2016 Rookie Backrowers to watch
A solid backrow is crucial to a quality NRLCEO side, but unless you draft forwards hard out straight away you often find yourself one of two backrowers short. That’s where the free agency pool and the rookies come into play. If you can spot a young backrower that is going to meet the crucial qualifications of 40+ tackles and hitups on a regular basis then you have struck gold!
Here are 15 Rookies I believe could make an impact in the 2016 NRL season in the backrow.
Wests Tigers: Josh Aloiai
Aloiai is a former Junior Kiwis representative and joins Wests Tigers after two seasons with the Parramatta Eels in both Under 20’s and NSW Cup. A powerful backrower who has had two impressive NYC seasons and is a star in the making. With the ability to slot in anywhere in the forward pack, expect a big season from Josh who is keen to make up for an injury-interrupted 2015 with the Eels. Is expected to debut for the Wests Tigers in 2016.
Canberra Raiders: Mitchell Barnett
Sydney Roosters Nat Butcher
Take a look at the junior representative honours of Nat Butcher to get a snapshot of what this kid is capable of; six Tests for Australia (2013-14), World Cup (2013), Four Nations (2014), five games for NSW (2013-2015), Country Origin (2013). At just 18 years of age the young second-rower already has an impressive resume and has been given a shot to train fulltime with the Roosters NRL squad ahead of the 2016 season. The Australian Schoolboy has a big future ahead, and any Roosters fans will be looking forward to his debut.
Cronulla Sharks: Kurt Capewell
The 22-year-old signed a two year deal with the Cronulla Sharks starting from the 2016 Season. His size, explosive speed and footwork proved a nightmare for the opposition as he regularly tore holes in rival defensive lines. Capewell made a huge impression after switching to second row from centre in the Queensland Cup last season. The former Roosters and Broncos Under-20s star is one to watch down at the Shire if he gets his opportunity.
South Sydney Rabbitohs: Angus Crichton
Angus Crichton joined the Rabbitohs in 2015 following a decorated schoolboy rugby union career at The Scots College in Sydney. Played a role in the Club’s 2015 Auckland Nines victory. Named in the New South Wales Under 20s Origin pathways squad, Crichton only made six appearances in the Holden Cup side due to a hand injury but managed to score three tries in 2015. Crichton will be looking to land himself a place in Michael Maguire’s top 17 in 2016. Will get his opportunity in 2016 and should grab it with both hands and become a regular.
Parramatta Eels: Tyrell Fuimaono
Named in the NSWRL Under-20s pathway squad, the high-powered and productive second-rower loves to bust through the line or hit the line and get away an offload. Fuimaono averaged over 160 metres per game and threw 25 offloads. Still eligible for the under-20s, but expect opportunity in First Grade to come his way in 2016.
Canberra Raiders: Tevita Pangai Junior
We highlighted Pangai in our 2016 Clubs best Rookie Prospect segment recently, the nineteen-year old lock/prop has spent the last three years playing in the Holden Cup, where in In 38 games, Pangai scored 18 tries. A hard working kid that has impressed the Raiders coaches staff. One of the best players in last year’s NSW Cup and if he resigns with the Raiders will certainly make his debut in 2016. But if he signs with the Broncos as rumoured then he’ll be playing another year of reserve grade.
Wests Tigers: Jesse Parahi
Parahi has been a mainstay of the Australian Rugby Sevens team since making his debut in 2010, notching up 33 caps to date. The 26-year-old captained the Australian squad during various IRB World Series tournaments and won a bronze medal in the 2014 Commonwealth games tournament. Scored 25 tries from 33 games for the Australian men’s sevens team and will looking to convert his star power to rugby league with the Wests Tigers. He will play for Jason Taylor in 2016 – just a matter of when.
Newcastle Knights: Jacob Saifiti
After a strong season with the U20s Knights playing in the front and back row, Jacob stepped up to play NSW Cup late in the season, contributing to the team’s premiership win. Play 15 games in the NSW Cup in 2015 and his sheer physicality has served him well in his first pre-season training stint with the NRL squad.
Cronulla Sharks: Jesse Sene-Lefao
Sene-Lefao signed a two year contract with the Sharks, starting from 2016 after he was released from his final year of his contract with Manly. The hard-running 25-year-old will join the Sharks after playing 38 NRL games since making his debut for the Sea Eagles back in round one of the 2013 season and has also represented Samoa in three Test matches. A late bloomer as an NRL player, Sene-Lafao played 11 top grade games for Manly in 2015 scoring two tries. He adds size and versatility to the Sharks pack, with Sene-Lafao equally adept at playing prop or in the second row and adds add depth to Cronulla’s ageing pack. A very handy signing from coach Shane Flanagan.
New Zealand Warriors: Toafofoa Sipley
Sipley is another young talent off the production line that is St Paul’s College. In addition to representing his school, Toafofoa shot through the ranks at the Richmond Rovers. Breakthrough came in 2013 when he earned a place in the Vodafone Junior Warriors squad and the NZ Residents 18s for their Australian tour. Sipley took the field on 10 occasions in his debut season for the club, bringing a strong work ethic to the prop position. With Ryan Hoffman and Jacob Lillyman both set for Origin call-ups, Sipley is expected to debut for the Warriors during this period.
Melbourne Storm: Joe Stimson
Stimson is the current U20 Thunderbolts captain and agreed signed a two year deal with the Storm. He claimed Storm’s Best U20s Forward honours two years running, highlighting his rapid growth in the youth competition. Stimson is extremely versatile player who crossed for eight tries and converting nine goals during his NYC career. Probably won’t move up to first grade this year – watch for him in the future.
Brisbane Broncos: Caleb Timu
CALEB Timu will return to the Broncos after completing a two-year Mormon Mission in the South Pacific. He is a very talented member of the Broncos’ Under 20s squads of Seasons 2012 and 2013, and represented the Queensland Under 20s in the back row. Ipswich product Timu, now 21 years old, had attracted interest from rugby union but ultimately wanted to return to Red Hill and make up for lost time at the Broncos with his power game. Touted as the next Gordon Tallis of the club, Wayne Bennett and the Broncos faithful would be delighted if that would come true.
Gold Coast Titans: Oshae Tuiasau
Representing Queensland Under-20s in 2015, Oshae is a back-rower who can score tries. He is one of the most exciting young talents at the Gold Coast Titans and is destined to make his debut in 2016. Stuck behind the pecking order of Greg Bird, Chris McQueen and Ryan James, his all-round talent could see Tuiasau make his debut while Bird and McQueen are absent on representative duties.
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