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Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
NRL’s future stars: 20 players from the U20s with the potential to make it big — Part 1
LOOKING for the next big thing? In the first of our two part special we pick 20 of the top players aged 20 and under who look set to make a splash next season and beyond.
All have played or are currently playing in the National Youth Competition (Holden Cup), NSW Cup and the Intrust Super Cup, Queensland’s premier competition.
Some have already played first grade and if they haven’t already, they are on the verge of playing and lighting up the NRL in the seasons to come.
TITANS: KANE ELGEY
A former Australian Schoolboys representative, Elgey defied Gold Coast’s 15th-place finish in the Holden Cup to be named the competition’s player of the year.
He remains the Titans’ hottest prospect, signing a one-year contract to keep the 20-year-old five-eighth/halfback at the club in the face of strong interest elsewhere.
And with NRL coach Neil Henry looking to blood young talent to support his thinning ranks, the Tugun Seahawks junior could well make his breakthrough in season 2015.
SHARKS: JACK BIRD
The former St George Illawarra U20s captain has switched to the blue of Cronulla, signing a two-year deal with the Sharks with an eye on making the step up to the NRL.
A highly rated junior rep player with NSW at different levels, the back-rower looks set for a shift to the backline in the Shire, and joins the club’s promising roster of young talent.
BRONCOS: KODI AND JAYDEN NIKORIMA
Two New Zealand brothers who came close to going to rugby union, Kodi and Jayden Nikorima were spotted by Broncos talent scouts before they were teenagers and are both now being touted as future NRL stars.
Kodi, 20, and Jayden, 18, spent their childhood playing backyard footy together but next season, they’ll be training under the watchful eye of Wayne Bennett and the Broncos’ NRL team.
Equally talented and blessed with pace, Kodi is currently at fullback but sees his future at five-eighth, while Jayden is a half.
And the best thing?
They’ve got another two younger brothers coming through the ranks.
WESTS TIGERS: MATT LODGE
The 19-year-old made his NRL debut for the Tigers last season after a midyear switch from the Storm.
Lodge first caught the public’s attention when he was suspended for three games after writing a vulgar word on his wrist strapping during the U20’s State of Origin match.
The St. Patrick’s Blacktown junior was soon turning heads again, but this time for the right reason, when he replaced an injured Keith Galloway.
The 110kg battering ram finished the year with four first grade games to his name and is certain to feature in the regular squad next season.
ROOSTERS: NENE MCDONALD
The former Cairns junior started his NRL career in style, with a try on debut against the Bulldogs in round 11.
He bagged two more in the victories over the Dragons and Titans, making seven appearances for the Roosters in season 2014.
Named in the NYC team of the year, the highly rated outside back, capable of playing at fullback, wing or in the centres, has also represented Queensland’s U20s Origin side and was part of Papua New Guinea’s 2013 Rugby League World Cup after his impressive performances in the 2013 NYC.
PANTHERS: ANDY SAUNDERS
The 20-year-old Panthers NYC captain was also picked in the NYC team of the year and played for the Junior Kangaroos against the Kiws last month.
He made positive steps playing off the bench in the premiership-winning NSW Cup side.
The powerful 181cm frontrower has Brent Kite to show him the ropes at the foot of the mountains.
HARKS: FA’AMANU BROWN
Thrown in at the deep end with the sinking Sharks, “Nu” Brown was one of the few bright spots at Cronulla last season.
The 19-year-old five-eighth has signed a contract to keep him in the Sutherland Shire until 2017, and after his performances in 2014 you can see why.
The Kiwi junior offers plenty of potential, versatility and maturity — just look at his game-changing role in Cronulla’s shock defeat of the Roosters in round 17 — as well as a glimmer of hope for the Sharks’ future.
KNIGHTS: JOSEPH TAPINE
Another Junior Kiwi international, Tapine, 20, is one of a number of young talents coming through the ranks at Newcastle.
The Wellington product made his debut for the Knights in round 9, with six more appearances in season 2014, the talented second-rower was one of the Knights’ best in the NYC squad and looks set to get more senior minutes in 2015.
KNIGHTS: JAKE MAMO
The 19-year-old Gosford junior is tipped for big things, and made his debut against Brisbane in April this year.
Powerfully built and lightning fast, Mamo was the NYC Players’ Player of the Year last season and leading tryscorer with 22 tries.
After seven senior appearances under Wayne Bennett in 2014, Mamo also earned a Junior Kangaroos call-up and his understanding with Sione Mata’utia could also mean some very good things for Newcastle next season.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ke-it-big-part-1/story-fni3fbgz-1227114699861
- DAVID HALL AND NATHAN RYAN
- FOX SPORTS
- NOVEMBER 06, 2014 2:09PM
LOOKING for the next big thing? In the first of our two part special we pick 20 of the top players aged 20 and under who look set to make a splash next season and beyond.
All have played or are currently playing in the National Youth Competition (Holden Cup), NSW Cup and the Intrust Super Cup, Queensland’s premier competition.
Some have already played first grade and if they haven’t already, they are on the verge of playing and lighting up the NRL in the seasons to come.
TITANS: KANE ELGEY
A former Australian Schoolboys representative, Elgey defied Gold Coast’s 15th-place finish in the Holden Cup to be named the competition’s player of the year.
He remains the Titans’ hottest prospect, signing a one-year contract to keep the 20-year-old five-eighth/halfback at the club in the face of strong interest elsewhere.
And with NRL coach Neil Henry looking to blood young talent to support his thinning ranks, the Tugun Seahawks junior could well make his breakthrough in season 2015.
SHARKS: JACK BIRD
The former St George Illawarra U20s captain has switched to the blue of Cronulla, signing a two-year deal with the Sharks with an eye on making the step up to the NRL.
A highly rated junior rep player with NSW at different levels, the back-rower looks set for a shift to the backline in the Shire, and joins the club’s promising roster of young talent.
BRONCOS: KODI AND JAYDEN NIKORIMA
Two New Zealand brothers who came close to going to rugby union, Kodi and Jayden Nikorima were spotted by Broncos talent scouts before they were teenagers and are both now being touted as future NRL stars.
Kodi, 20, and Jayden, 18, spent their childhood playing backyard footy together but next season, they’ll be training under the watchful eye of Wayne Bennett and the Broncos’ NRL team.
Equally talented and blessed with pace, Kodi is currently at fullback but sees his future at five-eighth, while Jayden is a half.
And the best thing?
They’ve got another two younger brothers coming through the ranks.
WESTS TIGERS: MATT LODGE
The 19-year-old made his NRL debut for the Tigers last season after a midyear switch from the Storm.
Lodge first caught the public’s attention when he was suspended for three games after writing a vulgar word on his wrist strapping during the U20’s State of Origin match.
The St. Patrick’s Blacktown junior was soon turning heads again, but this time for the right reason, when he replaced an injured Keith Galloway.
The 110kg battering ram finished the year with four first grade games to his name and is certain to feature in the regular squad next season.
ROOSTERS: NENE MCDONALD
The former Cairns junior started his NRL career in style, with a try on debut against the Bulldogs in round 11.
He bagged two more in the victories over the Dragons and Titans, making seven appearances for the Roosters in season 2014.
Named in the NYC team of the year, the highly rated outside back, capable of playing at fullback, wing or in the centres, has also represented Queensland’s U20s Origin side and was part of Papua New Guinea’s 2013 Rugby League World Cup after his impressive performances in the 2013 NYC.
PANTHERS: ANDY SAUNDERS
The 20-year-old Panthers NYC captain was also picked in the NYC team of the year and played for the Junior Kangaroos against the Kiws last month.
He made positive steps playing off the bench in the premiership-winning NSW Cup side.
The powerful 181cm frontrower has Brent Kite to show him the ropes at the foot of the mountains.
HARKS: FA’AMANU BROWN
Thrown in at the deep end with the sinking Sharks, “Nu” Brown was one of the few bright spots at Cronulla last season.
The 19-year-old five-eighth has signed a contract to keep him in the Sutherland Shire until 2017, and after his performances in 2014 you can see why.
The Kiwi junior offers plenty of potential, versatility and maturity — just look at his game-changing role in Cronulla’s shock defeat of the Roosters in round 17 — as well as a glimmer of hope for the Sharks’ future.
KNIGHTS: JOSEPH TAPINE
Another Junior Kiwi international, Tapine, 20, is one of a number of young talents coming through the ranks at Newcastle.
The Wellington product made his debut for the Knights in round 9, with six more appearances in season 2014, the talented second-rower was one of the Knights’ best in the NYC squad and looks set to get more senior minutes in 2015.
KNIGHTS: JAKE MAMO
The 19-year-old Gosford junior is tipped for big things, and made his debut against Brisbane in April this year.
Powerfully built and lightning fast, Mamo was the NYC Players’ Player of the Year last season and leading tryscorer with 22 tries.
After seven senior appearances under Wayne Bennett in 2014, Mamo also earned a Junior Kangaroos call-up and his understanding with Sione Mata’utia could also mean some very good things for Newcastle next season.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ke-it-big-part-1/story-fni3fbgz-1227114699861