Nathan Brown says Brisbane’s rookie sensation David Fifita can be the next Sonny Bill Williams
THE man who signed Queensland’s new superstar Kalyn Ponga has labelled Broncos tyro David Fifita as rugby league’s new Sonny Bill Williams.
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THE Dragons great who signed Queensland ace Kalyn Ponga says the Broncos have unearthed a superstar in David Fifita, labelling the teenage hulk the new Sonny Bill Williams.
Rival Newcastle coach Nathan Brown believes Brisbane’s back-row dynamo Fifita could terrorise his beloved Dragons in Sunday’s sudden-death blockbuster at Suncorp Stadium.
Still just 18 years old, Fifita faces the biggest baptism of his embryonic career when he makes his NRL finals debut in just his 11th top-grade game against a Dragons pack led by British Test enforcer James Graham.
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But Brown, a 172-game Dragons legend, backed Fifita to handle a “Red V” mauling, likening his physique and powerful running to former Canterbury and Roosters sensation Williams.
Sonny Bill has since become a dual international, representing the mighty All Blacks in 47 rugby Tests, and Brown believes the Broncos rookie has all the tools to eventually ascend to rugby league greatness.
“David Fifita is an amazing talent — he reminds me a lot of Sonny Bill Williams,” said Brown, the former Dragons hooker responsible for poaching Ponga from the Cowboys last season.
“I can’t believe that Fifita could still be eligible for the under-18s … kids like him probably come along once in a generation, he’s a superstar.
“There are very few 18 or 19-year-old forwards who have the ability to handle the NRL.
“Sonny Bill Williams was able to dominate early and I see Fifita doing the things that Sonny could do.
“He is breaking the line every week in first grade and scoring tries himself. A 25-year-old who has been in the NRL system for years would be happy to play with the same physicality as Fifita.
“I watched him play a bit of Queensland (Intrust Super) Cup and then I watched him jump up to first grade this year.
“It doesn’t matter what grade he plays in, he just beats people … it will be great to watch him in the finals.”
Born in the year 2000, Fifita was aged just four when Sonny Bill, at 19, won a premiership for the Bulldogs in his barnstorming rookie season in 2004.
Underlining his talent, the 110kg Fifita played the full 80 minutes against Manly last Sunday, amassing 136 metres and 26 tackles in Brisbane’s 48-16 rout at Suncorp Stadium.
“I was coaching the Dragons Jersey Flegg side when the Bulldogs blooded this kid called Sonny Bill Williams,” Brown recalled.
“The scary thing is that Sonny wasn’t as developed as Fifita at the same age. Fifita is actually bigger and stronger than Sonny as a teenager.
“There’s a lot of clubs that aren’t putting much time into grassroots development, but the Broncos deserve credit for it.
“The code will benefit from stars like David Fifita and Payne Haas (Broncos front-row teenager).”
Veteran Broncos hardman Josh McGuire lauded the impact of Fifita, a Keebra Park product who only made his NRL debut in June against Canberra.
“In my opinion, we have the best young forward pack in the competition,” he said.
“We have some monsters in our pack — I’m excited for their futures.
“We have more depth this season. The big plus has been our bench and what the young guys like Fifita bring to our team.”
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Originally published as Nathan Brown says Brisbane’s rookie sensation David Fifita can be the next Sonny Bill Williams