Suaalii not the only King’s School sensation chasing NRL debut
https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_144%2C$height_144/t_crop_fill/q_86%2Cf_auto/635402f1698dc5687fb8f98be5c093fe76cbc56f 2x" alt="Christian Nicolussi" />By Christian Nicolussi
Joseph Suaalii may not be the only rookie teen sensation from The King’s School to make his NRL debut this year.
Suaalii’s good friend Will Penisini has done nothing but impress his Parramatta teammates in pre-season training, prompting skipper Clint Gutherson to declare: “The sky is the limit for him.”
Turning 19 in July, Penisini has spent time training in Michael Jennings’ left-centre position and scored a try in the Eels’ trial against St George Illawarra last Thursday night.
Just as the Roosters have been ultra protective of Suaalii, Parramatta are mindful of placing too much public expectation on Penisini, especially given he is still on a development contract and unlikely to be given his shot at first grade until the second half of the season.
Eels coach Brad Arthur has never been one to bring through a player before he is ready. Tom Opacic and Michael Oldfield, who is nursing a minor knee injury, are two players standing in Penisini’s way. But judging by Penisini’s rugby highlights reel – and the love from the Parramatta playing group – The King’s School graduate will give Arthur plenty to think about.
Penisini is expected to spend some time on the ground against Penrith in the club’s final trial this weekend.
“Will is a great kid, he wants to learn and he’s lucky he’s got some great players out there to help him,” Gutherson said.
“He’s come from King’s, which is a good rugby school, but he chose to stay with us. He’s a big boy – he’s not small for 18 – and the sky is the limit for him. You never know when the right time is to debut a kid. I’m sure if his time comes this year, he’ll take it with both hands.”
Five-eighth Dylan Brown came from a rugby background and said he respected Penisini’s path to Parramatta.
“He’s a freak, he’s confident, he’s so smart, he has the looks, the face for it – he will do some big things,” Brown said. “Will isn’t in the limelight, and he doesn’t need to be, and I’m sure Brad won’t throw him in too soon. We’ve got Waqa Blake, we’ve got Tom Opacic. The good thing is we have these kids pushing us.”
Jennings remains provisionally suspended after returning a positive to the banned substance Ligandrol on the eve of last year’s semi-final against South Sydney.
Winger Maika Sivo said he had learnt a lot playing outside Jennings the past two years and “we connected on and off the field”.
As for what Sivo does beyond this season remains a mystery with the Eels cult hero understood to have received inquiries from at least two French rugby clubs. Sivo is 27 and knows he can make better money overseas in the code he grew up playing. His current deal, worth about $350,000, could be almost doubled abroad.
But Sivo also loves the NRL and the Eels who took a punt on him when unwanted by Penrith and then coach Anthony Griffin.
https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_160%2C$height_160/t_crop_fill/q_86%2Cf_auto/635402f1698dc5687fb8f98be5c093fe76cbc56f 2x" alt="Christian Nicolussi" />Christian covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.
Replies
That last try he scored in his highlights package was an absolute cracker! He beat 7 players by stepping off his left, right and using his fend, strength and speed. Wow!
It won't be long before he's in first grade.
I remember another young bloke a few years ago who the coach thought wasn't ready for first grade,went on to score 17 tries in 16 games and won Dally M rookie of the year.
He really did sink his teeth into first grade when he got his chance.
Presumably the same coach actually picked him to play in those 16 games, so I am not sure of the point you are trying to make Eggie?
When I saw Brett Kenny play on the wing in a reserve grade game for Parra, i never thought he would go on and become the great he did become, I was pretty quickly converted though! lol
On the same point/principle..... when BA has made a recognition of an outstanding young player, he hasn't hesitated to throw him in .....Mahoney and Brown being prime examples......he even looked a mug for a few games perservering with Gutho.......he seems to recognise the ability.....its actually hard to recall BA losing a player he wanted to keep....possibly Junior and Peats but they were cap casualties of their time.
Semi was a victim of political correctness and "maybe" a lack of finance.....we could have paid him 600k and kept him and he would be now, our first 1m player.......accepting Foran didn't play long enough to actually earn it.
I think the point Eggman is making there Poppa is that it wasn't until an interim coach was appointed that the player, Hayne, got his chance in first grade. The rest is history. I guess he is saying that sometimes you just need to give a guy a chance.
Apologies to Eggie, I thought he was talking about Semi....didn't even think of Hayne because he said a few years ago....no excuse though....I probably should have known the stat. Thanks Milky.
Yes I'm sure the staff know how to handle this,but Roosters are presumably trying for an exemption to play Suuali who is almost a year younger than Penisini and the only reason anyone cares is because it is the Roosters,I for one can't wait to see whether the hype is warranted. Penisini seems solid and I'm sure he'll get a run this year ,after all our first choice in Opacic hasn't made it through a full season of first grade ever.I am happy to be patient as long as Will is.After all I and many Eels fans hadn't even heard of him 2 months ago,now it seems every one has ,and the Suuali situation shows that these young guys will leave if a better offer comes along,there is no loyalty no more and it would be a shame to lose him because he is not getting a shot,even though we have a spot available and he is deemed old enough and apparently good enough. Look at Panthers last year,happy to let the older guys go for an injection of youth and it almost got them a premiership.
It is bizarre that Brian Smith who was never afraid to throw a teenager into the fire refused to pick Jarryd Hayne. One of life's great mysteries
It probably had something to do with Haynes attitude, I'm only guessing but maybe Brian was holding him back until he improved his work ethic. We will never know but hayne may have become the greatest player in history if Brian stayed on.
On the subject of Semi, I was thinking how good he was and remember this guy on the Radio talking after the game against the Bronc's I happened to be at, when he summarised Semi's first try....ie "he carried Milford like a handbag for the last 25 metres" a wonderful description because Milford wouldn't let him go, so Semi just tucked him under his arm and put the ball down over the line with Milford still tucked away....LOL
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next