The next NRL superstars?

A hulking young forward with strict religious beliefs and an early-morning milk run is a star of the future.

If you get up early to greet your milkman, there's a good chance you've seen the next big thing in rugby league.

With the first match of the NRL season just 19 days away, the search is already on to find the next Israel Folau, Krisnan Inu and David Taylor. And we reckon we've found them. The Sun-Herald has cast an eye over the best young talent at all 16 clubs to find the game's next superstars.

And at Parramatta, the hot tip is Tim Mannah.

Milk run and Lebanese background aside, Jason Stevens sees a lot of himself in Parramatta prop Mannah. Both are big. Both study at NIDA. Both are abstaining from sex until they get married.
And they both believe they're God's gift. "He reminds me a bit of myself - he refers to himself as good looking," laughed former Super League Test forward Stevens, who met Mannah at a church conference.

"I thought, 'I like this bloke', we hit it off straight away. He said to me one of his aims is to be the best-looking Christian footballer going around.

"I told him that would be quite easy, I didn't set a high standard there."

But of all the similarities, the most important common trait for Eels fans is their playing talent.

Mannah is one of the most promising props in the game and is likely to earn a first-grade berth this season. The Australian Schoolboys star will start in the National Youth Competition alongside his younger brother, John, although good judges believe higher honours beckon.

"He's been really impressive in pre-season in a full-time environment," Eels coach Michael Hagan said.

"He's been a quality kid at the club for a number of years. I watched him play a fair bit of footy last year in [Jersey] Flegg. He's a quality kid and he's somebody we see has a big future at the club."

Like Stevens, Mannah is a devout Christian and an active member of his church.

The 20-year-old is also a virgin and doesn't believe in premarital sex.

"I believe I'll get a lot more out of a relationship that way and that the relationship with my wife will be better if I know I've waited for her," Mannah said, who was born in Australia but qualifies for Lebanon through his father.

"It makes it a bit more special. The boys, especially the ones I've grown up with, rip me to shreds about [being a virgin] but it's all good fun, they respect my beliefs.

"Everyone who knows me knows about it, it's not something I'm shy about. I'm fortunate to have a good family background, I grew up in church and they are the morals I grew up with. I'm 20 years old now, I may as well wait till I'm married."

There's another major difference between Mannah and the majority of the Eels' top-grade squad - his milk run. While their big-name teammates are still tucked in bed, Tim and John wake up at 5am three times a week do the delivery run.

"You get to meet a few strange people doing that," Mannah said.

"It reminds you not to get too big for your boots and that there are people out there working really hard.

"We're fortunate to be in the position we're in [playing football]."

The siblings are hoping to follow in the footsteps of the Hindmarsh brothers - Nathan and Ian - by playing in the NRL together for the Eels.

"Playing first grade together would be awesome, it would be a dream come true for us," he said.

The 107 kilogram forward wants to be a big star, on and off the field.

Following in the footsteps of Ian Roberts and Stevens, Mannah has enrolled in NIDA with a view to a post-football career in the media.

His presenting skills have already been put to good use recording segments on the club's website Parra TV, a behind-the-scenes insight into the players. But not all shoots he's been involved with have gone well.

As if being a milk-delivering virgin wasn't already enough ammunition for his teammates, he became the butt of all jokes when the Eels visited James Packer's property recently.

"He professed he knew how to shoot and had done it all before," said Eels under 20s coach Matt Cameron of an incident at the shooting range.

"He brought the rifle up, pulled the trigger and the recoil of the gun forced the scope into his forehead.

"That was after bragging how he knew what he was doing."

Eels positive despite Panthers trial defeat

Parramatta Eels head coach Michael Hagan has heaped praise on his young team despite a 30-28 loss to Penrith in their NRL trial at Albury’s Lavington Sports Ground.

Two near identical four pointers to Luke Rooney - in the 74th and 75th minutes of the match - sunk the Eels after they had led 28 points to 12 early in the second half.

The double strike came after the Eels outperformed their opponents for much of the first 60 minutes of play, during which they crossed for five tries to two.

Despite the result head coach Hagan said he was pleased with the effort shown.

“I was pretty happy overall, it was the first game of the year and we came with quite a few young players who I thought handled it extremely well,” Hagan said.

“We think we’ve got some good talent in the football team and we probably left eight or ten of our better players behind.

“There were signs there that were fairly encouraging, Feleti Mateo and Brett Finch ran the team well, so did young Kris Keating and also Matt Keating was very tidy.

“We’re very much looking forward to next week.”

The Eels trailed early after Penrith lock Trent Waterhouse scored the first try of the match off a neatly held pass from Jarrod Sammut.

Sammut converted to make it six-nil to the Panthers after 11 minutes.

Overcoming a momentary lack of possession the Eels found the tryline ten minutes later through Joel Reddy, who touched down after a break down the short side by Krisnan Inu.

Inu then added the extras to put the match back on level terms.

The Panthers edged ahead again through a try to Rhys Wesser however the Eels wasted no time in hitting back, fullback Etu Uaisele reaping the spoils of a well placed Brett Finch cross kick to score in the corner.

The Eels then took the lead, Matt Keating burrowing his way over next to the posts for Jarryd Hayne to convert and make it 16-12 Parramatta’s way after half an hour.

The first ten minutes after half time looked to have proved decisive for the Eels with two converted tries stretching the buffer to 16 points at 28-12.

The first came just 60 seconds after the break, lock Weller Hauraki scoring off some excellent lead up work from Junior Paulo and Kris Keating.

Eight minutes later the Eels were in again, Mark Riddell scoring off a neat kick and re-gather.
Tony Williams converted both tries to give the Eels breathing space.

Sammut narrowed the gap for the Panthers with 20 minutes remaining, scoring and converting to make it 28-18 the Eels way.

He then converted both Rooney tries to put the Panthers back in front.

The Eels had one last surge and threatened the line wide out, only for the ball to sail over the sideline just before full time.

The only concern to come out of the match for the Eels was a medial ligament strain to young second rower Justin Horo, who will undergo scans in coming days.

The Eels play the Roosters next week at Bluetongue Central Coast Stadium, Gosford.

PARRAMATTA EELS - 28

Tries: Joel Reddy, Etu Uaisele, Matt Keating, Weller Hauraki, Mark Riddell
Conversions: Tony Williams 2/2, Jarryd Hayne 1/2, Krisnan Inu 1/1

PENRITH PANTHERS - 30
Tries: Luke Rooney 2, Trent Waterhouse, Rhys Wesser, Jarrod Sammut
Conversions: Jarrod Sammut 5/5

Promising duo to be unleashed

Parramatta coach Michael Hagan will unveil the centre pairing he believes will take rugby league by storm over the next few years when the Eels meet Penrith in Friday night's trial match in Albury.

With Ben Smith still making his way back from off-season surgery, newly-signed duo Krisnan Inu and Jarryd Hayne will line-up in the centres in a precursor to their future roles.

The close friends are among the most exciting players in the NRL, with Hagan declaring: "Moving forward I see Krisnan and Jarryd becoming two of the really good centres in the game."

"Hayne and Inu in the centres is a critical combination (for Friday night's game)."

Hagan will roll out many of his big guns against the Panthers, with 10 NRL players named in the 22-man squad.

Inu and Hayne will be joined by Brett Finch, Mark Riddell, Joe Galuvao, Todd Lowrie, Feleti Mateo, Joel Reddy, Weller Hauraki and Junior Paulo.

"This is an important game for a number of players," Hagan said.

"We're keen to get a look at Finch and Mateo in the halves and Galuvao, Lowrie and Hauraki in the backrow."

"Trials give you the opportunity to try things out and given we're only playing two pre-season games we'll be keen to make the most of it."

The Eels boss will also blood several youngsters, with one eye firmly on the future.

"They're an exciting bunch of kids, all of whom have had outstanding off seasons," Hagan said.

"Matt and Kris Keating will make their first grade debuts sooner rather than later so this will be an important step up for them, as it will be for every player on the bench."

The squad is: Etu Uaisele, Taulima Tautai, Krisnan Inu, Jarryd Hayne, Joel Reddy, Feleti Mateo, Brett Finch, Brendan Oake, Mark Riddell, Junior Paulo,Joe Galuvao, Todd Lowrie, Weller Hauraki

Res: Kris Keating, James Grehan, Broderick Wright, Justin Horo, Matthew Keating, Tim Mannah, Tony Williams, Jeremy Latimore, Matthew Raftery

Eels gear up for first trial

Krisnan Inu and Jarryd Hayne will team up in the centres for the Parramatta Eels in their opening NRL trial match against Penrith in Albury on Friday night.

A total of ten players with NRL experience will start the match, with Inu and Hayne being joined by Brett Finch, Mark Riddell, Joe Galuvao, Todd Lowrie, Feleti Mateo, Joel Reddy, Weller Hauraki and Junior Paulo.

Head coach Michael Hagan says the trial presents an early opportunity to take a look at combinations for 2008.

"This is an important game for a number of players," Hagan said.

"Hayne and Inu in the centres is a critical combination, while we're also keen to get a look at Finch and Mateo in the halves and Galuvao, Lowrie and Hauraki in the back row.

"Trials give you the opportunity to try things out and given we're only playing two pre-season games we'll be keen to make the most of it."

The nine-man bench features a mix of players from the Eels full and part time squads, with all players to be given ample game time.

"They're an exciting bunch of kids, all of whom have had outstanding off seasons," Hagan said.

"Matt and Kris Keating will make their first grade debuts sooner rather than later so this will be an important step up for them, as it will be for every player on the bench."

The Eels travel to Albury on Thursday ahead of Friday night's game, which kicks off at 7pm.

Statue stand off

An exasperated Ray Price said he couldn't win in the row over funding of a statue in his honour.
"It doesn't matter what I say," the Parramatta rugby union and rugby league legend said.

"Let's be clear: I never asked for a statue. The fans approached the Parramatta Stadium Trust.
"I've had fans asked me: who do we donate to?"

Price said he had decided on a grassy area between the stadium and Parramatta Leagues Club as his preferred site.

The wrangle began when the trust decided to rename Parramatta Stadium's Ray Price Lounge as the Cumberland Lounge, a decision fans saw as a slight against a favourite son.

The trust then decided in December to commission a bronze sculpture in Price's honour. The Eels board subsequently voted against sharing the cost, saying it wasn't consulted.

Noted sculptor Alan Somerville estimated a two-metre bronze statue would cost about $100,000.

"That's a ballpark figure," said Mr Somerville, whose bronze life-sized sculptures have included cricket great Richie Benaud and the late former NSW Governor, Sir Roden Cutler.

"There would be 14 weeks in the iron foundry and about three months to do the sculpture. All up, it would be about eight months' work."

Parramatta chief executive and trust member Denis Fitzgerald confirmed the Eels had written to the trust, suggesting the proposed stadium southern grandstand be called the Ray Price Stand.

The State Government has committed $6 million to the estimated $24 million cost but the project is in limbo, given the Federal Government's belt-tightening.

Meanwhile, trust venue manager Luke Coleman said a walkway outside of the stadium, honouring former Parramatta sporting greats, was being considered.

"The trust is discussing it but it's not firmly on the agenda," Mr Coleman said.

"It would be a more proper way of honouring the various sporting legends.

"There is a lot of history on the site from its time as Cumberland Oval."

He said a series of plaques had been discussed but the first priority was completing the Price statue.

Smiths signs bumper Eels contract

The Parramatta Eels have extended centre Ben Smith's deal with the club until the end of the 2012 NRL season.

The 23-year-old has agreed to a new four-year deal with the club where he made his debut in 2004, scoring 25 tries in 58 first grade appearances.

Smith says he wants to repay the faith the club has shown in him.

"The future looks pretty exciting for the Eels and I'm very happy to know I'll be a part of it," Smith said in a club statement.

"We've got a great squad and a top quality coaching staff and that's always a good mix to have."

"I think of myself as a one-club man and now the deal's done I can just focus on getting myself back to full fitness and playing some footy."

Eels coach Michael Hagan says the retention of Smith alongside young stars Krisnan Inu and Jarryd Hayne was a high priority for the club.

"It's a great outcome for the club to get the deal done," he said.

"Ben adds plenty to the footy team both on and off the field."

Smith is currently recovering from off-season shoulder and knee surgery but is due to return to action early in the new NRL season.

He is likely to undergo a positional switch this year into the backrow as rising stars Krisnan Inu and Jarryd Hayne form a fresh centre pairing for the Eels.

Inspirational teacher

FELETI Mateo is a young man, but he was like a venerable Father Christmas, Pied Piper and king of the kids last week.

Parramatta Eels star Mateo came back to where it all started at Lalor Park and it seemed the whole town's young population was there to meet him.

Mateo was there to inspire and instruct the youngsters from his former club.

He and teammate Brett Delaney had been picked up by the Eels after they had shared in Lalor Park's C-grade grand final win.

Delaney has since gone to the Gold Coast but Mateo is now recognised as one of the young Eels, like Krisnan Inu and Jarryd Haynes, who will lead Parramatta to tomorrow.

Eels' Hindmarsh to have knee surgery

Parramatta forward Nathan Hindmarsh will undergo minor knee surgery on Tuesday but should only miss the NRL club's opening trial game.

The Test second-rower aggravated a previous cartilage injury at training and has been ordered to have an arthroscopy and miss the Eels' opening trial against Penrith in Albury next week.
However, the Eels are hopeful Hindmarsh will be fit to play the Sydney Roosters in the club's second trial, in Gosford on March 1.

"It's no big deal, more of a cleanout than anything serious," Hindmarsh said.

"I was just doing a routine drill when I felt something go click.

"While it's a shame to miss any game, particularly at the start of the year, the medical staff hasn't ruled out the Roosters trial as a possibility so hopefully one game is all it'll be."

Eels coach Michael Hagan said he may delay Hindmarsh's return until the opening round of the NRL season, when Parramatta play the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium on March 15.

"Whether we play him against the Roosters or save him up for round one will be a decision that we'll make down the track," Hagan said.

"We'll wait and see how he recovers, however I don't see the injury posing too many headaches at this stage."

Eels fight for Smith

PARRAMATTA have hatched a plan to turn forgotten centre Ben Smith into a wide-running backrower as the Eels fight to sign him ahead of a March 1 deadline.

With rival NRL clubs circling, Smith's agent and the Eels have set a 28-day time frame to either broker a new contract or begin testing his value on the open market.

Parramatta coach Michael Hagan has indicated a desire to retain Smith, 23, but the move would mean a positional switch to develop him into a backrower beyond 2008.

The positional switch for Smith is designed to accommodate rising international stars Krisnan Inu and Jarryd Hayne, who will form a fresh centre partnership for Parramatta in 2008.

"I'd be happy to stay with Parra, but I guess in terms of the future with Jarryd Hayne and Krisnan Inu, they're obviously stars," Smith said.

"So I'll probably start in the centres. But down the track, if I stay I dare say I'll have to move into the back row to make way for Inu.

"I'm happy to do that if that's what's best for the team. I'd be happy to stay, I think the next couple of years are going to be good for Parra, it's a young, exciting team.

One of the stars of Parramatta's surge to the 2005 minor premiership, Smith is currently recovering from an off-season left knee reconstruction and shoulder surgery.

While the back row would represent uncharted territory for Smith, Hagan believes he could be developed into a destructive wide-running forward.

"We're in the process of trying to sort out a longer-term deal for Ben to stay at Parramatta. That would be our next priority, I suppose, and we would like for him to stay," Hagan said.

"Given what he offers defensively as a centre, in a lot of ways the role of a wide-running backrower and a centre are not dissimilar anymore."

Parramatta football manager Andrew Hill has met Smith's agent Daryl Mather and further discussions are expected on March 1.