Young Shark scores as Maroons win 19s Origin

Player of the match: Maroons five-eighth Javon Andrews has been awarded player of the match after capping a fine game with two huge plays that got the Maroons across the line.

Full time: The Maroons hold off a desperate Blues attack and will take home the Under-19s State of Origin shield for the first time. The share of possession speaks to the enthralling clash with both teams sharing exactly 50 per cent of possession. The Maroons had 43 tackle breaks to 28 and five line breaks to four.

64 min: On the back of the line drop out Darius Boyd's Maroons snatch back the lead when a Javon Andrews grubber finds Prestyn Laine-Sietu and Andrews steps up as the replacement kicker, slotting the extras from the sideline. QLD 23-22.

61: NSW also lose their halfback with Woods ruled out with a late match HIA after QLD earn a repeat set on the line. 

54 min: The Blues have all the momentum and take it to four unanswered tries with a short side shift sending Jaxson Allen over thanks to some nice lead-up work from Rodwell and Votano. The fullback misses the conversion and the Blues lead 22-17.

52 min: For the first time in the match NSW have the lead after some slick ball movement sends powering prop Cody Hopwood crashing over the line untouched. Votano kicks the conversion for a 18-17 lead.

51 min: Another blow for QLD with Garton taken for a HIA in the final 15 minutes of the match and subsequently ruled out. 

50 min: The Blues have wrestled back momentum and a barnstorming run off the back fence from Hayden Buchanan instantly puts QLD on the back foot. Meanwhile, star halfback and captain Black will not return for Queensland after failing a HIA.

48 min: On the back of an error by Bowden the Blues go on the attack and Votano chases and snatches a Mitchell Woods bomb on the line before offloading to Cyrus Stanley-Traill to score. Votano converts to blow the game wide open 17-12.

37 min: The ideal start for QLD with some strong carries putting NSW on the back foot and Black makes the visitors pay when a towering bomb is spilled by Connor Votano and the half back darts over in the corner. Black can't convert his own try but the home side lead 17-6.

Halftime: The second stanza is shaping up to be a tight contest. While the Maroons hold a 13-6 lead, the Blues will head into the break with plenty of confidence after coming up with a late try despite being a man down. It was QLD who had the favour of possession (53 per cent) but NSW completed 13 from 15 of their sets compared to the Maroons' 15 to 19.

34 min: Black slots a field goal for QLD in the shadows of half time to take a seven-point lead into the sheds.

28 min: A ruck infringement penalty against Jac Finigan gives the 12-man Blues great field position and the visitors capitalise when a double pump from Toby Rodwell created space for Jacob Halangahu to bust over the line. Connor Votano sneaks it through the uprights to reduce the deficit 12-6.

21 min: NSW lock Jordan Uta is placed on report and sent to the sin bin for a shoulder charge off the kick off. 

19 min: The Maroons are on the attack again when a barnstorming run sees Oliva Smith held up just before the line. A ricocheting kick on the next play sends second rower Zac Garton over in the left-hand corner. Black converts from the sideline to make it 12-0 to the home side.

15 min: QLD then come up with several errors which invites the Blues onto the attack, but some strong goal line defence denies the visitors a chance to capitalise.

9 min: After the opening few minutes sees both sides race out of the blocks with some free-flowing football, QLD strike first with a scheming Jai Bowden finding Cooper Bai close to the line. Coby Black converts for a 6-0 lead.

 

Late Mail

Queensland: The Maroons will line up 1-17 as named. Broncos talent Coby Black is set to lead the side in the No.7 jumper, with Javon Andrews joining him in the halves. Cooper Bai, the son of former Melbourne winger Marcus Bai, will start at lock, with Jai Bowden the hooker. The 18th man is Amaziah Murgha.

NSW: The Blues are 1-17 with no late changes. Mitchell Woods will captain the side and link up with Roosters five-eighth Toby Rodwell in the halves. Knights rookie Connor Votano is set to start the game at fullback, while Hayden Buchanan and Nikora Williams will line up in the centres. Titans junior Zane Harrison has been named in jumper No.14 and will act as the bench utility. Heamasi Makasini is 18th man.

 

 

Women's State of Origin Under 19s: Queensland v NSW at Sunshine Coast Stadium

Player of the match: Sky Blues captain and 2024 NRLW Dally M Rookie of the Year Kasey Reh took out the player of the match honours for a second year straight.

Full-time: The Sky Blues have defended their Under-19s State of Origin title after taking down the Maroons 26-10 at Sunshine Coast Stadium. It was the home side who opened the scoring but NSW were quick to show their class, running in three tries in six minutes in the first half. While the Maroon's managed to wrestle back some momentum early in the second stanza, the Blues held 65 per cent of possession and simply had more spark in attack with five to QLD's one line break and 31-20 in tackle breaks.

58 min: The Maroons come close to hitting back but the NSW defensive line holds firm and McWilliams caps off a sensational performance with another barnstorming run.

50 min: The Sky Blues begin to put on a clinic with some slick hands down the left side sending Maria Paseka over in the corner. Fletcher misses the conversion but NSW have all but put the game to bed 26-10.

47 min: The Sky Blues come up with a spectacular try with lock Ryvrr-Lee Alo busting the line and exploding into space before finding Reh who crosses over under the posts. Logan Fletcher converts for a 22-10 lead.

40 min: Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa looked to level the score for QLD but the try was called back for an incorrect play the ball. 

33 min: The Maroons came out firing in the second half and were rewarded with a try when a fifth tackle kick bounced up perfectly for Jennifer Kimber to reduce the deficit 16-10. In other good news for QLD, Deleni Paitai returns to the bench after being sent for a HIA at half time.

Halftime: A total of 12 errors between the two sides saw a chaotic start to the match but it was NSW who clicked into gear, wrestling back 66 per cent of possession. Prop Tess McWilliams was a standout for the Sky Blues with some tough runs putting her side within scoring range.

27 min: NSW are on the front foot and make it three unanswered tries with a right side shift sending Tyra Ekepati over the line to stretch the lead 16-6 at the break. 

23 min: The junior Sky Blues go back-to-back three minutes later with halfback Kasey Reh coming to the fore with a kick that sends Evie McGrath over in the corner. NSW steal the lead 10-6.

21 min: NSW hit back through Dragons rookie Bronte Wilson thanks to a brilliant cut-out pass by Tori Shipton at dummy half. Meanwhile, Queensland's Lila Parr returns to the field after being sent for a HIA.

15 min: After an earlier opportunity to open the scoring was called back by a forward pass, the Maroons continued to mount pressure and prop Reegan Hicks crashed over from close range for the opening try. Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa converts for a 6-0 lead.

12 min: The error count climbs to four apiece as both sides continue to struggle with ball control and missed opportunities.

5 min: The Under-19 women have kicked off proceedings at Sunshine Coast Stadium with both sides trading early errors and sets. 

 

Late Mail

Queensland: Eels squad member Fleur Ginn is set to line up at fullback for a Maroons side stacked with future stars. Ella-Jaye Harrison-Leaunoa and Caitlin Tanner will link up in the halves, while hooker Nadia Windleborn will captain the team. Broncos forward Reagan Hicks is set to start at prop and emerging Gold Coast back-rower Takoda Thompson will look to cause havoc on the edge. No changes on game day with Brianna Toopi dropping out of the side.

NSW: Seven players are set to back up from last year's 46-4 victory, with Evie McGrath and Kasey Reh to again link up in the halves. Reh will captain the side, while Dragons teammate Indie Bostock is back in the centres. Newcastle edge forward Evah McEwan will add a second NSW U19 appearance to a growing resume and will be joined in the back row by Eels talent Fontayne Tufuga. Rising star Tori Shipton has been named to start at hooker, with the 18-year-old set to lead a talented pack. No changes one hour before kick-off with Kiara McGregor dropping out of the reserves.