David Penna recalls the under-20s training that turned Kieran Foran into a half ahead of his 300th NRL game

The man who made Kieran Foran a half reflects on the fateful day that shaped a 300-game “superstar” and his early challenges in the position.

International captain, premiership player, and soon-to-be 300-game NRL great.

Despite the challenges he’s faced, Kieran Foran has amassed a rugby league resume that can be rivalled by few.

But if not for a few missing players at a fateful training session when he was just 17 years of age, it may never have been.

David Penna, the man who made Kieran Foran a half, recalls the day a star was born.

“One training session we were short on numbers so I played halfback, I put (Foran) at five-eighth and we ran against the team,” Penna said.

After a strong season in Manly’s junior ranks, Foran had progressed from the under-18s to the under-20 Toyota Cup side where he came under Penna’s tutelage.

Kieran Foran has also played 30 internationals for New Zealand. Picture: Fiona Goodall/Getty Images.

Penna, who himself played 134 NRL games, liked what he saw from his halves partner that day and pulled Foran aside later that evening to ask him if he’d taken on the role of playmaker before. As it turned out, the halves in his school side at Marist College North Shore were occupied by older brother Liam and future 309-game NRL star Mitchell Pearce, so Foran had been confined to centre.

Despite his talent as an outside back, Penna tipped off one of the recruiters that Foran would make a good half.

“The rest is history,” Penna said.

“I remember going home to a mate and saying, ‘we had a kid train tonight, he’s going to be a superstar’.

“He was tough, he had it all, he trained hard, he loved the game, he was passionate and wanted to learn. He used to drive me mad about watching his videos and still does.

“He should be very proud of what he’s achieved, he’s a quality player.”

Former NRL player and Tweed Seagulls coach David Penna. Picture: Jerad Williams

Little did Penna know, Foran had been doubting his chances of making it as a centre, and the positional nudge couldn’t have come at a better time.

“I didn’t have a lot of time … at that time and was doubtful that I would make NRL as a centre,” Foran said.

“I was pretty small and not overly fast, all the centres at that time were built like Mark Gasnier and Greg Inglis.

“It was probably a pretty smart call from Dave at the time to move me into the halves and from there I just worked hard at my craft … had some good mentors and coaches and tutelage.”

Despite what he has gone to achieve, Foran’s transition – initially to five-eighth – was far from smooth-sailing.

Kieran Foran of the Titans runs the ball during the round seven NRL match between Gold Coast Titans and Manly Sea Eagles at Cbus Super Stadium. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

“I knew he was gonna make mistakes because he would be trying all the fancy things,” Penna said.

“His first game he got into the halves, he tried to throw a three-person cut out to the winger and it was intercepted and they went the length.

“I knew that was gonna happen because it was just Kieran, but 300 games later, who would’ve thought?”

Foran’s game in the no. 6 jersey that was underpinned by his running and ability to hit holes in the early days.

“It was unusual for a half, a lot were just a catch-pass and not get tackled type of thing, but his vision and ability, he was just too good of a player to stay out in the centres,” Penna said.

“He had to have his hands on the ball.

“I said to Des (Hasler, Manly’s NRL coach at the time), start him in the centres in first-grade to give him a taste but ultimately he’ll be a very good five-eighth.

“He had the superstar written all over him, I didn’t do anything.”

Kieran Foran at CBUS Super ahead of his 300th game. Picture: Gold Coast Titans.

Back then, Penna would drive Foran home from training and the pair formed a friendship that has stood the test of time.

Fittingly, both men have since ended up on the Gold Coast, with Penna now at the helm of Tweed’s Hostplus Cup side.

Penna lauded just how much of a warrior Foran has been across his career.

“I reckon he would’ve played 400 games if he didn’t play as tough as he had,” Penna said.

“But Kieran doesn’t know any different.

“He wears his heart on his sleeve and every bloke he runs out with he’s going to give them everything he can.”

Originally published as David Penna recalls the under-20s training that turned Kieran Foran into a half ahead of his 300th NRL game