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Set of Six: Promising NRL youngsters to watch for this season
Hardcore NRL fans know some of the best moments of the opening rounds are when the young players with superstar potential start to show their wares. Here are six who look set to make a big impact on the competition this season.
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1. Kalyn Ponga (Cowboys)
After a breathtaking cameo in last year’s finals series, Ponga followed up by signing a $3.6 million, four-year deal with the Newcastle Knights from the start of 2018 – a move that was met with some derision and skepticism. While Ponga’s contract situation might complicate his ability to get on the field for the Cowboys it’s hard to imagine that the boys from North Queensland, firmly in ‘win-now’ mode in the twilight of JT’s career, would let Ponga’s prodigious talents go to waste even if he is taking them to the Hunter Valley next season. It seems like likely that Ponga will get the nod to replace the injured Antonio Winterstein for the opening rounds of the comp and will have every opportunity to display his electrifying footwork and the game breaking-vision that could make him worth every dollar the Knights are shelling out.
2. Connor Watson (Roosters)
The Auckland Nines Player of the Tournament is the most experienced player on this list with 16 first grade caps already under his belt, but 2017 is looking like the year he really makes his mark. The Roosters have shored up several crucial positions with smart acquisitions which means Watson won’t be forced to shoulder too much of the playmaking burden and can instead make his presence felt from the interchange bench. Watson plays the sort of high-energy game perfectly suited to dismantling tiring defences and his blazing turn of speed is sure to embarrass some fatigued front rowers. If the Roosters new spine can develop some chemistry then Watson could provide the kind of X-factor the Tri-Colours haven’t had in years.
3. Luciano Leilua (Dragons)
The impressively-named Leilua was the subject of several big money offers from rival clubs late last year but knocked back his potential suitors to re-sign with the Dragons. The rangy second-rower (the younger brother of Canberra barnstormer BJ) will probably start the season on the bench for the Red V but will be given every opportunity to log some serious minutes for a club that looks likely to struggle this year. The Dragons are currently searching for an identity and Leilua represents the sort of dynamic talent a club can build around. With the Dragons suffering a horror run of pre-season injuries and still a year away from welcoming Ben Hunt the fans will need something to cheer about – Leilua might just be the ticket.
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4. Moses Suli (Tigers)
18-year-old Suli garnered big headlines earlier in the year for signing a three-year deal for $1.3 million despite having never played a first-grade game. While the recent track record of handing out massive contracts to unproven players is mixed (see: Filiga, Karl and Klemmer, David) Wests are hardly in a position to allow other clubs to poach their best talent. Suli, a rampaging winger or centre who has earned comparisons to Israel Folau, will be hoping that he can quiet discussion of his outsized contract by getting on the field sooner rather than later. Given the relative dearth of game breakers on the three-quarter line the Tigers will be banking on him to live up to the hype (and the contract). Comparing a young player to a singular talent like Folau can sometimes be the kiss of death but if Suli can live up to it then his burgeoning combination with Jamal Idris could prove beastly.
5. Brodie Croft (Storm)
Despite a name that makes him sound like the latest Home & Away bad-boy to give Alf Stewart some trouble, Croft is set to be the next big star to roll off the Melbourne Storm production line. With speculation that superstar Billy Slater will miss the opening rounds with an ongoing injury, Cameron Munster could find himself taking up the custodian’s mantle – leaving the five eighth’s spot outside Cooper Cronk up for grabs. Storm maestro Craig Bellamy has proven adept at manufacturing playmakers and Croft is already being hailed as a carbon copy of the Queensland halfback. Given Bellamy’s tutelage and his obvious natural gifts it will be a massive upset if Croft doesn’t make his presence felt – whether he manages to nail down a permanent spot in first grade might depend on Slater’s long-term fitness.
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6. Gideon Gela-Mosby (Cowboys)
Gela-Mosby might struggle to crack a North Queensland three-quarter line already bristling with accomplished finishers such as Kyle Feldt and Winterstein but if he can transfer his form from the Auckland Nines to the 13-man version of the game it will be hard for the Cowboys to deny him a shot. Gela-Mosby is an elite finisher, demonstrating almost superhuman body control to repeatedly dot down in the corner. It’s hard to imagine that consummate maestro Johnathan Thurston wouldn’t be excited about the possibility of having Gela-Mosby at the end of his backline – if he does manage to get a regular start in the top grade it seems likely that he’ll get plenty of chances to score. If he and Ponga manage to get on the field at the same time league fans will be in for a treat.
Comments on RugbyPass
One was beginning to wonder if he would even rekindle his test career after he declined playing after WR changed their eligibility rules. Despite his late decision he still could have changed Samoa’s fortunes at the WC if he was fit.
2 Go to commentsHe never stops whinging. No wonder he is always chasing the next big dream.
2 Go to commentsI always enjoy a good scrum based article. Thanks, Nick. The Hurricanes are looking more and more the team to beat down here in Australasia. They are a very well balanced team. And though there are far fewer scrums in the game these days, destructive power in that area is a serious weapon, especially an attacking scrum within in the red zone. Aumua looked very good as a young first year player, but then seemed to fade. He sure is back now right in the picture for the AB’s. And I would judge that Taukei’aho is in a bit of a slump currently. Watching him at Suncorp a few weeks ago, I thought he was not as dominant in the game as I would have expected. I am going to raise an issue in that scrum at around the 13 min mark. I see a high level of danger there for the TH lifted off the ground. He is trapped between the opposition LH and his own powerful SR. His neck is being put under potentially dangerous pressure. The LH has, in law , no right to use his superior scrummaging skill….getting his head right in on the breastbone of the TH…..to force him up and off the ground. Had the TH popped out of the scrum, head up and free, there is no danger, that is a clear penalty to the dominant scrum. The law is quite clear on this issue: Law 37 Dangerous play and restricted practices in a scrum. C:Intentionally lifting an opponent off their feet or forcing them upwards out of the scrum. Sanction: Penalty. Few ,if any, referees seem to be aware of this law, and/or the dangers of the situation. Matthew Carly, refereeing Clermont v Munster in 2021, penalised the Munster scrum, when LH Wycherly was lifted very high, and in my view very dangerously, by TH Slimani. Lifting was coached in the late ‘60’s/70’s. Both Lions props, Ray McLouglin, and “Mighty Mouse” McLauchlan, were expert and highly successful at this technique. I have seen a photo, which I can’t find online atm, of MM with a NZ TH(not an AB) on his head, MM standing upright as the scrum disintegrates.
3 Go to commentsHey. Stay home and play for Mooloo.
1 Go to commentsTighthead was always going to be our weakness this year with Ryan going home to Ireland and the Cashed Up Blues taking a third All Black prop from us - nobody else in SR does that. Numia is the exciting one. He used to be a lightweight but he's really improved. Do you have stats on the All Black hookers’ lineouts for the game? I seem to remember a few misses.
3 Go to commentsFergus Burke isn't tier 1 player quality…but guess what, he'll be playing amongst them for Saracens…. all going well and Steve Borthwick is still the head coach, England...Scott Robertson’s hint of amending NZRU’s offshore AB eligibility clause, would mean that players like Josh Moorby who show potential might get a call…
4 Go to commentsThe movement of quality players back to SA is remarkable.
2 Go to commentsInteresting article, Nic. Am enjoying seeing the Rebels doing well, partly just to spite those who are working to wipe them off the face of the Australian rugby planet. But it is also good to see a team with somany good players beginning fire. LSL has benefitted so much from his move up to Northampton for the one year. I wonder why he did not stay on for another year. Does he now looks north and see his teammates of last year now doing so well, and have some regrets.
49 Go to comments“Over 80% of the World Cup squad are over 30” No it isn’t lol
2 Go to commentsTyrel Lomax the best AB prop since Carl Hayman. Absolutely destroyed the Boks in RWC Final and is monstering allcomers in Super this season. Should be a monster battle vs touring Poms, always deliver a power pack.
3 Go to commentsEye gouging seems like such a strong term for what can only be described as a poke in the eye. When I think of eye gouging I think of someone trying to intentionally pop someone’s eyeball out. it’s like calling a high-tackle attempted decapitation.
3 Go to commentsGreat article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to commentsLeinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
49 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
49 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
4 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
8 Go to comments