Following in the footsteps of their top grade counterparts, the Under 19 Men's and Women's State of Origin squads are ready to take centre stage for their respective interstate clashes on Thursday night.
The Titans are excited to see seven of their young stars take part in the annual interstate rivalry, hoping to make history of their own this year at Leichhardt Oval, with the Women’s game kicking off at 5.45pm and the Men’s at 7.45pm.
Gold Coast representatives include Tiresa Leasuasu (QLD), Matekino Gray (QLD), Malaela Sua (QLD) and Destiny Mino-Sinapati (QLD) in the first game, before Sam Stephenson (QLD), Cooper Bai (QLD) and Zane Harrison (NSW) feature in the second game.
Titans.com.au have identified some key players to watch in the two battles:
Sam Stephenson
Having supported Queensland since he was a child, Sam Stephenson is excited to be given the opportunity to showcase his on-field abilities and to represent his family as he makes his Origin debut.
Named to play in the centres for the Maroons, the son of 55-game Manly and Cronulla star Paul is prepared for the intensity of the Origin arena following years of dedication to strengthening his skills whilst playing for the Burleigh Bears and Tweed Seagulls.
Zane Harrison
Putting on a player of the match performance as captain of the Tweed Seagulls in the Mal Meninga Cup grand final, Zane Harrison helped push his team towards a momentous victory after previously impressing at his recent pre-season with the Titans.
At just 18, Harrison will star as a versatile utility for the Blues side on Thursday, set to showcase his talent as he comes off the bench in front of a strong New South Wales crowd in Sydney.
Tiresa Leasuasu
Set to make her debut for the Queensland Under 19s on Thursday, rising forward Tiresa Leasuasu will be an electric player to watch as she takes on New South Wales for the first time.
Joining the squad alongside four of her fellow Titans NRLW members, who all played a role in the 2023 battle at Kayo Stadium, Leasuasu will be looking to put on a dominant performance of her own to earn her side the win.
Malaela Sua
A core member of the Titans quartet that were a part of the 20-14 winning side over NSW in 2023, Malaela Sua is set to have another standout year for Queensland after joining the Gold Coast's top 24 this season.
Named to come off the bench for the Maroons, this young rising star will be a player to watch after a string of consistently dominant club performances for the South Logan Magpies in the recent BMD Premiership.
