by Rabbits21 Tue Feb 23, 2021 10:58 am
Rabbitohs forward Keaon Koloamatangi full of confidence in new role for 2021
Tom Naghgten
Sporting News
22 February 2021
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Keaon KoloamatangiNRL Imagery/Robb Cox
Wayne Bennett has an embarrassment of riches on his hands when it comes to the young forwards at the Rabbitohs.
One of the most exciting prospects in the crop is local product Keaon Koloamatangi and the master coach has a plan to get even more out of the 22-year-old in 2021.
Koloamatangi made his first-grade debut in round four last year, making a big impression through the middle of the park in his 14 games.
Though, in a pack reshuffle, Koloamatangi has been preparing for the new season in the second row and impressing his teammates along the way.
"I've been training in the backrow in the pre-season. Obviously that backrow spot is up for grabs since [Bayley Sironen] left," Koloamatangi told Sporting News.
"I grew up playing backrow my whole career until last year I played middle.
"I feel more comfortable on the edge and I've been training there with Cody and stuff but it's up to Wayne to choose me.
"There's a lot of competition there. We've got Jed Cartwright, we've got Jacob Host, they're solid players too. I wouldn't be mad if any of them got picked."
Koloamatangi revealed he knuckled down over the off-season, not allowing himself the temptations that come with a trip away.
He's also dropped a few kilos to help him adapt to the demands of the new role.
"When I go away I sort of get ahead of myself and just eat whatever and drink whatever, but I wanted to have a big year this year," he said.
"I lost about three kilos this pre-season and got my skinfolds down to the best they've ever been.
"It's been a bit shorter but still intense and I'm just trying to work my arse off and get a spot on the team.
"I think I'm heading in the right direction and it's probably the best I've ever felt.
"A lot of the elite backrowers play 80, so that's my goal. I know I can do that. That's where I feel most comfortable and where I think I can portray all my skills that I've got."
Koloamatangi has a couple of representative stars - Cody Walker and Dane Gagai - inside and outside of him to keep him honest on the left edge, but he's been given a big vote of confidence on the evidence so far.
Maroons star Gagai confirmed the youngster's level of application to improving his game.
"He’s looking unreal. He showed last year what he’s capable of, he’s been given a new role out on the edge there and he’s been training unbelievably," Gagai said.
"His work ethic, along with a couple of the other boys, is unreal. On days off they were coming in, doing extras, doing weights, he’ll be fine out there."
It's not just his teammates wrapping him, with Koloamatangi revealing Bennett has given him more of a license to express himself in attack.
"He's told me I look more confident every training session with the ball and he just tells me to keep being myself and don't be scared to throw a ball or run or whatever, he won't get mad," Koloamatangi said.
"He can see my confidence is coming and that's probably one of my biggest strengths. It is pretty cool seeing his belief in me."
Souths will put the final touches on their preparations when they meet the Dragons in the Charity Shield on Saturday before getting their 2021 campaign underway against reigning premiers Melbourne on Thursday, March 11
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