NRL: Former Maroon’s big call on Cairns Knight’s path to Origin
Former Maroons flyer Ty Williams believes Newcastle Knights centre and fellow Far North product Enari Tuala has the potential to become the region’s next State of Origin star.
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Former Maroons flyer Ty Williams believes Newcastle Knights centre and fellow Far North product Enari Tuala has the potential to become the region’s next State of Origin star.
Since making the move last pre-season to Newcastle from North Queensland, where he was unwanted at the end of the 2019 season, Tuala has evolved into a regular first-grade player and established himself as a key member of the Knights backline.
The Edmonton Storm junior played 18 NRL games during his three seasons with the Cowboys but has already equalled that number in his first season with the Knights, as he prepares to make his 19th appearance for the club in Friday night’s final-round clash against the Titans.
With a number of Queensland incumbents dropping their form over the season and the side battling a mounting injury toll, Williams said Tuala was a chance of being named as an Origin bolter as early as November.
“He’s been outstanding,” said Williams, who coached Tuala when the 21-year-old played for the Northern Pride as a Cowboys allocated player in 2018 and 2019.
“It gives me great pleasure to watch him perform at his best and I think he probably typifies what Newcastle’s doing at the moment.
“They’re full of hard workers and (coach Adam O’Brien) is doing a great job with the guys down there, and Narz has really taken it on board.”
Williams said he believed Tuala would be ready if he earned a call-up.
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When you’re playing with the best blokes available in the positions around you, all you’ve got to worry about is doing your own job,” he said.
“If Narz gets his head around that and he does get selected, I think he can hold his own out there, which is the key thing for him.
“The experience he’ll get out of that month of football would only benefit him and the Newcastle Knights.”
While his name has been floated as a potential answer to the Maroons’ lack of centre options, Tuala said his focus was firmly with the Knights and the upcoming finals series.
“I’m not too concerned about that (Origin selection) at the moment,” he said.
“I’m just trying to focus on my game right now.”
“It’s definitely a goal and a dream, but I’m just trying to focus on my form with the Knights at the moment and see where it goes from there.”
Originally published as NRL: Former Maroon’s big call on Cairns Knight’s path to Origin