Matty Johns has declared Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa can become the best player in the game following the 21-year-old’s latest starring performance.
Katoa led his side to a comeback victory over the Eels as he outmanoeuvred his opposite number Mitchell Moses in a pulsating clash on Thursday night.
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Katoa had a hand in two tries in the 20-16 win while also running for 51 metres from seven carries that produced three tackle busts.
But it was the opening try of the match that caught the attention of former Blues and Kangaroos half Johns.
“You do not see better ball-playing than this, young Isaiya Katoa, by telling a lie with the football, going out, back in then back out again, that is, honestly, that is so difficult to do,” Johns said.
“The amount of time that kid has because he has beautiful hands, that’s just great football, that’s ball-playing from a bloke in his 30s.
“He’s very good at reacting to the defence, obviously his football IQ is sky high.
“I think he’s got the capability to be the best player in the game.”
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NRL premiership winner Byran Fletcher echoed the sentiment.
“He’s been doing this since he first came into first grade, so he must have been, as a kid, he must have worked really hard on his game,” Fletcher said.
“Because when he came into first grade he was doing this sort of stuff and he got them out of this tonight.
“His kicking game got them back into the game in the second half, he’s a marvel. He’s a 21-year-old with 15 more years in front of him, he’s going to be special.”
Dolphins outside backs Herbie Farnworth and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow were the other standouts against the Eels and both drew praise from rookie coach Kristian Woolf.
“Herbie really came to the fore when we needed him and made two massive plays in the second half, he’s a very talented player and that’s what he’s capable of,” Woolf said.
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“He’s a real athlete and a real competitor, there’s not too many guys that can do what he can do physically.”
Fullback Tabuai-Fidow is expected to once again be picked in the centres for Queensland but Woolf said he could comfortably wear the No. 1 jersey that’s expected to be worn by Kalyn Ponga.
“He’d do a very good job (at fullback for the Maroons), I’ve got no doubt at all, he’s a big-game player, he showed that tonight,” Woolf said.
“If he’s picked to play No. 1 I’ve got no double he’d do a terrific job for Queensland and if he’s picked to play in the centres, he’ll do the same job.”
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