Eyebrows raised as NSW dominates Australian Schoolboys squad

Queensland may have won the recently-completed ASSRL Under 18 National Championships in Coffs Harbour—but NSW players have dominated selections in the Australian Schoolboys squad for 2025.

Of the eighteen-player squad announced on Friday, thirteen spots went to NSW-based players causing some raised eyebrows north of the Tweed.

Patrician Brothers College in Blacktown leads the way with three Schoolboys selections in 2025—Cameron Bamblett, Christopher Petrus and Roman Tuaimau.

Meanwhile Caringbah’s Endeavour Sports High School has two representatives in Jake White and exciting lock Tom Dellow, who was also named schoolboy of the championships.

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Hayden Watson from Marsden State High School near Logan was named player of the final, leading Queensland Representative School Sport to a 22-10 victory over NSW Combined Catholic Colleges and is one of five Maroons to gain Schoolboys selection.

Watson came off the bench for the Maroons in this year’s U19 victory over NSW and is currently signed to the Melbourne Storm.

To be coached by Figtree High School’s Adam Sargent Wilson, the Australian Schoolboys will play a Papua New Guinea national side as part of the annual Prime Minister’s XIII trip following the 2025 NRL season.

Unsurprisingly all 18 players in this year’s squad are already locked up by NRL clubs.

2025 Australian Schoolboys

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League (@austsecondaryschoolrugbyleague)