GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 25: Konrad Hurrell of the Titans attempts to break through the defence during the round four NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the North Queensland Cowboys at Cbus Super Stadium on March 25, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
There’s just one week to go until Super League kicks off for 2019 and the excitement’s building as every club anticipates the new season. A new year brings new hope, and with it, new signings.
A whole host of NRL players have decided to head to England this year and it’s great to see a few younger players, with none of them approaching retirement just yet.
Here are the five NRL imports I’m most looking forward to seeing in Super League in 2019.
Yet another new Leeds arrival, Merrin is a superstar signing that I can’t wait to see. He’s played over 200 NRL games, made 13 appearances for New South Wales and won 7 caps for Australia.
At 29 his best days are probably behind him and he’s very unlikely to play rep footy again, but he’s certainly not on his last legs yet and the Rhinos clearly don’t think so either, having given him a 4-year deal.
His experience in the biggest of games should be a great asset to the Rhinos, who had a difficult year in 2018 and who have lost a few experienced heads in recent years.
Another of Leeds’ NRL recruits, Lolohea is my outside tip to be Man of Steel.
While players like Blake Austin and Konrad Hurrell have arrived with big reputations and 100+ NRL appearances under their belts, Lolohea’s signing has gone relatively under the radar.
At just 24, he has a number of years ahead of him, and despite the fact his spell with the Tigers wasn’t a big success I was often impressed with his displays in a Warriors jersey. He’s also young enough to spend a year or two with the Rhinos before earning a move back to the NRL if he impresses.
He’s been given the number six shirt by Leeds, which is a show of faith in him by new coach David Furner and if he stays fit and plays regularly, I think he’ll be in for a big year.
This powerhouse Tongan centre has the potential to bulldoze his way through Super League defences if he can recapture his best form.
At his best he’s unstoppable, causing nightmares for defenders with his huge frame and electric pace.
Unfortunately, we may have already seen him peak, but at just 27 he still has plenty of footy left in him and when Leeds announced his arrival, I was genuinely excited and taken aback. Hopefully he’s still got plenty left to offer.
Coote has the daunting task of replacing 2018 Man of Steel Ben Barba at St Helens.
With Barba heading to the Cowboys to replace him this is essentially a straight swap deal and an excellent signing for Saints.
With over 160 NRL appearances to his name, including two Grand Finals, Coote will be a great replacement for Barba, who started 2018 in sensational form before tailing off in the second half of the season.
While Coote doesn’t have the ‘X Factor’ that Barba possesses, he’s solid defensively and is strong at returning the ball from deep. He brings a lot of experience with him too, and he should slot straight in to the Saints side.
There’s only one place to start and that’s with Warrington’s new five-eighth. Expectations are extremely high for marquee signing Austin, who’s the clear favourite with the bookies to be Man of Steel in 2019.
He’ll be replacing Tyrone Roberts at the Wolves and it’s fair to say he doesn’t have a lot to live up to. Roberts’ rather underwhelming year ended with a return to the Titans for 2019, although he did play his part in Warrington reaching the Grand Final and Challenge Cup Final in 2018, both of which they lost.
Wolves fans will be hoping Austin can take them one step further and finally deliver their first championship since 1955.