The start of this decade has left many sports stars heartbroken.
From the death of Kobe Bryant to almost every professional sporting league around the world taking an unforeseen break due to COVID-19 – it’s left us all searching for something.
And while many pundits and experts alike have looked back and tried to make a list of all-time greats, I say we look forward at what this decade can offer us. The NRL is littered with young superstars and I’ll break down which players will make the competition their own.
5. Jason Taumalolo – Turns 27 in 2020
A premiership, a Dally M medal and having already played over 180 NRL games – there is simply no stopping this man. It may be presumptuous to add him to this list given he is the oldest of the five players, but with Taumalolo only in his third year of his massive ten-year, $10 million dollar deal, I can guess big Jason will be around for a while.
Simply one of the greatest players of the NRL era, he is the complete package when it comes to the modern forward. The only thing not catapulting him higher on the list is that Taumalolo’s impact on the field may decrease further on in his career.
4. Ryan Papenhuyzen – Turns 21 in 2020
This may seem like a controversial pick, given that players such as Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray and Tom Trbjoevic have already played and starred at the representative level. However, Papenhuyzen’s game resembles somewhat to the great Billy Slater, ironically the man he has replaced at the Melbourne Storm.
Already one of the most electrifying players in the competition today, the Melbourne Storm fullback has set the football world alight since making his debut last year. With blitzing speed and an uncanny to break multiple tackles, Papenhuyzen’s game will only blossom more under the tutelage of Craig Bellamy.
And with a lethal combination with five-eighth Cameron Munster beginning to show, another dynasty for the Storm seems only inevitable.
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
3. Kalyn Ponga – Turns 21 in 2020
Ponga has been hailed as the next big thing for many years now in league circles, and his potential is probably the highest among all young players in the game today. His ability to switch between fullback and five-eighth is crucial for the Knights and he has already shown he has the talent and poise to take over matches.
However, Ponga probably would have been number one on this list had it not been from the growing interest coming from rugby union. Having previously stated playing for the All-Blacks would be a huge goal of his, the lure of rugby union would therefore weaken his impact in NRL. Let’s all hope we get to see Ponga stay in league for the rest of his career and not be wasted in union just like players before.
(AAP Image/Brendon Thorne)
2. David Fifita – Turns 20 in 2020
A tearaway forward and an ability to break through the toughest defences, Fifita is quite unlike any back-rower we’ve seen before. You only have to cast your memory back to Round 1 this year when he broke the Cowboys’ defence and ran for an easy 60 metres to set the new year alight.
Having already made his debut for Queensland and been named captain of the Junior Kangaroos in 2019, Fifita will be a lock for any representative and club stardom going forward for this decade.
1. Payne Haas – Turns 21 in 2020
It’s scary to think that the Brisbane Broncos both have players listed number one and two on this list, but I couldn’t think of a more deserving player than Payne Haas.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Having made his debut in 2018, Haas has quickly established himself as one of the game’s premier forwards. With ridiculous footwork matched with supreme strength and a level headed maturity, Haas has already recorded representative honours for both his state and country.
Broncos and NRL great Garden Tallis only recently said that Haas has the ability to become the game’s greatest forward, and if he is able to continue his match-winning form previously shown, there is no reason to argue why he can’t.
Honourable mentions
Now, trying to come up with this list was already hard enough so I’ve made a list of some honourable mentions who just missed the cut: Cameron Murray, Brandon Smith, Bronson Xerri, Tom Trbjoevic, Latrell Mitchell, Nathan Cleary, AJ Brimson, Cameron Munster and Valentine Holmes.
What do you think Roarers?
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
JT isn't a young gun. He's 27 and been playing for a long time.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Whilst Papenhuhyzen offers great attacking potential, if you want a fullback under the high ball bomb or as last line of defence , you wouldn't have him getting anywhere near a Turbo or Teddy. The other 4 top 5 picks here are all creditable choices. Some of the honourable mentions may be a bit ambitious also . Xerri needs to learn to defend. Mitchell needs an attitude overhaul and A J Brimson needs a better team for him to ever develop.
Nat
Roar Guru
You should probably excllude JT13 from this list, he's done and won nearly everything. Would you say JT13 and Burgess were the two dominant forwards of last decade. He'll most likely be retired by 2025. Of the guys I think Haas will have the best career. Being a prop his job is a simple one - run hard and be strong. He has the natural gift of a huge motor and footwork but also an instinctiveness/work ethic that has seen him pull covering tackles and try savers where he had to follow quite some way to be involved when it mattered. Where he will stay above this pack, the others rely on moments of brilliance which is hard to do consistently.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Plenty of room for some champion halves, five-eights and hookers to emerge. Hard to argue with most of the list but I don't believe another Storm dynasty is inevitable at all. With Smith retiring soon , I'm tipping them to come right back to the field soon. Despite their great start, I reckon it's already happening. Papenhuhyzen has had a great start but I have my doubts about him getting better. I'd sooner have Turbo my self.