- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
What do you get when you cross superstars Stephen Larkham, Dan Carter and Greg Inglis?
The Melbourne Rebels are hoping the answer is Jack Debreczeni.
The 21-year-old Melbourne five-eighth is having a break-out Super Rugby season stirring talk of him being a Wallabies World Cup bolter.
His 57m penalty strike which helped the Rebels to a one-point win over the Chiefs last round, as well as four-from-four attempts against the Waratahs, have helped his cause.
Such is the power of his boot he was once chased by AFL club Essendon, while the Sydney-raised Rebel also has silky hands and deceptive pace despite his 192cm, 102kg frame.
Debreczeni said he grew up admiring former Test playmaker Larkham, All Black Carter and NRL and Kangaroos big gun Greg Inglis for their different talents.
“I looked up to Larkham, for the way he ran the ball and how smooth he was across the field with regard to taking the ball to the line,” Debreczeni said.
“Dan Carter for the way he controlled the game with his kicking and defensively he was quite strong as well.
“And then I love the way Greg Inglis ran the ball and way he used his fend.”
Rebels coach Tony McGahan says he can see a likeness between Debreczeni and Larkham.
“Stephen and Jack have one clear similarity which is their ability to push across the field; when they’re running they make it look effortless,” McGahan said.
“Before you know it they’ve crept up or got in behind you.”
But the coach and Debreczeni both felt he still had plenty to learn such as game management, kicking in general play and front-on defence, which his veteran teammate Tamati Ellison was helping with.
Debreczeni says he isn’t thinking about the Wallabies or World Cup and is only focused on playing consistently for the Rebels.
A big part of Debreczeni’s success is his blossoming partnership with Melbourne halfback Nic Stirzaker.
The pair have plenty of time to work on that, living in a share house along with another Rebel Tom English.
“Because I live with him it’s like a 24-7 connection,” he said.
“We’re always talking about rugby and telling each other to do things better so every day we’re building on that relationship.”
And it’s not just rugby that the pair critique.
“Nic is the worst cook, he has no good dishes,” Debreczeni said.
“But he comes down on me hard if I leave a dish out and tells me to wash up.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.