The 10 KFC SuperCoach NRL cheapies who’ve caught the eye of Wacko’s Whispers
The master of the NRL Late Mail, Wacko’s Whispers, rates his 10 best cheapies ahead of the 2021 KFC SuperCoach NRL season.
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Some are expected to make an immediate impact, others we may not see till midway through
2021, but all of these future NRL stars are available at bottom dollar in KFC SuperCoach NRL.
Check out our late mail master Wacko’s Whispers’ 10 top cheapies of 2021.
Jacob Liddle (Tigers) HOK ($247,200)
It’s a make or break year for Jacob Liddle, who has had his first full pre-season after a limited 2020 spent recovering from an ACL injury and a number of other injuries in previous years. Liddle is off contract at the end of 2021 and will be looking forward to a year to prove he has overcome all his injuries and that he is up to NRL standard after being an Australian Schoolboys back in his junior days. Needs to create more in attack and with new rule changes hopefully he can take advantage of that. Will be splitting minutes this season but if he averages only 40 minutes a game and with a decent PPM should be a money maker – but again – injury history is the biggest concern.
Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles) 2RF ($245,600)
Olakau’atu is a young edge 2RF who made his NRL debut in the finals in 2019 and then last season went on to play five games. His round 13 game a standout where he was able start on edge due to a number of injuries and went on to play 75 minutes and score 91 points including a try. Is fighting it out with Andrew Davey and Jack Gosiewski for a starting edge position. Olakau’atu has been a part of the Sea Eagles junior system for a number of years and was a member of Sea Eagles’ winning Holden Cup squad back in 2017. Sea Eagles fans will be hoping to see more of Haumole in the 2021 season.
Ryan James (Raiders) FRF/2RF ($236,700)
The new Canberra recruit is a testament to resilience and determination after coming back from back-to-back ACL injuries with his last NRL game being 21st April 2019. James’ exact role at the Raiders is still to be determined but with off-field issues for Corey Harawira-Naera and Corey Horsburgh he could start the year out of 17, on the bench or even potentially start on an edge replacing John Bateman. I am sure all that James will be worrying about this season is getting some miles in his legs and an injury-free season.
Spencer Leniu (Panthers) FRF ($218,500)
A young promising prop coming into his third year in the NRL and still only 20-years-old. Leniu signed a two-year extension late in 2020 which will see the Penrith junior stay at the Panthers till the end of 2023 after he rejected good offers from both the Bulldogs and Dragons. Was limited to an average of 20MPG in 2020 and the departure of middles James Tamou, Zane Tetevano and Jack Hetherington opens up more minutes at the Panthers. With a PPM of 1.21 in 2020, if Leniu could split minutes with Moses Leota and see 40 minutes a game Leniu has potential to make some coin. Wouldn’t surprise me to see him starting at prop ahead of Leota before the middle of the season.
Shawn Blore (Tigers) 2RF ($210,500)
A name that came onto my radar back in 2019 after he joined the Penrith NRL squad for his first pre-season on an NRL Development contract after a successful 2018 campaign in which he captained the Panthers’ SG Ball squad to a national championship. However, his 2019 season was then cut short after suffering an ACL injury at training. Was highly rated coming through the junior ranks representing NSW U/18’s and Australian Schoolboys in 2018. Was a mid-season signing for the Tigers in 2020 making his NRL debut in round 11 against the Eels making his mark when he went toe-to-toe with Nathan Brown. Tipped to win right edge position and expecting big things from him this season
Stefano Utoikamanu (Tigers) FRF ($186,800)
Tigers fans are expecting big things from their new signing this season and so am I, but you have to be realistic in your expectations. Was selected in NSW U/18’s and Australian Schoolboys coming through juniors ranks and has been named in the NSW Blues 2021 Emerging Squad. Was selected to play NSW Cup in 2018 as an 18-year-old and he didn’t take a backward step. With the contract he is on at the Tigers I am expecting he will be in the 17 each week of 2021 season.
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Josh Schuster (Sea Eagles) 5/8 ($203,100)
Was finally given the opportunity by Des Hasler to his make NRL debut against the Tigers in round 17 last season. A syndesmosis injury limited him to 65 minutes yet he impressed Benji Marshall enough for the star to label Schuster’s game as ‘the best debut I’ve seen from a young kid in my time, ever.’ Schuster’s role in 2021 has been a topic of conversation after the Sea Eagles signed Kieran Foran but Schuster is expected to be in the 17 somewhere. Has got the skills to make it at NRL level with good footwork, an excellent passing game and a kicking game which is slowly developing but will only improve with time on the field. Had a prolific junior career being named the SG Ball Player of Year in 2019 and representing NSW in U/16’s and U/18’s. Is still only 19 at the start of this season so we will be seeing plenty of Schuster not only in 2021 but in years to come.
Egan Butcher (Roosters) 2RF ($173,700)
Younger brother of Nat Butcher, Egan is a highly rated junior who plays on an edge. Came through ranks having represented NSW in 2016 in U/16’s and 2018 in U/18’s, spent the whole 2020 season in the NRL bubble despite not playing a game. Has spent the last few pre-seasons with the NRL Squad and played NSW Cup in 2019 as a 19 year old where he was able to score three tries in six games. Was named in the Roosters’ 21-man squad a number of times in 2020 and will make his NRL debut at some stage during the 2021 season – it’s not a matter of if – but when he will debut. With the limited forward depth at the Roosters currently Butcher only needs one or two more injuries to get a crack in the NRL with some people in the know rating him higher than his brother Nat.
Sam Walker (Roosters) HFB ($173,700)
Boom rookie half who is the son on Ben Walker, Sam has been promoted to the Top-30 after spending the 2020 season on a development contract. Walker was a part of the NRL bubble in 2020 after shoulder surgery earlier in the year where he spent most of the season running in the Renegades team at the captain’s run and learning off the experienced playmakers at the Roosters. Has the skills to develop into a gun NRL half with a good running game, a quality left foot step – though he can step off both feet – speed off the mark and a decent kicking game which will further develop as he gets minutes on the field. His size is a concern which will see him spotted up in defence, but his body will fill out in time. Tipping Walker or Suaalii will be named 2021 NRL Rookie of year.
Joseph Suaalii (Roosters) FLB/CTW ($173,700)
Get ready for Joseph Suaalii to light up the NRL in 2021. He currently cannot play in the NRL till August 1 when he turns 18, but the Roosters are seeking an exemption which could see him debut when required in 2021 more than likely on wing. Had a hamstring injury early in 2020 and with all the contract drama around him didn’t return to the NRL bubble after the COVID break which means he hasn’t played a competitive game since 2019. Looking forward to seeing Suaalii doing his talking on the league field when he debuts at some stage during the 2021 season
Originally published as The 10 KFC SuperCoach NRL cheapies who’ve caught the eye of Wacko’s Whispers
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