NRL 2016 rookies: Young Queensland stars to watch

THESE are the young guns to get excited about this season – the talented youngsters who are expected to debut in the NRL and wow the fans when they do.

Chris Garry

2 min read

February 25, 2016 - 2:56PM

Kurt Capewell in his Ipswich Jets days.

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THESE are the Maroons-eligible players to get excited about this season, the talented youngsters who are expected to debut in the NRL this year and wow the fans when they do. Last year’s The Courier-Mail rookie list featured players who have since become stars such as Chris Grevsmuhl, Kane Elgey and Kodi Nikorima.

KALYN PONGA (Cowboys)

Still only 17, Ponga is incredibly talented but remains a grounded, humble, teen who so far seems to have dealt with the hype as if it does not exist. Should crack the NRL in the second half of the season and when he does he may be difficult to budge from the Cowboys line-up. He has mind-numbing balance, an ability to step at speed and has been in the ear of Johnathan Thurston all off-season as the Cowboys shift him towards being a five-eighth.

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GIDEON GELA-MOSBY (Cowboys)

Already touted as the fastest man in the NRL with a reported 100m sprint time of 10.24sec. He barely speaks off the field but is charismatic on it. Nineteen-year-old Gela-Mosby is a standout in the Cowboys’ superb crop of youngsters and was a revelation at the Nines, scoring four tries in the Cowboys first two games. Gela-Mosby should see an NRL debut during the Origin period and could be a bench weapon for the Cowboys with the reduced interchanges.

Cowboys Kalyn Ponga.

Gideon Gela-Mosby.

KEEGAN HIPGRAVE (Broncos)

A powerful lock whose lists his favourite league moments as being the massive confrontations between Paul Harragon and Mark Carroll in the 1990s. Hipgrave’s affinity for those hits say everything about him as a footballer. There is not a lot of subtlety in his game but the 19-year-old will run over grown men when he debuts for Brisbane during the State of Origin period. An Australian Schoolboys standout, Hipgrave is 182cm and 101kg, a throwback to the days of hard-hitting small forwards such as Trevor Gillmeister.

Latrell Mitchell (Roosters)

The next Greg Inglis, Mitchell is a rare talent with pace and power. He is still raw though and concerns remain about his defensive attitude.

Latrell Mitchell.

JAI ARROW (Broncos)

A lock in the mould of Corey Parker, Arrow is the no-frills footballer Wayne Bennett typically loves. A new-age Ash Harrison who can play edge, lock or hooker. He won three awards at Brisbane’s annual end of year bash last year. Arrow was named best forward, player’s player and player of the year. He is particularly adept at barging over the line from close range and his versatility makes him an ideal bench weapon this season if Brisbane suffer injuries.

Jai Arrow.

Keegan Hipgrave.

KURT CAPEWELL (Sharks)

A versatile backrower or centre, Capewell has wowed Sharks coaches during the pre-season. Capewell was a star for the Ipswich Jets last year and had six NRL clubs chasing him after he was a key part of their surge to state and national titles. Blessed with unnatural speed and ball-playing skills, Capewell is in the mould of a more athletic Matt Gillett. He has been so good during pre-season training he is pushing for a bench sport for Round 1.

Kurt Capewell in his Ipswich Jets days.

Viliame Kikau (Panthers)

A giant prop who scores more tries than most wingers. Kikau’s signing was a major coup for the Panthers, who lured the Fijian from North Queensland. The middle forward should see time off the bench this season and will make an immediate impact.

Brian Kelly (Titans)

An athletic winger who scored four tries for New South Wales in last year’s under-20s State of Origin game, Kelly is highly rated by the Titans staff.