2016 Rookie Props to watch

February 1, 2016February 1, 2016 Granty

Rookie props are a rare commodity in NRLCEO. For those of you in keeper leagues you try and pick them up before the others know about them because if you get it right they can give you years of good service. On the other hand, props take longer than any other position to develop. So keep an eye on these names for the future.

Here are 12 rookies I believe will make an impact in the 2016 NRL season at prop.

New Zealand Warriors: Bunty Afoa

Winner of the Vodafone NYC Player of the Year and winner of the prestigious Sonny Fai Medal at the Vodafone Warriors’ 2015 NYC awards. Averaging 111 metres and 29 tackles a game Afoa is a raging bull. The 19-year-old is still eligible for the NYC next year after two impressive seasons in the competition, but Coach McFadden may call on him sooner.

Brisbane Broncos: Jai Arrow

A powerful forward, who captained the young Broncos last year, and also played for the Junior Kangaroos. Arrow won Best Forward, Player’s Player and Player of the year for the Broncos under-20s team was named starting ‘Lock’ in the 2015 Holden Cup Team of the Year. A strong-running lock, Arrow will move into the Broncos’ senior squad next season after completing his final year in the NYC. Corey Parker’s Future replacement.

Wests Tigers: JJ Felise

Felise has been tipped to be our rookie of the season for the West Tigers. On six occasions in the NYC season Felise ran at least 170 metres, including a massive 280-metre effort in Rd 23 against Newcastle (Crazy). With the loss of Martin Taupau, Felise is ear-marked for his replacement and might be the forward the Tigers desperately need.

Tevita Pangai Junior

We highlighted Pangai in our 2016 Clubs best Rookie Prospect segment recently, the nineteen-year old lock has spent the last three years playing in the Holden Cup, where in In 38 games, Pangai scored 18 tries. A hard working kid that has impressed the Raiders coaches staff. One of the best players in last year’s NSW Cup. The biggest speed bump in his development will be if Ricky Stuart decides to leave him in reserve grade all year if he officially signs for the Broncos.

Manly Sea Eagles: Liam Knight

Manly fans get excited, this 20-year-old averaged 35 tackles and over 190 metres per game. The hard working Knight won Manly’s under-20s Best and Fairest award. A pre-season injury (broke foot) may delay Knight NRL debut, this kid could play in 2016 for Manly Sea-Eagles, however does have a lot of forwards to compete with including Luke Burgess, Blake Leary, Darcy Lussick and Josh Starling he will need to impress new coach Trent Barrett.

Cronulla Sharks: Jesse Sene-Lefao

Sene-Lefao signed a two year contract with the Sharks, starting from 2016 after he was released from his final year of his contract with Manly. The hard-running 25-year-old will join the Sharks after playing 38 NRL games since making his debut for the Sea Eagles back in round one of the 2013 season and has also represented Samoa in three Test matches. A late bloomer as an NRL player, Sene-Lafao played 11 top grade games for Manly in 2015 scoring two tries. He adds size and versatility to the Sharks pack, with Sene-Lafao equally adept at playing prop or in the second row and adds add depth to Cronulla’s ageing pack. A very handy signing from Coach Shane Flanagan.

Cronulla Sharks: Harrison Muller

Muller took home the ‘Gavin Miller’ player of the year award for Cronulla in the NYC. The Front-rower averaged 25 tackles a game last season and also averaged 10 metres per run. Injuries to Gallen or Fifita may open the door for their young work-horse, may get opportunities throughout the State of Origin period.

South Sydney Rabbitohs: Zane Musgrove

The Auckland-born prop is set to play in the Auckland 9’s and the Charity Shield. Played two seasons in the Club’s Holden Cup side, proving his worth with some big charges and hits and has been elevated to the club’s first grade squad. Musgrove will be looking to make a spot in first grade his own in 2016 and coach Maguire may give him every chance to do so if he can stay healthy.

Gold Coast Titans: Leivaha Pulu

Born in New Zealand, Pulu played his junior footy with the Marist Brothers Saints, a prop, Pulu previously was contracted to the Wests Tigers and Sydney Roosters but failed to make his NRL debut. Leivaha Pulu has played the past three seasons with Wyong Kangaroos and has joined the Titans to chase his NRL dream. A chance to make his 2016 during when State of Origin players are unavailable.

Newcastle Knights: David Saifiti

Played 21 games in the NSW Cup the towering front-rower graduated from Newcastle’s Under-20s to the full-time NRL training squad in the space of 12 months with his twin brother Jacob. Injuries to Kade Snowden or the Sims Brother could pave the way for the 19-year-old giant to make his first grade debut in 2016. Which one he is in the photo above is anyone’s guess.

New Zealand Warriors: Toafofoa Sipley

Sipley is another young talent off the production line that is St Paul’s College. In addition to representing his school, Toafofoa shot through the ranks at the Richmond Rovers. Breakthrough came in 2013 when he earned a place in the Vodafone Junior Warriors squad and the NZ Residents 18s for their Australian tour. Sipley took the field on 10 occasions in his debut season for the club, bringing a strong work ethic to the prop position. With Ryan Hoffman and Jacob Lillyman both set for Origin call-ups, Sipley is expected to debut for the Warriors for this period.

Nth Queensland Cowboys: Braden Uele

It will be a hard task to break into the reigning premiers forward pack, but the 20-year-old prop made close to 12 metres per run in the NYC, which ended up earning a spot in the Queensland Cup in 2015. Played Junior Kiwis this year and has headed north from the Sydney Roosters. One to watch.

NRLCEO