Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has declared young gun Ethan Strange will make his Kangaroos debut this season, while the Australian coach revealed he is on the selector\u2019s radar.<\/p>\n
Strange scored a career-first hattrick to down the Sea Eagles and was arguably the best player on the field as Canberra reclaimed the top spot on the NRL ladder.<\/p>\n
The 20-year-old\u2019s running game proved lethal to slice Manly\u2019s defensive line apart and Stuart made his thoughts of the rising playmaker clear in the post-match press conference.<\/p>\n
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer ><\/a><\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n \u201cI have got a very strong opinion of Ethan, I have a very strong opinion of where he\u2019s going to go as a player,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou look at his game today to where he started with us a year and a half, two years ago. He\u2019s still only 25-30 games I suppose into his career. He has an unbelievable future in front of him.<\/p>\n \u201cI think he will play for Australia this year and he will be our next five-eighth for NSW.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t sit here gloating, I don\u2019t sit here as a happy coach saying that. I firmly believe that, he\u2019s got Origin attitude, the way he defends, the way he runs the football.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got qualities of a representative player already as a young person. I don\u2019t say that outlandishly.\u201d<\/p>\n Strange\u2019s tries also came at crucial moments, with the gun five-eighth responding to both of Manly\u2019s four-pointers by crashing over.<\/p>\n Strange ‘destined’ for Origin next year | 01:58<\/p>\n Stuart was of the belief his ability to inspire the troops had him drawing comparisons with Raiders and rugby league legend Laurie Daley.<\/p>\n \u201cYou look for players like Joe (Tapine), Papa (Josh Papalii), Red (Corey Horsburgh) to inspire the team when you\u2019re under a little bit of fatigue and adversity,\u201d Stuart said.<\/p>\n \u201cFor a young player such as Ethan to be able to give off energy to his teammates, it\u2019s similar to Laurie Daley when he was a young player.<\/p>\n \u201cI know I\u2019m talking about big shoes to fill and \u2018are you putting too much pressure on Ethan?\u2019. Well bad luck, handle it.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re ever going to make it in this game, you have to handle pressure and he will.\u201d<\/p>\n The Kangaroos are set to travel to England following the season for an Ashes tour, and newly-appointed coach Kevin Walters made a big reveal post-match.<\/p>\n He explained that Strange had been in preliminary selection conversations and could earn representative honours with a big finals campaign.<\/p>\n Manly’s finals hopes on a knifes edge | 06:55<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n \u2018HUGE RISK\u2019: Legend\u2019s prodigy warning after \u2018sliding doors moment\u2019 rocks Broncos<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018NOTHING CHANGES\u2019: Flanagan inks Dragons extension amid Kyle furore<\/a><\/p>\n