20th minute mark before making the switch to lock for the final 10 minutes of the first half.
BLUES MUCH NEEDED BOOST
The visitors were their own worst enemy in the opening 30 minutes with a number of silly penalties and wasted sets.
The physical contest was in favour of Queensland through the middle of the park before the Blues pulled the trigger and let Hokafonu Lemoto and Kanaan Magele enter the game.
Magele, a Roosters signed talent and Lemoto a Penrith star on the rise, matches the Queensland pack with some damaging metre-eating runs.
Their efforts helped Jacob Halangahu crash over to reduce the halftime gap.
BOW DOWN
Queensland hooker Jai Bowden’s meteoric rise in the past 12 to 24 months has been special to witness.
The Storm signed prodigy has launched into the starting nine position for their SG Ball side after learning his trade with the Sunshine Coast Falcons.
His crafty work around the ruck paired with his hop-step in behind the markers helped lock forward Cooper Bai crash over for the first points of the match.
The little number nine also held his own in the defensive line, especially on kick-offs when the Blues big boppers were charging off the back fence.
NEVER ENDING MOTOR
Jacob Halangahu is just an absolute workhorse.
The Blues second rower showed plenty of grit, composure and aggression on the edge but also matched it in the middle with the Queensland middles.
He bent the line with every carry and was a threat when he ran the ball with his leg drive and short passing ability.
Signed to the Dragons, they’ve got themselves a good one.
HANDFUL OF THREATS
Queensland’s work through the middle of the field had their teammates rolling with their middle forwards and rotations injecting plenty of fresh legs.
Cooper Bai’s green headgear seemed to be everywhere when he was on the field while prop forward Oliva Smith led the way for his side.
Smith, a Bulldogs signed talent, showcased his powerful and silky leg drive on a number of occasions.
Their efforts complimented the work of the Maroons outside backs with fullback Raymond Puru and left winger Phillip Coates making the most of their opportunities.
Puru’s quick feet and low centre of gravity was lethal while Coates had speed to burn but also came up with a number of big defensive reads.
REH IS READY
With dual International Tyla King opting out of her final 2025 season with the Dragons all eyes moved quickly to rising star Kasey Reh.
The Blues captain made her NRLW debut for the Dragons in 2024 but was stuck behind King and former Dally M Medallist Raecene McGregor for a spot in the halves, playing the majority of her games at dummy half.
On Thursday night, Reh staked her claim as a true standout performer with a number of well thought attacking plays.
The 19-year-old’s kicking game would’ve been a focus for the Maroons back five but her booming right foot caught them on the back foot early.
Reh found herself on the end of a Blue breakaway run in the second half to snag a four-pointer of her own.
She finished lifting the shield for her side while also being awarded player of the match.
MORE THAN ENOUGH TO BE EXCITED ABOUT
Named on the interchange bench for the Maroons, Shalom Sauaso is a name to remember if you don’t know her already.
Turning 18 this month, there aren’t many teenagers in the land as gifted as the dual-code phenom, in fact, she is one of a kind.
Sauaso was dropped into the middle of the field for the Maroons on Thursday night and it was clear to see the lights, crowd and camera weren’t a single worry for the rising star.
After starring for the Queensland Reds earlier this season, Sauaso is one of a rare breed of Australian-born females to ever play professional rugby union and rugby league in the same calendar year.
The Springfield sensation is on the Broncos top 24 books and once she is of age it won’t be long until the Kiwi-Samoan rising star is thrust into the rough-and-tumble code she started in as a West End (Ipswich) junior.
The strong but extremely mobile forward brings barnstorming ball-running and rib-crunching defence to any side.
WRECKING BALL
Blues prop forward Tess McWilliams made sure the Queensland middle were on their toes early as she set the tone for her side.
The Parramatta Eels signed talent and Port Macquarie Sharks junior, made plenty of dents through the middle that allowed her halves and outside attack to roll with ease.
She took plenty of pride in gaining control and letting her opposition know all about it with some strong tackles and work around the ruck.
RISING TIGER READY TO BE UNLEASHED
The direct but subtle flashy play from the Blues halves on Thursday night was a joy to watch.
Halfback Kasey Reh and five-eight Evie McGrath picked their moments well with some smart platform setting tackles while also finding the gaps in behind the ruck and on the edge.
McGrath, who made three appearances for the Wests Tigers NRLW side in 2024, showed off her speed and quick hands.
Hooker Tori Shipton also had an impact on the match with plenty of effort plays from siren to siren.
SHAKE AND BAKE
Queensland right centre Phoenix-Raine Hippi was one of her side’s best on Thursday night despite getting minimal ball on the edge.
The former Ballina SHS jet created plenty of spark with her footwork which lit up the Maroons attack.
Originally published as NRL Under-19s State of Origin: Maroons men claim 23-22 victory, Blues women win 26-10
Pregnant drug dealer saved from time behind bars
A pregnant Toowoomba woman has been spared jail time after she pleaded guilty to dealing street level amounts of meth.
WATCH: Woman arrested after alleged gel blaster carjacking
Police have accused a Queensland woman of a series of car-jackings up north, hitchhiking a ride with a kind stranger after crashing a stolen vehicle.