While it can be dangerous to hype young guys up too much, it’s always exciting to see new young talent emerge. The 2016 NRL season looks like it will provide a bumper crop of rugby league rookies.
Physically, the transition to the NRL is a huge challenge. Outside backs tend to have a better chance of adapting at a younger age than forwards.
Below I’ve put together a list of some of the most exciting rookies coming through. Not all of them will start the season in first grade, but they will all be worth keeping an eye on wherever they are playing.
Latrell Mitchell (Roosters)
To be labelled the next Greg Inglis at just 18 years of age is a huge rap. Mitchell has already been impressive in 2016 at both the Auckland Nines and against St Helens in the pre-season World Club Series last week. That form should see him earn an NRL debut as one of the Roosters’ outside backs in Round 1.
Jayden Nikorima (Roosters)
The livewire 19-year-old younger brother of Broncos utility Kodi Nikorima, Jayden will most likely get his big chance to start Round 1 in the halves for the Roosters due to Mitchell Pearce’s suspension. Like Mitchell, Nikorima cemented his spot with a great performance in the Roosters’ big pre-season win over St Helens in the World Club Series.
Tom Trbojevic (Manly)
Manly’s 19-year-old outside back Tom Trbojevic is another who impressed when given opportunities in the latter half of 2015. He’ll be looking to cement a permanent spot somewhere in the Sea Eagles’ backline this season.
Jackson Hastings (Roosters)
With James Moloney moving on and Mitchell Pearce’s suspension, at just 20 years of age Jackson Hastings will be the senior partner in the halves for the Roosters, at least for the early rounds of the season. He showed in the latter half of 2015 that he was up to it. He has a great pedigree, being the son of Roosters legend Kevin Hastings.
Gideon Gela Mosby (North Queensland)
Gela Mosby scored an incredible 38 tries playing on the wing for the Cowboys Under-20s last season. It is said he can also run 100 metres in 10.2 seconds. Although the 19 year-old was eye-catching at the Auckland Nines, he will likely have to bide his time in the 2016 season.
Coach Paul Green understandably will stay loyal to the 17 players who delivered the Cowboys their first premiership in 2015. Time is on Gela Mosby’s side, however, and what a back-up option for a coach to have.
Bevan French (Parramatta)
Bevan French is an outside back who played a huge part in Parramatta winning the Auckland Nines just three weeks ago. He created a tournament record by scoring nine tries across the weekend. Coach Brad Arthur has said he won’t be starting in Round 1 however, so French will have to bide his time and wait for an opportunity to make his NRL debut.
Brenko Lee (Canberra)
Twenty-year-old centre Brenko Lee has only played a handful of NRL games over the past two seasons, and will be hoping to cement a spot somewhere in the Raiders’ backline in 2016. He faces some pretty stiff competition for a spot, but has the size and skills to be successful in first grade if given the opportunity.
Ashley Taylor (Titans)
Star Bronco Under-20s halfback Ashley Taylor has moved to the Titans for an opportunity to play first grade. He certainly has it, with 2015 Titans halfback Kane Elgey suffering a season-ending knee injury before a ball has been kicked in the 2016 season.
Matt Parcell (Manly)
At 23, Manly’s new recruit is a livewire hooker older than many of the rookies on this list. He was a back-up to Andrew McCulloch at the Broncos and only played a handful of games off the bench in 2015, spending the majority of the season starring for Ipswich in their premiership-winning Queensland Cup team. He is another player who impressed at the Auckland Nines.
Those are just some of the NRL rookies to watch in 2016. What other young guns do you think will fire this season?
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