Two of the leading NRL rookie-of-the-year candidates are set to face off on Friday night. Who wins this year’s first-year gong?
One thing Parramatta are actually a chance of winning this year is the NRL rookie of the year award with Blaize Talagi.
While Talagi has been touted as a future fullback for the Eels, Barrett maintains he would be better suited to five-eighth or centre, and potentially – and eventually – at lock forward. “From an attacking point of view he would handle fullback on his head, but there is a lot of work to do defensively in that position. It takes years to learn. I’ve also got ‘Gutho’ there. He’s so important for us on both sides of the ball.“You have to be careful with these kids and not just throw them to the wolves.”
The NRL rookie of the year was won by Penrith’s Sunia Turuva last year, North Queensland’s Jeremiah Nanai in 2022, and Sydney Roosters half Sam Walker in 2021.
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