‘Like Tuivasa-Sheck': Parramatta to name rookie for NRL debut
A young player who has been compared to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is set to make his NRL debut for Parramatta.
Joash Papalii, recruited from the Bulldogs during the off-season, will be named on the Eels bench for Friday's clash with Manly. The 20-year-old was a star coming through the junior grades; he was named the SG Ball player of year in 2022, has tasted premiership success with Canterbury's Jersey Flegg side, represented NSW under-19s last year and was part of the Australian Schoolboys side that beat Fiji.
Former Broncos winger Denan Kemp, who ran the rule over footage of Papalii's highlight reel during one of his Bloke in a Bar YouTube segments, predicted he had a future in the NRL.
'This guy's footwork is outstanding … a little bit like RTS [Tuivasa-Sheck], I would say,' Kemp said in the video.
'Joash Papalii: very impressive. That left-foot [step], that is from the gods. The talent is there … You can't tell me, with footwork like that and a good work ethic, that he won't be in a position to make his debut at some stage.'
That time appears now. While Papalii has played everywhere in the backline, the Punchbowl product is expected to spend some time at dummy half against the Sea Eagles.
In an interview last October, Papalii said he grew up a Parramatta supporter who dreamed of making his debut for the club.
'When I was young I used to support Parramatta. There was this guy called Jarryd Hayne and everything changed,' Papalii said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall baffled by Terrell May's State of Origin snub
A mystified Benji Marshall is at a loss to explain Terrell May's State of Origin omission, suggesting if the prop had a different name he would be gaining more attention as a NSW contender. As May prepares to lead a depleted pack against Penrith on Sunday, Tigers coach Marshall launched a staunch defence of the Samoan international's character. May left the Sydney Roosters for the Tigers in November in circumstances which look all the more questionable given the prop's red-hot form for Marshall's men. The 26-year-old, who averages 177m per game, leads the NRL in offloads and has regularly clocked up 80-minute performances for the Tigers this season, was left out of the Blues squad for game one. Mitch Barnett's knee injury has opened the door for May to receive a call-up to the Blues squad for game two in Perth on June 18, an option Marshall has implored NSW coach Laurie Daley to take. 'Given Terrell's form early in the season, I think he's been one of the best front-rowers in the game,' Marshall told reporters on Saturday. 'I don't pick the (NSW) team, but he's been outstanding for what he's done for us and I'm punching him out for pretty big minutes. 'I hate the stuff that gets thrown around about his personality and his character, because what we see is a guy who brings leadership to our team.' Marshall described May as a 'great performer with impact on and off the field'. 'All the (negative) things that get said about him ... it's not true,' he said. 'I feel sorry for him because he's got a bit of a bad rap, but he's a really good bloke. 'What more can he do? Maybe if his name wasn't Terrell May he would make it.' May will be tasked with carrying the Tigers' pack against the Panthers as they aim to avoid falling to a fourth-straight NRL defeat. Marshall is without Alex Twal (concussion) and Fonua Pole (knee), leaving the Tigers light on in the middle. The Tigers coach has named two utilities - Jack Bird and Latu Fainu - on his bench alongside two-game forward Kit Laulilii and NRL debutant Charlie Murray. Marshall has dropped former Cronulla prop Royce Hunt to NSW Cup. 'Royce made some great impact for us at the start of the season,' Marshall said. 'We just need to get some match fitness into him, and he's had limited minutes for us.'
West Australian
2 hours ago
- West Australian
Tiger's name the only way to explain Origin snub: Benji
A mystified Benji Marshall is at a loss to explain Terrell May's State of Origin omission, suggesting if the prop had a different name he would be gaining more attention as a NSW contender. As May prepares to lead a depleted pack against Penrith on Sunday, Tigers coach Marshall launched a staunch defence of the Samoan international's character. May left the Sydney Roosters for the Tigers in November in circumstances which look all the more questionable given the prop's red-hot form for Marshall's men. The 26-year-old, who averages 177m per game, leads the NRL in offloads and has regularly clocked up 80-minute performances for the Tigers this season, was left out of the Blues squad for game one. Mitch Barnett's knee injury has opened the door for May to receive a call-up to the Blues squad for game two in Perth on June 18, an option Marshall has implored NSW coach Laurie Daley to take. "Given Terrell's form early in the season, I think he's been one of the best front-rowers in the game," Marshall told reporters on Saturday. "I don't pick the (NSW) team, but he's been outstanding for what he's done for us and I'm punching him out for pretty big minutes. "I hate the stuff that gets thrown around about his personality and his character, because what we see is a guy who brings leadership to our team." Marshall described May as a "great performer with impact on and off the field". "All the (negative) things that get said about him ... it's not true," he said. "I feel sorry for him because he's got a bit of a bad rap, but he's a really good bloke. "What more can he do? Maybe if his name wasn't Terrell May he would make it." May will be tasked with carrying the Tigers' pack against the Panthers as they aim to avoid falling to a fourth-straight NRL defeat. Marshall is without Alex Twal (concussion) and Fonua Pole (knee), leaving the Tigers light on in the middle. The Tigers coach has named two utilities - Jack Bird and Latu Fainu - on his bench alongside two-game forward Kit Laulilii and NRL debutant Charlie Murray. Marshall has dropped former Cronulla prop Royce Hunt to NSW Cup. "Royce made some great impact for us at the start of the season," Marshall said. "We just need to get some match fitness into him, and he's had limited minutes for us."
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Tiger's name the only way to explain Origin snub: Benji
A mystified Benji Marshall is at a loss to explain Terrell May's State of Origin omission, suggesting if the prop had a different name he would be gaining more attention as a NSW contender. As May prepares to lead a depleted pack against Penrith on Sunday, Tigers coach Marshall launched a staunch defence of the Samoan international's character. May left the Sydney Roosters for the Tigers in November in circumstances which look all the more questionable given the prop's red-hot form for Marshall's men. The 26-year-old, who averages 177m per game, leads the NRL in offloads and has regularly clocked up 80-minute performances for the Tigers this season, was left out of the Blues squad for game one. Mitch Barnett's knee injury has opened the door for May to receive a call-up to the Blues squad for game two in Perth on June 18, an option Marshall has implored NSW coach Laurie Daley to take. "Given Terrell's form early in the season, I think he's been one of the best front-rowers in the game," Marshall told reporters on Saturday. "I don't pick the (NSW) team, but he's been outstanding for what he's done for us and I'm punching him out for pretty big minutes. "I hate the stuff that gets thrown around about his personality and his character, because what we see is a guy who brings leadership to our team." Marshall described May as a "great performer with impact on and off the field". "All the (negative) things that get said about him ... it's not true," he said. "I feel sorry for him because he's got a bit of a bad rap, but he's a really good bloke. "What more can he do? Maybe if his name wasn't Terrell May he would make it." May will be tasked with carrying the Tigers' pack against the Panthers as they aim to avoid falling to a fourth-straight NRL defeat. Marshall is without Alex Twal (concussion) and Fonua Pole (knee), leaving the Tigers light on in the middle. The Tigers coach has named two utilities - Jack Bird and Latu Fainu - on his bench alongside two-game forward Kit Laulilii and NRL debutant Charlie Murray. Marshall has dropped former Cronulla prop Royce Hunt to NSW Cup. "Royce made some great impact for us at the start of the season," Marshall said. "We just need to get some match fitness into him, and he's had limited minutes for us."
