Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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BRONCOS young gun Jamayne Isaako wasn’t too nervous about making his NRL debut.
After all, he’s faced greater baptisms — like unwittingly trialling for an NRL contract without knowing the rules of rugby league.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett labelled Isaako a future star after his flawless debut against the Knights on Saturday night, but the 21-year-old was well prepared to be thrown in the deep end.
Four years ago, Isaako was a rugby union ace in New Zealand with dreams of being an All Black when NRL side Cronulla held a development camp in Christchurch.
The 17-year-old decided to attend to watch a friend trial for a Sharks contract. With one team short of players, Isaako put his hand up to make up the numbers ... and blew the Sharks scouts away.
“It’s a funny story how I ended up in rugby league. I basically got signed by accident,” says Isaako.
“It was pure luck, really. As a kid, I didn’t even watch rugby league, I’ve always been a union boy.
Darren Lockyer (Broncos legend) was probably the only NRL player I knew back then.
“The Sharks had this camp in Christchurch. I only went along to watch one of my mates trial and I ended up trialling with him because they needed a few players.
“I just played my natural game like I did in union and the next thing a scout said he wanted to sign me for Cronulla. I couldn’t believe it.”
One man who could believe it was Bennett. The super coach saw Isaako in Cronulla’s lower grades two years ago and believed he had the power, speed and athleticism to flourish at the Broncos.
Isaako franked that assessment against the Knights. The well-built 97kg fullback amassed 154 metres from 15 runs in Brisbane’s 34-22 victory. But his most important statistic was his error-rate ... zero.
“The best thing for Jamayne is that he was mistake-free,” Bennett said. “That is the challenge for any young guy — to play well in the NRL without making errors.
“I can’t be happier with Jamayne, he is a real talent. I wanted to give him an opportunity. Now he can get more confidence.”
Broncos skipper Darius Boyd will be Brisbane’s fullback for the next four years but Isaako is happy to stay at Red Hill. Currently off-contract, he wants to finish his career at the Broncos.
“I have learnt so much under Wayne so I’m happy to stay here forever,” said Isaako, who has been superb for feeder-club Souths Logan in the Intrust Super Cup.
“It (his NRL debut) was a really good experience, I’m glad to get a run."
“I was nervous but Darius texted me before the game and said just back yourself and play your natural game.
“I did find it a lot quicker than Queensland Cup, it was a lot faster around the ruck. It was pretty physical so I was just happy not to make any mistakes.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...t/news-story/fb8303025340ba1950edefee2ea94bd4
After all, he’s faced greater baptisms — like unwittingly trialling for an NRL contract without knowing the rules of rugby league.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett labelled Isaako a future star after his flawless debut against the Knights on Saturday night, but the 21-year-old was well prepared to be thrown in the deep end.
Four years ago, Isaako was a rugby union ace in New Zealand with dreams of being an All Black when NRL side Cronulla held a development camp in Christchurch.
The 17-year-old decided to attend to watch a friend trial for a Sharks contract. With one team short of players, Isaako put his hand up to make up the numbers ... and blew the Sharks scouts away.
“It’s a funny story how I ended up in rugby league. I basically got signed by accident,” says Isaako.
“It was pure luck, really. As a kid, I didn’t even watch rugby league, I’ve always been a union boy.
Darren Lockyer (Broncos legend) was probably the only NRL player I knew back then.
“The Sharks had this camp in Christchurch. I only went along to watch one of my mates trial and I ended up trialling with him because they needed a few players.
“I just played my natural game like I did in union and the next thing a scout said he wanted to sign me for Cronulla. I couldn’t believe it.”
One man who could believe it was Bennett. The super coach saw Isaako in Cronulla’s lower grades two years ago and believed he had the power, speed and athleticism to flourish at the Broncos.
Isaako franked that assessment against the Knights. The well-built 97kg fullback amassed 154 metres from 15 runs in Brisbane’s 34-22 victory. But his most important statistic was his error-rate ... zero.
“The best thing for Jamayne is that he was mistake-free,” Bennett said. “That is the challenge for any young guy — to play well in the NRL without making errors.
“I can’t be happier with Jamayne, he is a real talent. I wanted to give him an opportunity. Now he can get more confidence.”
Broncos skipper Darius Boyd will be Brisbane’s fullback for the next four years but Isaako is happy to stay at Red Hill. Currently off-contract, he wants to finish his career at the Broncos.
“I have learnt so much under Wayne so I’m happy to stay here forever,” said Isaako, who has been superb for feeder-club Souths Logan in the Intrust Super Cup.
“It (his NRL debut) was a really good experience, I’m glad to get a run."
“I was nervous but Darius texted me before the game and said just back yourself and play your natural game.
“I did find it a lot quicker than Queensland Cup, it was a lot faster around the ruck. It was pretty physical so I was just happy not to make any mistakes.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...t/news-story/fb8303025340ba1950edefee2ea94bd4
