Nene Macdonald: a Roosters and PNG star is born

[Albert Rosenfeld]

Nene Macdonald had a sensational debut for the Roosters, with some great attacking runs and a brilliant try that had Daniel Tupou written all over it. The guy has been killing it in the Holden Cup (he is only 19) with 16 tackle busts in his last game there!

During the World Cup he played on the wing for PNG. It is obvious that he was wasted there. In the Holden Cup he has played five eighth. But in the NRL he will make his biggest impact if he is picked in the centres. It will create selection headaches for coach Trent Robinson next season, with Blake Ferguson in the team, alongside Michael Jennings and Daniel Tupou.

But it will also give a huge boost to PNG, who already have a terrific spine --- David Mead, Ray Thompson, Paul Aiton and James Segyaro --- and with the success of the Hunters in the Queensland Cup, a decent pack of forwards.

Nene Macdonald is in the process of becoming the Greg Inglis of the Roosters and PNG.

 

[Sydney Knight]

I think it would be great if he could permanently commit to PNG but I have a feeling if he turns into a big star he will play for QLD. Already played 20s for them.

 

[nrlnrl]

Nene McDonald had a sensational debut for the Roosters, with some great attacking runs and a brilliant try that had Daniel Tupou written all over it. The guy has been killing it in the Holden Cup (he is only 19) with 16 tackle busts in his last game there!

During the World Cup he played on the wing for PNG. It is obvious that he was wasted there. In the Holden Cup he has played five eighth. But in the NRL he will make his biggest impact if he is picked in the centres. It will create selection headaches for coach Trent Robinson next season, with Blake Ferguson in the team, alongside Michael Jennings and Daniel Tupou.

But it will also give a huge boost to PNG, who already have a terrific spine --- David Mead, Ray Thompson, Paul Aiton and James Segyaro --- and with the success of the Hunters in the Queensland Cup, a decent pack of forwards.

Nene McDonald is in the process of becoming the Greg Inglis of the Roosters and PNG.

No doubting his potential, but how patient is he ? If he wants to play regular NRL he might be tempted to go elsewhere. I'm sure a few other clubs could find a spot for him & some would even offer more money.

 

[DC_fan]

Yes he did play well last night. But one good game does not necessarily mean a sensational career.

 

[Diesel]

But it will also give a huge boost to PNG, who already have a terrific spine --- David Mead, Ray Thompson, Paul Aiton and James Segyaro --- and with the success of the Hunters in the Queensland Cup, a decent pack of forwards

PNG can only go from strength to strength from now on

I thought he played well last night, I hadn't really noticed him before last nights game, hard to believe he's 19

 

[tmfsd]

Yes he did play well last night. But one good game does not necessarily mean a sensational career.

Exactly! I remember him playing in the 9s. He was bloody terrible, made about a thousand errors

 

[Card Shark]

When I first looked at the title, I thought it said Nine McDonald.

That'd be right - naming their players after the channel that favours them. Good strategy.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

No doubting his potential, but how patient is he ? If he wants to play regular NRL he might be tempted to go elsewhere. I'm sure a few other clubs could find a spot for him & some would even offer more money.

There will be a spot for him next year. Mini will get the bullet and RTS will move to fullback. That will open up a wing spot. The guy who should be worried is SKD.

 

[Pistol_Pete]

If he turns out half as good as his older brother Shannon, the game has unearthed a star

 

[POPEYE]

Now that PNG is not ignored, not by Qld anyway, you'll see more like this bloke. We need to see Fiji in one of the State Cups

 

[Danish]

Yes he did play well last night. But one good game does not necessarily mean a sensational career.

Tell that to Carl Webb

 

[oikee]

Another good Queenslander coming through the system.
The Roosters will be running out of spots to put all their juniors, i use the term "their juniors" very lightly.

 

[POPEYE]

Another good Queenslander coming through the system.
The Roosters will be running out of spots to put all their juniors, i use the term "their juniors" very lightly.

C'mon mate, youngsters may choose to play League but they have little say where their parents live. Juniors belong to no-one until they cease to be one, talent scouts are more important to a club than claiming 'juniors'

 

[Rodent]

Buckets of money are more important than talent scouts.

 

[Different kind of Rabbit]

Whatever happened to super duper star Tau Tau Moga? Is he still around?

 

[Albert Rosenfeld]

Whatever happened to super duper star Tau Tau Moga? Is he still around?

Moga was badly injured with an ACL tear.What has that got to do with McDonald?

You are just a jealous little rabbit whose team is never going to win a Grand Final.

 

[Big Mick]

Whatever happened to super duper star Tau Tau Moga? Is he still around?

Well given he has had a raft of injuries I think that's a little unfair.

Just like Greg Waddell for Penrith...all the natural talent in the world but the poor guy just had knee recon after another...and just couldn't stay fit. He would have been great imo.

Moga however is playing on the wing for Newtown Jets this weekend as he comes back from last years injury. Think he just came back last week.

 

[Big Mick]

There will be a spot for him next year. Mini will get the bullet and RTS will move to fullback. That will open up a wing spot. The guy who should be worried is SKD.

1. RTS
2. Daniel Tupou
3. Michael Jennings
4. Shaun Kenny-Dowell
5. Blake Ferguson

I agree SKD should be worried because more than likely the other guys wont be moved.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

He'll never be of Remi Casty or Craig Gower proportions though

 

[Albert Rosenfeld]

He'll never be of Remi Casty or Craig Gower proportions though

Don't mock the stars. Both Casty and Gower are established internationals.

Gower captained Penrith to a Grand Final win in 2003. He was captain of Italy in rugby union. When Gower played for Newcastle at age 34 he was still very good. Pity that he suffered a neck injury that ended his glittering career early.

Casty is a tough hombre, particularly for his size. His current coach was "very impressed" with his performance agst the Bulldogs -- the biggest pack in the NRL. According to Trent Robinson Casty added variety to the pack.

See TR's comments here:

http://www.nrl.com/robinson-slams-ennis,-praises-pearce/tabid/10874/newsid/78732/default.aspx

Nene McDonald has the physique and talents to be a much bigger star than either Casty or Gower. I predict that he will be the next Israel Folau, if not the next Greg Inglis.