Intrust Super Cup 2016: 10 recruits who will light up the competition
THE season is only weeks away, and as preparation ramps up RIKKI-LEE ARNOLD looks at the best recruits throughout the Intrust Super Cup.
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THE stars will be coming out to play in this year’s Intrust Super Cup as teams scramble to pick up the best recruits before the new season.
With only six weeks until the season kicks off, clubs are starting to finalise their squads and are getting ready to judge their best in trial matches.
We take a look at the best recruits throughout the Intrust Super Cup this season.
1. MITCH CRONIN
Wynnum Manly Seagulls
THERE were a number of times over the past three years when young Canberra Raiders rake Mitch Cronin was rumoured to be on the brink of an NRL debut.
As the new season approaches, the 23-year-old is still uncapped at the top level but that does not mean he is any less determined to get there.
The promising Queenslander has now brought his talent back home and is ready to test himself in the Intrust Super Cup with Wynnum Manly, where his brother Ben already plays.
Cronin, who spent most of his time in Canberra playing under-20s and NSW Cup, hopes he can still crack the NRL.
“If you just look at last year’s season, there were about five from that Ipswich team that won the grand final who are now in the NRL system,’’ he said.
“Now that they’ve created that final where it’s (Intrust Super Cup) versus NSW Cup, there’s more people watching it.
“People are more developed in Intrust and NSW Cup. They are becoming more of a gateway and clubs are starting to look at it more seriously.’’
Cronin also believes his time at Wynnum will keep him at an NRL level of fitness, with the teaching student admitting that he has been surprised by the intensity of the club’s training.
“It’s been surprisingly tough with the fitness and the defence that we’ve been getting put through,” he said.
2. Christian Hazard
Redcliffe Dolphins
Position: Halfback
Signed from: Gold Coast Titans/Burleigh Bears
Experience: South Sydney under-20s, Titans under-20s, Burleigh Bears.
Coach Adam Mogg: “He comes with a good reputation and everyone knows he is professional about what he does.
“We’ve got three trials to get through and Christian will play at least one if not two. His level of competitiveness adds that pressure on everyone competing for their spots. He’s going to push really hard to secure a spot and I think that’s what we need.’’
3. Shannon Walker
Tweed Heads Seagulls
Position: Fullback, winger
Signed from: Australian Rugby Sevens
Experience: First grade with Gold Coast Titans, Australian rugby sevens.
Coach Aaron Zimmerle: “The big thing with Shannon is the excitement that he brings.
“He is the best I’ve ever seen in terms of how he physically looks. He looks strong and muscular but still blistering fast. He feels really healthy and has no niggles heading into the season.”
4. Herman Ese’ese
Souths Logan Magpies
Position: Prop
Signed from: Canterbury
Experience: First grade and under-20s with Bulldogs, pre-season with Broncos.
Coach Josh Hannay: “He comes across as a quality young man, who is prepared to work hard and wants to be the best he can.
“He’s obviously a quality player that has his best footy in front him. Apart from the physical attributes he has, he also has a pretty high skill level and is very light on his feet for a big guy.”
5. Ryley Jacks
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Position: Halfback
Signed from: Burleigh Bears
Experience: Sydney Roosters under-20s, Easts Tigers, Burleigh Bears and Canada.
Coach Craig Ingebrigtsen: “He’s a real thinker. He plans the footy game in his head. Those attributes we’ll enjoy playing with.
“He’s got a great left foot kick, is very smart. He ticks all the boxes you want in a halfback.’’
6. Nafe Seluini
Sunshine Coast Falcons
Position: Hooker
Signed from: Burleigh Bears
Experience: Junior Kiwis, first grade for Penrith and Sydney Roosters, Tonga at World Cup.
Coach Ingebrigtsen: “He has lots of genuine speed. As the game changes with the interchange, it will help. He’s going to catch out a lot of tired front-rowers.
“(Seluini and Jacks) bring a lot of experience and they are going to be threatening because you have to keep an eye on them. The opposition will be doing a lot of analysis on those two.’'
7. Jayden Berrell
Norths Devils
Position: Hooker
Signed from: Brisbane Broncos under-20s
Experience: Under-20s plus a pre-season run with the Broncos this year.
Coach Mark Gliddon is not sure whether Berrell will be with the club or the Broncos this year but is confident he will fit in when he arrives.
“Jayden is doing a pre-season with the Broncos and he’s been doing very well. It’s going to benefit him immensely and he’ll come to us fit with a great skill level ready to go.’’
8. Todd Murphy
Norths Devils
Position: Five-eighth
Signed from: Cronulla Sharks
Experience: Redcliffe Dolphins, Broncos under-20s, Cronulla first grade squad, pre-season with the Broncos this year.
Coach Gliddon: “Players want to play with him.
“Four or five players have signed with us because of him. Todd’s a champion bloke (and) a very, very smart footballer.’’
9. Willie Minoga
Townsville Blackhawks
Position: Second row, prop
Signed from: PNG Hunters
Experience: PNG Hunters
Coach Kristian Woolf believes Minoga has the ability to impress at an NRL level and will also give the team power off the bench this season.
“By getting Willie over here and into a different system, it shows he can play in the top structure.
“He was a very good player for the Hunters last year and gave them a great impact off the bench. That’s something we lacked last year.’’
10. Jamal Fogarty
Burleigh Bears
Position: Halfback
Signed from: Gold Coast Titans/Tweed Heads
Experience: Titans under-20s, Titans first grade squad, Tweed Heads Seagulls
Coach Jim Lenihan: “We’re looking very much to build a better off-field feel for the club.
“He has been around but he certainly still has the ambition to play at the highest level.
“We were looking for a dominant half and his talk is probably his greatest asset. He will give direction to the team and make sure they’re all on the one page.’’
Originally published as Intrust Super Cup 2016: 10 recruits who will light up the competition
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