He is named after a Queensland Origin great but South Sydney’s Tallis Duncan says there is still no love for the Maroons in his family.
The 21-year-old backrower, who was part of the Rabbitohs 22-18 Grand Final win in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup decider in 2023, has played the last three NRL games off the bench for South Sydney and has been named again for Saturday’s game (6 April) against the Warriors.
That will bring up his 11th NRL game, where he boasts a 93% tackle efficiency rate.
“My dad named me after Gorden Tallis – he liked the way he played the game,” Duncan told media at Rabbitohs training this week.
“I’d like to take some of the stuff from his game and emulate it. I’ve also got some pretty talented people in there so take bits from theirs as well and put them into my game.
“I’m NSW and so is my dad. He always supported NSW – didn’t like Queensland – but I guess we just admire the way he (Tallis) played.
“I’m the same. I don’t really love Queensland too much, but I still look up to him.
“It’s a bit strange but it is what it is.”
Duncan said another of his heroes was his current teammate and True Blue, Cameron Murray.
“I’m pretty happy with that comparison as well,” he said.
“There’s also a lot about Cam’s game I admire as well.
“I take plenty from him, but I also won’t forget I bring my own game.
“A lot of good people have been heaps supportive and told me a lot of things I’ll take with me throughout my career – I’ll never forget them – it’s mad.”
Duncan came up through the UNE SG Ball Cup, winning the Rabbitohs 2019 Forward of the Year award for the Under 19s and then the Player of the Year in 2021.
He then played Jersey Flegg Cup for South Sydney before making his debut in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup on 2022. His NRL debut came in Round 13 last year.
