SG Ball Round 3: Canterbury five-eighth Khaled Rajab turning heads

Canterbury’s own Kieran Foran lookalike wreaked havoc in the latest round of SG Ball, while the Bunnies showed they are title contenders in 2021.

Bulldogs players enjoy a try. Picture: Sam Ruttyn.

Canterbury might have lost NRL star Kieran Foran to Manly, but there’s a new long-haired five-eighth turning heads at Belmore.

Granted, Khaled Rajab is one whole decade younger than Foran, but the local junior is giving Bulldogs fans a glimpse into an exciting future that awaits the club.

For now, he’s ordering around the Dogs’ SG Ball side and was key to their clinical 42-16 win over the Balmain Tigers on Saturday.

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“Khaled put a cross field kick away to Turoa Williams, who then scored the try of the game,” Bulldogs SG Ball coach Mitch Lewis said.

“He’s very good, our Kieran Foran look-alike … has really good vision.

It’s early days, but Lewis is pleased with how his side is progressing in 2021 – particularly the Dogs’ halves pairing of Rajab and Joseph O’Neill.

Khaled Rajab has all the makings of a future star for Canterbury.

“They played junior league together, they know each other really well and bounce off each other, I’m blessed with two halves that have a good relationship not just as footy players but they’re friends as well” Lewis said.

Fullback Cameron Lawrence also shined, scoring a double for the Dogs who were simply too good for the injury-ravaged Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.

One positive the Tigers can take away from the thumping is that Livai Saukuru seriously challenged Canterbury’s rising star Paul Alamoti.

“ (Saukuru) defended him really well to the point that they flipped him over to the other side. Leivai really stood up. So too did Fonua Pole through the middle,” Balmain coach Scott Kenna said.

“We’re down on troops, we couldn’t compete, we could not handle them through the middle, they are a really strong football team.”

Down the road, the Bunnies demolished the Dragons with a strong 38-6 showing at Mascot Oval.

Head coach Leon Latulipe said he was pleased with how his side bounced back from last week’s draw against title contenders Manly.

“I spoke to them about complacency, not getting too far ahead of yourselves … Manly played really well in that second half,” Latulipe said.

“We’re happy with what they produced today. Guys like Tallis Duncan and Archie Donnelly, he came on in the second half there, put on a really good display.”

In the Shire, the Sharks piled 50 points on the Bears, with Ryan Rivett and Kade Dykes each bagging doubles.

And Victoria’s Sualauvi Faalogo scored a last minute try that allowed Noah Natapu’s to convert and deliver the Thunderbolts a thrilling 28-26 win over the Magpies.

Canterbury stormed past Balmain Tigers.

HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP

St George’s Harold Matts had better luck against the Rabbitohs. The Dragons shocked their opponents, registering 34 unanswered points to grab their first win of the season.

Two quick South Sydney tries was all it took to set off second rower Nicholas Tsougranis – the young Dragon barged his way over and inspired his side’s fight back.

Penrith’s youngsters enjoyed yet another try-fest, crossing on seven occasions in their 40-6 win over the Knights. Over just three games, the Panthers have scored an astounding 18 tries.

And North Sydney pulled off an upset against Cronulla to win 24-20, after training by eight points at half time.

TARSHA GALE CUP

Steelers’ fullback Teagan Berry ripped up again this weekend, scoring a hat-trick in her side’s convincing 28-16 win over Canberra.

The Dragons put on an absolute show too, notching eight tries in their 40-0 thrashing of Parramatta.

And the undefeated Tigers cemented their position as title contenders in 2021 after recording their third consecutive win against the Bulldogs.