Hard to stop: Eels centre Brad Takairangi didn't let an early setback stop him from playing first grade. Credit:Getty Images "He was head coach at the Sharks, I'd never met him in my life. I was still in juniors, about 16 or 17. I was disappointed at the time, obviously. "Any kid who gets told he's not going to play first grade, it's all the same. You're going to be filthy, devastated. I wasn't different." Takairangi composed himself, ran back onto the field and scored three second-half tries. But, by then, Stuart had already put a line through his name. The Cronulla-Caringbah Sharks junior was shattered, but refused to take the tip. Rather than give up, Takairangi became even more determined to prove Stuart wrong and fulfil his NRL dream. "Definitely, for sure," Takairangi said. "It doesn't matter what anyone says to you. If you want it that badly, you can do anything, I guess."

Takairangi has gone on to play 117 more first-grade games than Stuart predicted. It is a tally amassed at three clubs over an eight-year career that has taken him from the Roosters, to the Gold Coast and now Parramatta. One coach who values Takairangi's contribution is Brad Arthur. Arthur has used the utility in a number of positions in recent years, most recently reuniting him with Semi Radradra on the left edge. Radradra's most productive seasons have come when the Cook Islands international is providing the final pass. "I've played [left centre] before; me and Semi have got a pretty good combination over there," he said. "Hopefully we can keep working on that for the back end of the season. "My job is pretty easy; I just have to get him in the clear and he'll do the rest. Hopefully with Normy [Corey Norman] getting back to full fitness we can keep getting some clean ball."

Takairangi will mark up against good friend and former Titans teammate James Roberts when the Eels host Brisbane on Friday night. "He's an ex-teammate of mine so I know all about Jimmy the Jet," Takairangi said. "I'm really looking forward to playing him, he's a mate of mine. "Obviously he's got blistering speed – we've both got blistering speed [laughing] – so it will be fun out there. I'm looking forward to playing him. It's a good challenge for myself and the team." Parramatta hasn't featured in the play-offs since 2009, but can all but guarantee a finals appearance with victory against Brisbane. The Eels will need to do it without cult hero Clint Gutherson, who has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury. Bevan French will wear the No.1 jersey for the blue and golds for the remainder of their campaign. The Broncos, meanwhile, welcome back their own fullback, captain Darius Boyd.

Loading "They are different type of players but they've both got their skills about them," Takairangi said when asked to compare French and Gutherson. "Bevvy is quick, he's a livewire – any half chance that's created he will take make it a full chance."