LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
The Queensland Under 19 teams are gearing up for a showdown against their traditional rivals, aiming to rectify last year's defeats when the Origin Under 19s takes place on the Sunshine Coast this Thursday.
According to nrl.com.au, the Queensland Under 19 Men's team, led by former Maroons legend Darius Boyd, features three returning players: Coby Black, serving as captain, and Phillip Coates and Sam Stephenson, who have previously represented the Junior Kumuls.
On the women's side, the Queensland Under 19 Women will see four returning players: Mariah Brown, Reegan Hicks, Mercedez Taulelei-Siala, and Caitlin Tanner.
Highlighting individual talent, Zac Garton, a powerful second-rower signed to the NRL Dolphins, stands out as the club's first Australian Schoolboys representative.
He competed against teams from France and Papua New Guinea last year and comes from a Gympie Devils junior background, the same club that developed Tino Fa'asuamaleaui.
Garton has also played for the Queensland Under 17 Country team.
As the teams prepare for this critical matchup, all players will be looking to make their mark and contribute to a victory for Queensland.