The day NSW's star of the future blew Cleary away
It comes as Brian To'o and Payne Haas once again trained separately from their teammates on Saturday, the final day of NSW's Blue Mountains camp for the decider on July 9.
Monday's session at Accor Stadium looms as judgement day for To'o, who needed ice and a brace on his knee after hurting himself playing for Penrith in round 17.
But NSW teammates are confident Haas (back) and To'o will both play after they overcame previous injuries to respectively star in Origin I and II.
"'Bizza' showed he didn't do much training last game and you've seen the performance he put in," said winger Zac Lomax.
"I don't think there are too many questions around that (his recovery) because he's done it and he's performed for us."
Long before he was the Dolphins halfback setting the NRL alight, a 13-year-old Katoa accompanied his brother to Penrith headquarters during the off-season.
A hooker who played 75 NRL games, Sione Katoa was reporting for an informal training session with Cleary and a handful of other Panthers teammates.
The younger Katoa, barely a teenager much less an adult, ran rings around the group of NRL pros, which included Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Viliame Kikau.
"We were doing 3 on 2 drills and he was carving it up. I was like, I've never seen someone at this age do that sort of stuff," said Blues halfback Cleary.
"I'd already heard of him, there were raps on him since he was real young. But then just to see him, I was like, it's not normal for a 13-year-old kid to be doing this."
It's a fair appraisal from Cleary, a generational talent who grew up playing alongside current NSW five-eighth Jarome Luai - himself rated a top-tier junior talent.
Katoa received his first call into NSW camp last week, spending two days around the Blues at their Leura hideaway ahead of the decider in Sydney on July 9.
Luai's estimations of Katoa only rose for reuniting with the young superstar, who had been in Penrith's junior system while Luai was at the club.
Four-time premiership winner Luai admits he's a little intimidated by the thought of facing Katoa at Wests Tigers, and felt he was "definitely" an Origin star of the future.
"It's scary, you're going to have to go up against that in clubland soon. Hopefully he doesn't go that well against you," Luai said.
"Obviously his ability to play, his potential and all that, but just the way he speaks, the way he carries himself, the way he interacts with the boys as well.
"It's just like, how mature is this guy and how high is his ceiling?"
Cleary has been pondering that question for the last eight years.
He has been floored by what Katoa has achieved lifting the Dolphins into finals calculations, with the expansion side averaging a tick under 46 points across their last five games.
"He's probably my favourite player to watch in the comp at the moment, just what he's able to do," Cleary said.
"Just his subtlety is incredible, especially for such a young guy.
"People at the top of their game would be happy with what he's doing but he's only 21. It's quite incredible what he's doing."
NSW have earmarked Isaiya Katoa as Nathan Cleary's successor by calling him into camp for State of Origin III, but the incumbent still remembers the day eight years ago when he first realised just how elite the young gun would become.
It comes as Brian To'o and Payne Haas once again trained separately from their teammates on Saturday, the final day of NSW's Blue Mountains camp for the decider on July 9.
Monday's session at Accor Stadium looms as judgement day for To'o, who needed ice and a brace on his knee after hurting himself playing for Penrith in round 17.
But NSW teammates are confident Haas (back) and To'o will both play after they overcame previous injuries to respectively star in Origin I and II.
"'Bizza' showed he didn't do much training last game and you've seen the performance he put in," said winger Zac Lomax.
"I don't think there are too many questions around that (his recovery) because he's done it and he's performed for us."
Long before he was the Dolphins halfback setting the NRL alight, a 13-year-old Katoa accompanied his brother to Penrith headquarters during the off-season.
A hooker who played 75 NRL games, Sione Katoa was reporting for an informal training session with Cleary and a handful of other Panthers teammates.
The younger Katoa, barely a teenager much less an adult, ran rings around the group of NRL pros, which included Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Viliame Kikau.
"We were doing 3 on 2 drills and he was carving it up. I was like, I've never seen someone at this age do that sort of stuff," said Blues halfback Cleary.
"I'd already heard of him, there were raps on him since he was real young. But then just to see him, I was like, it's not normal for a 13-year-old kid to be doing this."
It's a fair appraisal from Cleary, a generational talent who grew up playing alongside current NSW five-eighth Jarome Luai - himself rated a top-tier junior talent.
Katoa received his first call into NSW camp last week, spending two days around the Blues at their Leura hideaway ahead of the decider in Sydney on July 9.
Luai's estimations of Katoa only rose for reuniting with the young superstar, who had been in Penrith's junior system while Luai was at the club.
Four-time premiership winner Luai admits he's a little intimidated by the thought of facing Katoa at Wests Tigers, and felt he was "definitely" an Origin star of the future.
"It's scary, you're going to have to go up against that in clubland soon. Hopefully he doesn't go that well against you," Luai said.
"Obviously his ability to play, his potential and all that, but just the way he speaks, the way he carries himself, the way he interacts with the boys as well.
"It's just like, how mature is this guy and how high is his ceiling?"
Cleary has been pondering that question for the last eight years.
He has been floored by what Katoa has achieved lifting the Dolphins into finals calculations, with the expansion side averaging a tick under 46 points across their last five games.
"He's probably my favourite player to watch in the comp at the moment, just what he's able to do," Cleary said.
"Just his subtlety is incredible, especially for such a young guy.
"People at the top of their game would be happy with what he's doing but he's only 21. It's quite incredible what he's doing."
NSW have earmarked Isaiya Katoa as Nathan Cleary's successor by calling him into camp for State of Origin III, but the incumbent still remembers the day eight years ago when he first realised just how elite the young gun would become.
It comes as Brian To'o and Payne Haas once again trained separately from their teammates on Saturday, the final day of NSW's Blue Mountains camp for the decider on July 9.
Monday's session at Accor Stadium looms as judgement day for To'o, who needed ice and a brace on his knee after hurting himself playing for Penrith in round 17.
But NSW teammates are confident Haas (back) and To'o will both play after they overcame previous injuries to respectively star in Origin I and II.
"'Bizza' showed he didn't do much training last game and you've seen the performance he put in," said winger Zac Lomax.
"I don't think there are too many questions around that (his recovery) because he's done it and he's performed for us."
Long before he was the Dolphins halfback setting the NRL alight, a 13-year-old Katoa accompanied his brother to Penrith headquarters during the off-season.
A hooker who played 75 NRL games, Sione Katoa was reporting for an informal training session with Cleary and a handful of other Panthers teammates.
The younger Katoa, barely a teenager much less an adult, ran rings around the group of NRL pros, which included Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Viliame Kikau.
"We were doing 3 on 2 drills and he was carving it up. I was like, I've never seen someone at this age do that sort of stuff," said Blues halfback Cleary.
"I'd already heard of him, there were raps on him since he was real young. But then just to see him, I was like, it's not normal for a 13-year-old kid to be doing this."
It's a fair appraisal from Cleary, a generational talent who grew up playing alongside current NSW five-eighth Jarome Luai - himself rated a top-tier junior talent.
Katoa received his first call into NSW camp last week, spending two days around the Blues at their Leura hideaway ahead of the decider in Sydney on July 9.
Luai's estimations of Katoa only rose for reuniting with the young superstar, who had been in Penrith's junior system while Luai was at the club.
Four-time premiership winner Luai admits he's a little intimidated by the thought of facing Katoa at Wests Tigers, and felt he was "definitely" an Origin star of the future.
"It's scary, you're going to have to go up against that in clubland soon. Hopefully he doesn't go that well against you," Luai said.
"Obviously his ability to play, his potential and all that, but just the way he speaks, the way he carries himself, the way he interacts with the boys as well.
"It's just like, how mature is this guy and how high is his ceiling?"
Cleary has been pondering that question for the last eight years.
He has been floored by what Katoa has achieved lifting the Dolphins into finals calculations, with the expansion side averaging a tick under 46 points across their last five games.
"He's probably my favourite player to watch in the comp at the moment, just what he's able to do," Cleary said.
"Just his subtlety is incredible, especially for such a young guy.
"People at the top of their game would be happy with what he's doing but he's only 21. It's quite incredible what he's doing."
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Sydney Morning Herald
3 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
All-out attack is the key to beating the Storm. The Broncos have the men to do it
If the Broncos win tonight, they're a big chance of making the top four. It will all come down to Penrith; in rounds 24 (Storm), 25 (Raiders) and 26 (Bulldogs), the premiers play the top three teams. The joker up Penrith's sleeve is the point they earned from a draw earlier in the season. The Storm will put a lot of energy into their defence, whereas the Broncos will put a lot of energy into their attack. It's a case of contrasting styles, but if it sticks for the Broncos, they are so dangerous. Reece Walsh sums up Brisbane; if it sticks for him, they're hard to beat. For mine, the Storm are still the favourites to win the competition. Even if Jahrome Hughes can't return for the finals, they can still win it. There are question marks over Nelson Asofa-Solomona, whether he can get himself back in shape and into the team. They really missed him last year in the grand final against Penrith. There are great match-ups all over the field. The five-eighths, Munster and Mam, are great runners of the ball. Munster will want a big game against the Broncos, and I reckon Ezra's getting better each week. Then there's Harry Grant versus the Broncos ruck defence. Harry is in incredible form; he's a run threat, and his pass selection close to the line is just top-notch. The Brisbane markers and ruck defence will have to be on because if they're not, Harry will carve them up. The other big match-up I can't wait for is between the NSW front-rowers, Payne Haas and Stefano Utoikamanu. Will they be the Samoan two props at the end of the year? Both are huge men, are great attacking forwards with huge frames, both fit and fast. These clashes will shake the stadium. There will be nothing in it. The Storm's bench looks a bit stronger, and they're so tough to beat down there in Melbourne. Joey's tip: Storm by four First try scorer: Grant Anderson Man of the match: Cameron Munster Walker v Katoa is a peek into the future for Origin Sam Walker and Isaiya Katoa are genuine halfbacks and will be playing against each other in Origin in four or five years. I can see a Maroons pairing of Tom Dearden and Sam Walker complementing each other's game; that would be a really good combination. Katoa and Walker are different players and body shapes. Katoa is 93 kg, Walker is just 78kg wringing wet - he looks like a heavyweight jockey. Walker's a throwback to the early 1990s halfback; he looks like Aflie Langer and plays what he sees, without a safety net. With Sam, you've got to take the good with the bad. He's going to make some terrible errors, but on the flipside, he's going to come up with some breathtaking, attacking brilliance. Katoa is so different. He likes set plays, and he does them better than anyone. He's fairly calculated, the way he plays the percentages, and has got more of a running game than Walker. He's also a better defender, just with that bigger body. Here's how I compare them in key areas: Passing game: Katoa 9/10, Walker 7 Long kicking: Katoa 8, Walker 7 Short kicking game: Katoa 7, Walker 10 Creativity: Katoa 7, Walker, 10 Defence: Katoa 9, Walker 7 Run threat: Katoa 7, Walker 7 Entertainment value: Katoa 9, Walker 10 I would pay money each week to watch these two play. Walker warms my old halfback heart. Watching him play, he's so creative. When Walker makes an error, he's got a 'I don't give a rat's arse' attitude that's similar to James Maloney. He's a great halfback test case for young coaches. His dad, Ben, coached him through the juniors and let him play, let him make errors, let him try things. That's where you learn your hardest lessons, by making mistakes on the field. In contrast, Izzy [Katoa] is just an incredible halfback. He's my favourite player to watch at the moment. A big Sorry to Cody Walker there, he'd been that player for me for a long time. Katoa's passing and pass selection are on a whole other planet; it's the best in the game. The Dolphins are such an attacking threat, and a big reason is how straight Katoa plays, which frees up the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jake Averillo. I predict Katoa and Walker will play a lot of rep footy against each other in Origin, but also for Australia and Tonga. We're very lucky to get to watch these two halfbacks. Ban the third-man-in legs tackle When the third man in the tackle dives at the legs from an unseen position, it's an absolute cheap shot. All teams are guilty of the cannonball tackle; I'm not just picking on Felise Kaufusi and the Dolphins. But Kaufusi's tackle broke the leg of Warriors back-rower Jacob Laban, who is out for the rest of the year. If two players are in the tackle, and the key here is if momentum has stopped, the third person can't come in. Loading Back when I was playing, the name of the game was to get the attacker to the ground as quickly as possible. Now it's the opposite; trying to hold them up, squeeze them tight and then let the third man sweep the leg. I know every team does it, but it's so dangerous, and the margin for error is so small. They say you have to tackle above the knees, but it's easy to get it wrong. It's led to attackers, when they get into contact, to turn around to look out for that third defender coming in. That's brought into play the crusher tackle. They need to eliminate that third man in. I hate it.
The Age
3 hours ago
- The Age
All-out attack is the key to beating the Storm. The Broncos have the men to do it
If the Broncos win tonight, they're a big chance of making the top four. It will all come down to Penrith; in rounds 24 (Storm), 25 (Raiders) and 26 (Bulldogs), the premiers play the top three teams. The joker up Penrith's sleeve is the point they earned from a draw earlier in the season. The Storm will put a lot of energy into their defence, whereas the Broncos will put a lot of energy into their attack. It's a case of contrasting styles, but if it sticks for the Broncos, they are so dangerous. Reece Walsh sums up Brisbane; if it sticks for him, they're hard to beat. For mine, the Storm are still the favourites to win the competition. Even if Jahrome Hughes can't return for the finals, they can still win it. There are question marks over Nelson Asofa-Solomona, whether he can get himself back in shape and into the team. They really missed him last year in the grand final against Penrith. There are great match-ups all over the field. The five-eighths, Munster and Mam, are great runners of the ball. Munster will want a big game against the Broncos, and I reckon Ezra's getting better each week. Then there's Harry Grant versus the Broncos ruck defence. Harry is in incredible form; he's a run threat, and his pass selection close to the line is just top-notch. The Brisbane markers and ruck defence will have to be on because if they're not, Harry will carve them up. The other big match-up I can't wait for is between the NSW front-rowers, Payne Haas and Stefano Utoikamanu. Will they be the Samoan two props at the end of the year? Both are huge men, are great attacking forwards with huge frames, both fit and fast. These clashes will shake the stadium. There will be nothing in it. The Storm's bench looks a bit stronger, and they're so tough to beat down there in Melbourne. Joey's tip: Storm by four First try scorer: Grant Anderson Man of the match: Cameron Munster Walker v Katoa is a peek into the future for Origin Sam Walker and Isaiya Katoa are genuine halfbacks and will be playing against each other in Origin in four or five years. I can see a Maroons pairing of Tom Dearden and Sam Walker complementing each other's game; that would be a really good combination. Katoa and Walker are different players and body shapes. Katoa is 93 kg, Walker is just 78kg wringing wet - he looks like a heavyweight jockey. Walker's a throwback to the early 1990s halfback; he looks like Aflie Langer and plays what he sees, without a safety net. With Sam, you've got to take the good with the bad. He's going to make some terrible errors, but on the flipside, he's going to come up with some breathtaking, attacking brilliance. Katoa is so different. He likes set plays, and he does them better than anyone. He's fairly calculated, the way he plays the percentages, and has got more of a running game than Walker. He's also a better defender, just with that bigger body. Here's how I compare them in key areas: Passing game: Katoa 9/10, Walker 7 Long kicking: Katoa 8, Walker 7 Short kicking game: Katoa 7, Walker 10 Creativity: Katoa 7, Walker, 10 Defence: Katoa 9, Walker 7 Run threat: Katoa 7, Walker 7 Entertainment value: Katoa 9, Walker 10 I would pay money each week to watch these two play. Walker warms my old halfback heart. Watching him play, he's so creative. When Walker makes an error, he's got a 'I don't give a rat's arse' attitude that's similar to James Maloney. He's a great halfback test case for young coaches. His dad, Ben, coached him through the juniors and let him play, let him make errors, let him try things. That's where you learn your hardest lessons, by making mistakes on the field. In contrast, Izzy [Katoa] is just an incredible halfback. He's my favourite player to watch at the moment. A big Sorry to Cody Walker there, he'd been that player for me for a long time. Katoa's passing and pass selection are on a whole other planet; it's the best in the game. The Dolphins are such an attacking threat, and a big reason is how straight Katoa plays, which frees up the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Jake Averillo. I predict Katoa and Walker will play a lot of rep footy against each other in Origin, but also for Australia and Tonga. We're very lucky to get to watch these two halfbacks. Ban the third-man-in legs tackle When the third man in the tackle dives at the legs from an unseen position, it's an absolute cheap shot. All teams are guilty of the cannonball tackle; I'm not just picking on Felise Kaufusi and the Dolphins. But Kaufusi's tackle broke the leg of Warriors back-rower Jacob Laban, who is out for the rest of the year. If two players are in the tackle, and the key here is if momentum has stopped, the third person can't come in. Loading Back when I was playing, the name of the game was to get the attacker to the ground as quickly as possible. Now it's the opposite; trying to hold them up, squeeze them tight and then let the third man sweep the leg. I know every team does it, but it's so dangerous, and the margin for error is so small. They say you have to tackle above the knees, but it's easy to get it wrong. It's led to attackers, when they get into contact, to turn around to look out for that third defender coming in. That's brought into play the crusher tackle. They need to eliminate that third man in. I hate it.
The Advertiser
4 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Pezet eyes week-to-week NRL in Storm spine squeeze
Jonah Pezet says he wants to chase the opportunity to play in the NRL every week, but insists a loan deal away from Melbourne is not yet at the front of his mind. Melbourne's half-in-waiting for several years, Pezet has been named to come off the bench against Brisbane on Thursday night with Jahrome Hughes injured. Pezet is signed with the Storm until the end of 2029, but is believed to have a clause in his contract that allowed him to speak to rivals if Hughes re-signed. Hughes did so last week, extending his time in purple until 2030. The other factor is the future of Cameron Munster, who is contracted until the end of 2027 but been linked to potential Perth interest. Both Pezet and Munster share a manager in Braith Anasta, while a loan deal could potentially buy time for Munster to decide his future beyond his current deal. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to play NRL every week," Pezet said. "As a kid you grow up and that's what you want to do. So of course I want to chase those opportunities. "But I'm just focused on putting my best foot forward every week, so that's when Belza (coach Craig Bellamy) picks me in the team." Melbourne hooker Harry Grant this week backed the idea of loans, speaking of the good it did him at Wests Tigers while stuck behind Cameron Smith in 2020. Asked whether a loan deal could be an option for him, Pezet said it was not something he wanted to be considering. "I think I'll leave that up to Braith and everyone at the club ... they'll sort it all out," Pezet said. "With Hughesy going down there's an opportunity there, and I'll keep putting my best foot forward so that when the time comes I'm ready for that wherever it might be. "Obviously the best footy I play, the more NRL I'm going to get, so that's what I'm focused on." The Storm have stuck with Tyran Wishart as Hughes' replacement at No.7, after the reigning Dally M Medallist dislocated his shoulder last month. Bellamy on Wednesday left the door open for Hughes to return before finals, with the 22-year-old avoiding surgery and back training away from the main squad. Melbourne have not got a specific plan for Pezet off the bench, who has had limited football in the past 16 months with an ACL rupture and subsequent setback. Pezet was brought on at halfback late in last week's win over Parramatta, with Wishart shifting to lock. "I'm definitely confident in my own ability to go out there and play 80 minutes of footy in the halfback position," Pezet said. "But that's not what's best for the team at the moment." Jonah Pezet says he wants to chase the opportunity to play in the NRL every week, but insists a loan deal away from Melbourne is not yet at the front of his mind. Melbourne's half-in-waiting for several years, Pezet has been named to come off the bench against Brisbane on Thursday night with Jahrome Hughes injured. Pezet is signed with the Storm until the end of 2029, but is believed to have a clause in his contract that allowed him to speak to rivals if Hughes re-signed. Hughes did so last week, extending his time in purple until 2030. The other factor is the future of Cameron Munster, who is contracted until the end of 2027 but been linked to potential Perth interest. Both Pezet and Munster share a manager in Braith Anasta, while a loan deal could potentially buy time for Munster to decide his future beyond his current deal. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to play NRL every week," Pezet said. "As a kid you grow up and that's what you want to do. So of course I want to chase those opportunities. "But I'm just focused on putting my best foot forward every week, so that's when Belza (coach Craig Bellamy) picks me in the team." Melbourne hooker Harry Grant this week backed the idea of loans, speaking of the good it did him at Wests Tigers while stuck behind Cameron Smith in 2020. Asked whether a loan deal could be an option for him, Pezet said it was not something he wanted to be considering. "I think I'll leave that up to Braith and everyone at the club ... they'll sort it all out," Pezet said. "With Hughesy going down there's an opportunity there, and I'll keep putting my best foot forward so that when the time comes I'm ready for that wherever it might be. "Obviously the best footy I play, the more NRL I'm going to get, so that's what I'm focused on." The Storm have stuck with Tyran Wishart as Hughes' replacement at No.7, after the reigning Dally M Medallist dislocated his shoulder last month. Bellamy on Wednesday left the door open for Hughes to return before finals, with the 22-year-old avoiding surgery and back training away from the main squad. Melbourne have not got a specific plan for Pezet off the bench, who has had limited football in the past 16 months with an ACL rupture and subsequent setback. Pezet was brought on at halfback late in last week's win over Parramatta, with Wishart shifting to lock. "I'm definitely confident in my own ability to go out there and play 80 minutes of footy in the halfback position," Pezet said. "But that's not what's best for the team at the moment." Jonah Pezet says he wants to chase the opportunity to play in the NRL every week, but insists a loan deal away from Melbourne is not yet at the front of his mind. Melbourne's half-in-waiting for several years, Pezet has been named to come off the bench against Brisbane on Thursday night with Jahrome Hughes injured. Pezet is signed with the Storm until the end of 2029, but is believed to have a clause in his contract that allowed him to speak to rivals if Hughes re-signed. Hughes did so last week, extending his time in purple until 2030. The other factor is the future of Cameron Munster, who is contracted until the end of 2027 but been linked to potential Perth interest. Both Pezet and Munster share a manager in Braith Anasta, while a loan deal could potentially buy time for Munster to decide his future beyond his current deal. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to play NRL every week," Pezet said. "As a kid you grow up and that's what you want to do. So of course I want to chase those opportunities. "But I'm just focused on putting my best foot forward every week, so that's when Belza (coach Craig Bellamy) picks me in the team." Melbourne hooker Harry Grant this week backed the idea of loans, speaking of the good it did him at Wests Tigers while stuck behind Cameron Smith in 2020. Asked whether a loan deal could be an option for him, Pezet said it was not something he wanted to be considering. "I think I'll leave that up to Braith and everyone at the club ... they'll sort it all out," Pezet said. "With Hughesy going down there's an opportunity there, and I'll keep putting my best foot forward so that when the time comes I'm ready for that wherever it might be. "Obviously the best footy I play, the more NRL I'm going to get, so that's what I'm focused on." The Storm have stuck with Tyran Wishart as Hughes' replacement at No.7, after the reigning Dally M Medallist dislocated his shoulder last month. Bellamy on Wednesday left the door open for Hughes to return before finals, with the 22-year-old avoiding surgery and back training away from the main squad. Melbourne have not got a specific plan for Pezet off the bench, who has had limited football in the past 16 months with an ACL rupture and subsequent setback. Pezet was brought on at halfback late in last week's win over Parramatta, with Wishart shifting to lock. "I'm definitely confident in my own ability to go out there and play 80 minutes of footy in the halfback position," Pezet said. "But that's not what's best for the team at the moment."
