SuperCoach 2016: Each NRL club’s top rookies named ahead of season launch
AHEAD of the much-anticipated launch of NRL SuperCoach for 2016, we take a look at the rookies at each club on the verge of breaking into the big time.
SuperCoach
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperCoach. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Top 10 SuperCoach cheapies revealed
- This is the halfback you’re looking for
- NRL SuperCoach 2016: 10 studs, 10 duds revealed
- NRL draw 2016: Semi Radradra biggest SuperCoach winner
AHEAD of the much-anticipated launch of NRL SuperCoach for 2016, we take a look at the rookies at each club on the verge of breaking into the big time.
All good SuperCoaches know that Corey Parker, Paul Gallen, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and co will be the ones to lead their teams to glory.
But the great SuperCoaches are the ones who know which rookies to stash away early on to use as cash cows — so that Parker, Gallen and RTS can all be bought.
Here we look at a player from each club to keep an eye on heading into the 2016 NRL season.
Cowboys: Braden Uele
A damaging front rower in the mould of Andrew Fifita, New Zealand-born Uele has been a standout in the Cowboys Under 20s side in recent years. At 191cm and 112kg, the Glenora Bears junior will push for a spot on the bench and will likely see his NRL debut sooner rather than later. Could be a solid option for the Origin hit rounds.
Broncos: Jai Arrow
As impossible as it may seem, one day Corey Parker will retire. One the day that the SuperCoach God ascends into SuperCoach Heaven or is called back to his own timeline or returns to his home planet or whatever ends up happening, the Broncos have themselves a very capable replacement in Jai Arrow. He led the under-20s in hit-ups last season and had the highest average metres per game in the competition with 157. He was also second in the competition for offloads with 50. While Arrow won’t see big minutes this season, if he gets into Brisbane’s top XVII at any stage he’d be a sneaky little pick-up.
Titans: Brian Kelly
The Gold Coast have struggled to convert promising juniors into NRL stars of late but they’ll have their best chance in some time with Ballina junior Brian Kelly. The cousin of former Titan Albert Kelly and Rabbitohs star Greg Inglis, Kelly can play all three outside back positions but is best suited to the wing, where his work rate and speed made him a standout in the Titans’ struggling under-20s side last season. The 2015 NSW under-20s player of the year after snagging four tries against Queensland, Kelly is still eligible for the Holden Cup for another season but is a serious chance to score a regular spot in first grade.
Knights: The Saifiti brothers
The towering Saifiti twins, Daniel and Jacob, are two of the best young forwards to come out of the Hunter in some time. Blockbusting runners who love an offload, the Fijian duo could play significant minutes in first grade due to the lack of depth the Knights enjoy in the forwards. Jacob is probably the closer to first grade of the two after showing some real flashes of potential in the Knights’ NSW Cup premiership victory last season.
Sea Eagles: Liam Knight
The towering Knight was the best player in Manly’s under-20s side last season not named Trbojevic and was an unsung hero in the Sea Eagles’ run to the grand final last season. Big and mobile but deceptively light on his feet, Knight was third in the competition for carries and fifth for offloads last year and should push for a spot off the Manly bench despite the Sea Eagles’ newly-found forward depth.
Roosters: Latrell Mitchell
You’ve probably already heard a lot about Mitchell, the willowy fullback from Taree who’s been compared to Greg Inglis, but he’s a genuine SuperCoach option should he get a chance on the wing for the Chooks. While he’s not the physical specimen Inglis was at the same age, Mitchell has still been a strong performer in the Holden Cup and had the second-most tackle breaks in the league last season. Given the Roosters’ star-studded backline he’ll have his work cut out for him, but Mitchell could be a good one to pick up around Origin time.
South Sydney: Angus Crichton
There’s some big wraps on Crichton with the former schoolboy rugby star turning some heads in an injury-interrupted Holden Cup campaign with the Rabbitohs last season. Equally comfortable in the centres and the second row, Crichton could steal a spot on the Rabbitohs bench due to his utility value. Rangy and quick for his size, Crichton is still a work in progress but once he settles on a single position he should rise up the ranks very quickly.
Parramatta: Bevan French
French was chased by plenty of NRL clubs but the will-of-the-wisp fullback from Tingha chose the Eels and is viewed by many at the club as their long-term option for fullback. Quick as anything and blessed with a gift for breaking tackles, French will likely bide his time behind Michael Gordon this season before assuming the role fulltime in 2017 but will likely be in line for his first grade debut at some point during the season.
Panthers: Te Maire Martin
A two-time member of the Holden Cup team of the year, Junior Kiwis captain Martin has joined the Panthers this season from the Tigers. One of the best up-and-coming ballplayers in rugby league, Martin’s sleight of hand and poise is truly impressive for a player of his age. While there are still some rough edges on his game and his defence needs work, Martin could be a candidate for the Panthers halves should injury strike or if Anthony Griffin decides to move on from Peter Wallace or Jamie Soward.
Dragons: Taane Milne
A former rugby union star and a two-time member of the Junior Kiwis, Taane Milne has the size and athleticism to make a serious impact at NRL level. The Dragons’ newly-minted backline depth may restrict his opportunities, but the Clovelly junior will be next cab off the rank should some misfortune befall any of the Red V’s outside backs. Capable of playing both wing and centre, Milne scored eight tries in 12 matches in an injury-interrupted season for the Roosters under-20s side last season.
Sharks: Josh Cleeland
At 24, Cleeland is the sole player on this list who hasn’t come directly from the under-20s but the classy five-eighth could steal the show in the Shire. One of the linchpins of the Ipswich Jets’ run to the State Championship last season, Cleeland will begin the season as an understudy for James Maloney and Chad Townsend but will have his sights set on snagging a first grade spot sooner rather than later. Wonderfully instinctive and a gifted attacking footballer, Cleeland could be one of the real surprise packets of 2016.
Bulldogs: Adam Elliot
Elliot, a former Australian Schoolboys representative, was one of the Bulldogs’ best in the NSW Cup last season and made the transition from under-20s with relative ease. Equally capable of playing second row and prop, Elliot has a tremendous work rate and a real mean streak — he’s not afraid to throw his weight around. The Bega product has been in the Bulldogs system for several seasons and was named in the Auckland Nines squad last year. He’s a near certainty to get a go off the bench at some stage this season.
Raiders: Tevita Pangai Junior
If you don’t already know the name Tevita Pangai Junior, you soon will. A brute of a front-rower, Pangai Junior led the under-20s in offloads last season and is one of the better forward prospects to come through the national capital in some time. He’ll be a popular pick due to his price, but he’s something of a must-have if he can get some game time in Canberra.
Storm: Dean Britt
Injuries wiped out much of 2015 but Camden junior Dean Britt is all quality. A former skipper of the Storm’s under-20s side and a regular in the NSW underage squads, Britt is the kind of mobile, skilful secondrower who excels in the Melbourne system. A place on the Melbourne bench is not outside the realms of possibility for Britt and the son of former Bulldogs captain Darren will be a smart purchase should he see some first grade time.
Warriors: Bunty Afoa
You’re not going to believe this, but the Warriors have unearthed another excellent front row prospect in Bunty Afoa. A powerful runner who has some serious pepper in defence, Afoa is a product of famed Auckland rugby league nursery St Paul’s College and certainly has the ability to make a difference at NRL level. Afoa still has a year of under-20s eligibility at his disposal but it wouldn’t be any great shock if he forces his way into the Warriors first grade squad before the year is out.
Tigers: Watson Heleta
A standout in the Tigers under-20s over the past few seasons, the powerful and dynamic Heleta has drawn comparisons with Konrad Hurrell for his bustling running style. He’s represented the Junior Kiwis on several occasions and will push for a spot in the centres for the Tigers. The latest of a series of Keebra Park High products to join the club, Heleta scored 29 tries in 33 matches for the Tigers under-20s, including an impressive 21 in 21 matches in 2014.
Originally published as SuperCoach 2016: Each NRL club’s top rookies named ahead of season launch
Sevens star in line for stunning NRL debut with Dragons
Fresh off dealing another blow to rugby union by announcing his code switch, Sevens star Nathan Lawson is feverishly learning the Dragons playbook as he prepares for a stunning NRL debut.
NRL predicted round one teams: How Broncos will replace Mam
Who will play five-eighth for the Broncos with Ezra Mam likely sidelined long-term? And how will the Dragons cover the loss of Ben Hunt? See how every team is predicted to start in 2025.