NRC young guns emerging already

By Brett McKay / Expert

Even if only subconsciously, I imagine we’ve all been watching the opening rounds of the National Rugby Championship with an eye on the next young superstar.

We all know what effect the ARC in 2007 had on the likes of Kurtley Beale, Luke Burgess and David Pocock so it’s natural we’d be on a similar lookout with the new competition.

It’s early days, obviously, and being able to spot talent has been made more difficult by the disappointing lack of live coverage.

It’s all fine and good for Australian Rugby to be “unleashed” as the token marketing slogan says, but is it really unleashed if it can’t be easily seen?

Nevertheless, for those prepared to put in a bit of an effort, the talent is certainly there. Here are a couple that have stood out for me.

Jack Debreczini – Melbourne Rising
We got to see a little bit of Debreczini at fullback toward the end of the Melbourne Rebels’ Super Rugby season, and he looked handy, but now that he’s getting the chance to steer a team around from flyhalf we’re getting a proper idea of just how talented he is.

There’s no doubt that his job for the Rising has been made easier by virtue of the dominant platform laid out for him by his forwards, but when you see two Melbourne outside backs in the top three NRC try-scorers, it’s not hard to see what the Rising are doing well with that platform.

And indeed, Debreczini is front and centre in all their attacks. Though he appears on the rangy side, he’s certainly not afraid to take on the defensive line himself, but his passing game is top notch and his game management looks good too.

And to be fair, the man playing one spot inside Debreczini – scrumhalf and Rising skipper Nic Stirzaker – is playing very well, too. I don’t think there’s a lot of doubt that the Rebels see these two as their long-term halves pairing.

Jed Holloway – Greater Sydney Rams
Holloway’s been something of a lone hand in two fairly heavy losses for the Rams so far, but it’s still been obvious that he has a bit of class about him.

I’d seen him in the odd cameo for the Waratahs earlier in the season, where they seem to believe he’s a potential lock, but having watched him leading from the front from the Rams’ backrow, it seems pretty clear to me that that’s his natural place.

As either a blindside flanker or number eight, where he’s been playing in the NRC, Holloway is a genuine lineout option as well as being a more than useful ball carrier. He’s even got a bit of a link game in him, which isn’t something we see a lot of in Australian number eight. And he’s got a bit of toe about him, too, as his intercept and 60-metre run last Thursday against the Canberra Vikings proved.

I’ve been impressed by his captaincy, too. He strikes me as a quiet sort of guy – and that’s not surprising given he’s still only 22 – but he certainly leads by actions on the field. I’ve not seen any detailed stats for the competition, but my perception is that Holloway carries the ball a lot, and also hits plenty of rucks. A real ‘follow me, boys’ type of captain.

Sam Windsor – NSW Country Eagles
So first up, I probably should concede that Windsor perhaps might not fit into the ‘young’ category as well as he once did – he turned 27 in July – but he’s been a major reason why the Eagles are sitting in equal top spot on the NRC ladder.

I’ve been trying to work out why he sounds familiar to me, and that’s because until joining Eastern Suburbs in Sydney this year, the Bungendore product had been playing for Queanbeyan in the ACT club competition. He trained with the Brumbies over the 2012/13 off-season, and again last year when injuries and Wallabies call-ups left them a bit short on the ground in the lead-up to matches against the British and Irish Lions, and the resumption of Super Rugby afterwards.

As I mentioned on Monday, Windsor and his Eagles halves offsider Mick Snowden (who’s also 27 this year) just seem to have time on their hands, something all the really good players have.

NSW Country have a really well balanced side, and play a very solid forwards game before unleashing some more than useful backs. Windsor is key to the unleashing. The pass he threw for Andrew Kellaway’s first try against Queensland Country was outstanding, while his cross-field kick for Paddy Dellit was pretty handy, too.

Windsor’s game management and ability to read play is what’s really driving the Country boys in these opening rounds.

Notable mentions
There have been good players in every game, but here’s a few more to go with the three I’ve mentioned.

Perth Spirit fullback Dillyn Leyds, Canberra Vikings lock Tom Staniforth, NSW Country openside Will Miller and Reds and Brisbane City scrumhalf Nick Frisby.

And keep an eye on young Queensland Country outside centre Campbell Magnay, too – the youngest player in the NRC. Magnay didn’t look out of place when he came on in the second half on Saturday at Bond University. He’s not hard to spot, either, the redhead is 195 centimetres and 98 kilograms. And he isn’t 18 until November.

The Crowd Says:

2014-09-03T13:14:57+00:00

Tommo

Guest


yea i intended that players would be selected specifically on form, would be exciting to watch in my opinion

2014-09-03T07:40:51+00:00

Eddard

Roar Guru


Well that would basically be no different to an Australia A team. Unless you picked purely on form in the NRC with no consideration for anything else.

AUTHOR

2014-09-03T03:44:24+00:00

Brett McKay

Expert


Just caught your comment LT - short answer is 'no'. I've not yet found 45 minutes to watch the second half from Perth, and so I really haven't formed an opinion on him. I do know that a lot of people have raps on him though..

2014-09-03T03:16:32+00:00

LT18

Guest


Brett, do you have any comments on Brisbane City's loosehead prop Pettowa Paraka?

2014-09-02T18:45:09+00:00

Bakkies

Guest


Tackling with the head is stupid. Kids who tackle like TPN wouldn't be allowed on to the pitch in my team.

2014-09-02T13:27:52+00:00

Eagles

Guest


I'm backing Randwick/UNSW to win this year!

2014-09-02T13:18:32+00:00

Tommo

Guest


Would love to see an NRC all stars team play against the Wallabies before the november tests, would be interesting to see the result and if the big pay stars are really worth it!

2014-09-02T12:52:37+00:00

RobC

Roar Guru


Thanks again Brett. My list from the teams I had observed more closely 1. Eagles: Gray, Kellaway. To watch: prop Duncan Chubb. The dude wearing #24 pink helmet in last week's game 2. QCity: Easy - prop Paraka and Kerevi. To watch: Flanker Gunn, prop Sam Talakai ex-Tahs 3. QCountry: Gale and Lock Fattal. To watch: 8man Lolo Fakaosilea 4. Rams: Holloway 5. Stars: Watched them twice. Cant pick one out yet. There is one player named FOLAU FAINGA'A. Sounds good! Others haven't watched closely 6. Rising: same guys as SR. 7. Spirit: same guys as SR 8. Vikings: same guys as SR Im looking forward to the Vikings QCountry game. Same approach to Rugby

2014-09-02T11:14:32+00:00

In Brief

Guest


Unfortunately there is some truth to what you say. .even a number of Wallabies dont' seem to know how to tackle which is odd. Some guys are fearless, but tackling with the head is not effective.

2014-09-02T11:10:00+00:00

Tommo

Guest


Yea he's from the western Province, played for the 2012 world cup winning under 20's bok side ... thought he was going back but then was suddenly named as part of the spirit... i hope it has something to do with the Force offering him a full time super rugby contract for next year! could easily see him playing 10 ahead of Holmes and Ebersohn if they don't watch it!

2014-09-02T10:22:06+00:00

El Gamba

Guest


True enough Brett. I've not worded my point that well (as usual). I guess an alternative is incompetence but I otherwise I am really struggling to understand how an organisation such as the ARU could launch a national competition missing so many basics. They must have a plan.

AUTHOR

2014-09-02T09:08:34+00:00

Brett McKay

Expert


But we don't know that they don't care about support, that's my point. And I don't think that's the case. There's a lot to be critical of in the way things are panning out in terms of marketing and promotions, but still doubt that the ARU don't care about support..

AUTHOR

2014-09-02T09:04:58+00:00

Brett McKay

Expert


"Don’t want to sound harsh but most of the players are soft." Wow, what would be harsh? That's obviously the difference between club and Super Rugby, Double Agent, and while I won't disagree completely, I'm not sure it's quite as dire as you're suggesting. But certainly defence is one thing that improves as you go up the levels, and those who aren't the best defenders *usually* get left behind..

AUTHOR

2014-09-02T08:59:22+00:00

Brett McKay

Expert


I didn't know about him being a Kiwi until Sean Maloney mentioned it on last week's TV game Evo. But I agree, he's been going well so far for the Vikings, seems to have a good pass on him, and a bit of pace too, as you said...

2014-09-02T08:28:53+00:00

Eddard

Guest


The first weeks game was 35k, haven't seen the figure for round 2.

2014-09-02T08:07:14+00:00

El Gamba

Roar Guru


I maintain there was a lot more that could have been done with low cost and little time. My point is is that if the amount of time and effort is reflective of the amount they care about support then it can't be much...

2014-09-02T07:42:34+00:00

jeznez

Roar Guru


Will be great if Gray and Holloway can go from the NRC to apply real pressure to Palu, Dennis and Hoiles. Would be great to see some more 6/8's coming through.

2014-09-02T07:34:59+00:00

Double Agent

Guest


No one ever mentions the elephant in the room in Australian rugby. I love the Shute Shield and go to a game every week plus watch the ABC game but let's face it the standard of tackling is abysmal. Don't want to sound harsh but most of the players are soft. Some of the players mentioned in Brett's article are tackle shy. Ever notice how sometimes on tv they show a players stats and there's no mention of number of tackles made or missed? Tackling is not considered important in Australian rugby. Look at any junior rep team. Flashy gets picked over tough every time. We need hard nuts from the grass roots right up to wallaby level. And I don't just mean hard nut props or number 8s. I mean everyone. Halfbacks and 5/8s included.

2014-09-02T07:18:13+00:00

Evo

Guest


Brett, Isaac Thompson (also 27), fly half with the Vikings is another player to watch. He has been impressive in the games against Perth Spirit and the Rams showing plenty of time and space in his play and an excellent kicking game. He scored a great try against the Rams slicing through the defence with a neat dummy and change of pace. You are no doubt aware Isaac is a New Zealander who played nine for the NZ Schoolboys in 2005 with Aaron Cruden at 10 and progressed to the Manawatu side in the ITM Cup.

2014-09-02T07:11:11+00:00

Bakkies

Guest


Definitely cost effective which is the whole point. Trainee sports docs and physios can get the work experience which they require too. Unless things have changed to complete your degree u have to complete work exp.

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