This Saturday night’s Rugby League World Cup final will mark the end of an era as a generation of legendary footballers come to the height of their representative football careers.
Change will be afoot at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup in England with Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater and company all expected to retire in the coming years.
So what will the future of the green and gold look like? Well, it certainly looks bright with a host of extremely talented young NRL players all beckoning for representative claims in the next four years.
1. Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles, 25 years)
Edging out James Tedesco for the No.1 jumper, Trbojevic is one of the hottest young prodigies after making his Kangaroos debut this World Cup at the tender age of just 21 years. Trbojevic has already jumped into the deep end taking on enormous leadership roles and excelling at the highest level, ensuring a strong future ahead of him.
2. Dane Gagai (South Sydney Rabbitohs, 30 years)
A current Test incumbent, Gagai has been exceptional since entering the representative arena. He has been a gem at fullback for the Newcastle Knights and now appears set to make the next big step in his career as he shifts to the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
He would be one of the senior players in the squad and has the necessary skill and experience to become a mainstay.
3. Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm, 27 years)
Named as a utility in 2017 for the Kangaroos, Munster could be set for a shift to centre in his representative football future. The Storm utility showed his skill in his side’s 2017 premiership win and will be one of the Kangaroos’ key players going forward.
4. Nick Cotric (Canberra Raiders, 23 years)
Announcing himself as one of the best wingers in the NRL upon his rookie season in 2017, Cotric is considered a bolter for State of Origin next year and beyond that an option for the 2019 Lions Tour.
The Raiders young gun looks to be one of the most promising young players in the NRL and could soon find himself a regular member of the Kangaroos squad.
5. Valentine Holmes (Cronulla Sharks, 26 years)
It is hard to believe that Valentine Holmes is only 22 years of age and has already played 10 Tests for Australia, smashing tryscoring records.
The Townsville product is seriously talented and will be in the prime of his career come the 2021 rugby league World Cup. He has found his place in representative football and played himself into the No.5 jersey for years to come.
(Brendan Esposito / NRL Photos)
6. Michael Morgan (North Queensland Cowboys, 30 years)
Morgan has come into his own since an injury to Johnathan Thurston earlier this year helping to steer the Maroons, Cowboys and Kangaroos in 2017. Morgan has excelled since transitioning from fullback to five-eighth and will be a Kangaroos star for a long time to come.
7. Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers, 24 years)
In a race with the likes of Ashley Taylor and Mitchell Moses to succeed Cooper Cronk, Cleary edges out his fellow NRL young guns having shown great composure, skills and energy with the Panthers over the last two seasons.
8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard (Penrith Panthers, 28 years)
Since being called into the squad due to the absence of Andrew Fifita, Campbell-Gillard has proven himself in the green and gold with some strong performances this World Cup. He picked up accolades at the Dally Ms earlier this year and has the world at his feet as he enters the golden years of his footballing career.
9. Jayden Brailey (Cronulla Sharks, 25 years)
There are numerous options to succeed Cameron Smith at hooker however none better in terms of longevity than Jayden Brailey. Beating out Andrew McCullough and Apisai Koroisau for the jumper, Brailey has remained composed in his rookie season in the NRL displaying talent which could see him become one of the best hookers in the world.
10. David Klemmer (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 27 years)
Still only 27 years of age, Klemmer has been enormous for the Kangaroos in their 2017 World Cup campaign dominating opposition forward packs. He has already played 14 Tests for the Kangaroos since making his debut in 2014 and will almost certainly be there in 2021 should he remain available.
(Image: NRL)
11. Boyd Cordner (Sydney Roosters, 29 years)
The next Kangaroos captain, Boyd Cordner has developed into one of the best backrowers in the world. He has demonstrated his leadership qualities and footballing prowess time and time again, and would no doubt be one of the first names on the teamlist.
12. Angus Crichton (South Sydney Rabbitohs, 25 years)
Having already caught the attention of numerous NRL clubs after a promising start to his career, Crichton has been tremendous for South Sydney completely transforming their forward pack. There is little doubt he will represent the Kangaroos in the future, it’s hard to believe that he is just 21 years of age.
13. Jake Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles, 27 years)
After his World Cup campaign was cut short by injury, Trbojevic will be hoping lightning doesn’t strike twice in 2021. He has proved himself as an absolute workhorse for the Sea Eagles and is developing into an extremely talented forward capable of matching it with the best in the world.
14. Clinton Gutherson (Parramatta Eels, 27 years)
His World Cup hopes were cruelled earlier this year in the ACL but the man affectionately known as ‘King Gutho’ has a bright future ahead of him. He is only 23 years of age and already one of the most dominant players in the competition making him a lethal utility to carry off the bench with his ability to play anywhere in the backline.
15. Dylan Napa (Sydney Roosters, 29 years)
The Roosters firebrand dominates the middle of the park with his enormous size striking fear into opposition. He has received his first taste of representative football with Queensland earlier this year and on the cusp of an Australian Test cap after having previously played in the PM’s XIII.
16. Payne Haas (Brisbane Broncos, 22 years)
It’s hard to judge his future given Haas is currently just 18 years of age and yet to make his first grade debut but the young Broncos front rower has all the hallmarks of a talented rugby league player.
Tipping in at 117 kilograms and standing at 6’4”, Haas has already drawn comparisons to Jason Taumalolo and will no doubt be a force to be reckoned with.
17. Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos, 23 years)
The young forward has been a revelation so far for both the Broncos and junior representative sides. In line to make his NRL debut next season, Carrigan is a leader of the future and shapes as a future Kangaroos lock forward.
Roarers, what do you think of the future Kangaroos? Could you see Australia continuing their dominance into the 2021 Rugby League World Cup?
Greg Ambrose
Guest
Mitchell is an outstanding talent and can't be stopped at his best. Turbo Tom does get let off a bit lightly at times and I think it comes down to the fact that he like his brother are such likable characters. I wish I was wrong but as a Manly supporter Mitchell has much greater potential than Dylan Walker. Walker is a role model for hitting the gap at speed but Mitchells ability to beat a man and set up supports is a rare thing. TT has huge wraps on him and it would be good to see him reach his potential. Ponga is a bit of a forgotten player due to injury and is another rare talent, last time I saw him play he was part of this ridiculous trend of leaving badly wounded players on the field which has crept in over the last couple of years.
Jom Jonson
Roar Rookie
ENGLAND are aiming to make history
nerval
Guest
Mitchell has a lot more than strength - his change of pace helps him generate explosive power too. The way he demolished Michael Jennings in the finals was something to behold. He has a great left-foot side-step. Add the way he holds and delivers the ball to his winger - and his improving goal-kicking - and this makes him a legitimately highly-skilled footballer. But, yes, I'd worry if he put on any more weight. I hope the Roosters instruct him to go easy on the weights.
JB
Guest
Love mitchell and his strength TT has outperformed in a worse side for a while now, I think It will be about conditioning for both of them, they are both big lads and if they lose speed will likely both move to the centres. I thought tedesco at 1 and TT in place of cotric
Larry1950
Guest
Frizell & Mclean have to be favourites in the pack, Hess should go ahead in leaps & bounds while Pangai junior will be eligible under the current arrangements with second tier nations and he excelled against the poms. I reckon Ash Taylor might trump Cleary by then as the Qld halfback & you obviously don't rate Milford. Giving two untried Broncos the bench roles seems to be wildly left field without any supporting evidence. Seems you've reverted to the old formula of throwing Qld a few token positions in the run on side, guess you're tipping a NSW dynasty under Freddie? If you're throwing in wild cards like Brailey after half a season, my roughie is Matt Parcell for hooker after he returns to the Broncos from the English Superleague as Mccullough's replacement in 2020.
Paul J
Guest
Good that you picked Cleary ahead of Moses, left out Moylan, Couple of players from left field. They may fulfil their potential and you are proved right
nerval
Guest
I did check out those highlights. What I saw was Mitchell get hurt and try to play through this injury. I do think, however, that he allowed Walker to get under his skin (Walker managed to do this to plenty of others last season. He did seem to be curiously hyped-up, didn't he?). And Mitchell was dropped, went away and then returned to finish very strongly indeed. Actually, come to think of it, maybe I'm thinking of another game altogether! It wasn't in Round 1. Some of Tommy Turbo's mistakes - had they been committed by Mitchell - might well have been seen as signs of laziness.
MAX
Guest
An excellent read, Riley. The coming workloads for Gagai at Souths and Cordner at Easts may put some doubt as to their availability for Kangaroo duties in 2021. Like other Roarers I would like to see a place found for Latrell Mitchell.
Speep
Guest
Surely Granville at 9
Tony
Guest
Still a ref, either way.
Tony
Guest
" I have seen Tommy Turbo make the most egregious howlers for Manly but, when they occur, he has never been accused of being lazy or because he has a bad attitude – as has happened when Mitchell has made them." I agree with almost all of your comments, however check out the highlights from Roosters v Manly in Round 1. He basically threw in the towel against Dylan Walker, and it cost them the match.
BA Sports
Guest
I think overlooking countless players to come up with two players yet to debut and both just happen to be Bronocs probably speaks to a little bias or narrow sightedness in the writing.
Tom Clarke
Roar Pro
Have to agree, Coen Hess is already a great talent and will only get better, especially if he gets to keep playing with and learning from Taumalolo. He could be scary good in a few years time. Great article regardless Riley.
Peter Phelps
Guest
One thing you can guarantee is that between now and 2021, new names will suddenly appear and take some of those positions, some not even considered now will have a purple patch and come into contention and some of those currently considered shoo ins will fall by the wayside. You will be lucky if much more than half that list is correct come 2021.
Nat
Roar Guru
Not a bad list. I think Gagai is next in line for the centres. I can't imagine too many have heard of Pat Carrigan outside of Brisbane. Paas will be interesting, very dominant in the lower grades but props come into their own with maturity. Tede vs Turbo... dunno strong arguments for both but IMO Tede will get even better at the Roosters under Mini's guidance. Really like Gutho but maybe Mitchell has more natural ability.
paul
Guest
Tyson Frizell doesn't rate a mention even though he's in the current side?
rl
Guest
Good and timely piece Riley, really enjoyed it. Geez, aren't we coming off a golden era? But still, there's plenty of talent in the list you've come up with. Brodie Croft would be my tip for halfback. I think he's got a better overall game than Cleary. But maybe Cleary's goalkicking will keep Croft out. I love Jake T at 13, in favour of the current trend of having another prop there. Although I wonder what the trend will be by 2021? RCG is that good, I wish he was a Qlder! I also wonder if Hess doesn't sneak in there too, possibly over Crichton? (but maybe my Maroon bias is showing).
KingCowboy
Guest
Geez Riley I respect your opinion but it is a massive call to leave Coen Hess out of the best 17. I think he will become almost as good as Lolo. But I suppose you can't have them all in there.
Greg Ambrose
Guest
I wonder whether Cameron Smith plans on being a commentator or player in 2021?
nerval
Guest
I've got Tonga on my mind! That should have read Kalyn Ponga...