NRL Rookie Watch: Which Sharks are worth keeping an eye on in 2023?

With the 2023 NRL season nearing, we list the crop of rookies from each club worth keeping tabs on as they aim to join the elite list of budding stars with a Rookie of the Year award to their name.

As per the NRL, “players are eligible for the Rookie of the Year in their debut season and the subsequent two NRL seasons … Once a player plays five (5) NRL Premiership matches (or English Super League matches), he becomes ineligible for the Rookie of the Year in any subsequent seasons”.

Kade Dykes

Dykes made his highly-anticipated NRL debut against rivals St. George Illawarra last season enjoying a strong night before scoring his maiden try the following week against the Wests Tigers. The son of Sharks great Adam, the nearly 21-year-old enjoyed a breakout year at NSW Cup level scoring nine tries in 14 games for Newtown. Splitting time between fullback and five-eighth, he broke 71 tackles, made 16 line breaks, and assisted on nine tries across the season. He enjoyed a 263-metre, 14-tackle break Round 7 outing against Blacktown Workers as well as a two-try, three-assist showing against Newcastle in Round 14. With Will Kennedy and Matt Moylan likely locked into the spine for Craig Fitzgibbon’s squad this season, Dykes may be forced to continue plying his trade in NSW Cup but firms as a ready-made replacement should he be needed. One of the most skilful local juniors the Sharks have seen in recent years, a regular first-grade role should be near for Dykes.

Kayal Iro

Iro made his NRL debut in Cronulla’s Round 24 win over Canterbury last season and looked ready to make the leap full-time. Last year’s NSW Cup Player of the Year, Iro will likely have to rely on injury to earn another crack at NRL level but there is little doubt surrounding his talent. The soon-to-be 21-year-old comes from a rugby league with father Kevin and uncle Tony playing a combined 59 Tests for the Kiwis and enjoying fruitful domestic careers. Iro made his international debut for the Cook Islands as a 17-year-old and starred for the Kukis in their World Cup campaign at the end of last year. A fullback by trade and capable winger, he scored 14 tries in 22 games for Newtown last season with the side losing just five of the games he appeared in. With Lachlan Miller and Luke Metcalf both departing the Sharks, Iro will jostle alongside the likes of Connor Tracey, Mawene Hiroti, Matt Ikuvalu and Kade Dykes to move up the outside backs depth chart.

Jesse Colquhoun

Another of Cronulla’s 2022 debutants, Colquhoun turned many a head whilst playing with Newtown last season making a name for himself as a versatile workhorse. Capable of playing in the middle or on an edge, Colquhoun made a total of three NRL appearances last season, winning all three. In 18 appearances for Newtown last season, he averaged 114 run metres per game and made 458 tackles at nearly 96 per cent efficiency. He played 80 minutes in multiple games and ran for 100-plus metres in 11 games including a 153-metre, 39-tackle effort against North Sydney in Round 19. With Aiden Tolman and Andrew Fifita both retiring and Oregon Kaufusi the club’s only recruit, Colquhoun will look to push for a regular first-grade spot and will likely be called upon should any of the side’s forwards spend time on the sidelines. The 21-year-old has earnt many admirers since entering the Sharks system and will be eager to repay the faith.

Siteni Taukamo

Taukamo made a name for himself last year when he became Greece’s first ever World Cup try-scorer and enjoyed an impressive tournament for the rookie nation. He ran for 150 metres and made two line breaks in Greece’s World Cup opener in France after he was a late addition to the squad due to uncertainty surrounding his age. Cronulla’s Harold Matthews captain in 2020 and 2021, Taukamo is a talented fullback and winger who is a part of the club’s NRL squad this season. Still just 18, Taukamo likely finds himself slightly below several of his teammates on the depth chart but the club’s decision-makers have plenty of wraps on him and may fast-track him into first-grade should their depth be tested. The club will be eager for Taukamo to make the leap to NSW Cup this season and put together a consistent season of football.

Fill In The Form To Get Our NRL News Straight To Your Email For FREE!