Representative footy is the pinnacle of rugby league.<\/p>\n
The State of Origin<\/a> series is always casting a shadow over the NRL<\/a> while the end of year World Cup has players auditioning for spots in a big way.<\/p>\n There are often arguments about what constitutes an “Origin or rep player” but the simplest way of putting it is the best players play rep footy.<\/p>\n Today we are going to look at seven players who are certain future rep players.<\/p>\n Whether that be Origin or international (often both), each of the below players will be running out at the top level before too long.<\/p>\n Below are seven, certain future representative players:<\/p>\n Tallis Duncan<\/p>\n The inspiration behind this list, Tallis Duncan<\/a> screams future Origin player.<\/p>\n His future absolutely remains in the back row but his performances at centre have him primed to become the ultimate bench option, at minimum.<\/p>\n For all the talk of the likes of Victor Radley<\/a> being an “Origin player” Tallis is the player I think of when I hear that reference.<\/p>\n The 24 year-old now had 67 NRL<\/a> games to his name (at time of writing). He’s 186cm and listed at 95 kilos. I dare say he’d be closer to 98 currently.<\/p>\n For comparison, Victor Radley<\/a> is 182cm and 92kgs. Just to silence those “oh he’s too small” voices, that admittedly grow fainter by the round.<\/p>\n I would not be shocked at all to see him named in the 24 man squad for the Kangaroos come the World Cup at the end of the year.<\/p>\n My guess is he’ll eventually become a nailed on second row starter but right now his versatility, and skills, make him the ultimate bench utility option.<\/p>\n Noah Martin<\/a><\/p>\n If you don’t think of Tallis Duncan<\/a> next time you hear “Origin player” then it’s probably because you’re thinking of Noah Martin<\/a>.<\/p>\n The 21 year-old is a tearaway in every sense of the word. He’s currently 15 games into an NRL<\/a> career that already has rep honours written all over it.<\/p>\n Martin has been a real bright spot in an otherwise below par season in the capital. His injury certainly hurt the momentum for the Green Machine.<\/p>\n At 185 cm and already weighing close to 100 kilos, he already looks ready for Origin. It must be the glorious, flowing mullet. <\/p>\n A workhorse in defence, a maniac in attack, don’t be shocked if he and Hudson Young<\/a> form an all representative back row for Canberra.<\/p>\n He still has a boat load of improvement in him yet but what I’ve seen from the youngster during his early NRL<\/a> career has me in no doubt rep footy is in his future.<\/p>\n Jesse Colquhoun<\/p>\n 24 year-old middle Jesse Colquhoun<\/a> has been earmarked for higher honours for a few seasons now.<\/p>\n Injury has robbed him of the game time required to have already pressed his case, but he’s now approaching 50 NRL<\/a> caps.<\/p>\n His re-signing had a huge say in Cam McInness moving on, with Colquhoun ready to don the Sharks number 13 for the better part of the next decade.<\/p>\n The only threat to that is his brilliant efforts at prop whilst the Sharks dealt with an injury crisis.<\/p>\n His ability to wear the 8\/10 or 13 makes him a prime candidate for a NSW bench spot in a year or two’s time. Especially with a few of the former regular NSW props at the back end of their careers.<\/p>\n Tackling at almost 98% and averaging over 100 metres, the ball playing lock is very much in the mould of current NSW lock Isaah Yeo<\/a>.<\/p>\n He stands at 190 cm and weights over 106 kilos. Being 24 he is approaching his prime, which puts him a little ahead of some of the younger options on here.<\/p>\n If he can stay fit in 2027, there is no reason his name can’t be in the discussion for a bench spot for the Sky Blues<\/a>.<\/p>\n Toby Couchman<\/p>\n Another I expect to be in Origin talks next season is Dragons new pack leader, 22 year-old Toby Couchman<\/a>.<\/p>\n Couchman has been a massive positive in a terrible season for those in Red V. He’ll likely win the player of the year for the Dragons. He deserves it.<\/p>\n At 188 cm and already over 100 kilos, Couchman looks and plays well beyond his age.<\/p>\n One positive of the Dragons lacking a real leader in the pack is that it’s almost forced Toby to stand up to become that leader. Crazy considering his young age.<\/p>\n With a plethora of Kangaroos props opting to play for other nations come the World Cup, there’s a real chance Couchman’s rep debut may come in green and gold.<\/p>\n If not, I’d be shocked if he wasn’t in contention for Origin next year. Three years from now I am certain he has a handful of Sky Blue caps to his name.<\/p>\n Jacob Preston<\/a><\/p>\n Haumole Olakau’atu<\/a> likely representing Tonga<\/a> in the World Cup, it would be unfathomable that Preston isn’t in that squad.<\/p>\n This is really a case of which rep side he debuts for first, the Kangaroos or NSW? When rather than if.<\/p>\n Heilum Luki<\/a><\/p>\n With the greatest of respects to Kurt Capewell<\/a> and Briton Nikora<\/a>, I’m a loss to explain how the in form Heilum Luki<\/a> didn’t make his Origin debut this series.<\/p>\n I fully acknowledge that Luki has two rep caps to his name for Samoa<\/a> but I’m stating he is 100% going to represent QLD before too long.<\/p>\n The fact that he missed the entire 2025 season due to an ACL injury hasn’t stopped him from tearing up for his club side in 2026.<\/p>\n The 25 year-old, 195 cm tall monster has seven tries and ten line-breaks for the Cowboys in his 17 games this year. All while tackling at almost 95%.<\/p>\n An absolute shoe in to make the Samoan squad for the World Cup, he’ll add some Maroon jumpers to his collection in 2027.<\/p>\n Jacob Laban<\/p>\n Jacob Laban’s brilliant 2026 season largely goes under the radar due to the flashy superstars boasted by his club side, the Warriors.<\/p>\n The 22 year-old has quietly gone about his work and has become a staple in the Warriors starting side in 2026.<\/p>\n He has already represented the New Zealand<\/a> Maori in the All Stars game and will be playing in the World Cup at the end of the season.<\/p>\n