Phil Gould has earmarked one Super League talent who could “easily” make the jump to the NRL in the coming years – but clubs will need to do some work to land him.
There have been mixed results when it comes to English players transitioning to the Australian competition, as opposed to those who head in the opposite direction.
Players such as Sam Burgess and Adrian Morley dominated during their time Down Under, while more recently the likes of Dom Young and Herbie Farnworth have lit up the NRL.
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On the flip side, Sam Tomkins and Ryan Hall struggled to make their mark in the NRL despite being regarded as some of the best players in England at the time.
Sam Tomkins struggled during his time in the NRL. Getty
However, according to the current Bulldogs head of football, there’s one man who is already on the radar of NRL clubs and could be destined for big things in the future.
“There’s a boy playing for Wigan, big back-rower, Junior Nsemba,” Gould said on Wide World Of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus.
“I think he’s signed for a few years at Wigan, but I’d like to be assured at some stage of his career he will come out to Australia and I think he will be very good.
“He’s a similar sort of build, similar sort of frame [as Newcastle rookie Kai Pearce-Paul] and I really like him.
“He’s on contract for a few years and he’s only young, but I think he’s a player who could easily come to Australia.”
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The 20-year-old was part of the successful Wigan side last season and has continued to make strides this year for the second-placed team.
Junior Nsemba in action for the Warriors. CameraSport via Getty Images
Nsemba is an imposing figure at 195cm tall and given his early success overseas, it could only be a matter of time before Aussie teams come knocking at his door.
Gould also highlighted two Super League standouts who will make the jump next year, included a player returning home after reviving his career in the UK.
“I do watch a fair bit of it, I’ve got an interest in it,” he said.
“We’ve got Tom Amone coming back to the Bulldogs for next season.
“South Sydney have got the halfback, Lewis Dodd, coming out here next year.”