The NRL has officially granted teen sensation Kingston Seve an exemption to train with Newcastle‘s NRL squad.
Seve becomes only the second 17-year-old in NRL history to be given the greenlight to train full time with grown men, following in the footsteps of dual-code superstar Joseph Suaalii.
“It’s a great boost for the young guy and will help fast track his professional development,” a delighted Knights coach Justin Holbrook told Wide World of Sports.
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“You only worry about players his age if they are not physically ready and he is certainly that.
“He is big and strong and keen to learn so he will be joining the NRL squad when we resume training in January.”
Kingston Seve, a former Dolphins junior. Instagram Kingston Seve
But Holbrook is in no hurry to rush the boom youngster into the NRL.
“He will probably start next year in the SG Ball and then play some NSW Cup against grown men,” he said.
“We will most likely wait until 2027 to blood him in the NRL and see how he goes.”
Seve’s manager Mario Tartak likens the strongly built centre to a young Suaalii.
“There are definitely similarities there in terms of size, skills and maturity,” Tartak said.
“Everyone knew early on that Sua’ali’i would be a special talent and I think it will be the same with Kingston.”
Maroons great reveals health battle
Former Queensland Origin utility and Cowboys captain Adrian Vowles has revealed he underwent open heart surgery after doctors discovered an abnormality that had gone undiagnosed his entire life.
“I was born with a faulty valve in my heart – I knew nothing about it until recently when I started to feel poorly and doctors found the problem and I underwent a bypass,” the 54-year-old, who also played Test football for Scotland, said.
“It was the hardest hurdle I have had and I had some pretty dark days in hospital. Going from training most days to being flat on your back full of drugs, plus getting a clot in my calf and then into my lung must have made my body wonder what I was doing to it.
“I had never been fitter or stronger than I have this year post football but I knew something wasn’t right and thankfully got it checked.
“A long recovery but so glad to be home again in my own house and bed. Have turned back time with Mum looking after me again.”
Adrian Vowles in action for the Castleford Tigers. PA Images via Getty Images
Dragons lose another young talent
The Dragons have lost another of their promising juniors – former Harold Matthews Player of the Year Alex Futialo.
The big, raw-boned 18-year-old prop has gone to the Tigers … with a catch.
Futialo has only signed a one-year deal as he is attracting plenty of interest from the rugby union ranks.
And with Perth entering the premiership in 2027 when he is a free agent, don’t be surprised if Mal Meninga calls the boom front-rower for a sneaky chat.
Latrell’s cousin returns to the game
Latrell Mitchell‘s cousin has decided to make a comeback to the game after taking a two-year break to sort out his life off the field.
Ethan Ferguson had the league world at his feet at Souths in 2023, playing for the NSW Blues in under-19 Origin and winning Australian Schoolboys selection.
But he has prioritised his mental health over the past couple of years and now at 21, has signed with the Tweed Seagulls.
The Seagulls are a feeder team for the Gold Coast Titans so the youngster could find himself back on track for the NRL if he impresses in the Queensland Cup.