Members of Queensland’s Under 19 emerging squad will assemble in Brisbane this weekend to continue their development under a newly-appointed coaching and support team.
Former Maroons hooker Matt Ballin will lead the camp for Queensland-based members of the squad, which is part of the QRL’s emerging Origin program that aims to help develop highly skilled rugby league players for future Queensland representation.
Southern-based players assembled last weekend in Sydney, where they were addressed by Ballin and former Maroons star Greg Inglis.
Players involved in the squad are striving for selection in the Queensland Under 19 team for the annual clash against New South Wales.
While the date and venue for this match is yet to be confirmed by the NRL, the young Maroons are well advanced in their planning and preparations.
A current member of the senior Brisbane Broncos coaching staff, Ballin is taking on the head coaching position for the first time.
He replaces Kurt Richards, a long-serving coaching member of Queensland pathway programs.
Richards tasted success on numerous occasions with state underage teams, and has played a crucial role in the personal development of many young stars who feature regularly in the NRL.
Now with the NRL Dolphins, Richards will stay involved in the program through his role as a selector.
Ballin is being supported by assistant coaches Nathan Cross and Antonio Kaufusi.
The experienced Cross recently commenced work as the QRL’s pathways and performance coach, while Kaufusi is a former NRL and Maroons player who last year coached the Under 17 Queensland Country team against City.
The Queensland Under 19 squad features numerous players involved in that match, including City captain Stanley Huen and Country enforcer De La Salle Va’a.
A strong contingent of players involved in the Queensland Emerging Under 18 squad that came together in May last year have also been selected in this year’s Under 19 emerging squad.
Queensland Under 19 Emerging Origin Squad
| Name | Club |
|---|---|
| Matua Brown | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Chris Faagutu | Wests Tigers |
| Jye Gray | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Arama Hau | Gold Coast Titans |
| Angus Hinchey | Melbourne Storm |
| Stanley Huen | Melbourne Storm |
| Caleb Jackson | The Dolphins |
| Ryan Jackson | The Dolphins |
| Mitchell Jennings | Melbourne Storm |
| Mason Kira | Melbourne Storm |
| Zack Lamont | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Liam Le Blanc | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Israel Leota | Brisbane Broncos |
| Josh Lynn | Parramatta Eels |
| Damon Marshall | Canterbury Bulldogs |
| Haizyn Mellars | South Sydney Rabbitohs |
| Blake Mozer | Brisbane Broncos |
| Seth Nikotemo | Gold Coast Titans |
| Karl Oloapu | Canterbury Bulldogs |
| Josiah Pahulu | Gold Coast Titans |
| Gabriel Satrick | Melbourne Storm |
| Tim Sielaff-Burns | Penrith Panthers |
| Elekana Suavai | North Queensland Cowboys |
| Tyreece Tait | Brisbane Broncos |
| Ben Te Kura | Brisbane Broncos |
| Robert Toia | Sydney Roosters |
| De La Salle Va'a | Sydney Roosters |
| Michael Waqa | The Dolphins |
| Kallum Weatherall-Stacey | Canterbury Bulldogs |
| Del Wigmore | Penrith Panthers |
