The Super League’s Emerging Talents
The 2024 Super League season saw a plethora of young talents emerge across the competition. Wigan Warriors’ Junior Nsemba was crowned the Super League Young Player of the Year, but he was far from the only rising star to impress.
Love Rugby League highlights a young player from each of the 12 Super League clubs who enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024:
- At Castleford Tigers, 21-year-old hooker Cain Robb made 18 appearances before his season was cut short by injury, showcasing his potential as a future Tigers’ number 9.
- Catalans Dragons’ 22-year-old half-back Cesar Rouge also took a big step forward, making 21 appearances and earning four caps for the French national team.
- Huddersfield Giants’ winger Aidan McGowan enjoyed a productive loan spell at Bradford before being recalled and making his Super League debut for the Giants, also earning an international call-up for Ireland.
- Hull FC saw homegrown talent Lewis Martin emerge, making 25 appearances and scoring nine tries for the struggling Black and Whites.
- While Hull KR’s Phoenix Laulu-Togaga’e didn’t feature for the first team, he starred on loan at Oldham, winning the League 1 Player of the Year award and earning a contract extension with the Robins.
- Leeds Rhinos’ Alfie Edgell, a 20-year-old fullback/wing, made 16 appearances and scored six tries for Brad Arthur’s side.
- Leigh Leopards’ Umyla Hanley had his best season yet, scoring 14 tries in 31 appearances and cementing his place in the centres.
- London Broncos’ Oli Leyland impressed at both fullback and half-back, leading to a move to Warrington Wolves from 2025.
- Salford Red Devils saw mid-season arrival Harvey Wilson, a 20-year-old prop, make five appearances and show promising signs.
- St Helens’ Harry Robertson, an 18-year-old who made his debut in a derby clash with Wigan, is tipped for a very special future.
- Warrington’s Adam Holroyd, a 20-year-old back-rower, made 18 appearances and earned praise from coach Sam Burgess.
“The standout youngster was Wigan’s Junior Nsemba, who became a mainstay in the Warriors’ forward pack, scoring eight tries in 28 appearances en route to winning the Young Player of the Year award and earning an England debut.”
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