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One of the highlights of every rugby league season is to witness the emergence of the next crop of players who fulfil their dreams and finally get their chance in the NRL.
Not every debutant goes on to make it, however, as the NRL has the habit of chewing young players up and spitting them out, but fortunately enough survive the fierce initiation to go on and build successful careers.
Here’s my take on the best team of 2023 debutants – how many will still be playing in the NRL in five years’ time?
1. Jahream Bula – (Age 21, 18 games for the Tigers). Bula came from nowhere to claim the No.1 jersey and has been a shining light for the club in an otherwise very disappointing season. He has speed, footwork all the skills, and is an instinctive player, and if the Tigers have any sense, they’ll be building a fence around him ASAP.
2. Will Warbrick – (Age 25, 22 games, and counting, for the Storm). With a background in NZ rugby sevens and winning a silver medal at the 2020 Olympics, Warbrick made the transition to the Storm’s right wing seem effortless. He’s big and powerful and knows the way to the line, and his 16 tries this year include four against Wests in round 16 and three against the Dragons in round 25.
3. Valynce Te Whare – (age 22, 12 games for the Dolphins). Originally from NZ, Te Whare had a sensational debut for the Dolphins in their round 10 defeat of Cronulla, crossing for two tries in a powerhouse display. He’s built like a brick outhouse and is very difficult to bring down. A little more attention to his fitness seems all that’s required for him to go to the next level.
4. Paul Alamoti – (Age 19, 19 games for the Bulldogs). An under 19s NSW Origin representative, Alamoti combines bruising defence with powerful ball running. Given more time playing outside Matt Burton, he could develop into one of the most effective centres in the game.
5. Alofiana Khan-Pereira – (Age 21, 23 games for the Titans). AKP is the latest in the Titans production line of speedy wingers, and he just might be the quickest of them all. He crossed for an incredible 20 tries in his debut season, including six doubles against some pretty good opposition, and loves to pull out the unexpected once he gets the ball.
6. Isaiya Katoa – (Age 19, 22 games for the Dolphins). Katoa had three tests for Tonga to his name before being thrust into the big time as playmaker for the fledgling Dolphins team, and he surprised everyone except those who saw him coming through the ranks with Penrith. Currently on a bargain basement contract, the Dolphins will need to give him a significant upgrade to hang on to him.
7. Jonah Pezet – (Age 20, 8 games, and counting, for the Storm). An under 19s Origin representative for NSW, Pezet was pinched from under the noses of the Newcastle Knights after impressing in their junior representative system. Every time he got a chance in the top grade he showed why Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy was keen to take him to Bleak City.
8. Iszac Fa’asuamaleaui – (Age 21, 13 games for the Titans). They must breed them big up in Gympie if Iszac and his brother Tino are anything to go by. Iszac has impressed since cracking first grade in round 3 and finished the season strongly. Just like his big brother, he doesn’t take a backward step.
9. Brendan Hands – (Age 23, 19 games for the Eels). Hands is yet another product of the Penrith juniors’ endless production line and, happily for the Eels, he joined them in 2022. He was thrust into first grade early in the year and was integral to their dummy half rotation for just about the whole season.
10. Luca Moretti – (Age 23, 10 games for the Eels). Moretti played three games for Italy at the 2022 RLWC and has been a regular on the Eels bench through the latter part of the season, filling in either on the edge or in the middle. A likely lad.
11. Jacob Preston – (Age 21, 20 games for the Bulldogs). Every now and again a special talent comes along, and Preston is one of them. He looks to have it all, both in attack and defence, and no wonder the Dogs have signed him until the end of 2027. Manly will rue letting this youngster escape from the peninsula.
12. Toby Couchman – (Age 19, 15 games for the Dragons). Another product of the famous Thirroul Butchers club, Couchman’s game is already well developed for one so young. Hopefully he can reach his potential at the Dragons and not be lost to another club like so many before him.
13. Siua Wong – (Age 20, 8 games, and counting, for the Roosters). Wong had four Tests for Fiji before his 20th birthday and hasn’t looked back since cementing a spot in the Roosters’ back row towards the end of the season. The sky’s the limit for this young talent.
14. Sandon Smith – (Age 20, 13 games, and counting, for the Roosters). The Roosters knew what they were doing when the signed Smith as a 15-year-old and he looks set to live up to his early promise. After dominating in the NSW Cup, he’s become an important utility option for the Roosters, equally at home in either the halves or dummy half, and is also a handy goal kicker.
15. Dan Russell – (Age 27, 8 games for the Dragons). Russell certainly took the long route to the NRL but gained some attention when re represented PNG at the 2022 RLWC, where he even found himself running out on the wing in one game. Tall and rangy, there’s nothing fancy about Russell, but he just doesn’t back off.
16. Samuela Fainu – (Age 19, 5 games for the Sea Eagles). They don’t come much bigger than this youngster and it’s just possible that he hasn’t stopped growing yet. A powerful ball runner, Manly may regret losing him to the Tigers in 2024.
17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki – (Age 19, 12 games for the Cowboys). Another teenage giant who has started to show his potential in a club already blessed with some great young forwards. Playing primarily off the bench in 2023, it won’t be long before he’ll be putting pressure on for a starting spot. He’s only signed until 2024 at this stage, so don’t be surprised to see the Cowboys extend his contract in the very near future.
Did I miss anyone?
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