Parramatta have offered Blaize Talagi a three-year deal as the Eels rookie prepares for his first hit-out in his preferred No.1 jersey.
Plenty of fans inside CommBank Stadium on Friday night will be excited to see Broncos superstar Reece Walsh in full flight – but they could also be witnessing the start of a new era for the Eels, with Talagi in line to succeed Clint Gutherson.
The Eels captain had an operation on his knee during last week’s bye round, which will now keep him on the sidelines for up to a month.
Talagi, 19, has played five-eighth and centre in the NRL this season, but is keen to become the regular fullback. The local junior has an option in his favour for 2025, but is reportedly prepared to test the open market.
Talagi’s management has been investigating options for the 19-year-old, drawing criticism from Brad Fittler. “Geez, they leave quick,” the former NSW coach said on Freddy and the Eighth. “He’s come up as a [local junior], Parramatta have given him an opportunity, and his manager is out there flogging him to other clubs.”
The Eels, though, see Talagi as a big part of their future, offering him a deal that will keep him at Parramatta until the end of 2027. Coach Brad Arthur is a big admirer of the youngster.
Blaize Talagi has been offered a three-year deal by the Eels.Credit: Getty Images
“Blaize spent time at fullback in both our trials, he can beat people with the ball, and he’s got no fear – physically he’s tough for his age,” Arthur told this masthead. “Fullback is a hard position. It took Gutho years to master it.
“So we know Blaize will get things wrong, he will get his numbers wrong in defence he will be caught out of position with kicks, but the only way you learn and get experience is by playing.
“We want Blaize here at the club. We probably still don’t know what his best position is. Five-eighth, fullback, centre? Centre is probably the easiest position when you are starting out. But we want to keep him.”
Moving Gutherson to the centres would help the skipper to manage his troublesome knee. But Arthur won’t be hurried into making the switch.
Clint Gutherson is out for a month as he recovers from knee surgery.Credit: NRL Photos
“Blaize can learn a lot from Gutho and wait his time. I won’t pre-empt when that move could happen,” Arthur said. “Gutho is still one of our most influential players and key to our performances.”
The absence of Gutherson means Dylan Brown becomes co-captain, while Sean Russell will take over the goal-kicking duties against Brisbane.
Brown has had the added responsibility of guiding the Eels around without Mitchell Moses, who is a chance to return from a foot fracture next weekend.
Arthur said Moses had been running on the anti-gravity treadmill, but would complete his first field session this weekend.
“He’s a chance of playing Magic Round, if not the following week,” Arthur said.
“We’ll know more once we see him on the field; we won’t be selfish and rush him, and Mitch will know when he’s ready.”
As for Brown receiving the honour of leading the side out against the Broncos – Junior Paulo is also co-captain – Arthur said: “I ran it past Dyl on Thursday, and he doesn’t see the co-captaincy as extra pressure – nothing fazes him.
“He plays rugby league because he loves it and enjoys it. He might have to have a couple of conversations with the referee, but that will be it. His job won’t change. We’ve given this job because we have confidence in him.”
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