While all the attention has rightfully been on the men’s State of Origin series, some of the brightest young talents in the country will play for NSW and Queensland this week.

The annual U19s Origin clash is scheduled to take place just one day after game two between the Blues and Maroons, featuring some genuine superstars-in-waiting.

The fixture has produced plenty of players in recent years who have gone on to play in the top grade soon after – proof of how integral it can be.

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From last year’s group, the likes of Loko Pasifiki Tonga, Casey McLean, Sam Tuivati, Jaxon Purdue and De La Salle Va’a have all gone on to make their debuts.

The class prior to that is perhaps even more impressive, with Raiders duo Ethan Strange and Savelio Tamale starring for the Blues side, which was captained by Samuela Fainu.

This year boasts a stack of teenagers who are primed for NRL stardom, including some who are already knocking on the door for a debut.

Wide World of Sports takes a look at eight of the best players in Thursday’s game.

Watch the 2025 State of Origin series exclusively live and free on Nine and 9Now.

NSW BLUES

Mitchell Woods – Canterbury Bulldogs

If you’re a rugby league fan and haven’t at least heard of this kid’s name by now, you must have been living under a rock.

Arguably the best teenage talent in the country is already on a full-time NRL contract with the Bulldogs and has been earmarked as the club’s long-term halfback.

Woods was a standout not only in rugby league, but also in AFL and rugby union, before making the decision to stick with the 13-man code.

He featured in this game last year and played a starring role for the Blues, with his poise in key moments and astute kicking game winning over plenty of admirers.

Phil Gould has an incredibly high opinion of the young playmaker and has made it his own personal mission to keep him at Belmore for the long haul.

Woods has speed-run the lower grades over the past 18 months, winning the SG Ball Player of the Year award before making his Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup debuts.

While all the talk has been around Lachlan Galvin recently, this is the player Canterbury fans are desperate to see find success in the famous blue and white jumper.

Jacob Halangahu – St George Illawarra Dragons

Another player who featured in last year’s U19s Origin fixture and will be backing up this time around is the next big thing coming out of the Dragons.

Halangahu played a vital role in St George’s first SG Ball premiership in more than three decades last year, taking out Man of the Match honours in the grand final.

From there, he went on to be named Australian Schoolboys captain and skyrocketed straight into the full-time squad in Wollongong for the 2025 campaign.

The tackle-busting edge forward has cemented himself in the starting back-row spot for the club’s NSW Cup side and could make his first grade debut this year after inking a contract extension with the Saints until the end of 2027.

In his first season playing against men in reserve grade, Halangahu has averaged 109 run metres and 25 tackles per game which are fantastic numbers for anyone, let alone a teenager who was still eligible to play SG Ball just a couple of months ago.

Halangahu is a genuine winner, claiming both individual and team success at every level of football he’s played – but off the field, he’s the oldest of eight siblings and devotes plenty of his spare time to helping his young family.

The young tearaway has earned comparisons to David Fifita and Angus Crichton and is well on his way to becoming a superstar of the sport.

Toby Rodwell – Sydney Roosters

The son of former Illawarra Steelers and State of Origin player Brett Rodwell, this young halfback has started to really make waves over the past few months.

The 19-year-old stood up in clutch moments for the Roosters during their run towards the SG Ball title earlier this year, working under the guidance of coach Boyd Cordner.

Rodwell has already been given a taste of NSW Cup this season and is expected to see out the rest of the season getting his body ready for first grade.

The youngster has a solid frame for a halfback of his age, weighing in at around 85kg.

While there’s been plenty made of Daly Cherry-Evans’ expected arrival at Bondi next year, Rodwell will be knocking on the door for a first grade spot sooner rather than later.

Andrew Johns has been waxing lyrical about Rodwell’s potential and believes he could become the long-term foil for Sam Walker.

He’s expected to partner the aforementioned Woods in the halves on Thursday night.

Heamasi Makasini – Wests Tigers

The only 17-year-old to be selected for the NSW side this week, the excitement that surrounds Makasini has been felt all throughout Concord.

Despite the fact he’s still attending school at the prestigious Newington College, the boom centre is a genuine chance of making his first grade debut once he turns 18 in just over a month’s time and will get a chance to shine under the bright lights this week.

Makasini has been a standout in both league and union coming through the under-age systems, but chose the 13-man code because of his love for the Wests Tigers.

The goal-kicking outside back won the Harold Matts Player of the Year in 2024 and has already signed with the joint venture until the end of 2028.

Shane Richardson heaped enormous praise on him last week.

“Heamasi is as talented a kid as I’ve seen in my 30 years of working in rugby league, and I don’t say that lightly,” he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

For a club that has struggled for such a long time, having a talent like Makasini waiting in the wings should give Tigers fans something to look forward to.

Connor Votano – Newcastle Knights

Already a regular for Newcastle’s reserve grade outfit, Votano has enormous raps on him and could be a long-term fullback at the club, depending on Kalyn Ponga’s future.

Votano featured in the NRL trials earlier this year and has already played 14 games at NSW Cup level in the early stages of his career, making him among the most first-grade ready players set to run out in the U19s Origin game on Thursday night.

This year, Votano is averaging 105 run metres and 2.5 tackle breaks per game at Cup level and could be a genuine chance of a call-up to Adam O’Brien’s side at some stage.

The 19-year-old Gosford product played for the Blues in this same fixture a year ago and will likely wear the No.1 jumper against the Maroons.

Votano is signed until the end of 2026 with the Knights and could attract plenty of interest from rival clubs when the November 1 free agency date rolls around.

QUEENSLAND MAROONS

Coby Black – Brisbane Broncos

The most well-known name in this Queensland side will be the young Broncos pivot, who featured in this match 12 months ago and is back again to steer the ship.

Black has long been earmarked as Brisbane’s long-term halfback and is edging closer towards making that a reality as part of the full-time top 30 roster for this year and next, with many anticipating he will take over from Adam Reynolds when the veteran halfback finishes up.

This season, Black has been plying his trade for the Souths Logan Magies, scoring five tries and setting up three in his 11 appearances at Hostplus Cup level.

The talented Gold Coast product believes that the influence of Ben Hunt has only helped grow his game as he vies for a spot in Michael Maguire’s side.

“I definitely feel like I’ve progressed since then, having another pre-season under my belt helps,” Black told the Broncos website.

“I think having Dozer at the club is another person I can learn off.”

Sam Stephenson – Gold Coast Titans

Another player returning to the U19s Origin fold will be the young Titans centre, who has been on fire in his limited appearances in reserve grade to date.

Stephenson has scored four tries in three games for the Tweed Seagulls and there are many within the club who have high hopes for him as a future first grader.

The 18-year-old is a solid build and still has plenty of growing to do, but his tackle-breaking ability and ability to find the line making him an exciting prospect.

Already part of the NRL squad alongside Blues representative Zane Harrison, this will be a massive opportunity for Stephenson to make a name for himself.

Cooper Bai – Gold Coast Titans

If you recognise the surname, there’s a good reason why.

The son of Melbourne Storm premiership winner Marcus Bai, this talented lock-forward has graduated through the Future Titans system and into the full-time squad in 2025.

Bai was included in the Maroons squad last year and was part of the Burleigh Bears side that made the Mal Meninga Cup grand final in the same season, before earning a spot in the first grade trial for Gold Coast earlier this year.

With a famous last name always comes plenty of pressure, but those within the four walls at the Titans have a massive opinion of the second-gen star.

“Cooper’s open willingness to actively seek advice and engage with our coaches has significantly enhanced his on-field performances during this time within our Future Titans program,” the club’s elite pathways coach Matt Keating said in November.

“His dedication and continuous efforts to improve during each session or game have been instrumental in his progression from our pathways to the NRL system.”