NRL: Foran serves up tasty form

Kieran Foran. Photo / Getty Images

What makes a good chef is not just the raw materials but how the ingredients are mixed together.

The Kiwis have often proved a troublesome dish. They might have all the raw meat up front to compete but it's no good if you don't have the trimmings to turn it into tasty fare.

That seems to be changing. In Benji Marshall they have last year's Golden Boot winner; in Issac Luke one of the game's best hookers; and in Lance Hohaia an able fullback. Encouragingly, they also now have a talented halves partner for Marshall in Kieran Foran, which means the Kiwis have a strong spine. They also have experienced utility Nathan Fien.

The 20-year-old Foran has been seen as a player of great potential for some time but it is only now that he is playing with the sort of consistency needed for a top playmaker in the NRL. He has been a key member of a successful Manly side many thought might struggle this season as they try to blend in a number of youngsters to an otherwise ageing squad.

Foran was excellent against the Warriors last weekend and again in Friday night's defeat of Penrith and is clearly learning how to lead a team around the park. He is six months younger than his halves partner Daly Cherry-Evans but has played 32 more NRL games and sees himself as the senior statesman.

He credits the exhaustive video sessions he does with coach Des Hasler and work out on the training pitch with former Australian halfback Andrew Johns for his development.

"My role has changed considerably," Foran explains, "because I am not the new boy any more trying to get used to playing in the NRL. I want to be a go-to man in this team and I want to create opportunities for others. Most young halves who come into the competition generally have an experienced player around them who can take the pressure off them. In my case, I have had two debutants in both years. It's grown my game."

Foran is a natural runner who takes the ball to the line and creates confusion in opposing teams. He's learning, however, when to run, when to be the playmaker and when to be patient. He's also learning to curb his natural aggression.

Foran had a tendency in the past to play too combatively and fling his 87kg body around. It prompted Kiwis coach Stephen Kearney to express concern for his well-being recently but, while Foran says he's leaning how to control his emotions better, it's not something he thinks he can change.

"My competitive nature means I just want to throw myself at those big guys," he says.

But it's imperative the Kiwis have their best players against the Kangaroos. They might be world and Four Nations champions but they still don't have the sort of depth swimming around Australia.

What is encouraging is the relative youth of New Zealand's playmakers. Marshall is still only 26, Luke is 23 and Foran 20. Glen Fisiiahi is also just 20 and looms as a terrific prospect at fullback. It's the sort of talent and creativity Stacey Jones would have loved to have played with in his time.

"It's very positive for the Kiwis to have so many options," Jones says. "In the past, hooker was often a makeshift position, and even the six positions players were converted to play there.

"I can only imagine it is going to be more competitive in the future as other good young players come through.

KIERAN FORAN

* Age: 20.

* NRL games: 38.

* Tests: 2.

* Foran made his debut for the Kiwis at centre in the 2009 Four Nations just three months after making his NRL debut for Manly.