Rugby league great Matty Johns is full of praise for emerging forward Jeremiah Nanai.
The 19-year-old starred for the Maroons in their recent Origin series win, playing a vital role in the second-row.
With just 18 NRL games to his name, Nanai is making a huge impact for a player so early in their career, and Johns believes he’s on a path to greatness should his output match his talent.
“I think Nanai is one of the most incredible talents I’ve seen,” Johns said on SEN 1170 Morning Glory.
“Huge range of skill, athleticism, great rugby league instincts, he’s not just an athlete – he has a great footy IQ.
“I actually think that Nanai is a bigger talent than Sonny Bill Williams, there you go.
“I think in five years’ time, we’ll be looking at this guy just going, ‘man’.
“Some of those passes on Wednesday night, when the game was in the balance, some of the things he did was just incredible.
“There’s a reason, he’s one of those players, when there’s a loose ball or a speculative ball in the air, he’s always the guy who is in the right place at the right time.
“That’s instinct.”
While some would scoff at the comparison to the Kiwi great, former Bronco Denan Kemp agreed that the sky is the limit for the teenager.
“He’s still only 19,” Kemp said.
“Game III, we all agree that’s one of the greatest Origin games we’ve ever seen.
“At the highest standard of rugby league, he delivered, he was incredible.”
Nanai won’t feature for the Cowboys in Friday’s clash against the Sharks after playing for his state during the week.
He’ll hope to play a huge role in the Cowboys’ run to finals given that they’re outright second on the ladder with 12 wins from 16 games.
Johns also named Nanai in his rolling Kangaroos side following his starring Origin performances.