{"id":404464,"date":"2024-06-19T20:14:49","date_gmt":"2024-06-19T20:14:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=404464"},"modified":"2024-06-19T21:05:12","modified_gmt":"2024-06-19T21:05:12","slug":"first-big-test-for-young-gun-gus-is-banking-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=404464","title":{"rendered":"First big test for young gun Gus is banking on"},"content":{"rendered":"

State of Origin<\/a> season is in full-swing and while the men's and women's series have been dominating headlines, the young guns are finally getting their chance to shine.<\/p>\n

On Thursday night, the best Under 19s players from both NSW<\/a> and Queensland<\/a> will take to the field in a blockbuster one-off clash at Leichhardt Oval.<\/p>\n

Plenty of future first graders – and even some current ones – will be in action for the Blues and Maroons respectively, with fans getting an opportunity to see the future of their clubs perform on a big stage.<\/p>\n

\ufeffREAD MORE:<\/strong> 'He had a fiver on it': Aussie's brush with King in $1.2m win<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> 'Homesick' star eyes NRL return after Keary switch<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Smith responds to wild transfer rumour after breach<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Wide World of Sports takes a look at five players from each team to keep an eye on in the Origin clash and what the future may hold for them in the NRL.<\/p>\n

NSW BLUES<\/h3>\n

Mitchell Woods – Canterbury Bulldogs<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

One of the brightest young talents in rugby league, Woods made the huge decision last year to commit his future to the Bulldogs on a four-year contract.<\/p>\n

Despite excelling in AFL and rugby union, the young gun opted to remain in the 13-man code and is now expected to become Canterbury's long-term halfback. \ufeff<\/p>\n

Phil Gould is a huge fan of Woods and has publicly endorsed him on numerous occasions, with the club likely to transition him into NSW Cup later this year.<\/p>\n

"Our game is lucky that Mitchell has chosen rugby league \u2026 the Bulldogs are both honoured and excited that Mitchell has chosen our club," he said in January.<\/p>\n

"He is obviously still young, and has a long way to go, we certainly won't be rushing him but we won't be holding him back either. I am extremely excited about his prospects."\ufeff<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/PhilGould15\/status\/1797430785496281381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw<\/a><\/p>\n

Woods led the SG Ball side to a grand final appearance earlier this year, falling short against a quality St George outfit, before being named the comp's Player of the Year.<\/p>\n

He will move into the full-time NRL squad next season and could debut in 2025. \ufeff<\/p>\n

Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga – St George Illawarra Dragons<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Speaking of the Red V, a lot of their hopes are pinned on the progression of towering teenage front-rower Pasifiki Tonga, who appears destined for big things in the NRL.<\/p>\n

\ufeffThe 18-year-old got a taste of NSW Cup last year at the Dragons, before dropping back to age-group football and dominating in the club's first SG Ball title since the 1990s.<\/p>\n

Pasifiki Tonga represented the Australian Schoolboys in 2023 and has already signed a long-term extension with St George Illawarra, moving into the top 30 squad next year.<\/p>\n

"I'm very grateful," he said during NSW camp.<\/p>\n

"I was pretty happy and didn't think I was going to make it this far. Origin footy is a different ballgame. I know it's going to be very physical and fast.<\/p>\n

"Achieving those goals and ticking this box off right here is pretty special to me. I never knew that I would be here right now."<\/p>\n

Pasifiki Tonga is 195cm tall and has been spotted regularly training alongside the likes of Jaydn Su'A and Hame Sele as he pushes for a spot in the top grade.\ufeff<\/p>\n

Jesse and Casey McLean – Penrith Panthers<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Two more products of the highly-successful Panthers \ufeffsystem, the McLean brothers are exciting young outside backs with plenty of potential to become NRL stars.<\/p>\n

Jesse has already played two first grade games for the club, scoring the first try of his career on the wing against the Dragons in round 13.<\/p>\n

Younger brother Casey is a centre and has huge upside at the foot of the mountains, already featuring on six occasions for the club's NSW Cup team.<\/p>\n

\ufeffAccording to Wide World of Sports' The Mole<\/a>, the pair are expected to re-sign with the Panthers despite attracting plenty of interest from rival clubs.<\/p>\n

Jacob Halangahu – St George Illawarra Dragons\ufeff<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Another bright young prospect from the SG Ball premiership team, Halangahu may be the best of a dominant forward pack emerging at Kogarah.<\/p>\n

A physical and aggressive back-rower\ufeff, Halangahu was vital to the side's grand final win over the Bulldogs and was named Man of the Match in the 40-18 triumph.<\/p>\n

Halangahu is already touted for an NRL debut in the coming years and possesses similar attributes to Titans wrecking ball David Fifita\ufeff.<\/p>\n

Originally a product of the Penrith junior system, Halangahu moved across to the red and white\ufeff before playing above his age-group in the elite U19s competition.<\/p>\n

St George Illawarra have already extended the edge forward and he is expected to join the full-time NRL squad for the 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n

Kaiden Lahrs – North Queensland Cowboys<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

If t\ufeffhe last name sounds familiar, there's good reason for that.<\/p>\n

The son of former Blues prop Tom Learoyd-Lahrs has been chipping away at the Cowboys, featuring in five Queensland Cup games this season as he edges closer to a debut.<\/p>\n

Lahrs will come off the bench for NSW in the U19s Origin clash and in an interview during camp, the young front-rower spoke about following in his father's footsteps.<\/p>\n

"He's been great the old boy, it's always good to have a chat with him \u2026 he's actually been ringing me throughout the week," he told NSWRL.<\/p>\n

"I don't know who's more excited, me or him. He just wants to hear all I've been doing each day, just stay in the loop."<\/p>\n

QUEENSLAND MAROONS<\/h3>\n

Coby Black – Brisbane Broncos<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Already touted as the long-term successor to Adam Reynolds, the \ufeffteenage halfback has been making a mark in the lower grades up north and has plenty of smart judges backing him for success in the top grade when his opportunity arrives.<\/p>\n

Black recently made his reserve grade debut and has received plenty of internal praise at Red Hill, with head coach Kevin Walters hopeful of pushing him into the top squad.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, Black scored an astonishing 46 points in the Mal Meninga Cup clash between Burleigh Bears and Wide Bay Bulls, with his side recording a 130-0 victory.<\/p>\n

His battle with opposing No.7 Woods will be one of the best parts of Thursday's fixture, with both players expected to be long-term NRL prospects down the line.<\/p>\n

Jaxon Purdue – North Queensland Cowboys<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

After already tasting first grade, \ufeffPurdue was a no-brainer selection for the U19s Maroons team after recently impressing in his debut for the Cowboys.<\/p>\n

A versatile backline player, the teenager featured in the centres against the Roosters in round 13 and was selected on the bench in round 14 in a show of faith from Todd Payten.<\/p>\n

The youngster has been carving up in reserve grade this year for Mackay, crossing for five tries in six games in the Queensland Cup competition.<\/p>\n

Purdue will play in a more preferred role of fullback against the Blues and with his blistering speed and freakish footwork, he'll certainly be one to keep an eye on. \ufeff<\/p>\n

De La Salle Va'a – Sydney Roosters<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

One of the biggest forwards coming through the grades at any NRL club, Va'a was recruited by the Roosters a number of years ago and is already making waves.<\/p>\n

Standing at 198cm, the hulking front-rower played SG Ball earlier this year and has made the jump straight to NSW Cup, with club officials hopeful of a first grade debut soon.<\/p>\n

The prop attended Marcellin College – the same school as Kangaroos internationals Campbell Graham and \ufeffBraith Anasta – after moving down from Queensland.<\/p>\n

Va'a also has an older brother Xavier at the Chooks, with both players on the radar of head coach Trent Robinson and plenty of the club's diehard fans. \ufeff<\/p>\n

Israel Leota – Brisbane Broncos<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

For the second year in a row, Leota has been selected \ufefffor the Maroons and is continuing to impress out wide for the Broncos in lower grades.<\/p>\n

The exciting outside back recently returned for Souths Logan in reserve grade and has already scored four tries in three games.<\/p>\n

Brisbane have major plans for Leota, who is on a development contract this year but will move into the top 30 squad next season. \ufeff<\/p>\n

\ufeffJamal Shibasaki – North Queensland Cowboys<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Another player from the Cowboys who recently made the jump to first grade\ufeff, Shibasaki came off the bench in the side's upset win over the Roosters back in round 13.<\/p>\n

Shibasaki featured in this same clash last season for the Maroons and came off the bench, but will earn a start this time around against the Blues.<\/p>\n

The back-rower has scored seven tries in 11 reserve grade games this season for Mackay, while his defensive efforts have also been sound with 22 tackles per game. \ufeff<\/p>\n

The younger brother of rugby league journeyman Gehamat Shibasaki, he's certainly a player that coach Todd Payten is banking on long-term, especially with the impending exit of boom edge forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

State of Origin season is in full-swing and while the men's and women's series have been dominating headlines, the young guns are finally getting their […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":404466,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/404464"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=404464"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/404464\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":404476,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/404464\/revisions\/404476"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/404466"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=404464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=404464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=404464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}