True Blue Luke Lewis has earmarked South Sydney Rabbitohs winger Josiah Karapani for an NRL debut in the not too distant future.
The 20-year-old has been in eye-catching form in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup this season, scoring three tries in four games.
Lewis told The Short Side this week Karapani reminded him a lot of two-time Dally M Fullback of the Year and Player of the Year (2018) Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
“He is unbelievable this bloke,” Lewis said of the 183cm, 93kg outside back.
“He’s got footwork like you’ve never seen before.
“He’s just threatening every time he gets the ball.”
Karapani is still eligible for the Rabbitohs’ Jersey Flegg side and last year scored two tries in seven games, averaging 149 metres per game before the competition was cancelled due to COVID-19.
In The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup this year, Karapani is up to an average 154 metres each match, has two try-assists, 18 tackle-busts and five line-breaks.
In last week’s Round Eight 26-12 win over the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles, Karapani made 11 runs for 220 metres.
“He also had a whole heap of line-breaks,” Lewis said.
“This guy is an absolute handful.
“I’m pretty confident we’ll see him in first grade in the near future. So keep a close eye on him.”
Karapani will line up for the Rabbitohs on Saturday in the Round Nine match against the Newcastle Knights at Redfern’s Ironmark High Performance Centre at 3pm.
