The best under-15s in Australia

The best under-15s in Australia

Author : Andrew Dawson and James Phelps News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

Rugby league Top 50: The best under-15s in Australia

From the Josh Schuster clone to a baby-faced Petero Civoniceva successor, these are the 50 best under-15 stars from around the country who your club can build around. Full list revealed inside.

Mark these names down league fans, they are the future stars of the NRL.

Before the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League National Championships gets underway (July 2-8 details of how to watch it here), check out our list of the 50 best under-15 rugby league players in the country.*

Check out the list below and then come back on Sunday to see the top 50 (ranked) under 15s in the country.

* These players are not presented in any rank order

TOP 50 UNDER 15

Brian Pouniu

State: Qld
Position: Backrow
Affiliation: Dolphins
School: Sunshine Beach SHS

Signed by the Dolphins and almost certainly destined for the NRL, the 195cm backrower has starred at every level of junior football. The impressive edge forward prospect cherishes the thought of playing NRL for his local community team on the Redcliffe Peninsula.

Kaden Garner

State: NSW
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Cronulla Sharks
School: Endeavour Sports High

An explosive backrower who hails from Cronulla Caringbah, “KG” was Named player of the tournament in the NSW CHS trials. He is currently being courted by almost every player agent in the country.

Mereki Warradoo

State: Qld
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Dolphins
School: Wavell SHS

A Dolphins signed fullback from Wavell SHS, Warradoo was one of the players of the carnival at the Queensland State Championships.

Lachlan Vella

State: NSW
Position: Prop
Affiliation: Roosters
School: Cherrybrook Tech High

The son of former NRL hardman Michael, Lachlan is a prop forward in the mould of his famous father.

Nixon Pasese

State: Qld
Position: Prop
Affiliation: Dolphins
School: Nudgee College

A big, strong, mobile prop, Pasese attends the rugby union stronghold of St Joseph’s Nudgee College but it a middle forward young gun. He was arguably the best forward in his age group at the state championships, along with the quiet achieving No. 13 Zac Bateman from Capricornia.

Harlem Peters

State: NSW
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Cronulla Sharks
School: Cronulla High

A hard-running centre hailing from Cronulla-Caringbah, Harlem is a part of the Sharks academy. He has formed a devastating partnership with fellow NSW CHS player Kaden Garner at club level.

Marley McLaren

State: Qld
Position: Halves
Affiliation: Broncos
School: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS

What is in the water at Palm Beach Currumbin SHS when it comes to halves. Toby Sexton and Tom Weaver (both Titans rookies) have been successive play makers, and this season Josh Lynn (18 years five-eight) and McLaren (14-15 years five-eight) have earned Queensland selection. McLaren announced himself at the state championship with a man of the match performance against Northern.

Tom Dellow

State: NSW
Position: Lock
Affiliation: Cronulla Sharks
School: Endeavour Sports High

A giant of a kid who is big enough to play in the middle and skilful enough to play in the halves, Dellow has been a standout for the Como Crocs ever since lacing on a boot.

Zac Bateman

State: Qld
Position: Lock
Affiliation: Cowboys
School: The Cathedral College

Bateman was an unlucky omission from the No. 1 Queensland side but will deservedly play in the Queensland White team. A No.13 who attended St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, from the Rockhampton region, the Cowboys development player is a tough, aggressive back rower who shone in Connell Challenge.

Tamoko Berryman-Duff

State: NSW
Position: Halves
Affiliation:
School: Narrabeen Sports High

A touch footy star, Berryman-Duff is a Naraweena Hawks junior known for his ability to make long cut-out passes, kicks goals

Cain Hastie

State: Qld
Position: Backrow
Affiliation: Cowboys
School: Mareeba High School

A Tablelands lad from Mareeba, right edge forward Hastie is arguably the best junior forward talent in FNQ.

He had a big Connell Challenge under 16 campaign with Northern.

Jai Callaghan

State: NSW
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: –
School: Hunter Sports High,

Is a dangerous attacking proposition for the Wyong Roos.

Can break a line, finish off a try and kick goals if needed. A real all-rounder.

Mace Andrews

State: Qld
Position: Lock
Affiliation: Rabbitohs
School: Marsden SHS

It is little wonder South Sydney have identified him, because he is a powerful, mobile middle with all the attributes. Andrews is a ball playing backrower who plays a little like Josh Schuster from Manly.

Jayden Carter

State: NSW
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Panthers
School: Chifley College,

Talented fullback who plays with the Brothers club in Penrith, coming through the Panthers’ pathways for the past three years.

Grew up in Mt Druitt and lists Isaah Yeo as his inspiration

Carter Welfare

State: Qld
Position: Half
Affiliation: Dolphins
School: Nudgee College

Yet another exciting play making junior from the rugby league breeding ground of Rockhampton.

Alex Isdale

State: NSW
Position: Halfback
Affiliation: Parramatta Eels
School: Westfields Sports High

Up-and-coming No.7 from Cabramatta who is making his way through the Eels’ junior grades. Controls the game well and can find the try line.

Pale Feaunati

State: Qld
Position: Middle forward
Affiliation: Broncos
School: St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace

Feaunati is a tall middle forward in the Civoniceva mould who takes some dragging down and who can unload.

Kapene Karaitiana

State: NSW
Position: Forward
Affiliation: –
School: Gillgandra High

At 187cm, he will be a handful for opposition defences. He becomes the first Gilgandra High student in 12 years to make the CHS team. Plays for Matt Burton’s junior club, St John’s in Dubbo.

Jared Horne

State: Qld
Position: Lock, edge forward
Affiliation: Broncos
School: Wavell SHS

An exciting mobile forward who has been quickly identified by the Broncos as a top notch prospect.

Ali Karnib

State: NSW
Position: Halves/centre
Affiliation: Parramatta Eels
School: Westfields Sports High

A member of the Eels’ development squad Karnib was also selected in the NSWCHS Under 15 rep team.

Lui Lee

State: Qld
Position: Lock, centre
Affiliation: Broncos
School: Marsden SHS

The brother of Queensland State of Origin series winner Brenko Lee, Lee is a ripping right edge ball runner who can find the tryline from a long way out.

Angus Durbidge

State: NSW
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Raiders
School: St Francis Xavier College

A product of the Canberra pathways system via West Belconnen, Durbidge is a deceptive runner who has good skills and a good feel for the game.

Benson Tau

State: Qld
Position: Wing
Affiliation: Dolphins
School: Marsden SHS

Tau has genuine wheels and lights up junior fields wherever he goes. He played his way into the 14-15 Queensland side for the national carnival.

William Leha

State: NSW
Position: Prop
Affiliation: –
School: Endeavour Sports High

A huge kid with a big motor. A prop with a bright future.

Duquan Talaepa

State: Qld
Position: Backrow
Affiliation: Bulldogs
School: Mabel Park SHS

Talaepa is a powerful edge forward who cause grief to opponents when given clean ball, but can also prove a handful coming out of his defensive end as well.

Zildjian Tafill

State: NSW
Position: Prop
Affiliation: Raiders
School: Canberra High School

A bullocking prop who has been the yardstick for the forwards at this age group in the ACT with the Gungahlin Bulls. Now he gets to challenge himself against the best the country has to offer at the championships.

Dallas Ingram

State: Qld
Position: Halves
Affiliation: Titans
School: The Southport School

An exciting playmaking prospect who had a booming state championship representing South Coast.

Clayton McGoon

State: NSW
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Sydney Roosters
School: Matraville Sports High

A Coogee Wombats junior, McGoon is also a handy rugby union player.

Cooper Cracknell

State: Qld
Position: Lock
Affiliation: Rabbitohs
School: Ipswich SHS

Right from the middle of rugby league heartland in Ipswich, Cracknell is one of the region’s boom young guns emerging on the horizon.

Lochlin Moses

State: NSW
Position: Centre/Edge
Affiliation: –
School: Endeavour Sports High

A Mascot Juniors star, Moses can play edge or centre and is another from the NSWCHS Under 15 team.

Charlie Dickson

State: Qld
Position: Lock
Affiliation: Dolphins School: Wavell SHS

Dickson is a hard working No.13 with an ability to spark second phase play with nice passes in tackles.

Itula Seve

State: NSW
Position: Backrow
Affiliation: –
School: Bass High

Hard-running back-rower who has been turning heads in NRL Schoolboy Cup with his strong performances.

Braith Scott

State: Qld
Position: Halves
Affiliation: Broncos
School: St Mary’s College, Toowoomba

From Johnathan Thurston’s old school, Scott is the best 14-15 years prospect from the fertile Darling Downs region.

Lorima Rokosuka

State: NSW
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Parramatta Eels
School: Westfields Sports High

A Guilford Owls junior, Rokosuka is a long striding fullback who has also played representative level touch footy.

Jairus Halahala

State: Qld
Position: Prop
Affiliation: Dolphins
School: Redcliffe SHS

Halahala is a hard working prop from the Dolphins’ heart land – he attends school at Redcliffe SHS which is about 1km from Moreton Daily Stadium. He earned Queensland selection after eye-catching efforts at the state championship.

Cooper Johnston

State: NSW
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Raiders
School: St Mary MacKillop College

A goalkicking fullback from the Queanbeyan Blues who has been scoring tries for fun this season. He’s good with the ball in hands and safe under the high ball.

Nate Berrigan

State: Qld
Position: Lock
Affiliation: Dolphins
School: Redcliffe SHS

Berrigan is the son of former NRL player Barry, and of course the nephew of Broncos and Queensland Origin utility Sean Berrigan.

But he is making his own way in the code, having made the Queensland 15s (white).

Peter Taai

State: NSW
Position: Backrow
Affiliation: Tigers
School: Westfields Sports High

Plays for the East Campbelltown Eagles right in Wests’ nursery, he is also a handy Aussie rules player with the Macarthur Magpies

Te Iri Mokaraka

State: Qld
Position: Centre, edge
Affiliation: Titans
School: The Southport School

A Gold Coast boy who will also play GPS rugby this year for The Southport School, Te Iri Mokaraka played his way into the Queensland (white) team with strong edge finishing representing South Coast at the state carnival.

Amari-Jay Tangi

State: NSW
Position: Lock
Affiliation: Sea Eagles
School: Narrabeen Sports High

A dual-code star Tangi has earned representative honours in rugby league and union.

Nelson Makaafi

State: Qld
Position: Backrow
Affiliation: Titans
School: Palm Beach Currumbin SHS

Yet another Palm Beach Currumbin SHS product, Makaafi is all speed and power who angles for the gaps while also using quick footwork to challenger defenders.

Kurt Waters

State: NSW
Position: Hooker
Affiliation: –
School: Cranebrook High

A goalkicking fullback from the Queanbeyan Blues who has been scoring tries for fun this season. He’s good with the ball in hands and safe under the high ball.

Joseph Tupuse

State: Qld
Position: Edge
Affiliation: Broncos
School: Keebra Park SHS

A long striding, mobile player, Tupuse is a threat with his speed and size and ability to challenge the defence – while also threatening to ignite support players either side of him.

Onitonio Large

State: NSW
Position: Five-eighth
Affiliation: Tigers
School: The Scots College

A 15-year-old playmaker, who has been contracted by the Tigers, Onitoni will be one to watch at the All School Carnival.

Max Blanch

State: Qld
Position: Edge
Affiliation: Storm/Broncos
School: Toowoomba Anglican School

The Brisbane Tigers player and Darling Downs product had the benefit of playing under dual international Lote Tuqiri in the Tigers under 16s this season.

Having benefited from the Connell Challenge campaign, BLanch played his way into the Queensland 15s.

Ashton Large

State: NSW
Position: Hooker
Affiliation: Tigers
School: The Scots College

A year younger than his brother, Onitonio, Ashton is also in the Wests Tigers pathways program.

Seth Gundry

State: Qld
Position: Fullback
Affiliation: Titans
School: Sunshine Coast

Gundry is a fullback with speed and plenty of it who blazed his way into the Queensland (Maroons) squad.

With the ball he has an extra gear compared to his peers, and in defence he commits hard despite not being a giant.

Lachlan Hails

State: NSW
Position: Halfback
Affiliation: Knights
School: Scone Grammar School

An attacking half with exceptional speed, Hails will lead the NSW CIS team.

Ellyjah Birve

State: Qld
Position: Halves
Affiliation: Broncos/Storm
School: Caloundra SHS

The Caloundra Sharks junior rugby league club playmaker was one of the Sunshine Coast Falcons best Connell Challenge players this season and progressed to put his best foot forward at the state championships – winning Queensland selection.

He can also play fullback or hooker with ease.

Heamasi Makasini

State: NSW
Position: Centre
Affiliation: Tigers
School: Newington College

Makasini dominated at the CIS trials and is expected to do the same at the All Schools Championship.

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dailytelegraph.com.au

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Peter Mulholland Schoolboy Cup

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 v All Saints Maitland

TBC*

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

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Ipswich SHS 24 – 16 Keebra Park SHS

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Mackay State High School 0 – 32 St Patrick’s College

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