NSW Cup, Jersey Flegg: Joseph Suaalii, Sam Walker among rising stars to keep close eye on

Everyone knows of Jayden Sullivan’s talent, but the other half of the Dragons’ halves combination of the future is set to take off. The NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg has some oustanding talent.

Zane Harris will signed with Manly in 2020 (MUST CREDIT Bryden Sharp)

COVID-19 caused chaos in the rugby league world last year — and players are itching to get back on the field as the NSW Cup and Jersey Flegg competitions return.

We look at some of the best and brightest who’ll be running around when the seasons kick off this weekend.

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Joseph Suaalii is sure to make a big impression at the Bears.

NSW CUP: 10 YOUNG GUNS TO WATCH

Joseph Suaalii (North Sydney Bears)

Suaalii’s senior debut for North Sydney in last week’s trial against Canberra showed NSW Cup, not Jersey Flegg, was his best avenue for development ahead of his inevitable first grade career. At 17, Suaalii can still be physically dominant at this level, such is his athleticism. And amid heavy scrutiny, we can still expect his progress to be rapid as he becomes more comfortable playing open-age football.

Nathaniel Roache (Wentworthville Magpies)

If any player in rugby league deserves a bit of luck, it’s Nathaniel Roache. The 24-year old’s ability has never been in question — he’s an excellent running dummy-half and beat out Issac Luke for the starting hooking job at the Warriors in 2019 — but injuries have cruelled him at every turn. Roache has only played 26 first-grade matches since his debut in 2016, but a fresh start at Parramatta might be just what he needs. Don’t be surprised if Roache enters player-of-the-year calculations if he stays on the field.

Tuki Simpkins (Western Suburbs Magpies)

A rampaging back-rower who caught Michael Maguire’s eye in the trials, Simpkins has joined the Tigers from North Queensland this season. The Kiwi product was a star rugby player as a junior and will push for a first grade spot with a bit more seasoning. At 19, he plays with a power and intensity that belie his age.

Nathaniel Roache will be hoping for an injury-free run with the Magpies.

Junior Amone (St George Illawarra Dragons)

One of a number of talented young Dragons coming through the ranks, Amone won an SG Ball premiership with Illawarra in 2019, forming a deadly halves combination with the highly-rated Jayden Sullivan. A strong runner with a sharp short kicking game, Amone could well replicate his partnership with Sullivan in reserve grade — but don’t be surprised if he lands a few NRL starts by the end of the season.

J’Maine Hopgood (St Mary’s)

A hard-nosed and skilful middle forward, Hopgood was elevated to Penrith’s top-30 squad on the eve of the season and will be first cab off the rank should injury strike the Panthers’ middle forwards. Until then, the St Mary’s junior is sure to be one of the top forwards in the NSW Cup — he’s been among Penrith’s best in both their pre-season trials.

Dominic Young (Newcastle Knights)

Young joined Newcastle from Huddersfield Giants, where he was counted as one of the best up-and-coming outside backs in England, and was initially slated as a project player for the Knights. But the rangy 19-year old, who plays with a similar style to former Test and Origin centre Jamal Idris, has stood out in the club’s pre-season trials and may be closer to an NRL debut than some thought. Young will start the season in reserve grade but expect his progress to continue to be rapid.

J'maine Hopgood has looked good in pre-season for the Panthers.

Will Penisini (Wentworthville Magpies)

A schoolboy teammate of Joseph Suaalii at the King’s School, Penisini has entered grade football with similar wraps on his talent. A superb athlete with speed, power and footwork, Penisini will undoubtedly be one of the class centres in the competition. A first grade debut this season is not beyond the 18-year old.

Harry Rushton (Canberra Raiders)

The Raiders are a good tip to take out the premiership given their tremendous depth but the club’s latest English recruit, back-rower Harry Rushton, could well take the competition by storm. A rangy, light-stepper, the 19-year old Rushton made one Super League appearance for Wigan last season before linking with the Raiders on a three-year deal and has already impressed the club with his work ethic over the pre-season.

Luke Metcalf (Newtown Jets)

The Jets have been a conveyor belt for future first graders in recent years and speedy halfback/fullback Metcalf could be the next one to graduate to the top grade. Blessed with extreme pace and a sharp ball player, Metcalf made the 2020 NRL Nines team of the tournament with Manly but returned to Cronulla this year. With the Jets again shaping as contenders for the title, Metcalf is a good bet to light up Henson Park.

Sam Walker could have an impact at both the Bears and Roosters this year.

Sam Walker (North Sydney Bears)

One could argue the Bears haven’t had a halfback of Walker’s skill since Jason Taylor was running around North Sydney Oval. One of the best prospects in rugby league, Walker won’t start the year in first grade but under Taylor’s guidance he’s sure to dominate the NSW Cup. With a sharp running game, quality long and short balls and the fearlessness of youth, Walker will be one to watch every time he takes the field this year.

JERSEY FLEGG: STARS ON THE RISE

Caleb Tohi (Parramatta Eels)

A young back-rower who is likely to step up for Parramatta, as many of the club’s Flegg-aged kids play up in 2021. The local junior has played all his junior representative footy with the Eels and in 2019 he earned selection in the senior NSW Schoolboys side. Tohi also starred for Westfields Sports High in last year’s NRL Schoolboy Cup. Coaches have been impressed with the 19-year-old’s physical strength and leadership.

Zane Harris (Manly Sea Eagles)

The Sea Eagles picked up Harris from the Roosters and named him as Flegg skipper last year. The halfback has retained the captaincy for 2021 and has impressed coaches with his leadership, passing and kicking game. He also got a run in Manly’s first grade trial against the Tigers last week.

Former Rooster Zane Harris is making excellent progress at Manly.

Bailey Biondi-Odo (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)

A real conductor of the team with a great left-foot step. The Dogs poached Biondi-Odo from Parramatta, after the Innisfail product played the 2019 full Flegg season as a 17-year-old. Last year, the halfback was selected in Canterbury’s NRL Perth Nine’s side. After playing a couple of trials for the Dogs’ NRL, reserve grade and Flegg sides, coaches expect Biondi-Odo to have a big year.

Ronald Volkman (Sydney Roosters)

Lit up an NRL trial with two tries against the Wests Tigers — the first via chip-and-chase and second off an 85m intercept. The Roosters beat the NSW Waratahs to secure the Waverley College product two years ago. A true athlete with a great kicking and passing game. Likely to start in Flegg, but we could see him edge into the Chooks’ NSW Cup side.

Moala Graham-Taufa (Sydney Roosters)

The twin brothers are on development contracts. The Roosters brought the boys over from New Zealand last year and Moala played a bit of SG Ball before the competition was cancelled. He’s likely to move into Flegg this season. Their father, Una, played for Tonga at the 1995 World Cup.

Lachlan Ilias has a game much like the current Rabbitohs halfback.

Franklin Pele (Cronulla Sharks)

A physical specimen. Coaches reportedly had to cap big Pele’s weights training because he was putting on too much muscle. The 20-year-old prop has just completed his second full pre-season and excelled in Flegg and NRL trials for the Sharks. Pele is a modern-day explosive front-rower who can be damaging with the footy. Could edge up into the higher grades sooner rather than later.

Shalom O’ofou (St George Illawarra Dragons)

A dynamic back-rower who can ball play and defend well. The Dragons picked up O’ofou from Melbourne when he was 15 years old. In 2019, O’ofou was selected in the junior Kiwi squad that took on the Australian Schoolboys in Brisbane. Coaches believe the forward will have an impact on the Flegg side this year.

Jonalah Lualua (Cronulla Sharks)

An athletic outside back, Lualua is on a development contract and just coming off a full pre-season. The powerful ball runner played a role in Cronulla’s Flegg premiership-winning side in 2018 and was part of the club’s 2019 Flegg side that won the minor premiership. Coaches expect Lualua will be vital to their under-21s side this season.

Big things are expected of Shalom O'ofou.

Niwhai Puru and Hohepa Puru (Penrith Panthers)

These two are only 19 years old, but the Panthers are expecting the Puru brothers to shake up the competition this season. Five-eighth Niwhai has an X-factor and plays an off-the-cuff style reminiscent of Storm five-eighth Cameron Munster. His identical twin brother, Hohepa, on the other hand, is a hardworking and grounded lock. Both boys have been in Penrith’s system since the Harold Matthews Cup and have the best work ethic the club has seen from their age group.

Lachlan Ilias and Peter Mamouzelos (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Ilias is a great organiser with a sharp kicking game which is akin to that of Adam Reynolds. Mamouzelos is a fast and crafty hooker who is reminiscent of Damien Cook. Both are on development contracts and training full-time with the top squad. They will start in Flegg but could push up into reserve grade during the season. Illias and Mamouzelos are also on track to represent Greece in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.