A young Penrith Panthers recruit will headline the Junior Kumuls team that will come face-to-face with the Australian Schoolboys, which boasts the best young players in rugby league who attended school in 2025.

In the now annual clash, young five-eighth Ellyjah Birve will look to lead the Kumuls to victory after recently inking a two-year contract to join the Panthers.

Having risen through the Queensland junior representative ranks, he was poached from the Melbourne Storm after playing for their feeder club, the Sunshine Coast Falcons.

Idolising the duo of Johnathan Thurston and Isaiya Katoa, he will look to lead the Papua New Guinea outfit to an upset win over the Australian Schoolboys that includes the likes of Darcy Smith, Thomas Dellow and Cameron Bamblett.

2025 Junior Kumuls Team

1. Hercules Kondo
2. Araga Eresi
3. Nathaniel Apa
4. Kevin Yako
5. Manase Watt
6. Ellyjah Birve
7. Felix Beki
8. Jabiri Mack
9. Jeffrey Phillip
10. Vane Manuma
11. Geordan Amaiu
12. Joseph Kora
13. David Isaac

Interchange
14. Ishmael Vaieke
15. Otto Thomas
16. Taufa Taulani
17. Ames John

Reserves
18. Ryan Martin

2025 Junior Orchids Team

1. Janique Mili
2. Jarishma Fonataba
3. Christolite Diunde
4. Ukere Sabumei
5. Irene Luana
6. Tia Molo
7. Joyce Horbert
8. Chloe Thompson
9. Josephine Wesu
10. Williamina Hauna
11. Mya Muller Tarsha
12. Brenda Koi
13. Alice Joe

Interchange
14. Bright Movoa
15. Elisabeth Loriri
16. Meriso Jomino
17. Rayleen Karry

Reserves
18. Rhonda Joseph
19. Christine Raiam