Ok time for some gushing positivity on this site. Now I realise I'm not exactly introducing a new or unique thought on this forum, or indeed to any Parramatta supporter, but WOW am I impressed with Junior Paulo.
In what has been a pretty rapid and to this point, fairly seamless rise from Holden Cup to the NRL, effectively bypassing NSW Cup, the young big-man has been fantastic. In my opinion, Junior Paulo - with no offence intended to the previous incarnation of the same name at Parramatta, Joseph's older brother, Junior - is on the path to being a great, great player in the NRL. I'll admit that I was probably more taken 18 months ago with the sheer enormity and potential of his running mate Pauli Pauli (the name so nice, you say it twice). Although I still have a huge wrap on Pauli Pauli - who also could be absolutely anything in this game - I now see Junior Paulo for what he is or what he could become in only a short space of time....a beast, an animal, a weapon, a unit, a man mountain, a behemoth, a runaway train, a MANIMAL!!!
Without putting unnecessary pressure on a 20-year old frontrower, Junior Paulo is easily the best front-row prospect at Parramatta since Nathan Cayless - and as much as I loved Cayless as a player, leader and Captain, I think its safe to say that Paulo has ALL the prerequisites to cast a looming shadow over Cayless' great career. Listed at 187 cm and (at least) 110 kg, Paulo to me, is almost the prototypical size and build for a frontrower in Rugby League. Not too tall, well over 100 kg and built like they just carved him out of a large piece of quarry stone. Paulo is an absolute physical specimen. He's very wide, fast, mobile, powerful and has a low-ish centre of gravity for such a big man. All of that combined with his huge rump and legs (ironically noted by Joey Johns last Friday night) and apparent fearlessness to run as hard as humanly possible, plus a slightly awkward running style makes him a very hard prospect to tackle and/or stop for any opposition forward.
I know people have been raving about Junior's potential for some time. Kudos to you all. The past few weeks, I have truly come to understand just how good this guy could be. He has (senior) NSW and Australian honours written all over him. Junior Paulo could be Parramatta's lead frontrower for the next 10 years. I wasn't sure that BA would give him the starting role this week - in the absence of older more experienced Props such as Moimoi, Lussick and Allgood. I more expected BA to continue to shield and hold back Junior for a while longer and either start Terepo or bring back Moimoi. But I applaud the bold move by BA. I think the time is right for Junior Paulo and as BA said (PARRAphrasing) 'Junior has been going well and he will give us some real punch upfront to start the game'. I could not agree more with this sentiment. Mannah is consistent and Moimoi used to provide that grunt and punch. Now its Juniour Paulo's time. I think he is ready.
Replies
I interviewed Junior in December last year. He said he wanted first grade as much as anything, that was his goal this season. To establish himself in the NRL and if possible the starting side. Well seven months on and he's done it. Congratulations to Junior.
Great reply, to the comment, to the reply and well said.
yeah he is going great isn't he. My mate's younger brother played against him, I think in Harold Matthews, and he commented that he is nearly impossible to tackle because he is so round, you cant get a good grab on him. That try he set up against St Geoge shows what he is capable of. Imagine if we had Fui in his prime and he playing togethor. Unstoppable!
If you have not seen this guy in person, you need to see him..MASSIVE. BIG UNIT
Also Pauli Pauli - he needs some work, but 1 more full season he'll dominate. Tall big and mobile unit!
We could be the 2003 penrtih panther - powerful forwards.
He has a long road ahead of him if he really wants to be compared to Cayless. Since Cayless started playing, there have been 200 players with 'all the prerequisites' to cast a looming shadow over him, but I could count the ones that have on my fingers (and I'm not even from Queensland).
I suspect even the likes of Civoneceva and Matt Scott would pay homage to Cayless; his 40 test matches, his 200 games as captain, his field goal, etc.
Lets not count our chickens.
On a more positive note; yeah, the kid's a gun.
Tom Mus,
Mate, I am possibly Nathan Cayless' biggest supporter. I have ALWAYS admired and defended Cayless to all comers, so please know that I did not take the comparison between he and Cayless lightly. I honestly believe Paulo could be the next great Prop for Parramatta. I realise the amount of kids who have come through, even since Cayless' day, but I just have a gut feeling that Junior is the man. The one thing he already has over Cayless is his sheer size. Cayless was not THAT big for a frontrower. He made up for a slight lack of size with his workrate, mobility and defence. If Paulo can match the type of commitment Cayless had, he'll end up in front.
Not counting my chickens at all, as I admit, Junior needs a little bit of polish on his handling and takling/defence and workrate. But if he continues to work hard, Junior has the game at his feet.
I love this guy, great talent just has to continue to work on his game as well as his fitness and bigger things will come.
thanks for the comments guys, much appreciated.
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