10 Funky Kiwi-NRL Prospects For 2022
In keeping with the Kiwi-NRL takeover vibes, I've whipped up a group of 10 funky Kiwi-NRL prospects to watch out for in 2022. All these lads are yet to play NRL and I consider them on the cusp of NRL footy. As junior squads continue to be announced in Queensland and New South Wales, there will more clarity around which Kiwi-NRL juniors are where and I can break down the junior ranks.
This group is all about sneaking into NRL footy next year. Remember that 18 Kiwi-NRL juniors made their debuts last season and we have gone from enough debutants for a team in 2020, to enough Kiwi-NRL debutants for a squad in 2021. Expect another strong crop of Kiwi-NRL debutants this year and maybe some twin funk as this group below includes two sets of twins, along with Leo Thompson who has a twin brother Tyrone currently in the Wellington rugby system.
Two sets of twins means more than 10 lads straight up, but I've listed the twins together...
Deine Mariner
Since moving from Marist Saints in Auckland to Queensland, centre Deine Mariner has been utterly dominant. Mariner was a force for Tweed Heads and Palm Beach Currumbin High School, now moving into the Brisbane Broncos NRL ranks where he will be sniffing around a starting gig next season. Not super-duper high chances of a debut, however we have already seen TC Robati (Porirua Vikings) and Xavier Willison (WaiCoa-Bay) quickly progress through the Broncos ranks to debut this year. Mariner could be next.
Issac Matalavea-Booth
Manurewa Marlins junior Issac Matalavea-Booth enjoyed some time with Gold Coast Titans NRL squad this year as he emulated Nelson Asofa-Solomona at training. That tells you all you need to know about Matalavea-Booth's size and now he is spending the summer with the Titans NRL squad. Having been recruited by the Titans out of Pakuranga College and put through Keebra Park High School, Matalavea-Booth played Burleigh Bears Under 21s this year and will at least step up to Intrust Super Cup footy next season. High chance of a debut off the bench and frequent stints if he does his job.
Vaka Sikahele
Another Manurewa Marlins junior recruited by Gold Coast Titans out of St Paul's College, Vaka Sikahele started at hooker alongside Matalavea-Booth for Burleigh Bears U21s this year. Sikahele is also training with the NRL squad but is a low chance of playing NRL this season as the Titans signed hooker Aaron Booth and utility Will Smith to replace Mitch Rein - Manurewa Marlins junior Erin Clark has a strong shot at the starting hooker gig. This is great for Sikahele though as he is the young dummy half on the rise and Gold Coast will view him as a long-term option.
Judda Turahui
There was a lot of buzz about Normanby Knights (Taranaki) junior Judda Turahui when Melbourne Storm signed him out of Kings College 1st 15 and then gave him a crack in NRL Nines. Turahui now appears to have made a move to Bulldogs where he will be eager to make a summer impression and work his way into the mix next season. Turahui played U21s for Sunshine Coast this year via Storm and should at least be a NSW Cup regular, forecasting as a big centre or edge forward.
Lani & Moala Graham-Taufa
First set of twins are the Graham-Taufa brother from Marist Saints. Like Naufahu Whyte (Waitemata Seagulls) who made his debut this year and many other Kiwi-NRL Roosters, Lani and Moala have been in the Sydney Roosters system while in Auckland and then moving over to Sydney to progress through the Roosters ranks. Moala actually made his debut this year for a couple minutes as an 18th-man, so I'm stretching out the boundaries here. Roosters have lost the Morris twins and Matt Ikuvalu, opening up outside backs spots and the Graham-Taufa twins will be hunting at least one opening.
Jenson Taumoepeau
A Western Suburbs Tigers junior in Taranaki, Jensen Taumoepeau was graced with a couple extended bench selections this season but didn't crack NRL footy with Cronulla Sharks. Having been recruited out Francis Douglas Memorial College by Rabbitohs, Taumoepeau soon moved to Sharks where he's played two years of SG Ball and then two years of Jersey Flegg. Taumoepeau played seven games of U21s Flegg this year which puts his fringe-NRL status into context and there is a high chance we see Taumoepeau get an Kiwi-NRL debut next season at centre or wing.
Kina & Lingi Kepu
The Kepu twins are highly likely to crack NRL footy this year after they both progressed through Redcliffe Dolphins U21s to ISC this year. Manurewa Marlins/Aorere College juniors, Kina and Lingi are dynamic athletes with size and power who dabbled in edge/middle duties for Redcliffe but are likely to get opportunities off the bench for NZ Warriors as middle forwards. Given their ease in moving through the Dolphins teams, I reckon at least one of the Kepu twins will play NRL next year.
Leo Thompson
As Leo Thompson was recruited out of Napier Boys High School 1st 15 by Canberra Raiders (in a widespread 1st 15 rugby recruitment push by Raiders), I was surprised to see Thompson depart Raiders and join Newcastle Knights ahead of next season. While twin brother Tyrone plays hooker in rugby union, Leo is a middle forward who resembles James Fisher-Harris and could be impressive as an impact bench forward. Ideally we see St Paul's College junior Jirah Momoisea kick on from last season and Thompson join him at some point for a fun Kiwi-NRL Knights team.
Christian Ma’anaima
Christian Ma'anaima was part of the Newcastle Knights' Auckland recruitment drive out of Glenfield Greyhounds and after a few years in the Knights system, Ma'anaima has now moved to Wests Tigers. If you worry less about Aussie media, you'll tune into the Kiwi-NRL wave at Tigers under Aotearoa Kiwis coach Michael Maguire which led to young Kiwi-NRL forwards Tukimihia Simpkins and Kelma Tuilagi A) joining Tigers from other clubs and B) making debuts this year. Ma'naima is now part of that and there is a decent chance he cracks NRL footy this year.
Will Warbick
Funky selection here as Will Warbick joins Melbourne Storm from NZ Sevens Rugby and I expect Warbick to thrive as a Storm winger. Storm have previously recruited Matt Duffie and Suliasi Vunivalu from 1st 15 rugby to play wing. Like Duffie, Warbick also has a background in AFL footy. Tall, fast and good in the air is a blueprint for Storm wingers and as Storm wingers exit every couple of years to cash in on their improved value, Warbick has the next opportunity. It may take a few rounds, but Warbick will feature at some point in the NRL.
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