2016 U18 Origin
Queensland U18 v New South Wales U18
Wednesday, June 22
Suncorp Stadium, 5:40pm (local time)
Streaming LIVE on QRL.com.au/NSWRL.com.au
Queensland U18
1. Corey Allan 2. David Fauid 3. Kurt Wiltshire 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Michael Carroll 6. Gerome Burns 7. Lachlan Lam 8. Thomas Mikaele 9. Brent Woolf (c) 10. Patrick Carrigan 11. Emry Pere 12. Duarne Dempsey 13. Corey Horsburgh. Interchange: 14. Julian Christian 15. Thomas Skinner 16. Kobe Tararo 17. Mitipere Tuatai 18. Tristan Sailor. Coach: Josh Hannay.
New South Wales U18
1. Ryan Papenhuyzen 2. Isaac Lumelume 3. Tui Afualo 4. Nick Cotric 5. Zac Lomax 6. Dean Blore 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Emre Guler 9. Reece Robson 10. Jai Whitbread 11. Cameron Murray 12. Samuel Radovu 13. Brodie Jones. Interchange: 14. Tom Starling 15. Pasami Saulo 16. Payne Haas 17. Keaon Koloamatangi 18. Joshua Curran. Coach: Brad Fittler.
Two-Peat
Since the inception of the Under 18 Origin game in 2008, Queensland have never won back-to-back games. To be fair, they have hadn’t had many opportunities. Only twice have they actually won fixture, last year’s game at the MCG and in 2012 on the back of halves pairing of Kodi Nikorima and Anthony Milford.
Home Ground Advantage
Consecutive wins are not the only thing Queensland will achieve if they are to win tonight. In three previous U18 Origin games at Suncorp Stadium, the junior Maroons are yet to win. New South Wales dominance in the U18 arena extends north with three wins from three games at the Cauldron. The last time the two met at Suncorp, the Baby Blues destroyed their rivals by 50 points, their side featuring future Origin player Jack Bird and nine others who would go onto to play in the NRL. Although, it’s hard to see another 50-point drubbing from either side happening tonight.
Last Time They Met
Queensland triumphed 22-18 in last year’s fixture held at the MCG, where almost 30,000 people had already filed in. Current Broncos’ NRL player Jaydn Su’A was named Man of the Match, scoring a try for the Maroons. Each side features two returning players from that game. Ryan Papenhuyzen retains his spot at fullback for the Blues and Brodie Jones returns to the back row. For Queensland, Gehamat Shibasaki, who played fullback last year, moves to the centres, while Thomas Mikaele goes from the bench into the starting pack.
Familiar Faces
For a number of players in tonight’s game, it won’t be the first time they’ve lined up against their rivals in an interstate game. When these age groups last met, 2014’s Under 16 Origin, Queensland were the 20-18 victors at Suncorp Stadium. Six players from that Queensland team (Carroll, Lam, Shibasaki, Tararo, Tuatai and Woolf) and seven from New South Wales (Cotric, Guler, Jones, Murray, Papenhuyzen, Starling and Whitbread) will play tonight.
Late Changes
Heading into the game both sides have been hit by injury, with changes being made to their starting lineups. For the Maroons, centre Enari Tuala is out, with Blackhawks and Cowboys team mate Kurt Wiltshire his replacement. On the Blue side of the things, Knights’ five-eighth Brendan O’Hagan is out with torn knee cartilage. His replacement is Penrith’s Dean Blore, who made his NYC debut just a few weeks ago.
Like Father, Like Son
There are two familiar surnames on Queensland’s team sheet who, if not for the Father/Son rule implemented in late 2012, would not have been eligible for the Maroons. Lachlan Lam, son of Adrian, will start at halfback for the Maroons, while Tristan Sailor, son of Wendell, is 18th man. Lachlan, a Roosters’ junior, was born and raised in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, and Tristan, a Dragons’ junior, was Brisbane-born but raised south of the border. Before the rule was put in place, both would otherwise only be eligible for the Blues.
New Coaches
For the first time in the fixture’s history, both sides will be coached by former Origin players. Current Souths Logan coach and two-time Maroon, Josh Hannay takes over for Queensland from current Maroons’ assistant Anthony Seibold. While for NSW, rugby league legend and 31-time Blue, Brad Fittler takes over from Todd Payten. Three weeks ago, Fittler coached the NSW U16 side in their two-point win at ANZ Stadium.
Positional Battle
Lining up in the centres for both sides are their most experience NYC players, Brisbane’s Gehamat Shibasaki (Qld) and Canberra’s Nick Cotric (NSW). While we’re unsure if they’ll line up opposite against each other, we’re expecting big games from both. Both have played 14 NYC games this season and both with similar stats but Shibasaki with a slight edge. Shibasaki averages 125m a game to Cotric’s 115, with the Bronco also just leading in line breaks, try assists and line break assists. 8, 7 and 8 respectively to Cotric’s 4, 7, and 6. When it comes to try scoring Shibasaki also has the clear advantage with 6 to Cotric’s 4.
Keep An Eye On
Emry Pere (Queensland)
North Queensland’s Emry Pere will be one to watch tonight. A big man playing on the edges, Pere was a key member of the Blackhawk’s victorious Mal Meninga Cup side in 2016, scoring a try in the Grand Final. A Nerang Roosters junior, Pere has also played six games for the Cowboys’ NYC side this year. With his first start in the second row in Round 14, he scored two tries, broke six tackles and ran for 145m in the Cowboys’ win.
Payne Haas (New South Wales)
Like Pere, Payne Haas is a Gold Coast junior but by way of Newcastle. He will not be hard to miss. The giant front rower is one of the most sought after juniors in the game. Formerly with the Titans, Haas is currently on a scholarship with the Warriors. A student at Keebra Park, Haas spent 2016 with the Gold Coast Green Mal Meninga Cup side, where he scored two tries. Still just 17-years old, Haas represented NSW U16 last year.
Watch Live
You can catch the game tonight from 5:40pm on either QRL.com.au or NSWRL.com.au. The commentary being provided by Peter Psaltis and former Maroon Adrian Vowles.
18TH MAN 