NSW Cup 2021: Why Parramatta’s Will Penisini will be far more than just Joseph Suaalii’s schoolboy teammate

He hasn’t attracted the same hype as his schoolboy teammate Joseph Suaalii but an 18-year-old Parramatta centre is close to the best outside back prospect in rugby league.

He was Joseph Suaalii’s centre partner at The King’s School and it won’t be long until his name is added to the list of teenage stars cutting loose in the NRL.

Parramatta’s NSW Cup centre Will Penisini isn’t far behind his former rugby union teammate when it comes to the best outside back prospects in rugby league.

Still just 18, Penisni has taken great strides with his game in the second-tier competition this season with his workrate and athleticism helping Parramatta to a top-four berth.

“Will’s been going really well. He’s still got lots to work on but the things he’s been doing he’s been doing really well,” the Eels’ Joey Lussick said.

“You hear so much hype about Joseph Suaalii debuting the other day, Will was his centre partner at school that people can sort of forget about.

“But he’s been really good and he’s only going to get better.”

There’s a host of talented youngsters coming through the Eels - including halfback Jakob Arthur and fullback Sean Russell - Penisini is close to the pick of the bunch.

In nine appearances so far in 2021, Penisini has averaged over 130 metres per game.

He’s yet to hit the park for his first grade debut but has been named on an extended bench several times, including for this week’s clash with the Rabbitohs.

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Will Penisini carts it up for the Eels. Digital image by Gregg Porteous � NRL Photos

Should Penisini be granted his first NRL debut he’d join the likes of Arthur, Lussick, Wiremu Greig and Haze Dunster in graduating to the top grade.

“One thing Brad has touched on a lot this year is we’re not a 1-17 squad, we’re a 30-35 man squad,” Lussick said.

“I think that really shows in Cup, where it can be tough because players are going up and down.

“Will, Jake, Sean Russell, all these young boys have been putting their best foot forward and really challenging the rest of the squad.”

The Eels will face 10th-placed South Sydney this weekend but don’t let the Rabbitohs spot on the ladder fool you - they’ll come fully loaded with Liam Knight and Origin forward Jaydn Su’A both dumped to reserve grade by Wayne Bennett.

Penisini will lock horns with Souths flyer Braidon Burns, while Latrell Mitchell’s older brother Shaq will act as 18th man for the Rabbitohs.

If Parramatta can keep its best team on the park, the Eels will fancy their chances of matching runaway ladder leaders Penrith, who are unbeaten so far this year.

Western Suburbs, who take on last placed St George Illawarra this weekend, are the other major superpower in NSW Cup - they’ve put together an eight-match winning streak and average over 34 points scored per game.

Another ‘Redfern Express’ is making his own name

- Jocelyn Airth

Terry Fahey was the original ‘Redfern Express’ but now another young Fahey is making a name for himself at the Rabbitohs.

Kendyll Fahey debuted for the Jersey Flegg Bunnies just four weeks ago and already the fullback has scored two tries in the under-21s competition.

Inspired by his grandfather’s cousin Terry, the hard-running winger who played 190 first-grade games for Souths, Eastern Suburbs and Canberra in the 1970s and 1980s, young Fahey approached the Rabbitohs with one dream — to play for his family’s special club.

“He’d been playing A Grade in the Newcastle competition, it would be his last year in Flegg, he wanted to test himself … he wanted to try and represent the club that (Terry) played for,” Rabbitohs’ Flegg coach Joe O‘Callaghan said.

Fahey scored a try to help inspire the Bunnies 42-14 upset victory over powerhouse Penrith last weekend.

“He’s very busy, a bit of a Tedesco (style) off the footy, he pops up in great places,” O’Callaghan said.

“People notice his speed, and his elusiveness but what I‘ve liked about him is his toughness. He’s not very big in frame, he’s probably a smaller style of fullback, but whether the balls on the floor or in the air he puts his body on the line, that’s impressed me the most.”

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Terry Fahey on the charge for the Raiders.

Lachlan Ilias and Peter Mamouzelos, who are both on track to represent Greece at the Rugby League World Cup, were also key in the Bunnies’ win.

“(Ilias) was the difference on the weekend, it sounds a bit strange with a scoreline that big, but he controlled the game like a veteran,” O‘Callaghan said.

“Pete has had a stop start year with injuries … It was great to see him running again on the weekend, that’s his strength, he‘s a Damien Cook style hooker.”

O‘Callaghan, who is also Souths’ Head of Pathways, also praised young prop Davvy Moale for seamlessly transitioning from SG Ball (under 19s) to Jersey Flegg.

South Sydney's Jersey Flegg captain Lachlan Ilias. Picture: Bryden Sharp

“We’ve made no secret as a club that we hold high hopes for Davvy ... we just want to make sure we do his development correctly, people have to remember he’s only 18-year-old … his next step is obviously NSW Cup through that pathway,” O‘Callaghan said.

“We’re trying to make sure we get the stages of development right for his age and position. The way he’s stepped up from SG Ball to Jersey Flegg, he’s done it like he’s been doing it for a couple of years. He’s standing out and looks very comfortable.”

On Saturday, Souths take on Parramatta at Stadium Australia, just weeks after they lost to the Eels by 36 points.

“We’ve been building for the last few weeks, we’re getting closer, finally, to putting regular consistent 17 on the field,” O‘Callaghan said.

“If anyone looks at the result of this competition at the moment, it’s pretty unpredictable. Just because we’ve had a couple of wins, I don’t expect an easy day at the office.”

Bailey Bondi-Odo, 18, contracted to the Bulldogs. PICTURE: STEWART McLEAN

Canterbury will be looking to replicate the Rabbitohs ambush of the Panthers on Saturday. Coach Luke Vella is expecting his senior players to step up against their powerhouse opposition.

“Penrith will be a real challenge for us but it’s good because if we want to play finals footy, they’re the benchmark at the moment so we’ll need to test ourselves against them,” Vella said.

“Our skipper Ryan Gray (will step up), when he’s playing well and controlling the game, all the boys get on the back of him.

“Our halves Bailey Biondi-Odo and Bailey Hayward, when they back themselves, the team gets on board too.”