Young guns Jojo Fifita and Tom Weaver are set to star in next Thursday's Under 19 State of Origin clash with both Queensland and New South Wales confirming their teams for next Thursday's clash in Sydney.
The duo are two of six Gold Coast players selected for the interstate rivalry, with Future Titans pathways representatives Kaleb Ngamanu, Josiah Pahulu, Jaylan De Groot and Oskar Bryant also named for the matchup at Leichhardt Oval on Thursday, June 23.
It's just another string in the bow for Queensland schoolboy sensation Fifita, who this week will also get his first real taste of NRL as the 18th man in the Round 15 trip to Coffs Harbour against the Sharks.
Match: Sharks v Titans
Round 15 -
home Team
Sharks
4th Position
away Team
Titans
15th Position
Venue: C.ex Coffs International Stadium, Coffs Harbour
Edging closer and closer to a top grade debut, Titans forward Jaimin Jolliffe was more than complimentary of what his teammate will bring when he finally gets his opportunity to shine on the big stage.
"He's exciting and got some good footy wits about him," Jolliffe said.
"I think we all saw in that Broncos trial game, he took it to Kotoni Staggs and probably did a job on him as well, so I think he's definitely up for it.
"He's playing some great footy at Tweed and he's a great young person that really does work hard."
Weaver - who will wear blue as a Cudgen Hornets junior - has been a shining light for Tweed in the QRL's Hastings Deering Colts competition, as the developing half eyes off an impending Hostplus Cup call-up.
The playmaker has amassed a whopping 42 points in just his last three games wearing Seagulls colours and has relished the opportunity to play consistent footy at the Under 21s level, with an aim to debut in Cup before the end of the season.
"I definitely want to crack Q Cup. My goal is to cement a spot at the back end of the year in Cup so I can build and play a full year of Cup next year," Weaver said.
"At the moment, I’m just focussed on getting some games under my belt and getting some consistent footy going and hopefully building to the back-end of the year."
A New South Wales call-up will certainly help the youngster with Tweed coach Ben Woolf expected to watch on, especially with strike weapon Ngamanu also to feature on the edge for Queensland, fresh from scoring his first try in his third Hostplus Cup appearance for the Seagulls at the weekend.
He'll also have his eyes on electrifying rake Bryant, who is also yet to debut in Queensland's top grade competition, but isn't far off after getting an opportunity to impress in the Titans' pre-season trial against the Broncos earlier this year at Cbus Super Stadium.
The same can be said for classy fullback De Groot - who put his name up in lights with a spectacular performance in that same trial match, scoring a try and assisting with another in the hit-out.
Thursday night's encounter - shown live on Channel 9, Fox League and Kayo - will also be a special occasion for barnstorming Burleigh Bears prop forward Pahulu, with his selection at only 18 years of age being a great reward for all his hard-work and effort this season.
