Stefano Utoikamanu

So for Wenty this weekend, young 19 year old Stefano Utoikamanu is making his starting debut for Wenty. Utoikamanu had disrupted start to his 2019 season, suffering from a syndesmosis injury in a trial sidelined until RD 9. After appearing in a couple of jersey flegg games he's again made the jump to NSW cup appearing in the last three games, including last week where he had 5 runs for 57 metres and 31 tackles, 1 offload and 5 tackle breaks.

Still only a puppy in NRL terms, this kid is starting to gain speed, moving into the starting line-up it will elavate him into NRL contention and with our props underperforming and Stefano in our 30 man squad, a good performance this week end could see Utoikamanu at least in the 21 man squad pushing for a debut. Now let's be clear, Prop is one the hardest positions in the NRL for a kid to debut in, the demands physically and expectations of being a recking ball when you're playing players twice your age and size it will take him some time to be dominant, however the upside is very promising.

Last year he got man of the match for U18's NSW team, scoring three tries and appeared for the Aus schoolboys. With Mannah possibly going, it is the opportunity for Utoikamanu and Kaufusi to develop and be our no.8 and 10 of the future, just like Cayless and Vella back in the day.

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  • Good read. Cheers mate.

  •  He cannot play NRL until June 30, same as Parry, Fainga etc. Don't hold your breath if BA has any input.

    • Disregard, you're right, i saw him in season guide listed in top 30, anyway it's close to June 30 anyway for him to debut.

  • BA has him earnmarked for a run in the 76th min of round 23. Unless we are still in that contest and he'll hold him back to round 24.

    • Haha wouldn’t put it past him

  • There is plenty of time for Stephano, the kid is still in nappies. Spending a full season in the NSW Cup won’t hurt him in the least. 

    • This reply was deleted.
      • This reply was deleted.
        • BA will get it right..... Sometimes Good enough is old enough, especially for a taste of first grade. There has been some real positives coming out of the coach recently - dropping players, telling them they are no longer in  his plans, calling them out as weak, as Soft, with out mental toughness. Refusing to pander to players such as French etc. Dropping Taka, Meroa äbout bloody time though". Anyway - starting to see some real positive mongrel from BA.     "And I like It"    :)

          Go You Mighty Eels

          • Agreed. BA has finally got the shits with everything and I can see him throwing in some of the younger players, most likely towards the back end of the year as he did with Mahoney and Salmon last year. At least they will be eager to and hungry for success. We'll still have some old heads like Jennings and Mau for experience.

        • Kafusi, made his debut last year, at 19, turns 20 in August this year.  Stefano is still 19, Faingaa is now 20, both Stefano and Faingaa are old enough to be able to play NRL, just as Kafusi was last year, and a multitude of players at other clubs are also playing NRL at the same ages.

          Each of the three need to be given time in the lower grades yes! but they also need to be given the chance in the top side as well, we know how Oregon has gone and still worthy to play NRL, the other two need the same chances, off the bench, along with the hopeful resigning of them. Stefano at 19 & 115Kgs has the body to make impact and what is needed for the future, would love to see him in place of Evens.

          • The biggest issue for me with younger guys is consistency.

            To me the NRL is a grind there are no weeks off and this is where young guys struggle physically and mentally.It catches up with them and here in is what we are seeing with Mahoney right now.His performances are so up n down.

            These guys to have a chance at least have to be physically mature and there bodies especially at prop can handle the week to week car crashes there bodies will be put through.

            Me personally for the most part most 19-21 yr olds will fail.There will always be exceptions to the rule but for the most part % wise most fail and there bodies aren’t up to it.

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