With two rounds of the National Rugby Championship played, players are already putting their hand up – some who we’ve seen in Super Rugby, others we’re not so familiar with.
This is a good thing for Australian rugby, as we need emerging players to put pressure on the established names.
Here are some of the players who have shown promise.
Queensland Country scrum
Not a player as such, but I have been impressed by how well this pack have gone in their two close losses. This is good for Queensland rugby and a good sign for the NRC and Australian rugby in general – a strong forward pack is essential.
Izaia Perese, Queensland Country
Listed as a centre but playing on the wing, this 18-year-old looks very strong and quick in his first year out of school.
Tom Kingston, Sydney Stars
Kingston has played for the Waratahs and Rebels, but through injury hasn’t had much of a look in. He is showing attacking skills and speed.
Junior Laloifi, Brisbane City
Shown some dynamic running for Brisbane. The Reds have been losing locally developed outside backs lately, with Laloifi and Perese the talent is there, now can they retain it?
Sam Greene, Queensland Country
Greene has a big reputation in Queensland club rugby and the NRC prepares him for the step up to Super Rugby. So far he has looked good.
Ben Meehan, Melbourne Rising
Meehan is the backup behind Nick Stirzaker at the Rebels, and like Stirzaker last year, the NRC is a good chance for the pest halfback to get more exposure to high-level competition.
Melbourne Rising backrow
With quite a bit of Super Rugby experience, the Rising backrow look immense.
Jake McIntyre, Brisbane City
Along with Sam Greene from Queensland Country, McIntyre is well positioned to replace Quade Cooper at the Reds. He had a couple of starts for the Reds in 2015 so the NRC experience will prepare him well for 2016.
Nick Frisby, Brisbane City
Frisby had a great NRC in 2014, but then in 2015 at the Reds he got forced into playing out of position at 10 instead of halfback where he’d been serving his apprenticeship behind Genia. Now he’s back in the 9 jersey and combining well with McIntyre.
Jono Lance, NSW Country
Lance somewhat disappeared after moving from the Reds to the Waratahs, where he didn’t get a look in. Off to the Force for 2016, where he is hoping to play his preferred position of flyhalf, Lance has looked good which should please Force fans.
University of Canberra Vikings
Given the number of Brumbies players in their squad you’d expect them to go well. They’re blooding some younger front rowers like Les Leuluai’ali’i-Makin, a genuine ACT local, which is a good sign, and we know what the Brumbies backrow can do.
Tom Robertson, Sydney Stars
Showed great pace for a prop to get over the line a couple of times, and reacted quickly to loose ball against Queensland Country.
I’ve missed plenty as I haven’t watched all the streams, but certainly some good games and this competition gives players an opportunity to face off against more experienced and better-known players.
Who have you been impressed with so far, and who you expect to make an impact in coming weeks?
ncart
Roar Rookie
Thanks guys, yes I liked the Stars halfback as well, nearly included him in the article. I thought that the Stars showed some very sharp and quick passing in the game against Qld Country, with the 9 controlling that. Some of the rugby has been great and it's good to see the excitement it has generated amongst all the World Cup selection toing and froing. Unfortunately I think it is getting a bit overlooked because of the RWC and because we don't recognise many of these emerging players so it's harder to identify with them, which is why I wanted to highlight a few of them. Brett and The Roar are doing a great job in previewing and wrapping up the rounds and if we can encourage more supporters at the games then this comp can really build.
Karl Knuth
Guest
Good work ncart! I'm not able to get the live stream due to slow internet but was really impressed by the Stars scrumhalf and also the fullback Kingston. Also thought the starting halves for Qld Country went well and the 11 Perese was pretty to watch. The NRC is dishing up some brilliant rugby this year and has me looking forward to thursday nights. I think all the teams are going to be a lot more even this year and it will be very interesting to see who's on top by last round.
RobC
Roar Guru
gday ncart. Man, good list. I am so stoked an excited by the NRC. The players are strong skilled and exciting and they play like lightning until exhaustion. There's a couple more players from the Rebs who stood out.