The annual Under-18s ASSRL National Championships will take place over the next two weeks, showcasing the best young Australian talents in rugby league.

Kicking off this weekend, the best performers will be named in the 2025 Australian Schoolboys team while every NRL team will have club officials and their recruitment team at Coffs Harbour.

Ahead of the tournament, Zero Tackle has named the 'Top 30 Players to Watch' during the National Championships to keep an eye on.

However, it is understood that several big names will be unable to play due to either injury or other commitments, such as Ashton Large, Heamasi Makasini, Lincoln Fletcher, Lui Lee, Onitoni Large, and Rex Bassingthwaite.

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Wests Tigers Junior Reps

10. Waka Hammond (Combined Affiliates)

A classy ball-player, Hammond won the Storm's U17s Player of the Year award in 2024 and will pull the strings in attack for the Combined Affiliates as he looks to lead them to some upsets throughout the tournament.

NRL Affiliation: Melbourne Storm
Position: Halfback
School: Hallam Secondary College
Contract: N/A

9. James Finegan (NSW CIS)

The son of ex-Wallabies players Owen Finegan, James has been excelling in both rugby league and union and is another member of the Roosters squad that won the 2025 SG Ball Cup competition.

NRL Affiliation: Sydney Roosters
Position: Lock
School: Waverly College
Contract: N/A

8. Brian Pouniu (Queensland)

Able to play a variety of positions in both the forwards and back-line, Pouniu was named in the U19s QLD Maroons Emerging squad at the age of 17 and recently re-signed with The Dolphins amid outside interest from a number of clubs.

NRL Affiliation: The Dolphins
Position: Second-Row / Lock
School: St Eugene School
Contract: 2027

7. Taj Alvarez (NSW CHS)

Recently making his Jersey Flegg debut, Alvarez is no stranger to crossing the line for a try and a solid showing in the tournament could see him press his claim to be named in the Australian Schoolboys side.

NRL Affiliation: South Sydney Rabbitohs
Position: Five-Eighth
School: Tuggerah Lakes Secondary College
Contract: N/A

6. Jared Horne (Queensland)

A member of the Junior Kumuls who took on the 2024 Australian Schoolboys side, Horne is a barnstorming lock and has dominated the junior representative competitions in Queensland.

NRL Affiliation: Brisbane Broncos
Position: Lock
School: Wavell State High School
Contract: N/A

5. Darcy Smith (NSW CHS)

Named the man-of-the-match at the U18s City versus Country clash in which he captained City, Smith played a crucial part in the Roosters winning the SG Ball Cup and was awarded the club's Best Forward award in the U19s competition.

NRL Affiliation: Sydney Roosters
Position: Second-Row
School: Kincumber High School)
Contract: N/A

4. Pheonix Godinet (NSW CHS)

Recently making his Jersey Flegg Cup debut after signing an NRL deal with the Tigers, Godinet has elite footwork for a back-rower of his size and is the epitome of hard work and dedication.

NRL Affiliation: Wests Tigers
Position: Second-Row
School: Bass Hill High School
Contract: 2027

3. Hayden Watson (Queensland)

A member of the U19s QLD Maroons side, Watson is extremely talented and is one of the elite dummy-halves coming through Queensland with goal-kicking ability and footy smarts around the ruck.

NRL Affiliation: Melbourne Storm
Position: Hooker
School: Marsden State High School
Contract: N/A

2. Cameron Bamblett (NSW CCC)

After starring for the Eels in the SG Ball Cup, Bamblett recently made the step-up to Jersey Flegg and will be used as a fullback this tournament who is likely to top the running metres statistics.

NRL Affiliation: Parramatta Eels
Position: Fullback
School: Patrician Brothers College Blacktown
Contract: N/A

1. Thomas Dellow (NSW CHS)

After an impressive 2024 tournament, which saw him make the Australian Schoolboys squad, Dellow is looking to repeat the performance this season, having further developed as a lock forward in the Sharks system.

NRL Affiliation: Cronulla Sharks
Position: Lock
School: Endeavour Sports High School)
Contract: 2027

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