NRL: Rookie 'different' for all right reasons

Elijah Taylor. Photo / Getty Images

"Elijah Taylor - rookie of the year", comes the jibe from one of his teammates as the young Warrior chats with the media in the Skilled Park sheds after last week's victory over the Gold Coast Titans.

It's said in jest, but like a lot of jokes it contains an element of truth.

If he keeps playing the way he is, the 21-year-old Hawera-born utility will indeed be in the frame when the gongs are handed out at the end of the season.

In a dazzling 2011 rookie class that includes Manly's Will Hopoate, Broncos centre Jack Reed and fellow Warrior Glen Fisiiahi, Taylor is perhaps the least eye-catching.

But that doesn't mean he's not the most impressive. For starters, Taylor's workrate puts him apart from some of his showier contemporaries. The 32.6 tackles he's averaged over his five matches rank him eighth among NRL second rowers.

But Taylor is more than just a tackling machine. He's smart and skilful with the ball in hand. Against the Titans he demonstrated his speed of thought by playing on and scoring a try when the defenders froze, believing a tackle had been completed.

He then showcased his skill by finishing a weaving, bumping run with a no-look pass to send James Maloney over between the posts.

From the moment he stepped on to Owen Delaney Park in Taupo in round four against Cronulla, Taylor looked like he belonged in first grade.

"That's probably the biggest rap you can give him," says coach Ivan Cleary, who has named Taylor to start in the second row tomorrow against the Knights.

"The sort of character he is, whatever happens in his career he'll never look back and think he could have done more. He's a bit different but that's no bad thing. He plays a heap of positions, doesn't care which one."

Taylor, Cleary admitted, had already exceeded his expectations.

More importantly, he has showed no signs that his initial burst will be followed by a slump as the rigours of the NRL drag him back to Earth.

"Usually you start wondering when the dip is going to come, but he's going upwards," Cleary said. "He's one of those kids that you look at and think, 'I can't actually see him slowing down at the moment'."

The reason for that is simple enough. Taylor has already tasted the bitter medicine professional sport can dish out. A scheduled NRL debut in 2009 was scrapped when he was injured in training. Then last year was almost rubbed out completely when he received a serious knee injury during pre-season training. He returned in time to star in the U20s' grand final win, but it was little consolation.

"I have no other choice," he says of making the most of his chance this season. "Last year was a nightmare for me. I didn't achieve any goals. I'm just making up for lost time."

He may have made it look easy but Taylor insists the transition to the top grade has been demanding.

"It's tough at times, especially defending repeat sets on your line. But fortunately I'm playing with a lot of senior boys. Micheal Luck's talking to me, telling me 'stay strong, stay strong'. I'm fortunate to have those hard workers to keep me on my toes.

"But every game I play I'm slowly feeling more confident. I'm getting used to the pace, getting used to the demands of first grade. You've got to look after your body. I'm always learning from our medical staff and following the senior players because they're good role models."

While it looks like Taylor is here to stay, that isn't something he is taking for granted.

"I'm never going to be comfortable this year. Steve [Rapira] is back, Sione Lousi is back, so I've got to... make sure I'm always working hard and trying to improve. If I get lethargic they're going to take my spot."

That doesn't appear likely. Taylor's emergence has coincided with a run of five victories in six games that's taken the Warriors inside the top eight.

To remain there, they must beat the ninth-placed Knights in Newcastle tomorrow.

Hooker Aaron Heremaia was slated to return but has remained in New Zealand to deal with a personal issue.