Team Talking Points, Round 10, Eels, Blaize Talagi, fullback, Brad Arthur, Ben Hornby, Rabbitohs debutants, Spencer Leniu, Storm, Sua Fa’alogo

May 7, 2024 Vaseline stjohnson 0

The Eels are set to glimpse the future as Blaize Talagi lines up at fullback to replace the injured Clint Gutherson.

Spencer Leniu returns for his first game since receiving an eight-game suspension for a racial slur directed at Ezra Mam.

Meanwhile, the Storm are set to unleash one of rugby league’s most popular stars to replace Ryan Papenhuyzen and the Rabbitohs have introduced two debutants.

Read on for the teams’ talking points for Round 10.

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TALAGI’S TIME TO SHINE

Blaize Talagi has played in the centres, five-eighth and off the bench so far in his four-match NRL career.

But this week the rising star will be able to play in his best position, replacing Clint Gutherson at full-back, who has been sidelined due to a knee injury.

The 19-year-old has shown that he is electric in attack and, being in the number one position, flying towards the ball could take advantage of the best of his abilities.

He has until Round 14 to show his skills amid his impending contract decision that could increase his asking price.

Talagi is out of contract at the end of the season, although he has an option in his favor to remain at Parramatta in 2025.

However, it has been widely reported that rivals have been sniffing around the youngster who has been touted as a future prospect for years.

The Eels have reportedly sat down to begin contract talks to extend his tenure. However, Talagi now has a big audition to show his rivals what he can do.

But at the same time, Parramatta hopes to be able to perform and be the long-term successor to Gutherson, whose current contract expires at the end of the 2025 season.

Speaking to AAP, Arthur previously said Talagi has ambitions to be an NRL fullback.

“(Talagi) is very interested to see how he does in the full-back role,” Arthur said.

“Often their best position is the one they like, and he likes the side.”

Gutherson is currently 30 years old and will undergo surgery for a knee problem that has affected him so far in 2024.

“I’m probably thinking the long-term fullback probably suits him, especially in our team when you have those two halves that are going to be there for a long, long time,” Arthur said.

Eels fans will get a glimpse of the future as Talagi breaks loose as a defender.

RABBITS MOVE INTO THE NEXT GENERATION IN AN EARLY LOOK INTO THE FUTURE

Interim coach Ben Hornby has been overwhelmed just two weeks into taking charge, with Cameron Murray, Isaiah Tass and Dean Hawkins the latest players to join the growing injury list.

It has been forced to dig deep to fill the gaps – the club even went to the market to boost external action.

Gehamat Shibasaki was parachuted straight to 17 and will replace Tass on the wing this week after signing with the Rabbitohs last week.

With Lachlan Ilias already injured, filling the number 7 shirt was going to be difficult. There was a theory that Cody Walker would move to halfback and Jack Wighton would play five-eighth, but instead Hornby is unleashing young playmaker Dion Teaupa in what will be his NRL debut.

Teaupa is coming off a great year. He was a standout player in last year’s pre-season trials and then went on to play a key role in the Rabbitohs’ run to Division One victory in the New South Wales Cup.

The 22-year-old’s form was not only rewarded with a development contract for this season, but also with an international debut for Tonga during their tour of England.

Teaupa has been working closely with Walker and previously said he hopes to have the same vision as the veteran No. 6. Now, as the rugby league gods would have it, he will make his debut alongside his mentor.

Also making his NRL debut this week is Matt French, who is a new addition to the Rabbitohs bench. The 24-year-old joined the Bunnies’ NSW Cup squad from the North Sydney Bears midway through last season in search of more regular playing time.

He played off the bench in the NSW Cup Grand Final victory over the Bears and then started the following week in the State Championship victory over the Brisbane Tigers.

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STORM FLYER’S GREAT OPPORTUNITY

Ryan Papenhuyzen’s latest injury is a blow for the Storm, but there is a silver lining: the chance to see Sua Fa’alogo play a full game at fullback.

The 21-year-old announced himself last season in a thrilling NRL debut off the bench and was tipped to become the Storm’s super sub this season until a shoulder injury hampered his preparations over the summer.

He started the year in the NSW Cup before suffering another setback when he suffered an ankle injury.

Fa’alogo returned to the field a fortnight ago at full-back as part of a wider plan in which coach Craig Bellamy wanted to see him in multiple positions to prepare him for that utility role on the bench.

However, last week he was parachuted straight into the starting side to replace injured winger Xavier Coates on the wing in what was his first NRL start.

And now, this week, he will make his first NRL start at fullback, his preferred position, ironically in what will be his first game at the Storm’s home ground, AAMI Park.

Fa’alogo is considered a bona fide superstar of the future and now has his biggest chance yet (Papenhuyzen is expected to miss six weeks) to prove to Bellamy that he simply has to stay in the 17 going forward.

WHY LENIU WILL BE READY TO PAY ROOSERS

Spencer Leniu received an eight-week suspension after pleading guilty to directing a racial slur at Broncos five-eighth Ezra Mam.

It was in his first game for his new club, and the armed recruit was clearly upset with his actions and offered to fly to Brisbane to apologize face to face.

He also disappointed his new team and will be eager to face the Warriors in Round 10.

Leniu, 23, has been named off the bench in just his second game under Trent Robinson.

His role will be to make a dent in what is a New Zealand attacking pack, potentially going toe-to-toe with one of the game’s most important pillars in Addin Fonua-Blake.

Add Jackson Ford, Tohu Harris and Mitch Barnett to the mix and the Warriors have no shortage of big bodies who can make their mark.

Leniu played his best football for the Panthers in short spells off the bench, but moved to the Roosters to seek a bigger role.

While he seems resigned to the bench this season, with Lindsay Collins and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves starting, next season he could be on the secondary side.

Waerea-Hargreaves is set to leave for Super League, opening up a spot for Leniu or Terrell May to fill.

Regardless of his future, Leniu will be desperate to deliver on the pitch with Robinson and make up for lost time.