LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Rookie Watch highlights the top 20 Under-16s rugby league prospects, featuring five players from the Under-16s Australian rugby union team. These young talents are selected from the finest performers in the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup and Under-16s Andrew Johns Cup competitions.
Among these promising players is Oliver Burton, a fullback for the Dragons, who recently secured a long-term contract with the club. He is also notable for being the younger brother of State of Origin center Bradman Best and the son of Brent Webb, a New Zealand Warriors legend and 17-time Kiwis representative.
The top prospects include:
1. Oliver Burton (St George Illawarra Dragons)
2. Boston Nau (The Dolphins)
3. Baxter Best (Brisbane Broncos)
4. Riley Rostron (Newcastle Knights)
5. Zack Fitzgerald (Penrith Panthers)
6. Payton Tarau (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
7. Charlie Webb (Sydney Roosters)
8. Cordell Arama (Penrith Panthers)
9. Asher Chapman (St George Illawarra Dragons)
10. Anthony Mailangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
11. Kade McKay (Newcastle Knights)
12. Kingston Seu Seu (Newcastle Knights)
13. Charlie Xuereb (Penrith Panthers)
Interchange Players:
14. Jaylin Moran (Penrith Panthers)
15. Zephaniah Finau (Wests Tigers)
16. Kaiasi Talakai (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
17. Mason Bartlett (Newcastle Knights)
Reserves:
18. Api Amone (St George Illawarra Dragons)
19. Kingston Finau (Wests Tigers)
20. Charlie Bateup (South Sydney Rabbitohs)