Jaxson Allen, a budding star from the rich rugby league nursery of Junee, New South Wales, was immense for the Blues in a hard-fought Game Two on the Sunshine Coast.
Forged in the heart of country football, Allen honed his skills before joining the Sydney Roosters pathways system. He’s a hooker celebrated for his lightning-quick play out of dummy-half, sharp vision, and tenacious defence, consistently putting his team on the front foot.
A natural leader, Jaxson captained the Roosters’ UNESG Ball Cup (U19s) team to a premiership in 2025 and has already made his NSW Cup debut.
Allen, representing the Blues, stepped onto the field with a blend of nervous energy and steely focus. From the outset, his presence around the ruck was palpable. His acceleration out of the dummy-half repeatedly tested the Queensland defensive line. He possesses a keen eye for opportunity, darting into spaces that seemed to vanish as quickly as they appeared, forcing the Maroons’ middles to constantly adjust.
In the first half, while the scoreboard oscillated, Allen’s work rate was undeniable. He wasn’t just making hit-ups; he was directing traffic, his voice a constant murmur of instruction to his forwards. His distribution was sharp, getting quick balls to his playmakers, and giving them the time and space to orchestrate attacks. Defensively, Allen was tenacious, throwing his body into tackles against much bigger opponents, showcasing a toughness that belies his years.
The second half saw the game intensify, and Allen’s influence grew. In the 54th minute, his persistence paid off. After a period of sustained pressure from the Blues, built on strong carries and quick play-the-balls, it was Allen who snuck through a gap close to the line. His support play was instinctive, following the flow of the attack, and he burrowed over to extend the New South Wales lead to 22-17.
The Junee product celebrated with a controlled pump of the fist—a moment of personal triumph in the heat of the Origin battle. Even as the Queenslanders mounted their dramatic late comeback, Allen continued to toil tirelessly. He made crucial tackles in the dying minutes, attempting to stem the Maroon tide. His leadership within the forward pack was evident, urging his teammates on, even as the momentum shifted against them.
Despite the heartbreaking final result for the Blues, with Queensland snatching a last-gasp victory, Jaxson Allen’s performance was a clear standout. He demonstrated the skillset, resilience, and game awareness that mark him as a player with immense potential.
While the shield wouldn’t be heading back to New South Wales this year, the young hooker from Junee left the field having showcased his talent on one of the biggest stages in junior rugby league, undoubtedly leaving a lasting impression on coaches and fans alike. Allen’s Blues experience provided invaluable insights from a stacked coaching staff, including Josh Reynolds, Josh Jackson, Dale Finucane, and Trent Hodkinson, who combined boast 852 NRL appearances.
Jackson, leading the coaching efforts, emphasised his conscious decision to pick players who had previously played together.
“It’s made it easier that a lot of them have played together before because they’ve already had that connection through their schoolboys careers, and a few of them played together in this game last year as well,” Jackson said.
“Getting them to gel has probably been the biggest focus of the week. Players come from different systems, and they’re used to playing differently, so building combinations and connection was the most important thing. Dale and a few of the boys spoke about their experiences when they played in a similar game for NSW and he’s still got great memories from the week and the players and that’s what I’d like these players to get out of it too.”
-Tully Potts
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