Strong running Sharks SG Ball winger Isaac Lumelume has been named in the NSW Under 18’s team to play Queensland in the curtain-raiser to State of Origin game 2.
Lumelume, who had a standout season with the Sharks in the 18’s competition and has since been added to the clubs NYC training squad, will travel to Brisbane for the game which is set down for Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday night.
The Sharks also had Jaemon Salmon included in the extended train-on squad however the De La Salle Caringbah product wasn’t named in the final 18-man team. Salmon, who represented NSW at under-16’s level in 2015, has another year to go in the under 18’s age group.
Queensland came away with a 22-18 win in the 2015 Under-18s Origin game which was played before the second Origin match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Sharks contributed three players, Bronson Xerri, Isaac Longmiur and Franklin Pele to the NSW under 16’s team which scored a narrow two-point win over Queensland in their interstate clash played prior to State of Origin game one.
Brad Fittler is the NSW Under-18’s coach, Matt King his assistant, while former Sharks and Cowboys NRL player Josh Hannay is in charge of the Queensland team.
2016 NSW Under 18’s SOO Team
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen - Balmain Tigers
2. Isaac Lumelume - Cronulla Sharks
3. Tui Afualo - Parramatta Eels
4. Nick Cotric - Canberra Raiders
5. Zac Lomax - Illawarra Steelers
6. Brendan O’Hagan - Newcastle Knights
7. Sean O’Sullivan - Penrith Panthers
8. Emre Guler - South Sydney Rabbitohs
9. Reece Robson - St George Illawarra
10. Jai Whitbread - Brisbane Broncos
11. Cameron Murray - South Sydney Rabbitohs
12. Samuel Radovu - Penrith Panthers
13. Brodie Jones - Newcastle Knights
14. Tom Starling - Newcastle Knights
15. Pesami Saulo - Newcastle Knights
16. Payne Haas - Gold Coast
17. Keaon Kolomatangi - South Sydney Rabbitohs
18. Joshua Curran - Parramatta Eels
Head Coach - Brad Fittler
Assistant Coach - Matt King
