Raiders Sign Up Fijian Teen
A former West Fiji Dolphins rugby league junior player in Nadi has been signed up by National Rugby League (NRL) club Canberra Raiders.
Josh Thompson, 18, is the first cousin of former Parramatta Eels and Vodafone Fijian Bati superstar Jarryd Hayne.
The rampaging 114 kilo front-rower who is still growing at 18 years of age, joined the Raiders last week.
He was scouted by Raiders recruitment guru Peter Mulholland, who sees the youngster as a special talent.
“He is still young and raw but the ability is there and he is a great kid,” Mulholland told Wide World of Sports.
The giant prop is the nephew of Hayne’s father, former Souths and Bati centre Manoa Thompson.
He was actually signed to a scholarship by the Newcastle Knights at just 16 years of age two years ago, but got homesick and the deal fell through.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Solomoni Naiduki has settled in the Eels camp.
The Eels are hoping they could develop Naiduki into the next Semi Radradra.
The club has missed Radradra’s pace and power since he defected to European rugby union and have signed the former Ratu Kadavulevu School’s utility back on a three-year deal.
–Edited by Grace Narayan
Feedback: leonec@fijisun.com.fj
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