NRL news: Top 10 QCup graduates stepping up to NRL in 2022; Karmichael Hunt switches up again
The Dragons will be banking on the adage that lightning strikes twice with an Origin representative’s younger brother in the latest QCup crop stepping up next season.
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Bronco and NRL premiership winner Karmichael Hunt has taken on a coaching role in Brisbane next year as he embarks on his next challenge in life after professional rugby league.
The 34-year-old has been appointed head coach of the Souths Logan Magpies Mal Meninga Cup team for the 2022 season in a huge coup for the Queensland club.
The code-hopping star was released from his contract with the Broncos after making a stunning return to the NRL in 2021 to cap off a remarkable 17-year career.
Now, the premiership winner has decided to take up his first coaching role in Queensland’s under-18 competition to help foster the next wave of talent from his junior club.
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“I am super excited to begin my coaching career with (Souths Logan Magpies), the club that represents the juniors I grew up playing for,” Hunt said.
“I have a real passion for helping the next generation of players coming through, and coaching this years’ MM Cup team gives me the opportunity to do so.
“I look forward to passing on the breadth of knowledge I have learnt so far.”
Hunt is returning to where it all began after playing for Souths juniors at Acacia Ridge in his early days of rugby league.
After representing the Broncos from 2006 to 2009, Hunt spent the next decade playing rugby union and AFL, before making his NRL return for Brisbane in 2021, playing two games under coach Kevin Walters.
Hunt also played seven matches for the Magpies in the 2021 Intrust Super Cup season, scoring three tries and setting up four others to steer Souths Logan to a finals berth.
Magpies CEO Jim McCleland said the club was looking forward to seeing Hunt join the club’s coaching staff.
“The club is enthusiastic to announce Karmichael’s appointment as coach of our Mal Meninga side in 2022,” McCleland said.
“The Magpies started on a journey with Karmichael 23 years ago and we are thrilled that he chose to return to Souths Logan Magpies in 2021 with the intention of starting his coaching career with our club.
“He brings a wealth of knowledge, integrity and the Magpies DNA and we look forward to being a part of his coaching journey.”
Hunt has kept busy after the 2021 season graduating from the University of Southern Queensland with a Bachelor of Science (Psychology) in September.
Top 10 QCup graduates stepping up to NRL in 2022
By Chris Honnery
Queensland’s Intrust Super Cup has proven to be a highly successful breeding ground of NRL talent with the likes of Reece Walsh, Xavier Coates and Jayden Campbell the most recent state cup graduates to make it in first grade in 2021.
And in 2022, it’s set to be no different with a raft of talent handed NRL opportunities.
From the ISC grand final man-of-the-match to the state’s player of the year recipient – here are the 10 players set to make the most of a shot in the NRL.
Michael Molo (Dragons)
The younger brother of Queensland Origin representative Francis, Michael is just as damaging and shows plenty of promise. Molo was awarded the man-of-the-match award in after Norths’ Intrust Super Cup grand final win over Wynnum Manly last month. Has played 37 games for the Devils and one for the Capras as the 24-year-old looks to make the most of his train-and-trial opportunity with the Dragons in 2022.
Jayden Berrell (Sharks)
The 26-year-old Ipswich product took out the prestigious player of the year award this year following an impressive season with Wynnum Manly. The dummy half has played close to 100 games in the Intrust Super Cup and has finally been given a shot in the NRL after Cronulla signed him in their top 30 roster on a one-year deal.
Jayden Nikorima (Storm)
Former prodigy Jayden Nikorima has been handed an NRL lifeline at the Storm after becoming embroiled in off-field incidents early in his career which derailed his first grade hopes. The 25-year-old halfback was a standout for the Dolphins in the Intrust Super Cup in 2021, scoring seven tries in eight games and set up four others. Nikorima has signed a one-year deal with Melbourne and will join their top 30 roster.
Shallin Fuller (Titans)
One of the most exciting talents in the Intrust Super Cup this year, Fuller has been given a crack at the NRL at 22-years-old. The lightning quick utility played 12 games for Burleigh in 2021, scoring seven tries and setting up 14 others. Such has been his form, the Titans have offered Fuller a development list contract for 2022.
Isaiah Tass (Rabbitohs)
The Mackay product has plied his trade with the Bulldogs, Broncos and after a stunning season with Souths Logan Magpies, has been given a crack with the Rabbitohs in 2022. The 22-year-old outside back scored 126 points in 15 games for the Magpies in 2021 and joins South Sydney’s top 30 roster.
Ezra Mam (Broncos)
The star halfback was already part of Brisbane’s development program but after an impressive season with Souths Logan has been promoted into the Broncos top 30 squad. The Goodna Eagles product scored 13 tries in 11 games for the Magpies, including a hat-trick on debut against the Capras to catch the eye of Broncos hierarchy. The youngster is in line to claim the No.6 jersey with the Broncos next year.
Alofiana Khan-Pereira (Titans)
He’s tall, he’s quick and he’s one to watch. Khan-Pereira has been promoted into the Titans top 30 squad in 2022 as he looks to set the NRL alight. The 20-year-old is lightning fast and though he only played one Intrust Super Cup game with Burleigh in 2021, still showed glimpses of his potential.
Jack Howarth (Storm)
The 19-year-old Mackay product has long been considered an exciting rugby league prospect. A tall, powerful centre, Howarth played five games for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in 2021 and impressed with his 12 tackle breaks. Howarth has scored an opportunity in Melbourne’s top 30 roster in 2022.
Riley Price (Cowboys)
He’s the son-of-a-gun who is already creating a buzz in Townsville. The son of former NRL great Steve Price, Riley has been with the Cowboys since 2019 but has signed a contract extension which will see him upgraded into the top squad in 2023. The 20-year-old backrower played nine games for the Blackhawks, making an impressive 222 tackles and two tries.
Peesi and Kina Kepu (Warriors)
The last spot on this list has been given to the Kepu twins who have been playing at Redcliffe. The New Zealanders both made their Intrust Super Cup debuts in 2021 and impressed enough to secure a spot on the Warriors development contract list.
V’landys backs NRL push into Africa
-Dean Ritchie
A renowned Australian athletics coach who competed internationally has approached the NRL and two clubs about creating a revolutionary avenue for Kenyan players to become professional footballers in Australia.
And Brook Tennant has claimed the move would instantly open another player pathway for NRL clubs outside of PNG, England, the Pacific and New Zealand.
“Rugby league needs a bigger pool and Kenya has the greatest sportspeople in the world. Their endurance, their ability to train, their ability to take lessons – they are great soldiers,” Tennant said.
“They are natural and spirited athletes. They won’t come here and cause trouble. If you say to them: ‘Walk through that wall’ … they will. The potential is there in future years to have a wealth of Kenyan athletes we can draw on.
“We have a new team in the NRL with the Dolphins and we need a pathway between Kenya and Australia; to build a ladder so players can start coming across and progress. To take on another country like this - this is a fantastic opportunity for the NRL. And you would open up Africa.”
Tennant has worked, trained and educated Kenyan athletes for the past 25 years, mostly long distance runners before, five years ago, introducing the country to rugby league.
And aspiring Kenyan players have already given rugby league its own name in Swahili - Asante NRL Rafiki. In English, it translates to Thank You NRL Friend.
Tennant claimed there were hundreds of tall athletes – with a similar build and speed to Manly’s Jason Saab - playing in an eight-team Kenyan rugby league competition which has 750 registered players, most based around the capital, Nairobi.
The push Kenya gathered heavyweight support with ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys saying: “It’s extremely exciting. Eventually the game has to grow worldwide and this would open up another market.
“It gives young athletes in these poorer countries light at the end of the tunnel. If rugby league gives these Kenyan kids hope and a better living, along with potentially being a star in rugby league, then it’s a win-win. Like everything, you have to start from scratch and work your way up.”
Asked whether the NRL would consider helping fund Kenyan players coming to Australia, V’landys said: “Absolutely. We look at all areas of participation.”
Aware rugby league requires more players to cover 17 and then 18 clubs, Tennant last week contacted the NRL, Dolphins and St George Illawarra seeking support for Kenyan athletes in rugby league through training and mentoring.
While Kenyan players would require significant improvement and education to compete at NRL level, Tennant believes NRL and clubs should consider investing in what could become a future and significant footpath into rugby league.
“If you look at Jason Saab, these Kenyans are that tall and that fit. They would make brilliant outside backs. They would do anything to get somewhere in sport,” Tennant said.
“Representing Kenya in the NRL – it would be an amazing inspiration for their people.
“There is already potential for two or three Kenyans to come across and play at Queensland Cup or NSW Cup level for advancement. And I’m talking about athletes who have been to the Olympics, they’re not slouches.
“The Kenya’s Sports Government is looking for other sports to allow athletes to blossom. When they found out about a potential pathway and that someone could take this to the NRL, they were extremely happy.
“I approached the NRL last week and also Craig Young (chairman) and ‘Hook’ (head coach Anthony Griffin) at the Dragons and said if we’re serious about international rugby league – and getting more countries playing – then we must have go-head programs for Kenyans to come over and train with clubs and potentially branch out into the NRL.
“I have also written to the Dolphins and asked for Wayne Bennett to give me a call. The Dolphins would be perfect. If we strike now, we have the entire off-season to try and bring a couple of players over. We would need some funding or sponsorship involved. I know English soccer is looking at the Kenyans.”
Games in Kenya are played on modest ovals but with the same field dimensions under NRL rules.
Tennant, 56, who lives on the Sunshine Coast, was a former distance runner who competed in multiple world events in the USA, Canada, Germany and Spain along with the Junior Commonwealth Games in Brisbane in 1982. He has also trained athletes from Ethiopia, America, Canada and New Zealand.
His affiliation with Kenya started with running against their athletes, including the legendary Henry Rono. Rono asked Tennant to start writing training programs for Kenyan athletes. At one point he was training between 300 and 500 athletes.
“I’ve got a very good name in Kenya,” said Tennant said, who sent Kenyan athletes running shoes, boots, footballs and singlets from Australia at a personal cost of $5000 to $8000.
While training the locals, Tennant met former Kenyan Olympian volleyball player, Edina Rotich.
“Edina is on the WADA committee for Kenya,” Tennant said. “She is high-up in Kenya, extremely well respected.”
Tennant and Rotich quickly found rugby league was a discussion point. Rotich then met with the then Kenyan Sports Health Minister about expanding sport, health and goodness across Kenya before slipping in rugby league.
“We started this five years ago, the grassroots of rugby league,” Tennant said.
“That was when I started sending training programs and videos of rugby league. A lot of my energy went into rugby league over there, dealing with Kenyan Rugby league and the Ministers. I wanted to build it up to the point where we take it to the NRL and flourish the game.”
Tennant trains the Kenyan athletes via correspondence, mostly runners competing over 5000 metres, 10,000 metres and marathons.
“I help their distance runners with training programs. I have done that for between 15 to 20 years. I have had Kenyans who have come over here to Australia in bloc periods and trained. They have then gone back and competed in countries like England and Germany,” he said.
In another indication about the country’s aptitude towards football, Kenya’s rugby union 7s side is ranked number nine in the world, ahead of the more established Wales, France, Scotland, Japan and Tonga.
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