Black proved the difference for the young Maroons in promising signs for the Broncos’ future.
Brisbane’s future looks very bright after young gun Coby Black provided the latest evidence that he’s ready to be Adam Reynolds’ successor at halfback for the Broncos. The teenage No.7 starred for the young Maroons in their thrilling under-19 State of Origin triumph over the Blues on Thursday night.
Black scored one try, booted two conversions and kicked a first-half field goal that proved crucial as the Queenslanders fought off a second half fightback from NSW to snatch a 23-22 win on the Sunshine Coast. It was the first time the young Maroons had beaten the Blues at under-19 Origin level in three attempts and they’d only tasted victory once in eight previous attempts at the under-20 level in the previous format across the 2010s.
Central to the Maroons’ victory was the performance of Black, who has been touted as the future No.7 of the Broncos, with club great Darren Lockyer among those to previously sing his praises. Black kicked well and marshalled his Maroons’ side superbly throughout the contest. And he showed maturity beyond his years to slot a 34th-minute field goal that ultimately proved the difference.
Black’s two conversions and field goal put Queensland up by 13-6 at halftime and he showed his class with an opportunistic try after the break to extend the lead. The Blues spilled the ball from a high kick and when the ball was flung back in desperation by the Maroons, Black pounced on the loose footy, busted a tackle and dived over to score in the corner.
The young halfback’s impressive night was ended though when he was ruled out of the contest through an HIA. And the young Maroons had to launch their second half comeback without the Broncos star after the Blues hit back with thee quick tries to Cyrus Stanley-Traill, Cody Hopwood, Jaxson Allen to take a five-point lead into the latter stages.
With just six minutes to play, Cronulla prospect Prestyn Laine-Sietu crossed for a try out wide that saw Queensland edge within one-point of the Blues. And Titans young gun Javon Andrews – who’d come on to replace Black – nailed the sideline conversion to complete a memorable win for the Maroons.
Broncos fans excited for the future after Coby Black display
It was another moment to savour for Queensland, 24 hours after the Maroons’ senior side kept the Origin series alive with a two-point win over the Blues in Perth. And the performance of Black left many Broncos fans excited for the future, with many tipping the 19-year-old to succeed Reynolds, when the veteran likely hangs up his boots at the end of next season.
The Broncos confirmed on Thursday that Reynolds had agreed a one-year extension to play on in 2026, with Brisbane teammates Kotoni Staggs and hooker Blake Mozer also re-signing in a $3.5 million retention blitz. Staggs reportedly agreed a three-year extension worth around $800,000 per season, with Mozer penning a new two-year deal.
The development further clouds the future of off-contract star Selwyn Cobbo, who has yet to be offered a new deal and could be squeezed out of the club due to a salary cap crunch at Brisbane. But with 19-year-old Black and 22-year-old Ezra Mam tipped to form a deadly halves duo when Reynolds calls time on his glittering career, the future is looking bright for the Broncos.
