NSW Cup 2025

[jamesie]

I am confused. How did we get Hart? Gun union player, wanted by Rugby AUS, we only recruit old forwards, no one wants to play for us.............

Must have slipped through the cracks........

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I am confused. How did we get Hart? Gun union player, wanted by Rugby AUS, we only recruit old forwards, no one wants to play for us.............

classic example of a Silvertails urban myth

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

That's the sort of gossip/information that raises the hopes of rusted-ons like me. Surely a spot in the 17 could have been found for him, and Navale, at some point during our many down-times instead of Waddle, Jazz, Lodge . . .
Seibold never had the courage.

I think he’s just 19, plenty of time , next year I’d say

 

[Coops manly]

Hugo was one of the best players in the GPS Rugby system up here , I think he may have been captain of the Nudgee College First XV.

I know the father of a current Nudgee top player , he told me that Hugo was an absolute gun, and Rugby Australia were apparently very pissed that he went to League.

Very interesting mate thanks for the info.
He looks very good in excited to see him progress!

 

[The Who]

I think he’s just 19, plenty of time , next year I’d say

Not necessarily if Seibold is still a selector.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Not necessarily if Seibold is still a selector.

Lol yeah Silvertails was clamouring for years for Lehi to get a run (not) 🙂
If he's good enough I'm pretty sure he'll get a shot.

 

[The Who]

Lol yeah Silvertails was clamouring for years for Lehi to get a run (not) 🙂
If he's good enough I'm pretty sure he'll get a shot.

If he's not better than Waddel, Jazz or Lodge then what's all the fuss about him?

 

[Ohgeez]

If he's not better than Waddel, Jazz or Lodge then what's all the fuss about him?

Give it a break with this crap. He has just turned 19 years old this week & has played 18 Rugby League games in his life. The fuss is because he’s an outstanding athlete & most can see a big future in time considering how well he has already adjusted. Why are you comparing him to Lodge or Jazz anyway who never play back row?

 

[ManlyTragic]

Well when Walsh gets to his early to mid 30’s and has played 300+ first grade games,we’ll see if he’s still doing it

.. well if he gets to that and he is not taking on the line then maybe that is a sign that he should retire.

Just sayin’

 

[Nordburg]

.. well if he gets to that and he is not taking on the line then maybe that is a sign that he should retire.

Just sayin’

Oh I agree,but the original comment was based on somebody comparing DCE to Walsh

 

[Scorpio]

That's the sort of gossip/information that raises the hopes of rusted-ons like me. Surely a spot in the 17 could have been found for him, and Navale, at some point during our many down-times instead of Waddle, Jazz, Lodge . . .
Seibold never had the courage.

Hart has only just turned 19... There is no benefit to throwing him in the deep end at this point of the season.

Having 18-19 year old NRL halves and backs is one thing, but they have to be a physical freak to hit the ground running as an NRL forward at that age.

 

[nightster]

I’m not saying Hart should be given an nrl debut now but there has been teen age props that have been successful Moeaki Fotuaika debuted at 18 as did Francis Molo and I think Sioni Fainu was 19 - I’m sure there are many more that have made it - AFB, Tino ?
A handy front rower named Ray Stehr made his debut a few years back at age 16
If you are good enough you are old enough

 

[ManlyTragic]

Hart has only just turned 19... There is no benefit to throwing him in the deep end at this point of the season.

Having 18-19 year old NRL halves and backs is one thing, but they have to be a physical freak to hit the ground running as an NRL forward at that age.

… how old was Suaalii when he debuted?

 

[Stuey Davis’s Socks]

… how old was Suaalii when he debuted?

Suaalii’s a back, the discussion is about forwards.
Watmough was 19 and good enough when he debuted (but the Northern Eagles weren’t exactly blessed with abundant talent to choose from in 2002).

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Suaalii’s a back, the discussion is about forwards.
Watmough was 19 and good enough when he debuted (but the Northern Eagles weren’t exactly blessed with abundant talent to choose from in 2002).

Just checked a few

Liam Martin, debut age 22y 0m, 16 games in 1st season
Hudson Young, 20y 9m, 12 games
Cam Murray, 19y 3m, 9 games
J Nanai, 18y 1m, 4 games
A Crichton, 20y 5m, 8 games
Jayden Su'a, 18y 7m, 4 games (plus only 4 the following year also)


None of this will surprise anyone, shows if you're good enough you're old enough but also shows if back-rowers debut young they'll probably only get a few games anyway (and all these are top shelf players)

 

[Ohgeez]

Don’t forget all those other players that have had a debut at a similar age would have been in a Rugby League system growing up. It was mentioned in the article when he extended that he was living in California playing American Football in his early teens before moving back to Australia & playing Rugby the last few years.

This is his first season playing Rugby League so there is plenty of small things he needs to work on that comes with time in & around the game. There was a few times earlier in the season he had been caught out of position but he seems to be a quick learner. A big preseason with the 1st grade squad & I think he’ll be the number 1 option if Ben or Ola go down at any point next season

 

[Woodsie]

Mental age and maturity are far more important than physical age at this stage of young guys careers ... you can't just look at a bloke and say he is big enough or old enough

 

[madmax]

So the consensus by many on ST is that our forwards are considered ‘dads army’ & want this player gone & that player gone & release some of our backs to accommodate replacement forwards yet now we’re coming out with excuses not to blood young forwards like Hart, Laiafi etc because too young or inexperienced or whatever???? Then we keep / sign ‘mature’, experienced forwards like TKO, Brown, Lodge, possibly Klemmer & the complaints come thick & fast when we can’t compete with other teams! Other teams that have no issue promoting younger forwards like the Roosters, Rabbitohs, Storm, Broncos, Bulldogs, Panthers, Eels? Like I’ve stated many times in the past….seems no player is good enough to play for Manly according to some in here! The club refuses to blood any youngsters & we complain, the club signs players & we complain. Is the club ever going to take risks & find some diamonds in the rough instead of constantly delaying promotion due to age & then watch the players leave only to
become stars elsewhere!!!!!!
I better stop whining before I get called ‘people like you’ again!

 

[Pete W]

Hart has only just turned 19... There is no benefit to throwing him in the deep end at this point of the season.

Having 18-19 year old NRL halves and backs is one thing, but they have to be a physical freak to hit the ground running as an NRL forward at that age.

Bollocks. There is plenty of benefit, both to the individual as well as the team! 19 is more than old enough if you're good enough, as evidenced by the countless 19yr old forwards that have historically debuted.

Having the majority of your pack at 19 years of age is a different story obviously, but there is absolutely no issue with any NRL team having one or two 19 yr old forwards who are good enough to compete athletically. Remember, they don't necessarily have to be the best on the park