NRL best rookies 2018: New faces ready to light up rugby league
A YOUNG Titans star impressed new coach Garth Brennan so much that he immediately extended his contract. He’s among the 10 most exciting rookies to watch in 2018.
EVERY year a few new faces light up the NRL. In 2018 it might well be one of these promising young players.
Here are the top 10 rookies to watch this season:
PAYNE HAAS, BRISBANE BRONCOS
The Broncos giant is one of the most exciting forward prospects in the past decade. At 194cm and around 120kg, Haas is a colossal teenager. He may not be blooded in the NRL until later in the season but the Broncos hold high hopes for when he makes his mark in first grade. He has power, aggression and a big motor considering his size. The comparisons to Jason Taumalolo are warranted.
AJ BRIMSON, GOLD COAST TITANS
Brimson is a star on the rise for the Titans. The handy halfback has been training in the halves and at fullback during the pre-season. He was a member of the under-20s team of the year in 2017 and the Titans extended his contract in the hope of keeping him on the Gold Coast. If Kane Elgey doesn’t fire, or Michael Gordon is missing at fullback, then Brimson will be right in the mix for an NRL call-up.
JACK MURCHIE, CANBERRA RAIDERS
The Raiders produced last year’s Dally M rookie-of-the-year in Nick Cotric and they may be on to another beauty here. Murchie was a standout last year, making the under-20s team of the year, Junior Kangaroos and being named man-of-the-match in the under-20s State of Origin. The powerful backrower has impressed at training and will push for a regular first grade berth.
JESSE RAMIEN, CRONULLA SHARKS
Ramien played one NRL game for the Sharks last year and did not look out of place. He scored a try on debut at centre and was later named in the under-20s team of the year. The Sharks have a settled backline, but when there’s an injury expect Ramien to be near the top of the reserves. The 20-year-old has a promising NRL career in front of him.
ZAC LOMAX, ST GEORGE-ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Lomax is a towering centre who has been training with the Dragons’ first grade squad this summer. He was a star for the NSW under-18s and Dragons coach Paul McGregor talked him up as the fittest player at the club. That is an impressive effort for a teenager who has drawn comparisons with Mark Gasnier.
MOEAKI FOTUAIKA, GOLD COAST TITANS
Fotuaika impressed new Titans coach Garth Brennan so much in his first few weeks at the club that he immediately extended his contract. The powerful forward will likely spend the opening rounds of the season in the Intrust Super Cup, but watch for him to make his mark on the NRL when he is given the opportunity. The Titans are super excited about what he can produce.
ENARI TUALA, NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS
Tuala got a taste of the NRL last year, playing one game as the Cowboys battled through a major injury crisis. The silky centre has signed with North Queensland for the next two years and is working his way up the pecking order. Tuala should play a lot more first grade in 2018, especially if the Cowboys have a couple of backline injuries.
TUI KAMIKAMICA, MELBOURNE STORM
AT 23, Kamikamica is not your typical rookie. He has already played eight Tests for New Zealand but only made his NRL debut last year for Melbourne, playing two matches. Kamikamica was a standout for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Intrust Super Cup last year and Storm coach Craig Bellamy has a history of producing great forwards. With Jordan McClean leaving Melbourne, there is a spot open for a big man to step up.
REUBEN PORTER, SYDNEY ROOSTERS
The Roosters have plenty of established first graders but Porter is nipping at their heels. The big Kiwi product is an exciting young backrower who was Sydney’s best player in the under-20s last year. He may have to bide his time before being elevated into the NRL, but the Roosters expect him to not be overawed by the occasion when he gets a chance.
THOMAS FLEGLER, BRISBANE BRONCOS
Flegler was overshadowed by teammate Patrick Carrigan in the Broncos under-20s last year but that was mostly due to him missing a large chunk of the season through injury. Flegler is a promising young front rower who the Broncos are quietly excited about. He is still a little while away from first grade but could get his chance this season and the Broncos are confident he won’t let them down if called upon.
Originally published as NRL best rookies 2018: New faces ready to light up rugby league