The constant speculation surrounding Israel Folau’s possible defection to either the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby side or the AFL’s Greater Western Sydney franchise has taken the focus away from a boom Bulldogs centre who is now on the verge of establishing himself as one of the NRL’s supreme talents.
Whilst Folau’s future in the NRL continues to make headlines, Idris’ form over the past few weeks for Canterbury has once again emphasised why Rugby League will continue to overcome the departures of high profile players.
His tussle with Parramatta Eels star Timana Tahu last Friday night was a sight to behold, with two of the game’s premier centres making their respective aura’s felt in both defence and attack.
Although the Eels won the war against the Bulldogs, it would be fair to say that Idris won his battle against Tahu, in a display that has rightfully earned him a place in the Country team to take on City at Port Macquarie this Friday.
Despite Tahu’s efforts to rattle Idris in defence, the 19 year old constantly countered with some ferocious fending that left the former Origin and Test star grasping at thin air.
Ironically, Idris will now be partnering Tahu in the centres against City – a combination that will no doubt be looked upon keenly by NSW Origin selectors.
Indeed, Idris’ performances for an underperforming Bulldogs outfit was enough for Country selectors to select the former Bankstown junior ahead of in-form Dragons centre Matt Cooper.
It has been a startling coming of age for Idris since newspaper footage broke out early last year of the Bulldogs player looking anything but an athlete.
Idris himself used the unflattering piece of photography regarding his physical state as a key source of motivation last season.
After being dropped to the under-20’s for two weeks in 2009, Idris has since gone on to become one of the NRL’s most destructive backline players, thanks to his formidable mixture of power running, that fend, and his athletic ability under the high ball.
Eight rounds into the 2010 NRL season, Idris has made the most tackle breaks out of any centre in the competition, and only trails Canberra Raiders fullback Josh Dugan overall.
Having now proved himself at club level, Idris’ performance for Country could very well lead to a sky blue jersey for the first Origin match in May.
His physicality on the field is at times unrivalled, whilst his leap for the high ball is only rivalled by the very man now deciding whether or not he will switch codes to play Rugby or AFL.
With Folau’s future in the NRL looking more bleak as days pass, it seems Rugby League has unearthed yet another timely remainder as to why it continues to recover and produce the finest athletes of any football code in Australia.
Indeed, if Melbourne Storm fullback Billy Slater retaining his Australia’s Greatest Athlete title was not enough proof of such a conclusion, then a certain performance from a teenage Bulldogs player in the toughest competition on the planet last week should have ended any doubts.
If people can lose their job, and clubs can face massive payouts, due to the behaviour of coaches, it will drastically change the way sporting teams in Australia will be run.
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