Memorable Debuts

Memorable Debuts

Welcome to Memorable Debuts, a new feature of LeagueUnlimited.com where we take a look at the upcoming matches of the round and see which players debuted in the same game all those years ago.

Brisbane Broncos v Sydney Roosters
State of Origin has always offered untried Broncos a chance to debut in first grade, and 2012 was no different. Without five of their representative players, Brisbane coach Anthony Griffin handed debuts to Lachlan Maranta, Jarrod Wallace and Brendon Gibb. All three players performed well that day to see the under-strength Broncos overcome the Roosters 40-22 at Allianz Stadium. While Gibb has slid into rugby league obscurity, Maranta (47 games) and Wallace (26 games) have become regulars in the Broncos side that will do battle with the Roosters on Friday night.

Cronulla Sharks v Newcastle Knights
The Newcastle Knights have a long tradition of famous wingers in their history. Darren Albert (1997) and Timana Tahu (2001) both scored the match-winning try in Newcastle's two Grand Finals, but another of the Knights favourites made his debut back in 2008 against the Sharks. Akuila Uate scored for the Knights in a 16-13 defeat, however the Fijian flyer did cross for a try at the then Toyota Stadium. If he is able to score once on Friday night it will be his 100th career try (134 games), making him the first Knight to do so.

Parramatta Eels v Gold Coast Titans
While the Eels and Titans may not have the same illustrious history as some clubs, for one Gold Coast player the Round 6 encounter in 2013 will go down as the one of most memorable in his career. At age 25, Anthony Don debuted for the Titans on the wing. After crossing for a first half try, Don and the Titans ran out 28-22 winners, thanks to a late try to halfback Albert Kelly. Two seasons on from his debut, Don has been a regular in the Titans backline, running in 18 tries from 32 games.

New Zealand Warriors v Wests Tigers
The Wests Tigers will never know how good Taniela Tuiaki may have been following a career ending ankle injury in 2009. At the height of his powers, the Tongan giant rivaled Manu Vatuvei as the most damaging winger in the NRL. It all started for the man dubbed "The Tank" back in 2006. With one of his first touches, Tuiaki crossed for the first of two tries in the 34-12 loss to the Warriors and would later go on to cement a spot in the Tigers backline right up until the ill-fated injury. Tuiaki finished his career with 42 tries from 78 appearances and holds the Wests Tigers record for most tries in a season with 21.

Penrith Panthers v Manly Sea Eagles
Some players have the luxury of having a whole week to prepare for an NRL debut; others are selected from lower grades with only minutes before kick-off. In the final round of the 2008 season, Penrith coach Matthew Elliott pulled Willie Isa from the Under 20s game at half-time before putting him on against eventual premiers Manly. While he only played one NRL game with Penrith and a further five at Melbourne, Isa has gone on to have a successful career in England playing with Widnes and Castleford.

Canberra Raiders v Melbourne Storm
Making your first grade debut can be a tough proposition. Making your first grade debut at a venue your club hasn't won at in twelve years is an impossible task. For the Canberra Raiders and Josh Papalii, they achieved the impossible by knocking off the top of the table Melbourne Storm 20-12 at AAMI Park. Since his 2011 debut, Papalii has gone on to play 85 games for Canberra along with being apart of Queensland's 2013 State of Origin winning series and Australia's 2013 World Cup triumph.

St. George Illawarra Dragons v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
For many clubs, the debut of a young player is seen as an occasion to celebrate; but for Bulldogs fans, Round 20, 2008 remains one of the darkest days in the club's history. Only 48 hours earlier, Sonny Bill Williams abandoned the Bulldogs, leaving without warning to take up a contract with French Rugby Union. Left devastated by Williams' sudden departure, the long-awaited debut of Ben Barba was largely ignored as the Bulldogs went down 30-0 to the Dragons at ANZ Stadium. Currently with Cronulla, Barba experienced tremendous success with Canterbury, winning the 2012 Dally M Medal, whilst also being the catalyst of the Bulldogs Grand Final appearance against eventual premiers Melbourne.

South Sydney Rabbitohs v North Queensland Cowboys
Some players go on to play over 300 games in their career; others play only three. In 2006, North Queensland, in the midst of a losing streak, provided 25-year-old's Brent McConnell and Mark Henry first grade debuts against South Sydney. With only minutes remaining, McConnell crossed for the match winning try to give the Cowboys home fans a 16-14 victory. While McConnell would only play two more games for the Cowboys, Henry would spend the next two seasons becoming a regular in the North Queensland backline, before taking up an offer with Salford in the English Super League, leaving the NRL with 10 tries from 41 games.

That's all for this week, be sure to check in next week when we'll take a look back at a debut that wasn't, the eventful career of Arana Taumata and the controversy surrounding South Sydney's 1000th player.