The success of the AIS/ARL Rugby League program was on show last week when Queensland took on New South Wales in State of Origin Game 1 in Melbourne.

Former AIS scholarship holders Israel Falou (Queensland) and James McManus (NSW) turned out for their respective teams in what shaped up to be a thrilling encounter.

Falou, who left the Melbourne Storm this year to join the Brisbane Broncos, is regarded as one of the game’s best players, while McManus has been a revelation for Newcastle on the wing.

The AIS/ARL Rugby League program, headed up by former St George fullback Brian Johnson, has become a nursery for young players going on to play at the highest level.

Some 30 players have played first grade in the National Rugby League competition. Combined they have made over 760 NRL appearances.

The players are as follows: Brett Anderson, Scott Anderson, James Aubusson, Mitchell Aubusson, Josh Bateman, Gerard Beale, Greg Byrnes, Luke Capewell, Greg Eastwood, Israel Falou, Jake Friend, Obi Geia, Chris Houston, Ben Jeffrey, Sammy Joe, Ben Jones, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Ben Lowe, Andrew McCullough, James McManus, Joel Moon, Jackson Nicolua, Jordan Rankin, Sam Perret, Joel Reddy, Chris Sandow, Ryan Shortland, Dave Taylor, Peter Taylor and Aiden Tolman.