The likes of Sydney Roosters halfback Sam Walker, Warriors playmaker Reece Walsh and Wests Tigers winger Zac Cini have made stellar NRL debuts already this season, while this weekend’s Magic Round is set to see Jakob Arthur blooded at five-eighth for Parramatta.
Getting that initial call-up is an unforgettable career highlight for any player – the stuff of rugby league dreams. But not every debut follows the fairytale script.
Will Evans from This Warriors Life relives some of the most unfortunate maiden first-grade forays from over the years.
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5. Glen Fisiiahi (New Zealand Warriors)
Warriors NYC star Glen Fisiiahi was promoted to the first grade flank for the club’s 2011 season opener against Parramatta – a historic encounter at rugby union stronghold Eden Park.
But the enigmatic 20-year-old made three glaring handling errors, including a terrible drop of a bomb which gifted a try to the Eels soon after halftime in a 24-18 loss. An electrifying speedster, Fisiiahi’s NRL career was plagued by injuries and inconsistency before his switch to Super Rugby outfit the Chiefs at the end of 2015.
