In short:
Josh Mansour doesn’t believe Eels skipper Clint Gutherson should immediately give up his fullback spot to Blaize Talagi.
Mansour suggested the hype surrounding the 19-year-old Talagi is “out of this world”.
What’s next?
The Eels will have to figure out how to fit Talagi, Gutherson and star signing Zac Lomax in the same side in 2025.
NRL great Josh Mansour has hosed down suggestions Parramatta Eels captain Clint Gutherson should automatically cede his fullback spot to young gun Blaize Talagi.
Gutherson has indicated he is willing to do whatever it takes — including playing out of his preferred position — to ensure the Eels retain the 19-year-old Talagi, who is set to be squeezed out of his usual centre spot for the incoming Zac Lomax.
While lauding the 29-year-old’s gesture, Mansour said it is one he should not be required to make.Â
“He (Talagi) has not even plied his trade in NSW Cup, has shown no experience in the top level, and hasn’t played consistent football in the top level,” Mansour told the ABC NRL Daily podcast.
“Clint Gutherson is, for me, the best fullback at Parramatta Eels at the moment.
“Clint Gutherson is a selfless character, a selfless teammate, the work rate he does for his teammates, he’s proves it week in, week out.
“He’s one of their best players. If he’s not playing, you can see the effect it has on the Parramatta Eels.
“What position even is Blaize Talagi? Is he a centre, is he a winger, is he a fullback? What Blaize needs to do, what Parramatta Eels need to implement with Blaize is (to) let him develop as a player in reserve grade.”
Talagi has made an excellent start to his career, scoring nine tries in 13 first-grade appearances for Parramatta this season, but Mansour cautioned those showering too much praise on the youngster too early.
“Yes, (Blaize) is a star of the future, I agree. He’s proven that in the lower grades. But when it comes to first grade, he hasn’t stepped up to the challenge, he’s still raw,” he said.
“I feel like (Blaize’s) name’s getting thrown around a lot when it shouldn’t be. The hype is out of this world.”
Mansour compared the situation Gutherson is facing to his own final days at Penrith, where he was forced out of his usual position.
“It’s going to be a very hard decision,” he said.
“Do you look to the future and throw everything at Blaize? Or do you tell Guth, ‘Gutho, sorry mate, listen, but we’re opting to look in the future, we’re going to go with Blaize as our number one’.
“It happened to me in my career. I remember my last year at Penrith, after the Grand Final, I got told by Ivan and Matt Cameron, ‘we’re going to opt to go with Charlie Staines next year on the left flank.’
“It hurt like hell, and it was by surprise, it was a very touchy time, after the Grand Final.
“Again, it’s not an easy discussion.”
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