NRL 2023: Queensland team of the week: Isaiya Katoa, Valynce Te Whare earn nominations

TEAM OF THE WEEK: Rookies and teenagers have made their talents known across a wild Magic Round weekend. See who starred for the Queensland outfits.

Valynce Te Whare.

Before Isaiya Katoa signed on for the Dolphins, coach Wayne Bennett had some consoling words … “I will look after you.’’

That was the promise. The reality is he hasn’t had to.

Katoa scored the first try of his NRL career to kick start the Dolphins 36-16 Magic Round upset over Cronulla where his typically slick display has earnt him selection in our Queensland team of the week chosen from the state’s four NRL sides during Magic Round.

The Broncos have the highest representation in this week’s team with five players after pounding Manly, the Titans have four courtesy of its thrilling victory over Parramatta while the Dolphins and Cowboys have two each after wins over the Sharks and Roosters.

Dolphins halfback Katoa, signed at 18, now 19, has played all nine games for the Dolphins and has been one of the buys of the year, plucked from the Penrith Panthers who knew they had no serious hold on him given he faced been stuck for years behind the immovable Nathan Cleary and Jerome Luai.

Normally young players promoted to first grade need a rest for their own benefit after a handful of first grade games but Katoa appears to be getting stronger.

Teenager Isaiya Katoa has settled into first grade in quick time. Picture: Getty

When Katoa first joined the Dolphins, Sean O’Sullivan and Anthony Milford were the first choice halves at training while Katoa and Kodi Nikorima were the opposition – but injuries to the top duo have seen the two backups united in the front line.

An impressively mature media performer who talks with the wisdom of an old sweat, Katoa has been urged to act like a veteran and bark out instructions at will. But the rookie in him still marvels at getting home and seeing himself playing on television.

The Dolphins gained yet another solid representation in our team of the week with 108kg centre Valynce Te Whare joining Katoa in the side.

Bennett chuckled post match at the naming of the Kiwi as Val Meninga because in his eyes there is only one Mal – but they are of similar stature with powerhouse games.

The Broncos thumping of Manly gained their Mr Irrepressible Payne Haas his weekly entrance to the team with his standard 182 running metres including 75 made after contact to reinforce his status as the competition’s most consistent player.

Billy Moore said three years ago Haas would become the first prop to win the Dally M medal. This might just be the year.

The Cowboys’ upset win over the Roosters saw Reuben Cotter rumbling into form with his best game of the winter and he made the team along with North Queensland hooker Reece Robson. Cotter’s surge will surely bankroll his retention in the Queensland State of Origin team.

Electrfying Titans winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira cemented his place in the team of the week with a tryscoring double against the Eels and he’s joined by teammates Kieran Foran, David Fifita and Mo Fotuaika who all starred against Parramatta.

NEW NRL CULT FIGURE STILL UNSURE OF ALL THE LEAGUE’S RULES

By Travis Meyn

Valynce Te Whare dreamed of playing for the All Blacks two years ago and was working as a groundskeeper at Redcliffe last season.

Now the Dolphins sensation is the NRL’s newest cult hero after making Suncorp Stadium his field of dreams on Saturday night.

Dubbed “Val Meninga”, Te Whare bagged a double in a stunning NRL debut as the Dolphins thumped Cronulla 36-16 in their Magic Round unveiling.

It was a fairytale moment for the Kiwi Te Whare, who celebrated his debut with a post-match sideline haka after overcoming mental and fitness struggles on his way to cracking the NRL.

Te Whare, 22, played his first game of rugby league last year after being plucked from New Zealand club rugby to become one of the Dolphins’ first signings.

Valynce Te Whare was a showstopper on his NRL debut.

He still doesn’t know all the rules of the 13-man game and has little idea about the history of rugby league. Not that it showed.

“A couple of years ago I was just playing club footy, just having a chill time, some alone time getting myself right mentally,” Te Whare said.

“I mentally wasn’t there so I just had a year off playing club and after that Wayne Bennett and Peter O’Sullivan (Dolphins recruitment chief) hit me up and I just took it with two hands.

“Two years ago I was hopefully going to play All Blacks and Super Rugby, but I made the switch last year and then I just thought, just keep getting good, just keep going in (Hostplus) Cup and then my time will come.

“To this day, I’m still trying to figure out what the rules are and what to do.

Valynce Te Whare bullies his way through the Sharks defence.

“I didn’t think I was going to play how I played. But I just went out there and had some fun.”

Te Whare’s NRL career could be like his debut – a rollercoaster – but you can nearly guarantee it won’t be boring.

He was found out defensively early by the Sharks but responded with a barnstorming solo try, scored his second to seal victory for the Dolphins and then hung on gallantly despite struggling with the pace of first grade.

At 117kg, Te Whare is the biggest player at the Dolphins but has deceptive speed and claims to have clocked 11 seconds flat in a high school 100m sprint.

With his stocky build and arm guard, Te Whare has been compared to Raiders and Queensland legend Mal Meninga – but he knows little about the game’s 13th Immortal.

“I have a rough idea (who he is),” Te Whare said.

“I still haven’t met him. I hope (I can meet him).

Valynce Te Whare too strong on debut! 🔥#NRLSharksDolphinspic.twitter.com/1U3OtR57c1

— NRL (@NRL) May 6, 2023

Putting the magic in Magic Round…

Valynce Te Whare, a year after taking up the game, makes his debut, scores a double in a big win & is greeted by this from friends & family after the game@NRL#NRLMagicRound#NRLpic.twitter.com/fUAA8evwkS

— Mitch Lewis (@Mitch_Lewis) May 6, 2023

“Everyone says I play like him, wear the armguard like him.

“I broke my arm five or six years ago and ever since then I’ve had to wear it for confidence.”

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett put his faith in Te Whare getting the job done against the high-flying Sharks and their destructive centre weapon Siosifa Talakai.

The 900-game super coach said Te Whare could be a match-winner for the Dolphins on the big stage.

“He can be better,” Bennett said.

“He’s got a lot of improvement in him. It wasn’t a bad start for his first NRL game.

“It’s when he hasn’t got the ball that worries me.

“We thought he was an investment in the future. We were looking for talent and he’s talented.

“I think we’re going find with Val is he’s a big-match player. The bigger the occasion the better he’ll play.

“There’s just some players that have that type of psyche and that’s part of his DNA.”

Te Whare will have to wait at least a fortnight for his next NRL appearance, with the Dolphins to enjoy a bye next weekend sitting in the top eight.

Originally published as NRL 2023: Queensland team of the week: Isaiya Katoa, Valynce Te Whare earn nominations