‘Napa Special’ shuts down Dragons attack

VIDEO: Fiery redhead Dylan Napa has added to his trademark bag of huge, shuddering tackles in the Roosters defeat of St George.

NRL Rd 4 - Roosters v Sea Eagles

STILL only 22-years-old, Dylan Napa is quickly building a reputation as one of the hardest men in the NRL.

The 109kg, 194cm prop has put in a big defensive performance in the Rooster’s 19-14 win over the St George Dragons at Allianz Stadium.

A consistent battering of the Dragon’s attack from Napa throughout the game was topped off by a huge hit with only nine minutes remaining.

Running the ball deep in his own half, Dragon’s lock Jake Marketo squared off with the young red-headed defender. Unfortunately for Marketo, a flash of red was all he saw as Napa dropped down low and pummeled him backwards into the turf.

Napa’s hit, known among NRL fans as the ‘Napa Special’, seemed to inspire the Roosters defence who held out a late attacking surge from the Dragons to secure the win.

Tonight’s performance was just in keeping with the Cook Islands international’s collection of strong defensive efforts. With only 30-odd NRL games under his belt, it is truly impressive the kind of impact he is already having on the Roosters defensive set-up.

Napa even rocked current NSW Blues captain Paul Gallen in his debut season in 2013.

Picked in the Maroons squad as 18th-man prior to State of Origin I, the front-rower is yet to make his debut for Queensland.

Napa has been compared to former Queensland Origin hard man Trevor Gillmeister by Maroons selection boss Des Morris.

“In terms of natural timing and his ability to hurt people, Napa reminds me of Gilly. Physically, he is bigger than Gilly, but he has that drop-and-drive technique, he knows how to get under blokes and drive through the ball carrier.

“Gilly was a freak with his technical timing and Dylan has that identical trait. They make hitting in defence look effortless, but it’s so potent.”

Despite Napa’s age and lack of experience at Origin level, having such a strong defensive threat in the Maroons side can only do good things for their chances of regaining the Origin title.

“Even at the highest level, NRL players know there are certain individuals who can hurt you in defence and Dylan already has that reputation.

“Napa is a very good young player who can hurt NSW ... he’s the best big-shot tackler I’ve seen come along in a long time.’’

So remind us again why he hasn’t played Origin yet?

@sydneyroosters coach Trent Robinson praises @dylannapa and @Tuivasasheck for their efforts in closing out the match #NRLDragonsRoosters

— Big League (@bigleaguemag) June 22, 2015

Dylan Napa & Josh Papalii need to be bought into the Queensland Origin team #orign3 #StateofOrigin #Queenslander thoughts?

— Nathan Appo (@Elusive_Sausage) June 22, 2015

WHAT A SHOT @dylannapa

— Steve (@SPH1967) June 22, 2015

Dylan Napa, that hit just now would be enough for me to draft him into the QLD Origin squad

— Ron (@Ron_Boll) June 22, 2015

@dylannapa putting on big hits tonight

— Dean Matagi Peai (@DEANPEAI) June 22, 2015

SHOT! Can someone get Big Mal on the phone please. Dylan Napa is a MUST for #Origin III @QLDmaroons need that aggression #NRLDragonsRoosters

— Daniel Watson Hayes™ (@dwatsonhayes) June 22, 2015

Great win @sydneyroosters @dylannapa was huge.

— The Duke (@wearl99) June 22, 2015

@RamirezJnr showing QLD what they are missing, for blues sake I hope they don't realise just yet @dylannapa

— Nikki (@Easts4Life) June 22, 2015

Originally published as ‘Napa Special’ shuts down Dragons attack