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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
