Queensland Under 18 Emerging Origin squad for 2020

Queensland Rugby League has released the Queensland Under 18 Emerging Origin squad for 2020. 

Thirty-four of the state’s most talented teenagers, earmarked as possible future Queensland Maroons, have been selected in the squad. 

Many were involved in the QRL Statewide Competitions this year. Reece Walsh, Ediq Ambrosyev and Brendan Piakura were part of the winning Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup Tweed Seagulls team that went on to win the national title. 

Australian Schoolboys Jack Howarth and Sam Walker, who has since been signed by Sydney Roosters, are also in the squad. And a number of the players who made the cut had Queensland Under 16 honours in 2019, including Ragarive Wavik, Keanu Wright-Dunrobin, Shaun Packer, John Radel and Jeremia Nanai. 

The squad will get together for a camp, supported by the Queensland Academy of Sport, at the Sunshine Coast from January 15-17. 

The players, under coach Kurt Richards and assistant coaches Brad Davis and Corey Parker, will be exposed to key elements of the Maroons Emerging Origin Program with a focus on preparation, consistency and resilience.

QRL game development and high performance manager Joe McDermott said the camp was important to expose future elite talent to the Maroons culture.

"It's important, too, for us to identify and develop the next group of leaders - that will help ensure success into the future," McDermott said. 

"And for the group to bond. Mates will always step up for mates."

Queensland Emerging Origin Under 18 squad