Feb 24th, 2020

Feb 24th, 2020

The new season is still weeks away but Blues coach Brad Fittler has already pencilled in his first 'roughie' for State of Origin duty: giant Eel Junior Paulo.

Paulo was born in New Zealand and has played Test football for Samoa, but qualifies as a Blue after moving to Sydney as a teenager.

The 26-year-old prop attended Ashcroft High School - the same school as Fittler - and caught the eye of the NSW coach in the big end-of-season games last year.

"He is one we are watching very closely," Fittler told Wide World of Sports.

"He is big and strong, has ball skills and can break the line.

"He looks good at this stage of the year for a huge man and hopefully he is set for a massive year."

Parramatta Eels prop Junior Paulo is on the radar for a NSW State of Origin debut. (Getty)

MANLY ROOKIE PUTS HEAT ON HASLER

He's just 20 and has yet to play NRL football, but Zac Saddler is putting massive pressure on Manly coach Des Hasler for the start of the premiership.

The youngster, who remarkably almost gave up footy last year after parting ways with Canterbury, played for the Indigenous All Stars last weekend and didn't look at all out of place.

Injuries at the Bulldogs resulted in Saddler losing interest in the game, but Hasler and Manly recruitment boss Noel Cleal talked him into giving it one more crack this season and so far, he is off to a flyer.

The big prop is currently in the Sea Eagles' development squad but that could change if he continues to progress.

Zac Saddler is tackled during Manly's NRL Nines campaign. (Getty)

MATULINO MAKES ONE-OFF COMEBACK

Only a couple of months after being granted medical retirement, former Kiwi Test prop Ben Matulino strapped on the boots again last weekend.

But all is not as it seems.

Matulino just played a one-off in a Nines tournament for the Papamoa Bulldogs back in his homeland alongside his brother, putting something back into the game that game him his livelihood.

"I finished sore and sorry and won't be doing it again," 31-year-old Matulino told me.

"It was just to help promote the game and I am well and truly retired for good now."

Former NRL and Kiwi Test prop Ben Matulino. (Getty)

YOUNG BLUE LOCKS IN RABBITOHS ROLE

Former NSW under-20s halfback Blake Taaffe looks to have won the battle to be Adam Reynolds' back-up at Souths this year.

With the versatile Adam Doueihi moving to the Tigers, Wayne Bennett has been on the lookout for a number seven capable to fill in for Reynolds.

And Taaffe answered the call last weekend, shining in the 28-24 trial win over Parramatta.

Taaffe is highly regarded at the Bunnies - he led the club to the Jersey Flegg title last year for the first time since 1978, winning the player of the tournament award along the way.