King backs Foran’s NRL star to rise

Manly co-captain Jason King has no fears of young playmaker Kieran Foran crumbling under the growing expectations for him to develop into a NRL star.

Celebrating his 21st birthday on Wednesday, Foran has emerged as the key figure behind Manly’s premiership push, with the Sea Eagles unexpectedly flying high in second spot on the ladder.

A Test regular with New Zealand, Foran’s composure and toughness belie his tender years, with King adamant the five-eighth can maintain his NRL progression.

“He’s a true professional and a very level-headed kid,” King said.

“He prepares well for every match and just seems to be getting better each week.

“They (the expectations) won’t be (a burden) for him. He takes it all in his stride and continues to work hard at his game.

“The club’s put the right people around him and is helping him out in every way.”

Foran has shown an uncanny knack of taking little time to develop combinations with his halves partners.

Last year, he and Trent Hodkinson carried the Sea Eagles all the way to the NRL finals before Hodkinson left for Canterbury at the start of 2011.

Foran hardly missed a beat, however, as he and Daly Cherry-Evans – with whom he played plenty of junior football – wasted little time in rekindling their partnership to get the Sea Eagles firing again in 2012.

Even at Test level, Foran has proven his versatility by sliding over to halfback alongside Benji Marshall, the pair seen as the key to the Kiwis continuing their battle with Australia for the world No.1 ranking.

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