Jacob Halangahu and Hayden Buchanan are 12 months removed from their first taste of the Origin arena – a 14-10 Under 19s win over the Maroons at Leichhardt.
Life is a little different for the duo this time around. Now among the senior players, the young Dragons are learning what it takes to be a leader in a high intensity environment.
Both men have spent close to the entirety of the season playing for the club’s high flying Knock-On Effect NSW Cup outfit which they say has helped prepare them to step foot back in the Origin arena when they take on Queensland in Under 19s State of Origin on Thursday night on the Sunshine Coast.
Having spent the offseason training with the club’s NRL squad for the first time, Halangahu made his Knock-On Effect NSW Cup debut in Round 1 this year and has gone on to make nine appearances averaging 108 run metres and tallying 226 tackles at 95 per cent efficiency.
“It's been a big step up, especially still being 18 years old and playing against grown men,” Halangahu said.
“I’m still pretty star-struck running out there, so I’m just taking every stride I can and taking every opportunity with two hands. Cup can be a weird level because you can change week-to-week, especially with boys coming in and out of grade or coming up from Flegg. You’ve just got to play every game like it’s your last. I’ve been learning new things that I get from Willie (Talau) and I’m really enjoying it.”
In his second preseason with the top grade, Buchanan had his summer disrupted by a back issue, but the 19-year-old has also managed nine appearances at Knock-On Effect NSW Cup level scoring three tries, assisting on five others, and averaging 107 run metres.
“It was a bit of a challenge. I had the back and then I didn’t really feel super prepared coming into the season,” Buchanan said.
“I was a bit underdone, but the last few rounds of footy, I definitely started feeling like I was finding my feet. I’ve enjoyed it so much. Our Cup squad is really close off the field too. We really like each other. We’ve now got seven in a row, so I hope we can continue that.
“The last few rounds of footy, I definitely started feeling like I was finding my feet. I’ve enjoyed it so much. Our Cup squad is really close off the field too. We really like each other. We’ve now got seven in a row, so I hope we can continue that.”
Hayden Buchanan on playing Knock-On Effect NSW Cup
“[Talau] just sets really high standards for all of us and, when you come in for video, you know if you’ve done something wrong, and he’ll make sure to get to you, but those high standards are what makes us better. I think it’s been a massive part of our success. You’ve got to be good enough at all levels and that’s the best thing for our development. He’s a really good man too, so I really like playing under him.”
In Origin camp, both men have taken it upon themselves to step into leadership roles and help the newcomers – including Dragons teammate Cyrus Stanley-Traill – into the rep arena.
“Coming into this year with all my experience from last year and just my experience from the past like playing Australian Schoolboys, I just want to be a leader amongst this group,” Halangahu said.
“I want to show them and teach them about the Origin arena and what I learnt last year because it was definitely one of the fastest and most physical games I’ve played… Having a week-long camp helps build bonds and friendships that you cherish forever. On the back of that, you get to play pretty much the highest level a 19-year-old kid can play which is representing your state against a state you hate.”
“I’ve loved it. It’s been so good. I’ve had such a good week. All the boys have connected really well and that’s a good thing. It goes a long way towards winning, so hopefully we can continue to continue to connect and show that on the field,” Buchanan said.
“I’m just more confident and ready to go. I felt like maybe a little bit more of a leader this year. I’ve been here before, so I can help some of the boys who are in camp for the first time. It’s happened for me organically. I just feel like I’ve tried to be a bit more of a leader in this camp because I do have that experience.
“Jake (Halangahu), he’s a great leader. He’s a phenomenal leader, especially at 18. Some of his leadership qualities are unbelievable, so it’s really good to have him in camp. He provides the whole team with a lot of belief. It’s so good for Cyrus too; I feel like he really deserves it. He’s fitting in really well with all the boys and he’s trained really well.”
Halangahu and Buchanan understand the privilege of pulling on a Blues jersey and the importance of embracing the experience.
“I don’t think there’re any words I can really describe it with but pulling on that blue jersey last year was pretty special,” Halangahu said.
“To see my last name on the back is so special. My last name is not really out there yet, so it’s my job to put it out there and pave the way for my seven younger siblings and all my little cousins. Also, I love bringing my parents on these journeys that they never got to experience growing up, so I’m pretty grateful to pull on that jersey on. To me, it’s another stepping stone towards a few of my goals which is to play NRL. I’m just learning things. I want to get into that Origin arena once I’m in the NRL, so I’m just going to keep picking up bits and pieces of knowledge as I go along.”
“It’s pretty unbelievable. It’s just very special to get to represent yourself, you get to represent your state, and then also your family,” Buchanan said.
“We’ve seen so much loss. 2006 is when the Queensland dynasty started and that’s the year most of us were born. It’s really special to be here and you just want to win so bad. I shed so many tears as a kid being so passionate and watching them year after year. To get the opportunity to play again and hopefully win again is really special and something I’m not taking for granted.”
“To see my last name on the back is so special. My last name is not really out there yet, so it’s my job to put it out there and pave the way for my seven younger siblings and all my little cousins.”
Jacob Halangahu on playing Under 19s State of Origin in 2024
The build-up to the clash is always full of energy, but both players know what to expect between the lines and what it takes to get the job done for their state.
“It’s my job to keep the boys in line and not get complacent. We’ve been talking about winning the last few years against Queensland, so we just want to keep that that streak going and, you know, there’s nothing better than beating a Queensland team,” Halangahu said.
“Probably the biggest thing I learnt last year was just the speed of the game and the physicality. There’s so much on the line as well especially with bragging rights. Both teams won’t go away until that final siren’s gone.”
“We’re always going back to Origin mentality. It’s kind of a different game at times. It’s pretty much all effort-based. You’ve only got a week to get together, so it’s effort and connection that matters,” Buchanan echoed.
“It’s a different team but I’m expecting a pretty similar game. I feel like it’s going to be really hard. They’re going to come out firing. It’s always really intense, so I’m expecting a very fast game and a close one.”
