Luke Brooks, a rising star with the Wests Tigers, is about to turn 19 on December 21. He is being described by some as the next Andrew Johns.

During the 1960s and 1970s Great Britain had the superior halves, with the likes of Alex Murphy, David Bolton, Tommy Bishop and Roger Millward. But by the 1980s, with the emergence of Peter Sterling and Brett Kenny, Australian halves became ascendant, with Sterling and Kenny followed by Wally Lewis, Ricky Stuart, Brad Fittler, Alfie Langer, Laurie Daley, Darren Lockyer, and the Immortal Andrew Johns. Now it is Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.

Luke Brooks will likely form a halves combination for Australia in three years time -- when Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston retire from representative rugby league -- with Daly Cherry-Evans (who turns 25 in February).

England needs to focus on producing new halves if it is to become dominant in rugby league again. England desperately needs to start producing its own Luke Brooks.

I agree with this. If you look at this side of the hill Salford have a french lad and a NZ in Chase, Wolves have Myler and possibly obrien neither can tackle and can't open a bag of crisp, wigan have Oz and past it Matty Smith, saints possibly the best talent in Lomax but he's questionable. Hence for many years we end up playing defensive 13's in the halfs Sinfields,Sculthorpe,Farrell,Clarke all regular GB or England pivots.

I remember when people were touting Tim Smith as the next Andrew Johns.

Thank god for that, Australia were getting worried about being dominant.

As most U20s don't even make it into first grade, (yes I know he's played a game) let's not talk him up just yet eh. He could get injured tomorrow.

A few years ago they were saying the same thing about Beau Henry. The Knights signed him on a three year deal and sacked him after 6 games of firstgrade, then the Titans gave him 5 games and dropped him to Qld cup where he has been ever since.
Turns out he was a show pony who didn't like to defend and was only interested in miracle plays in attack.

Quote ="roopy"A few years ago they were saying the same thing about Beau Henry. The Knights signed him on a three year deal and sacked him after 6 games of firstgrade, then the Titans gave him 5 games and dropped him to Qld cup where he has been ever since. Turns out he was a show pony who didn't like to defend and was only interested in miracle plays in attack.'" But Luke Brooks first grade debut for Wests Tigers this year was described as sensational, and his future stardom is predicted by Laurie Daley and Benji Marshall, among others. www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6703691272

Quote ="roopy"A few years ago they were saying the same thing about Beau Henry. The Knights signed him on a three year deal and sacked him after 6 games of firstgrade, then the Titans gave him 5 games and dropped him to Qld cup where he has been ever since. Turns out he was a show pony who didn't like to defend and was only interested in miracle plays in attack.'" But Luke Brooks first grade debut for Wests Tigers this year was described as sensational, and his future stardom is predicted by Laurie Daley and Benji Marshall, among others. www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6703691272

Quote ="JEAN CAPDOUZE"But Luke Brooks first grade debut for Wests Tigers this year was described as sensational, and his future stardom is predicted by Laurie Daley and Benji Marshall, among others. www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6703691272'" Oh well if he had a sensational debut then he will definitely make it to the highest level and almost certainly captain his country to multiple World Cup victories. Nice one.

Quote ="JEAN CAPDOUZE"But Luke Brooks first grade debut for Wests Tigers this year was described as sensational, and his future stardom is predicted by Laurie Daley and Benji Marshall, among others. www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 6703691272'" Oh well if he had a sensational debut then he will definitely make it to the highest level and almost certainly captain his country to multiple World Cup victories. Nice one.

How funny - just looked up an article on Beau Henry's firstgrade debut - just like Brooks he scored a try - set up a few others - and was going to be a worldbeater. www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... 1bt0m.html

How funny - just looked up an article on Beau Henry's firstgrade debut - just like Brooks he scored a try - set up a few others - and was going to be a worldbeater. www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... 1bt0m.html

I fully understand your a troll who supports St.helens, but are you for real? how old is matty smith again? then hampshire, William's and sam Powell all quality young halves who will be England internationals in the next few years. Sam Powell was the halve who ripped samoa apart even tho he is still a fringe player at wigan.

First point is I don't support Saints. Powell started his rugby at HIndley ARLFC then went to St Judes at about 15. Trust me, he won't play for england but I do wish him well he's a very committed lad. Not in the same class as Lomax for decision making. I've seen them both play hundreds of times.

Lets give him a year and see where he is then. Its all right having a good debut but can he be consistent enough for a full year.

you mean he started at newsprings? and finished at pats where he was picked up? and has shone everytime playing for england academy and kinghts? sure he wont make

. Jonny lomax was supposed to be the best player at that age level and next big thing he took a couple of years to make the step up and now looks like a star at FULLBACK not in the halves.

I remember Andrew Johns saying Jarrod Sammut was the next big thing.

If Andrew Johns actually said that, then he was probably thinking of Bradford when he said that!. And he was right!



Actually Andrew Johns predicted big things for Akuila Uate when Akuila first emerged .... and he was correct.

Joey talks a million young players up every year, especially if they're Novocastrian.

I don't sopport Saints or Wigan - though Aldi style I like Saints more.

However Smith is not past it and Powell looks to me a far more gifted HB than Lomax will ever be.

He also says Myler can't tackle or open a defence up. Perhaps he should have watched a Warrington game over the last year or two. What a fool.

..but the basic point about British halfbacks is right. Too many 'runners', an obsession with pace, and far too few halfbacks have the faintest clue how to organise a set of six.

Aus won't need Brooks for years - Cherry-Evans is already a fantastic player.