Top 50 under-18s in Australia
Author : Andrew Dawson and James Phelps News Corp Australia Sports
Rugby league schoolboys Top 50 The best under-18s in Australia ranked
We rank the top 50 under-18 rugby league players in the country — including a young gun set to become one of the Dolphins’ inaugural NRL players.
Don’t miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
These are the next generation of rugby league stars on the cusp of fulfilling their NRL dream.
We’ve scouted the top schoolboy talent from NSW and Queensland, revealing every player’s school, playing position, ranking and affiliated NRL club.
To highlight the extraordinary talent on display at the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League National Championships (July 2-8 details of how to watch it here), we ranked the top 50 under 18 schoolboy players at the carnival.
Check out the list below before scouting the top 50 under 15 stars here.
TOP 50 UNDER 18
#50
Tyreece Tait
State: Qld
Position: Wing
Affiliation: Broncos
School: Stretton College
The Broncos signed winger is quick, a genuine speedster who scorched across ovals around the south east during the Meninga Cup. He was a go to man for the strong Norths club, a genuine finisher.
Arama Hau Keebra Park SHS
#49
Arama Hau
State: Qld
Position: Lock
Affiliation: Titans
School: Keebra Park SHS
Hau, who plays No. 13, is an enormous raw talent from Keebra Park SHS. He has the pace and skills to easily transition mid match from the middle to edge and should benefit this year by captaining Keebra Park SHS in the Langer Trophy.l
#48
Tallyn Da Silva
State: NSW
Position: Hooker
Affiliation: Wests Tigers
School: Westfields Sports High
A talented hooker who has caught the eye of the Canberra Raiders.
Michael Gabrael Holy Cross College Ryde
#47
Michael Gabrael
State: NSW Position: Centre
Affiliation: Bulldogs
School: Holy Cross College Ryde
A centre hailing from Wentworthville, Gabrael has been signed by the Bulldogs on a three-year deal. He has excelled at every level as a junior.
#46
Israel Leota
State: Qld
Position: Wing
Affiliation: Broncos
School: Ipswich Grammar School
Tall and athletic, Leota is an exciting wing prospect who has been in the Broncos’ system for years. A multi-talented athlete with a great vertical leap, he was another member of Karmichael Hunt’s Meninga Cup premiership winning side.
#45
Taj Brailey
State: NSW
Position: Hooker
Affiliation: Cronulla Sharks
School: De La Sale College
Another Brailey boy with a shot at playing NRL, Taj has attracted interest from several NRL clubs. Brailey will challenge Da Silva for selection in the Australian Schoolboys team.
#44
Lama Afu
State: NSW
Position: Prop
Affiliation: Cronulla Sharks
School: Endeavour Sports High
Afu was considered so good by the Cronulla Sharks that the club relocated him from Queensland. The former Keebra Park High student will complete his schooling at Endeavour Sport High.
#43
Charlie Guymer
State: NSW
Position: centre
Affiliation: Eels
School: St Gregory’s College
Strong running centre in the mould Kurt Capewell. Could also play on the edge. Eels have earmarked him for their NRL development program.
#42
Tevita Penai
State: Qld
Position: Prop
Affiliation: Cowboys
School: St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon
Penai is one of the baby’s of the list, a year 11 student who is regarded by good judges as the best teenage forward talent in the rugby league rich region of Rockhampton.
#41
Jamal Shibasaki
State: Qld
Position: Backrow
Affiliation: Broncos
School: Ignatius Park College
The brother of former NRL player Gehamat, Jamal Shibasaki starred for the Townsville Blackhawks playing left edge during the Meninga Cup season. He is big and strong with plenty of pace.
#40
Luke Laulilli
State: NSW
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Wests Tigers
School: Westfields Sports High School
Selected in the NSW City Under 16s side after five-star performance in the Harold Mathews competition, Laulilli is a talented fullback hailing from Westfields Sports High.
#39
Jeremiah Matautia
State: Qld
Position: Prop
Affiliation: Cowboys
School: Kirwan SHS
Matautia is a kid from the Land of the Giants, a towering front row forward from FNQ. He was one of the most authoritative front rowers in the under 18 club competition this season who led the Townsville Blackhawks charge into the Meninga Cup grand final.
#38
Kaiden Lahrs
State: Qld
Position: Backrow
Affiliation: Broncos
School: Kirwan SHS
The son of former Test and NSW forward Tom, Lahrs was a Queensland 14-15 years schoolboy team selection in 2021.
He was one of the babies of the 18 years state carnival competition but is progressing nicely within the renowned rugby league environment at Kirwan SHS.
#37
Blaize Talagi
State: NSW
Position: Five-eighth
Affiliation: Parramatta Eels
School: Westfields Sports High
Silky skills and the complete package, Talagi can kick, run and pass.
He is highly regarded by the Eels NRL coaching staff.
#36
Alex Conti
State: NSW
Position: Halfback
Affiliation: Tigers
School: St Patricks, Strathfield
A shining light for the Tigers in the Harold Matthews, Conti is one of several young guns in the Wests Tigers system. Conti is being managed by Braith Anasta.
#35
Alex Leapai
State: Qld
Position: Prop
Affiliation: Roosters
School: Mabel Park SHS
The son of former Aussie heavyweight boxing champion Alex senior, Leapai is the biggest player in the Langer Trophy.
Signed by the Roosters, Leapai is a big, motivated prop who is only in Year 11. He benefited from an off-season with the Roosters and playing Harold Matthews under 17s.
#34
Michael Roberts
State: Qld
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Dolphins
School: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS
The brother of James “The Jet’’ Roberts, the Dolphins signed back is a man of many talents who can play wing, five-eight, centre or fullback with ease. He is a natural who scored an 80m winning try in schoolboy semi-final action last season.
#33
Jasper Catton
State: NSW
Position: Backrow
Affiliation: Cronulla Sharks
School: De La Salle College Cronulla,
The nephew of Andrew Ettingshuasen, Catton is a try scoring second rower who runs an impeccable line.
A standout for the Sharks in Harold Matthews.
#32
Joash Papalii
State: NSW
Position: Half/Hooker/Fullback
Affiliation: Bulldogs
School: Holy Spirit College
Took out the Bulldogs SG Ball player of the year award.
Papalii has been fast tracked into the Bulldogs Jersey Flegg side. Plenty of utility value.
#31
Lykhan King-Togia
State: Qld
Position: Halves
Affiliation: Broncos
School: Dalby State High
A ball-playing five-eighth or No. 13 from Dalby on the western Darling Downs, King-Togia is a wildcard on our list.
He has all the skills and is the best teen talent west of Toowoomba. Don’t be surprised to see him transition to No.9.
#30
Zac Sarfati
State: NSW
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Roosters
School: Randwick Boys High
Roosters Harold Matthews back of the year, Sarfati is an exciting prospect at the back.
A number of clubs will be watching him closely over the next few years.
#29
Matt Hill
State: Qld
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Storm
School: St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon
Hill is arguably the best 17-18 years player from the rich rugby league nursery of Rockhampton and was the CQ Capras best player in the Meninga Cup this season.
But note the Rocky region has two other notable fullbacks coming through the ranks – Seth Carpenter and Mutua Brown.
#28
Chris Faagutu
State: Qld
Position: Lock
Affiliation: Wests Tigers
School: Marsden SHS
The mobile Faagutu is captain of Marsden SHS in his third season of Langer Trophy.
He has made The Courier-Mail’s Langer Team of the Year in both 2020 and 2021 and last season, along with Keano Kini (#7), Faagutu was named joint Langer Trophy Player of the Year in 2021.
In May he was also a member of Karmichael Hunt’s Souths Logan premiership winning Meninga Cup side.
#27
Myles Martin
State: NSW
Position: Lock
Affiliation: Knights
School: All Saints College Maitland
Head hunted by the Knights and set to start an NRL rookie deal in November, Myles was a powerhouse for City in the recent Under 18’s representative game against Country.
#26
Mitchell Woods
State: NSW
Position: Fullback/Halfback
Affiliation: Bulldogs
School: St Patrick’s Strathfield
Selected in the NSW all schools Under 15’s merit team last year, Woods has also represented NSW in AFL.
Hails from the famous St Christopher’s of Panania.
Woods is being chased by both the AFL and ARU.
#25
Beni Allen
State: Qld
Position: Lock/centre
Affiliation: Broncos
School: John Paul College
The Brisbane Broncos think so highly of Allen, a Year 12 student at John Paul College in league rich Logan City, that they upgraded his contract and signed him for three seasons – beating the TItans to his signature.
#24
Ethan Ferguson
State: NSW
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Knights
School: Taree High
A big powerful outside back from the North Coast, Ferguson has a Latrell Mitchell like build.
He is also an accomplished goalkicker.
#23
Chevy Stewart
State: NSW
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Sharks
School: Endeavour Sports High
Named Cronulla Sharks Harold Matthews player of the year, Stewart has been earmarked as Canberra’s future NRL fullback after signing a three-year deal with the Raiders.
Stewart has been compared to a young Ryan Papenhuyzen.
#22
Jye Gray
State: Qld
Position: Halves
Affiliation: Broncos
School: The Southport School
You probably won’t see a quicker player over 20m at the championship. A Gold Coast boy, he was halfback in Karmichael Hunt’s premiership winning under 18 Meninga Cup side but plays First XV rugby as a fullback. Gray is being chased by a NSW based club.
#21
Zach Fittler
State: NSW
Position: Backrow
Affiliation: Roosters
School: The Scots College
The son of rugby league legend Brad Fittler, Zach is already bigger than his famous father at 15.
A backrower with uncanny resemblance to “Freddy”, Zach starred for the Roosters this year in the Harold Mathews competition and was selected in the Under 16’s City team.
Zach is still eligible to play Harold Mathews next year but may be fast tracked into the SG Ball.
#20
Blake Steep
State: NSW
Position: Backrow
Affiliation: Roosters
School: The Scots College
Another barnstorming backrower, Steep combined with Roberts (#6) and Fittler (#21) to give the Roosters the best backrow in the Harold Mathews competition.
#19
Siteni Taukamo
State: NSW
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Sharks
School: Newington College
Selected in the CIS NSW side, Taukamo will go fulltime with the Sharks at the end of the year.
A powerful ball runner, Taukamo could also force his way into the NRL as a winger or centre although he is a natural fullback.
#18
John Paul Donevski
State: NSW
Position: Centre/Wing
Affiliation: Dolphins
School: St Dominic’s College
The Doonside product has been signed by the Dolphins. Donevski starred for the Panthers in the Harold Matthews competition this year.
#17
Cassius Tia
State: NSW
Position: Halfback
Affiliation: Roosters
School: Hills Sports High School
Tia has been earmarked by the Roosters as a future NRL player.
An exceptional talent who could join the fulltime squad at the end of the year.
#16
Elekana Suavai
Elekana Suavai Kirwan SHS
State: Qld
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Cowboys
School: Kirwan SHS
Suavai is a young giant from Far North Queensland who was the most potent outside back in this year’s Meninga Cup under 18 competition.
No one either created or scored more tries than this Cowboys signed centre who has the FNQ league world muttering in admiration.
#15
Liam Ison
State: NSW
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Panthers
School: St Dominic’s College
Another product of the Panthers, Ioson is another Penrith junior being groomed for the NRL.
#14
Coby Black
State: Qld
Position: Halves
Affiliation: Broncos
School: Marsden SHS
Black has been rated as a boom junior for some years and played under 16 Connell Challenge club football for Wynnum Manly this year.
A young Langer Trophy player, he will benefit from playing against young men in the elite schoolboy competition this season after leaving his age group.
#13
Max McCarthy
State: NSW Position: Backrow/prop
Affiliation: Cronulla Sharks
School: Woolooware High
A rangy backrower who also plays in the middle, McCarthy knocked back interest from several NRL clubs before signing a two-year deal with the Sharks.
McCarthy spearheaded the Sharks’ run to the grand final in the Harold Matthews.
#12
Josiah Pahulu
State: Qld
Position: Prop
Affiliation: Titans
School: Ipswich SHS
Pahulu is a mobile prop or No. 13 whose late offload can cause opponents no end of trouble.
A Springfield Panthers junior who captains Ipswich SHS in the Langer Trophy, Pahulu was the best front rower in this season’s under 18 Meninga Cup competition.
#11
Cooper Toy
State: NSW
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Roosters
School: Port Hacking High
An excitement machine who won Roosters Harold Matthews player of the year when he was just 15, Toy is on the verge of earning himself a full-time deal.
Still in year 11, the lightning-fast centre or fullback could find himself doing an NRL preseason with the Roosters at the end of the year.
#10
Harrison Hassett
State: NSW
Position: Backrow
Affiliation: Panthers
School: Hills Sport High School
A hugely talented backrower who could force his way into the NRL next year with the premiers.
He is already being courted by NRL rivals.
#9
Toby Rodwell
State: NSW
Position: Halfback
Affiliation: Roosters
School: Edmund Rice College
Son of former Steeler Brett, Toby announced himself as an NRL star in the making when he demolished Country in a man-of-the-match performance while playing for the City Under 16s team earlier this year.
Toby has been contracted to the Roosters.
#8
Jordan Miller
State: NSW
Position: Prop
Affiliation: Wests Tigers
School: St Gregory’s College Campbelltown
Already contracted to the Wests Tigers, Miller is a future NRL prop.
The Tigers are attempting to lock him down long term.
#7
Keano Kini
State: Qld
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Titans
School: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS’s
The PBC SHS magic man with blinding speed, footwork and creative ball skills, Kini is the Queensland schoolboys fullback who can also play as an extra half.
He was signed by the Gold Coast Titans who made their move after seeing him playing touch football, of all things, in his home city of Auckland.
#6
Ethan Roberts
State: NSW
Position: Backrow
Affiliation: Roosters
School: Christian Brothers – Lewisham
A blockbusting backrower, Roberts has been upgraded to a top 30 deal at the Roosters after the Rabbitohs attempted to sign him.
A stand-out in this year’s Harold Matthews.
#5
Jesse Mclean
Jesse Mclean Newington College
State: NSW
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Panthers
School: Newington College
Also a star rugby union player, McLean stands 185cm tall and weighs 90kg.
He is being hunted by the ARU as well as several NRL clubs. A powerful fullback and centre.
#4
Tyrone Munro
State: NSW
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Rabbitohs
School: Alexandria Park Community School
Munro was awarded South Sydney’s Harold Matthews Cup under 17s player of the year award in 2021.
A South Sydney junior from the Botany Rams club, Munro was awarded NSW CHS player of the tournament at the recent selection trials; has signed with the Rabbitohs until the end of 2024 and is expected to join the full-time squad at the end of the year.
#3
Karl Oloapu
State: Qld
Position: Five-eighth
Affiliation: Broncos
School: Wavell SHS
He grew up admiring Benji Marshall and there is a touch of Marshall about this Brisbane Broncos signed half.
Oloapu, a Wavell SHS product, has dazzling feet and can crack a match open in the blink of an eye.
He also has blistering acceleration and lovely short ball delivery into space.
#2
Rob Toia
State: Qld
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Roosters
School: Nudgee College
Signed by the Roosters on a four-year deal, the powerful centre is one of Queensland’s emerging stars.
The 17-year old will be brought down to Sydney at the end of the year for the NRL pre-season with the Roosters. Expect to see him in the NRL next year.
#1
Isaiya Katoa
State: NSW
Position: Halves
Affiliation: Dolphins School: Barker College
Man of the match in the SG Ball grand final, Panthers junior Katoa was snapped up by the Redcliffe Dolphins after dominating the junior representative season.
He is very much in contention to become one of the Dolphins inaugural NRL players.
Related Links
Saturday, July 2 – WATCH REPLAYS HERE
3pm: Queensland Maroon 10 – 6 NSW CHS (15)
4.10pm: Queensland 58 – 0 ACT (18)
Sunday, July 3 – WATCH LIVE HERE
9.30am: Queensland White 22 – 22 NSW CIS (15)
10.40am: NSW CCC 72 – 0 CAS (18)
11.50am: NSW CHS 20 – 22 NSW CIS (18)
1pm: NT 10 – 40 ASSRL Goannas (15)
2.10pm: WA 26 – 18 Victoria (15)
Monday, July 4
10.30am: ACT v NSW CIS (15)
11.40am: NSW CCC v NSW CHS (15)
12.50pm: Victoria v NT (15)
2pm: ASSRL Goannas v WA (15)
Tuesday, July 5
9:20am: QLD White v ACT (15)
10:30am: 18 Years Selection Match 1
11:40am: NSW CCC v QLD Maroon (15)
12:30pm: 18 Years Semi-Final 1
2pm: 18 Years Semi-Final 2
Wednesday, July 6
10.30am: NT v WA (15)
11.40am: ASSRL Goannas v Victoria (15)
12.50pm: 15 Years Semi Final 1 (1st Group 1 v 1st Group 2)
2pm: 15 Years Semi Final 2 (2nd Group 1 v 3rd Group 1)
Thursday, July 7
10.30am: 15 Years Play-Off (3rd Pool B v 4th Pool B)
11.40am: 15 Years Game X (2nd Group 2 v 3rd Group 2)
12.50pm: 18-Years Selection Match 2
2pm: 18-Years Selection Match 3
Friday, July 8
9.30am: 15-Years Consolation (Loser Semi 1 v Loser Game X)
9.30am (Field 2): 15-Years Consolation (Loser Semi 2 v Winner Game X)
10.40am: John Allen Trophy (15) (1st Pool B v 2nd Pool B)
12.20pm: 15-Years Championship Final (Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2)
2pm: 18-Years Championship Final (Winner SF 1 v Winner SF 2)
Related Links
2022 Australian Schoolboy Championships News
Day 1
Day 2
Other Junior footy news
Related
Marymount College claim historic Confraternity title
Finals results
Boys
(Listed in order of rankings of divisions from top-down)
Confraternity Shield final
Ignatius Park College, Townsville 32 – 0 St Patrick’s College, Mackay
Positional play-offs:
St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon 38 – 6 The Cathedral College, Rockhampton
Iona College, Lindum 10 – 4 Marymount College, Burleigh Waters
St Mary’s College, Toowoomba 16 – 6 St Augustine’s College, Cairns
Bob Lindner Trophy final
Shalom College, Bundaberg 18 – 16 Padua College, Kedron
Positional play-offs:
St Peter Claver College, Riverview 16 – 16 Marist College, Ashgrove
Emmaus College, Rockhampton 32 d- 10 St Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe
Rockhampton Grammar School 22 – 6 Aquinas College, Ashmore
Neil Bloxsidge Plate final
Our Lady of the Southern Cross College, Dalby 28 – 10 St Edmund’s College, Ipswich
Positional play-offs:
Columba Catholic College, Charters Towers 36 – 10 St Michael’s College, Merrimac
St Laurence’s College, South Brisbane 34 – 6 Holy Spirit College, Mackay 6
Assumption College, Warwick 16 – 12 Marist College, Emerald
Confraternity Bowl final
Clairvaux MacKillop College, Mt Gravatt 30 – 12 St Columban’s College, Caboolture
Positional play-offs:
All Souls St Gabriel’s College, Charters Towers 36 – 10 St Thomas More College, Sunnybank
St Teresa’s College, Abergowrie 36 – 6 Blackheath & Thornburgh College, Charters Towers
St Joseph’s College, Toowoomba 28 d Faith Lutheran College, Plainland 4
Confraternity Cup final
Xavier Catholic College, Hervey Bay 30 – 0 Mt Maria College, Mitchelton
Positional play-offs:
Chanel College, Gladstone 20 – 8 Good Shepherd College, Mount Isa
Unity College, Caloundra West 34 – 12 St Patrick’s College, Gympie
St John’s School, Roma 26 – 6 St Mary’s College, Woree
Men of League Challenge final
St Anthony’s College, Townsville 24 d- 10 Gilroy Santa Maria College, Ingham
Positional play-offs:
Emmaus College, Jimboomba 20 – 8 Trinity College, Beenleigh 8
Chisholm Catholic College, Cornubia 16 – 14 Ryan Catholic College, Townsville
St Augustine’s College, Augustine Heights 28 – 4 St James’ College, Spring Hill
Related Links
Confraternity Carnival set for thrilling finals day
Marymount College claim historic Confraternity title
Confraternity Carnival semi-finalists set
Mini Maroons Carnival season comes to town
Confraternity Carnival heavyweights flex muscle
NSW Under 19s return to Origin arena with a vengeance
NSW Women’s Under 19s claim Origin three-peat
ROUND 2 SCHEDULE
Wednesday, June 22
2022 Peter Mulholland Schoolboy cup Rnd 1 Draw, Results, Ladder & Players’ Stat’s
12pm: St Dominic’s College v Hunter Sports High (Action Photo’s SOON)
12.30pm: Patrician Brothers Blacktown v Westfields Sports
1.30pm: Hills Sports v Endeavour Sports High
Wednesday, June 29
11am: Farrer MAHS 10 – 10 All Saints Maitland
Illawarra Sports High v Hallam College
Erindale College v The Grange P-12 School
Patrician Brothers Fairfield v Holy Cross College, Ryde
Bass High v St Gregory’s College
*Games expected to be scheduled for start of Term 3
RE-WATCH THE ROUND 1 ACTION
Tuesday, May 31
ROUND 1 SCHEDULE
Tuesday, May 31
11am: Patrician Brothers Fairfield 64 – 0 Farrer MAHS
Wednesday, June 1
11am: Holy Cross College 38 – 24 All Saints Maitland
11.30am: Erindale College 64 – 0 Illawarra Sports High
12pm: Endeavour Sports High 20 – 14 Patrician Brothers Blacktown (Action Photo’s Monday 13 June)
Wednesday, June 8
12pm: St Dominic’s v Bass High
1.30pm: Hunter Sports High v St Gregory’s College
11am: The Grange P-12 College v Hallam College
Thursday, June 9
Westfields Sports High v Hills Sports High
Queensland Results
Langer Cup
Ipswich SHS 24 – 16 Keebra Park SHS
Aaron Payne Cup
Mackay State High School 0 – 32 St Patrick’s College
Related Links
Action Photo Galleries
