Melbourne feel they’re well-placed to cover the loss of Marika Koroibete to rugby union ahead the 2017 NRL season.
Koroibete’s move to the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby side has left a big hole in the Storm’s young backline.
Storm football director Frank Ponissi said that Victorian product Young Tonumaipea, ex-Wests Tigers flyer Josh Addo-Carr and centre Curtis Scott were in the running to fill the vacancy.
“It’s a pretty open position to be honest,” Ponissi said.
Tonumaipea, 24, started on the wing in the first six games of the 2016 season but his strong start to the year was derailed by a knee injury.
That opened the door for another Fijian flyer Suliasi Vunivalu, who had a meteoric rise as he crossed for 23 tries in 21 games and finished as the competition’s top try-scorer.
“Young was unlucky as he was probably one of our best players and he had that wing spot sewn up but then he got injured and by the time he got back Suli had gone to another level and he couldn’t get his position back,” Ponissi said.
“If he started the season like he did last year you’d say he would be the first candidate but he’s got some pretty good rivals in Josh Addo-Carr and Curtis.”
Addo-Carr, 21, made an impression on the Storm when he scored against them in his NRL debut in round seven.
Signing a three-year deal with Melbourne in June, he played nine games for the season, adding another three tries to his tally.
The Storm are excited to see what former Australian schoolboy representative Scott offers in 2017 after his promising NRL career stalled in round four last year when he broke his leg.
“He’s put on some size after 12 months into a full-time program which he needed to do and he’s got stronger,” Ponissi said of the 19-year-old.
“Curtis will be knocking on the door for a centre role or that wing spot.”
Marco
Guest
Scott Woodward sounds like a Storm fan. This is the fourth time I have read a similar article on Koribete this Xmas/New year so I assume the Storm are concerned about their Islander following moving to the rebels..
Joe
Roar Rookie
That's true Scott, its a bit like having a good playmaker in 7s rugby... although I do think the likes of Bevan Fench/Radradra made a big difference for the Eels as well as Corey Norman last year. Green/Munster were fantastic in the Nines last year so hopefully get similar performance from whichever half is going out there although I suspect it will be one of the newbies. With the likes of Ado-Carr/Olam/Vunivalu/Curtis Scott out wide I think it will be pretty exciting if they get quality ball. I do think however what the Storm management team will be looking at is who misses the one-on-one tackles and who doesn't cover in defence and chase down breaks. I think that will play more into who gets picked to replace Koro.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Joe If you look at the Nines it is not dominated by pace as most would expect; all recent winners have has an outstanding half who has controlled the direction.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Definitely some good outside backs in the running. I think it will come down to who has the best off season and its looking like Ado-Carr, Curtis Scott. I hope Olam makes it as well but I think he might start on the wing instead of center. I think Curtis Scott will be a natural center as soon as he has put on the kilos as he has good decision making abilities...apparently even in the running for 6. He was a bit light last year but still did enough to impress. I think Addo-Carr will also be doing a lot of strength training and bulk up a bit. He reminds me of when Koroibete first game down, very lean mean machine but not so much power...3 off seasons later much more solid taking the ball into the line. Also haven't seen enough of Hawkins yet who is in his 2nd year at the Storm. The guy who gets picked though might come down to who is the best defender. I hope all the candidates get thrown into the Nines tournament...that would be exciting to watch. Lastly there's also the Union/AFL convert Shem Tatupu...I think they were going to get him into the wings to be an Israel Folau type but he was injured in offseason so might be behind the pack.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Mik Like Suliasi Vunivalu Justin Olam is still learning to play RL. It is a massive step to go from PNG to Q Cup and then to NRL. Pre season alone will be a massive change, but the Storm system is so good and the coaches so experienced that they will get the best out of Olam as they do with most young recruits. Also Jeremy Hawkins, a junior Kiwi, is also an exciting candidate who had an injury plagued 2016 with only 6 Q Cup games, but he showed enough to suggest he is another to push for NRL selection. The club depth looks as good as ever and they are 3k up on memberships already running 4th in the NRL with membership numbers.
Mikail-Eagle
Guest
Justin Olam is definitely the dark-horse and I think the Storm are keeping him away from the spot light at the moment. He might even start in QCUP with the Sunshine Coast Falcons but he is in my opinion already NRL material.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Josh Addo-Carr actually scored 25 tries in 2016 (19 in NSW Cup and 6 at NRL level). he also made 110 tackle breaks and is close to the fastest runner in the game, certainty quicker than Koroibete. The Storm have also signed Justin Olam from the PNG Hunters and he could be PNG’s best ever centre and just as good on the wing. Has genuine speed and hits the line like Koro, totally fearless. Genuine NRL class and should be a huge asset to the list. Any centre that makes over 5 tackle breaks each game is valuable. Justin made 14 tries, some quiet stunning, in 21 games and he received poor service from his halfs. Hurts when he tackles, reminds me of Steve Matai.