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i was recently talking to a mate of mine who supports the roosters and he was going on about some kid by the name of moga and saying the nrl recently put in a rule that bars players from playing if they are under 18 meaning he couldnt debut last year because he was only 17. could this affect the tigers with tedesco who if im correct in saying isnt 18 yet and could mean he doesnt get first crack at fb if he isnt 18 by march 4
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No such rule exists as far as I know. There’s been plenty of 17 year olds debut over the years. Jordan Rankin from the Titans was 16 when he made his debut.
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thats what i thought and used rankin as an example but then he pointed out this article
QUEENSLAND prodigy Tautau Moga would have been the youngest Sydney Roosters debutant in 73 years > if not for a new NRL rule barring players under 18 from first grade.
But the giant centre is set to make up for lost time next season, with Roosters coach Brian Smith revealing Moga is a likely starter in round 1 against South Sydney.Moga already possesses Greg Inglis-like dimensions, at 193cm and weighing 108kg.
He celebrated his 18th birthday this month with an extended contract that will ensure he remains at Moore Park until the end of 2014.
“He should have played first grade last season but unfortunately he was born in December so he was still 17 and we couldn’t use him,” Smith said.
“He’s part of our full-time squad now and he’s a good chance of playing round 1.”
The quiet and humble Mormon, who is committed to Australia and Queensland, is nearly impossible to stop close to the line. He scored 38 tries in SG Ball and Toyota Cup competitions last season.
As a standout junior at Ipswich’s St Peter Claver College, Moga was so conscious of potentially embarrassing his opponents he would stand on the wing unless his team was behind.
“That’s the sort of humility you get with Tau,” Smith said.
"He’s a lovely kid who is very concerned for others.
"The thing Tau is learning this pre-season is that at NRL level we need the full extension of his ability.
"He is shy but we have seen some aggression from him lately.
“He has incredible speed, strength and footwork for a young man.”
Smith said the man he would compete against for a backline spot in round 1, BJ Leilua, would help Moga deal with the attention of being an NRL baby.
“BJ was an outside back who debuted here when he was 18 and having him around will help Tau adjust to that next step,” Smith said.
The youngest Roosters debutant is also rugby league’s.
Ray Stehr was 16 years and 85 days when he played first grade in the NSWRFL in 1929.
Fox Sports Stats state the club also had three 17-year-old debutants - Dave Brown in 1930, Dick Dunn in 1938 and Mitchell Pearce, who was 17 years and 351 days when he debuted in 2007.
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Im gunna guess that article is incorrect
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its an AFL rule.
I think he’s gotten it mixed up with NRL.
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As far as I understand bringing him in had some salary cap implications.
Never seen him play, word has it he is awesome.
I thought the NRL rule was 16 and was bought in because of Josh Hannay….could be wrong.
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Sounds like this rule came into effect last season, but that’s the first I’ve heard of it. Not well publicised by the NRL if true.
Slightly left of topic, what’s the go with all the Mormon League players of late? And they’re all pretty good too. Must be running a league coaching clinic or something down at the Latter Day Saints headquaters
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Sounds like this rule came into effect last season, but that’s the first I’ve heard of it. Not well publicised by the NRL if true.
Slightly left of topic, what’s the go with all the Mormon League players of late? And they’re all pretty good too. Must be running a league coaching clinic or something down at the Latter Day Saints headquaters
Maybe the talent scouts consider a committed non-drinking young mormon more of a sure thing over a regular teenager?
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its an AFL rule.
I think he’s gotten it mixed up with NRL.
But smith is quoted mentioning his DOB and the fact they couldnt use him
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its an AFL rule.
I think he’s gotten it mixed up with NRL.
But smith is quoted mentioning his DOB and the fact they couldnt use him
good point….must be a new rule, not such a bad thing IMO…
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it probably comes into the fact they would rather the kids finish their hsc before going onto the nrl to ensure if it doesnt work out for whatever reason they have something reasonable to fall back on. they wont be stopped training obviously so the contact side of things would be similar in NYC but rather bos play boys and the men play men
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they brought it in in 2011.
im fairly certain tedesco is already 18.
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Interesting. Although very few players debut at 17, a lot of them who do are special talents. A few that come to mind immediately are Karmichael Hunt, Chris Lawrence, Benji Marshall, Jarryd Hayne, Mitchell Pearce and Jarrod Mullen. All of who have played origin or for their country (or both). Although some haven’t completely kicked on, the talent is clearly there. Several of them also went off the boil after hot starts to their careers. Who knows what would’ve happened if they matured a little more in the lower grades before they came through.
This Moga kid must have some real talent, so it’ll be interesting to see how he goes.
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I think the rule protects young players, the ultra talented player can be drafted in to play before they are physically ready. It does them no harm to wait until they are 18.
I think it is a good rule. -
I think the rule protects young players, the ultra talented player can be drafted in to play before they are physically ready. It does them no harm to wait until they are 18.
I think it is a good rule.It’s both physical and mental maturity. Back when I was 17 I don’t think I’d have been mature enough as a person to be a professional athlete, and I think most of my mates would’ve been in the same boat.
