Middle forwards are the players who have the potential to win and lose a game.
It is almost impossible to win a game, no matter who is in your team if the forwards get dominated. If your forwards are dominating, you have to play pretty badly to lose (just ask New Zealand Warriors fans!).
Players seem to be getting better and better, earlier and earlier, and the big boys in the middle are no exception.
So, without further ado, here are the five best middle forwards aged 22 and under in the NRL.
While he might not be in the eyes of Brad Fittler for a NSW Blues jersey just yet, I wouldn't rule out a future one.
Thriving in his role as an impact prop off the bench for the Penrith Panthers, Leniu would start for the majority of teams.
While he lacks size when compared with some of the behemoths in the game today at only 183 centimetres and 110 kilograms, Leniu makes up for it with his leg speed. Running ferociously into the line every time he takes it up, you'll never see Leniu just take a settler. Every run he has, he tries to pulverise the defence.
Playing 26 minutes a game, Leniu makes the most of his time. This season he has three tries and 14 tackle breaks while averaging 84 run metres from 7 hit-ups and 15 tackles.
I almost missed this one. He wasn't even on the radar when it comes to young stars. Perhaps because he has no markings of a young player. Moeaki Fotuaika rarely makes a mistake.
Having already played and excelled for the QueenslandMaroons, Fotuaika is undoubtedly one of the better props in the NRL.
A cannonball of a man despite standing at 185 centimetres, Fotuaika is an absolute nightmare for defences to handle. Much like Cameron Munster, who just refused to be tackled when everyone else thinks he's held, Fotuaika is the same.
He scraps and claws for every metre, while remaining energetic and busy in defence. Averaging 115 metres and making tackles at above 97 per cent, he does it all.
In contrast to the two names above him, Josh Curran didn't shine from the moment he first pulled on an NRL jersey.
A schoolboy star, it took Curran time to adjust to the NRL. Debuting for the Sydney Roosters in 2019, the now 22-year-old didn't find his feet until the end of 2021.
So far in 2022, not only has he proven himself as a true NRL talent but as a future representative player.
Playing lock for the Warriors, Curran thrives in the middle. Whether it's ball-playing, offloads or taking a hard hit-up, he can do it all. His play this season has not only proven himself amongst NRL youngsters but moved him into the upper echelon of locks.
I don't think it's ridiculous to say he would be in a lot of top fives behind the likes of Cameron Murray and Isaah Yeo.
I feel sorry for Tino Fa'asuamaleaui almost every time I watch the Gold Coast Titans play.
He is so good. He tries so hard and they are oh so bad at times. He's like the kid in the under-10s whose local club doesn't have a first division team so he has to play division 2. He tries his heart out and scores three tries a game but his team loses 50-12 every week.
Luckily for the Titans, they made him captain. A true leader through his actions, big Tino could be the one who turns the team around and builds them into something. As for now though, he's left trying his heart out for minimal reward.
I don't think anyone is surprised that Payne Haas sits atop the list.
Not only is he the best prop in his age bracket, he is by far the best prop in the NRL. While it might seem clumsy to say 'by far' with players like Addin Fonua-Blake, Junior Paulo, James Fisher-Harris and the injured Christian Welch existing, it isn't.
He's just that good.
His combination of size, strength, speed, footwork, work rate and motor is something I don't think rugby league has ever seen before. He could very well be the best prop to ever play the game.
Whether he racks up the club accomplishments to make that argument is another thing, but based on sheer play on the field, he's truly special.