LeagueNews.co | Robbie Hamilton
The annual Under 19s Origin games, showcasing both men's and women's teams, will take place tonight at Sunshine Coast Stadium, offering fans a glimpse into the future of rugby league.
The Westpac NSW Under 19s Origin Women, defending champions, kicked off the event with a strong 26-10 victory.
Key players from the victorious 2024 team, such as Ryvrr-Lee Alo, Indie Bostock, Evah McEwen, Evie McGrath, Maria Paseka, Kasey Reh, and Bronte Wilson, return to maintain their winning streak.
On the men's side, the CABE NSW Under 19s Origin team will aim to defend their title after last year's narrow 14-10 win.
Five standout players-Connor Votano, Hayden Buchanan, Mitchell Woods, Jacob Halangahu, and Cody Hopwood-are back to compete for the shield once more.
As the young athletes take the field, they aspire to follow the paths of established players like Robert Toia, Jaime Chapman, and Sienna Lofipo, who have transitioned to the State of Origin arena in previous years.
Fans can keep up with all the State of Origin under 19s action via NRL.com's live blog.