Blue Chips: Predicting the Next NRL Stars

Get used to seeing Edrick Lee doing this in 2013

So with it being the off season I’ve decided I’m going to get in early and tell you about players you either haven’t heard of yet or at least haven’t seen all that much of who could make an impact in 2013. There does seem to be a consensus now that the Toyota Cup is overall quite a large step down from the NRL and even the NSW and QLD Cups, however sometimes there is talent that is clearly ready to play at NRL level.

Some of these guys have already debuted at NRL level, some have been in the Toyota Cup Team of the Year, so I’m not breaking news to those who really follow the under 20’s competition, but most people aren’t as obsessed as some of us. They have lives outside of this stuff. Not me though.

This list isn’t in any sort of rankings order and may end up being part 1 of a series.

•  Luke Keary and Jordan Tongahai (South Sydney Rabbitohs) – So I have to start at the club I know the best. It was hard to leave off Tyrone Phillips but as he is playing fullback, I find it hard to see him breaking into first grade in 2013. Luke Keary is a halfback who was named on the bench for the Toyota Cup Team of the Year and long term I think he and Reynolds will be halves partners with Sutton moving to the forward pack. Keary is a smart player with a good kicking game, takes the line on and can throw a good long pass, which is something we don’t yet see Reynolds do all that much. Tongahai is a left centre, who has shown defensive abilities usually not on display at NYC level, not to mention a strong finisher. With Matt King in his last year and not a lot of centre depth, I can see Tongahai getting his chance if there are injuries or if King’s form isn’t up to scratch.

• Kane Evans (Sydney Roosters) – This guy is a beast. He was named in the 2011 Toyota Cup Team of the Year and whilst he didn’t make the 2012 team, he is going to be a gun for the Roosters. He was captain of their NYC team and style-wise reminds me of a young Willie Mason. He has played for the Junior Kangaroos and I’d be shocked if Trent Robinson didn’t give him his chance in 2013.

• Edrick Lee and Michael Chee Kam (Canberra Raiders) – Quite simply Edrick Lee looks like he doesn’t belong on a rugby league field and should rather be playing shooting guard in the NBA. He played a bit of first grade on the wing in 2012 but in Toyota Cup he played centre and that is where I believe he should play due to his passing skills to put his winger outside him away. I’d say he is the best pure athlete I’ve ever seen in rugby league and could probably be a star at whatever sport he chooses to play. Chee Kam played for the Raiders this year but is actually off the Manly next year. He is a second rower/centre although I think he will stick to the back-row long term. Runs hard, hits hard type.    

• Korbin Sims (Newcastle Knights) – If footy worked the same way as horse racing, the stud fees for the Sims parents would probably only be second to the Burgess family at this point. Honourable mention to Slippery Morris too. Korbin Sims looks exactly like his brothers and that’s almost all you need to know. Tariq looks like he will end up better than oldest brother Ashton, but Korbin looks like he will be a damn good player too. Oddly he has pledged allegiance to Queensland, whilst Tariq will play for NSW.

• David Klemmer (Canterbury Bulldogs) – So I can’t make this list and not include the Toyota Cup Player of the Year. This guy is basically Sam Kasiano 2.0. The only question is where do the Bulldogs fit him in their ridiculous forward pack that will gain another monster in Tony Williams next year? The test for Klemmer, much like Kasiano, is how he handles the pace of NRL and whether his size becomes a defensive liability.

• Carlos Tuimavave (NZ Warriors) – The Warriors lost a lot of the players who were in their successful Toyota Cup sides but were desperate to keep their young playmaker. They lose James Maloney next season but gain Thomas Leuluai to partner Shaun Johnson, but I think Matt Elliott will look to find a way to get Tuimavave into the side in 2013. Not to mention Johnson himself needs to work hard to get his form back.

• Harry Siejka (Penrith Panthers) – Siejka is probably the player on this list with the most NRL experience already but I’m including him anyway as he only played a few NRL games. Between Siejka and Blake Austin, the Panthers should be able to replace Luke Lewis as a player and local hero, at least in the long term. Siejka is just one of those players that really draws your eye when he plays and seems to have not only talent but the intangibles to become a quality NRL halfback or five-eighth.

• Jacob Miller (Wests Tigers) – Miller is a player who has been on the radar for a few of years already but to this point hasn’t been able to fully breakthrough at NRL level. At Toyota Cup level he clearly looks too good as a halfback, but in his few first grade games he hasn’t done enough to grab the spot in what has been a bit of a revolving door to partner Benji Marshall. I feel like 2013 is make or break for Miller at least in terms of at the Tigers. If he doesn’t cement a spot next season, I’m sure another team would gladly take a chance on him.

So there you have my initial list of young guns to watch in 2013 in the NRL. There are several others who are worthy of being on this list and I may well follow up with more. Feel free to recommend players in the comments section and go on record with who you think will breakthrough in 2013.