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.
Karlos
Guest
19 year old are just learning the game. We can not afford to keep losing our great up and coming or seasoned players like Gasnier. I think most Rugby League fans are sick of seeing our players taken for granted and also some of our stars taking the game for granted. We all know the problem is the Salary cap restrictions and we (should) all know that came about from The Super League War and that 2013 is the time the cap will be raised. To keep our stars in the game untill then, who cares if it a lopsided comp? For the next 2 years let them go hell for leather and see what happens. After that bring the cap back in; a cap that gives the players what they deserve in the toughest football competition in the world, but one that will not reach its true potential whilst we let our stars go elsewhere.
oikee
Guest
If he can contain Hodges when they meet, he will get our attention. Idris seems to like rugby league. This helps. Folou always seems to look like its a job he does not like. His running style also attracks plenty of leg injury. Dont forget, he got run down by Blake Fergusen with ease, he is another player who might be good in a few years. Him and Nelson from the storm.
M1tch
Roar Guru
I rate Idris, but 1 game doesnt make him the best in the game, he now needs to bring that effort for the rest of the season, he was dominate last year in the double header game but then went missing
Hoy
Roar Guru
Fair enough Oikee, maybe I was a bit harsh. But I am just sick of every young bloke being talked up so much. And I do still think he is a bit soft in the middle, and could do to lose his tyre, and I do think he has a habit of going missing a bit, and falling off the pace on the inside in defense.
Gareth
Guest
Plenty of players have shown up Tahu this year, so I wouldn't see that as a sign of greatness. But I do think that Idris is a great raw talent. He's starting to look more like the promising junior we saw at the very end of 2008 and start of 2009, and less like a guy in his "rookie" year who caught an early bout of second-year syndrome. He's still got a long way to go, but NSW could do a lot worse than pick a young bloke who will continue to improve and stick by him. Unfortunately, that's not really the NSW selectors MO, so we'll probably get Tahu, Jennings and a cricket score in Queensland's favour.
Tinnie
Roar Rookie
I have to admit i do have a soft spot for Idris. He is a strangle player. He often looks goofy, uncoordinated, like at any moment he's about to trip over himself and despite his lumbering style i think he's deceptivly fast, but that said he gets results damn it. He is still only young but i believe he has a good platform and with the right work ethic (and i believe Moore is just the man to instill that in him) i think he could be a very good player in the future. I felt sorry for him last year, there was no need for that photo to be published. I think people forget he's still a kid, remember he's still got 3-4 years for his body to fill out, he could turn into a monster.
oikee
Guest
He is only 19 Hoy, i think you are being tough on him. He looks the goods, last year he looked very average, now he looks like he could go the distance. Hodges is very good, and Gasnier would also be up there. Jamie Lyon is better than most realise, but this comes down to experience. Inglis by far the best. Jennings, Jr'n Seu, Kenny Dow, Champion, Morris twins, Reddy,Nelson, chambers was beginning to show good signs before leaving, plenty more have lots of talent. They seem to improve with time. Folou will be missed at the Broncos. Shame to see him go really.
Hoy
Roar Guru
How many premier centres are there in this game? Lets see, 2 centres each team, 16 teams, that makes it what? 138 premier centres in this game? Seriously, everyone calls someone a premier centre. They can't all be premier centres. In fact, I would say only a few really are. Would you say Beau Champion, or Beau Scott are premier centres? I wouldn't really call them the premier centres of the game. Good, yes. Premier? That is a bit loftier. I would say at the moment, Inglis (even though he is out of form) maybe Hodges (even though he isn't even playing), Morris (even if it goes against what I write below), and not many more, are really the true premier centres of the game. Tahu isn't the force he once was. He hit his peak before the switch I would say. Still a drawcard, but not as good as he was. Call me old and bitter, but I am getting sick of a young player have a good trot of games, and being labelled the best thing since sliced bread. Again, how many "best players in the game" can there be? IF (big if) Idris can keep his form, for, oh I don't know, maybe 5+ years, he may just be a "premier centre". At the risk of generalising, I would say at the moment, he is carrying too much weight, and he is (fairly) lazy in defence.
oikee
Guest
Yes, he is very good, but dont expect a production line of talent of his ability to come into the game anytime soon. I think rugby league should be scouting for talent in Jamaica and Nth Africa. There would be plenty of big strong talent in these countries ready to tap into, we need to be looking now, not in 10 years time when the horse, once again, has already bolted. Sometimes i think we are walking around with blinkers on, our scouts went to Sth Africa and came back empty,? Mate, go to Morroco and Jamaica, have alook around these countries, there would be untapped talent waiting to be found. The north of Africa play rugby league. Why have we not got someone over there scraping a bagful of future stars. Brazil would be another country worth the effort.