Finally folks, it's happening. There is an unfortunate note to the upcoming debut of young phenom Kalyn Ponga though as it's Antonio Winterstein - the uso/bro who gives North Queensland Cowboys excellent service each and every week on the wing - who has made way via injury for Ponga. 

Pour some out for Winterstein, then sit back and enjoy our first opportunity to see Ponga in action against the big dawgs ... in NRL Finals footy ... in Townsville ... against Brisbane. That's a fairly hectic debut and it feels like an adequate stage for such an anticipated debut.

It starts with these First XV rugby highlights from Ponga's time at Anglican Church Grammar in Brisbane...

The Cowboys then snapped up Ponga, despite competition for his signature from numerous NRL clubs (Broncos and Storm ... so that's three of the NRL's best clubs after this kid). Here's some of Ponga's antics for the Cowboys Under-20's side...

Perhaps the best sign of Ponga's talent and reason for such intrigue, is that he's genuinely eligible for both Australia and Aotearoa via a kiwi father. Ponga and his family moved back to Aotearoa in 2006 and he's been invited to spend time at a Kiwis training camp, yet Queensland and Australia understandably want Ponga representing them. It's not very often that a youngin' (he's 18!) puts off deciding to ride with either the Junior Kangaroos or Junior Kiwis, usually those sort of invitations are taken swiftly. In Ponga's case, he should take his time for such a decision as there's every chance he'll get at least another crack at making either Junior team, if not going further.

Ummm and he's won an Under-13 National golf title. Peep the Manawatu golf course in Ponga's recent return to Aotearoa...

I mean, the dude smokes kicks off two steps. Let's call it 'Ponga 2-steppin'

So while we wait for the decision, we get a little taster of what Ponga can do. Wing isn't his preferred position as he plays fullback mostly, however his running ability could see him pose a huge threat when taking a mandatory carry in sets coming out of Cowboys territory. He'll be athletic enough to score those typical NRL winger tries and while Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt will surely put him under the pump with their kicks, Ponga will be dangerous running at a slightly scrambled defensive line.

I'm excited. It adds a bloody awesome sub-plot to a game of footy that features two exceptional teams, made up of exceptional players. 

Also exciting, is news that Junior Kiwi Esan Marsters has re-signed with Wests Tigers. Marsters was in high demand with other NRL clubs, having impressed with the Tigers' Under-20's side and then in reserve grade. With all the drama around the Tigers appearing to be put in the past - Robbie Farah's now a Rabbitoh - Marsters will likely get an opportunity next season as an edge forward and can also player centre. 

Chris Lawrence and Josh Aloiai featured on either edge for much of this season, so there's every chance we could be graced with Marsters on one edge and fellow kiwi Aloiai on the other edge at some stage. 

One time for Manu Ma'u, who was voted as Parrmatta Eels' best player this season (winning the Ken Thornett Medal). Here's why...

Ma'u ran over 100m in all but three games.

Ma'u played 80 minutes in all but three games.

Ma'u averaged 1.6 offloads a game, he had 36 for the season.

Ma'u led Parramatta in offloads this season.

Ma'u averaged 26.4 tackles a game.

Ma'u averaged 14.2 carries a game.

Ma'u was 5th in tackle busts for Parramatta this season with 47.

Ma'u was 3rd in running metres for Parramatta this season wtih 2,774m.

Ma'u was 4th in tackles for Parramatta this season.

Ma'u was 3rd in minutes for Parramatta this season.

Shout out David Kidwell and shout out New Zealand Rugby League. I'll spin a bigger yarn about this soon, but in brief this shows nice planning by all involved. Stephen Kearney would have made it clear that he was keen to take a head coaching job, so it's only wise to ensure that the successor for the Kiwis head coaching gig was already embedded in the team, culture, values, strategies, plans etc.

Chur.