Super Cronk
17-05-06, 10:53 AM
melbournestorm.com.au
A 19-YEAR-OLD rookie, who Melbourne Storm insiders have compared to mercurial Queensland fullback Matt Bowen, is set to make his NRL debut against Manly on Saturday night.
Smith Samau only joined the Storm full-time squad from Queensland feeder club Norths Devils last month after Billy Slater's seven-match suspension for kicking.
But with Melbourne's backline depth stretched to breaking point the diminutive Samau will be called into action against the Matt Orford-inspired Sea Eagles.
"Smith is really quiet. He doesn't say much, but there is no doubt he can play," Storm winger Steve Turner said.
"He has a really good step, he's quick and he reminds me a bit of Matty Bowen the way he zips around. His footwork and agility are something else and late in halves he could cause their bigger guys a few problems."
In a vastly reshaped Storm side Samau could be one of three players to make their Melbourne debuts.
Unheralded back rower Matthew Bartlett and former Canberra prop Ben Cross have also been named in an extended 19-man squad.
With fullback Greg Inglis, hooker Cameron Smith and lock Dallas Johnson on State-of-Origin duty with Queensland and Matt King in the New South Wales camp, coach Craig Bellamy had little choice but to reshape his team.
In a major shake-up: Turner replaces Inglis at fullback; Chris Walker comes into the centres for King; Samau comes on to Turner's wing; Nathan Friend replaces Smith at hooker; Jeremy Smith takes Johnson's place at lock.
Jamie Feeney, Bartlett and Cross are the new faces on the interchange bench.
Bartlett is considered a strong chance of making his top-flight debut. The Newcastle junior was the last player signed by Storm in the off-season.
"His manager called us looking for an opportunity," Storm recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan said of Bartlett.
"I went and had a look at him and he reminded me a lot of Ryan Hoffman.
"I thought he would probably need a year in our program to put on some weight and be ready for first grade, but he has worked hard and come along well. Whatever he does this year, he'll improve on in 2007."
Cant wait to see him play...if he is as good as the insiders say then it will be crazy having slater, inglis and samua in the one team!
A 19-YEAR-OLD rookie, who Melbourne Storm insiders have compared to mercurial Queensland fullback Matt Bowen, is set to make his NRL debut against Manly on Saturday night.
Smith Samau only joined the Storm full-time squad from Queensland feeder club Norths Devils last month after Billy Slater's seven-match suspension for kicking.
But with Melbourne's backline depth stretched to breaking point the diminutive Samau will be called into action against the Matt Orford-inspired Sea Eagles.
"Smith is really quiet. He doesn't say much, but there is no doubt he can play," Storm winger Steve Turner said.
"He has a really good step, he's quick and he reminds me a bit of Matty Bowen the way he zips around. His footwork and agility are something else and late in halves he could cause their bigger guys a few problems."
In a vastly reshaped Storm side Samau could be one of three players to make their Melbourne debuts.
Unheralded back rower Matthew Bartlett and former Canberra prop Ben Cross have also been named in an extended 19-man squad.
With fullback Greg Inglis, hooker Cameron Smith and lock Dallas Johnson on State-of-Origin duty with Queensland and Matt King in the New South Wales camp, coach Craig Bellamy had little choice but to reshape his team.
In a major shake-up: Turner replaces Inglis at fullback; Chris Walker comes into the centres for King; Samau comes on to Turner's wing; Nathan Friend replaces Smith at hooker; Jeremy Smith takes Johnson's place at lock.
Jamie Feeney, Bartlett and Cross are the new faces on the interchange bench.
Bartlett is considered a strong chance of making his top-flight debut. The Newcastle junior was the last player signed by Storm in the off-season.
"His manager called us looking for an opportunity," Storm recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan said of Bartlett.
"I went and had a look at him and he reminded me a lot of Ryan Hoffman.
"I thought he would probably need a year in our program to put on some weight and be ready for first grade, but he has worked hard and come along well. Whatever he does this year, he'll improve on in 2007."
Cant wait to see him play...if he is as good as the insiders say then it will be crazy having slater, inglis and samua in the one team!