Queensland Under 18 Emerging Origin squad named

Queensland Rugby League has today announced the Queensland Under 18 Emerging Origin squad that will assemble in Brisbane in early May.

The 37-man squad features eight players who were involved in the Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup grand final between the Redcliffe Dolphins and Townsville Blackhawks.

Redcliffe lifted the premiership trophy with captain and prop Michael Waqa sealing the strong win with the final try for the Dolphins.

Premiership teammates Aholika Toia, Zac Garton, Larry Siala and Mitch Rogers join Waqa in the Emerging squad, while the Blackhawks are represented by Jamal Shibasaki, Elijah-Shane Tapau and Reece Foley.

Every QRL statewide competition club has representation, with all selected players set to benefit from their exposure to a quality coaching team led by head coach Nathan Cross and assistant John Dixon.

Players will also work closely with a number of FOGS, including Matt Gillett, Darius Boyd, Gavin Cooper and Matt Ballin, during the camp on May 6-7.

“The camp will have a strong focus on development, connection and the Maroon DNA,” Cross said.

“We’ll be aiming to give the players a deep understanding of what representing Queensland is all about and the core values that underpin our culture.

“The coaching team is excited about the potential of the squad – there’s four 17-year-olds whose form in the Meninga Cup demanded selection, and we’ve got seven players who currently in the Under 19 Emerging squad.”

Queensland Under 18 Emerging Origin squad

Outside backs

Mutua Brown (Central Queensland Capras)

Dominique Sandow (Ipswich Jets)

Kohen Briggs (Northern Pride)

Israel Leota (Souths Logan Magpies)

Tyreece Tait (Norths Devils)

Alton Naiyep (Ipswich Jets)

Kai Simon (Mackay Cutters)

Luke Adamson (Wide Bay Bulls)

Sam Stephenson (Burleigh Bears)

Devonte Vaivela (Parramatta Eels)

Halves and hookers

Karl Oloapu (Canterbury Bulldogs)

Stanley Huen (Melbourne Storm)

Jaxon Purdue (Mackay Cutters)

Keahn Skipps (Canberra Raiders)

Reece Foley (Townsville Blackhawks)

Coby Black (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)

Zac Herdegan (Norths Devils)

Cameron Bukowski (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)

Xavier Kerrisk (Mackay Cutters)

Mitch Rogers (Redcliffe Dolphins)

Edge back rowers

Harry Armstrong (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)

Larry Siala (Redcliffe Dolphins)

Mason Kira (Sunshine Coast Falcons)

Jett Elich (Sunshine Coast Falcons)

Zac Garton (Redcliffe Dolphins)

Jett Bryce (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)

Elijah-Shane Tapau (Townsville Blackhawks)

Middle forwards

Michael Waqa (Redcliffe Dolphins)

DeLaSalle Va'a (Sydney Roosters)

Beni Allen (Wynnum Manly Seagulls)

Isiah Scanlon (Tweed Seagulls)

Jamal Shibasaki (Townsville Blackhawks)

Jett Jackson (Tweed Seagulls)

Aholika Toia (Redcliffe Dolphins)

Matthew Watts (Mackay Cutters)

Bud Smith (Western Clydesdales)

Mikael Ibrahim (Brisbane Tigers)

Main image: Wynnum Manly Seagulls playmaker Coby Black has made the Queensland Under 18 Emerging Origin squad. Photo: Jacob Grams/QRL