Wests Tigers rookie Luke Brooks is set to become the game’s next genuine superstar.
The Sunday Telegraph March 09, 2014 12:30AM
BELIEVE the hype.
Good judges say there’s no question Wests Tigers rookie Luke Brooks will make the transition from teenage talent to the NRL’s next genuine superstar.
Just don’t try and get any of them to go on the record talking the Tigers new whiz kid up, especially after the Andrew Johns comparisons last year.
The rule of thumb when it comes to rapping potential champions is to avoid heaping unnecessary expectation, promise and pressure all over them.
Remember when a teenage Braith Anasta was trumped up as the next Freddy Fittler or Souths halfback Willie Peters was branded the new Peter Sterling?
It gave opposition teams a green light to target them physically, verbally and mentally.
When it comes to Brooks, 19, there is no question the rookie halfback is the playmaker capable of handling the hope and expectation of being the new Benji Marshall.
The biggest hurdle in front of him is his body being able to sustain the week-to-week intense physical demands of the NRL.
Today, Brooks get his second taste of life in the big time against St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium.
The Tigers no.7 has had an extremely limited off-season, with the club taking a cautious approach about a possible stress fracture in his back.
Aside from his body holding up, the other great challenge for Brooks will be over-ruling NSW State of Origin hooker and Tigers captain Robbie Farah when it comes to calling the big-plays.
Again, those in the know at Wests Tigers say it won’t be a problem, with Brooks told to trust his instincts and play what’s in front of him.
Champion halfback Greg Alexander has an innate understanding of the roller-coaster ride Brooks is about to endure from teenage prodigy to NRL superstar.
The Penrith icon’s advice is to live in the moment and enjoy the ride.
“I called the game he made his debut in last year against the Dragons and he looks a class player. If he gets to the end of the season and we’re still saying Luke Brooks can play, then he’ll turn out to be some sort of player,” Alexander said.
“I say that because I don’t think the Tigers are going to be among the top sides in the competition, so he’s got a challenge on his hands.
“You would think from what you’re hearing out of the Tigers and the little bits that we’ve seen, he seems like the type of character who can handle everything.”
Rewind over the last ten seasons and we’ve seen rookie playmakers like Johnathan Thurston, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Shaun Johnson, Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney all kick on to become genuine NRL superstars.
But for every success story, there are NRL rookies of the year like Chris Sandow and Tim Smith who struggle to balance the demands of life as a professional rugby league player.
Champion New Zealand Test halfback Gary Freeman, who steered Balmain to back-to-back grand finals in 1988-89, hopes Brooks gets some defensive help from the Tigers forward pack.
“Everyone talks about the Tigers and they’re forward pack and how they’re not that good a side,” Freeman said.
“The way I look at it from his perspective as a halfback, what has he got to lose?
“Go out and have some fun, play your natural game, enjoy the moment and see where it takes you.
“I’ve never met the kid but he looks very level headed. I’d like to see someone like an Adam Blair who been around and done it all really take him under his wing and look after him out on the field.”
Last August, St George Illawarra didn’t know what to expect from Brooks. Today, the Dragons are on notice. A star is about to be born.
Link: http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/wests-tigers-rookie-luke-brooks-is-set-to-become-the-games-next-genuine-superstar/story-e6frf3wu-1226849016572
The Sunday Telegraph March 09, 2014 12:30AM
BELIEVE the hype.
Good judges say there’s no question Wests Tigers rookie Luke Brooks will make the transition from teenage talent to the NRL’s next genuine superstar.
Just don’t try and get any of them to go on the record talking the Tigers new whiz kid up, especially after the Andrew Johns comparisons last year.
The rule of thumb when it comes to rapping potential champions is to avoid heaping unnecessary expectation, promise and pressure all over them.
Remember when a teenage Braith Anasta was trumped up as the next Freddy Fittler or Souths halfback Willie Peters was branded the new Peter Sterling?
It gave opposition teams a green light to target them physically, verbally and mentally.
When it comes to Brooks, 19, there is no question the rookie halfback is the playmaker capable of handling the hope and expectation of being the new Benji Marshall.
The biggest hurdle in front of him is his body being able to sustain the week-to-week intense physical demands of the NRL.
Today, Brooks get his second taste of life in the big time against St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium.
The Tigers no.7 has had an extremely limited off-season, with the club taking a cautious approach about a possible stress fracture in his back.
Aside from his body holding up, the other great challenge for Brooks will be over-ruling NSW State of Origin hooker and Tigers captain Robbie Farah when it comes to calling the big-plays.
Again, those in the know at Wests Tigers say it won’t be a problem, with Brooks told to trust his instincts and play what’s in front of him.
Champion halfback Greg Alexander has an innate understanding of the roller-coaster ride Brooks is about to endure from teenage prodigy to NRL superstar.
The Penrith icon’s advice is to live in the moment and enjoy the ride.
“I called the game he made his debut in last year against the Dragons and he looks a class player. If he gets to the end of the season and we’re still saying Luke Brooks can play, then he’ll turn out to be some sort of player,” Alexander said.
“I say that because I don’t think the Tigers are going to be among the top sides in the competition, so he’s got a challenge on his hands.
“You would think from what you’re hearing out of the Tigers and the little bits that we’ve seen, he seems like the type of character who can handle everything.”
Rewind over the last ten seasons and we’ve seen rookie playmakers like Johnathan Thurston, Kieran Foran, Daly Cherry-Evans, Shaun Johnson, Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney all kick on to become genuine NRL superstars.
But for every success story, there are NRL rookies of the year like Chris Sandow and Tim Smith who struggle to balance the demands of life as a professional rugby league player.
Champion New Zealand Test halfback Gary Freeman, who steered Balmain to back-to-back grand finals in 1988-89, hopes Brooks gets some defensive help from the Tigers forward pack.
“Everyone talks about the Tigers and they’re forward pack and how they’re not that good a side,” Freeman said.
“The way I look at it from his perspective as a halfback, what has he got to lose?
“Go out and have some fun, play your natural game, enjoy the moment and see where it takes you.
“I’ve never met the kid but he looks very level headed. I’d like to see someone like an Adam Blair who been around and done it all really take him under his wing and look after him out on the field.”
Last August, St George Illawarra didn’t know what to expect from Brooks. Today, the Dragons are on notice. A star is about to be born.
Link: http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/wests-tigers-rookie-luke-brooks-is-set-to-become-the-games-next-genuine-superstar/story-e6frf3wu-1226849016572
