In the last few years, we have seen some truly exciting players emerge in Super League.
Will Pryce at Huddersfield Giants, Lewis Dodd at St Helens, Mikey Lewis at Hull KR, Harry Smith at Wigan Warriors, Morgan Gannon at Leeds Rhinos and plenty of others leaving the future looking very bright for England.
That is the opinion of former St Helens and Huddersfield Giants player Keith Mason who believes there are some very good players coming through the system and not least in his son Lukas’ Wigan Warriors academy side.
“There’s going to be some good players coming through in the next few years,” Mason said.
“That Wigan team, that academy team that Lukas is in, they’ve got some superstars. I’ve not seen a group of under 16s players as good as that. They’re going into the academy but most are playing a year above themselves.
“I think that’s good for the international game. There’s a young kid called Jack Farrimond, brilliant halfback, he can be a superstar.
“The twins, Dylan and Trent Duffy, Lukas is up there too, Taylor Kerr, Nathan Lowe. There’s some cracking players, they’re in a good position for some stars to come through.”
Mason also provided an in depth look at his son’s Lukas’ development:
“To be honest, a few years ago Lukas came to live with me. He was a skinny kid back then, he was gangly, he was skinny and tall. He was always tough and he was always going to get his size when he got older.
“I had him for three and a half years, I did mentor him because I missed some time with him because of personal reasons so when I got him, he’s grown six inches upwards and put on four or five stone.
“The great thing about being a father is watching what your kids do, that’s the essence of life.
“I trained with him every day after school, we travelled every day to Wigan, I was with him. He would train and I would run half marathons around Wigan, down the Wigan canal.
“I was very hands on with him but I’m not a pushy parent. He’s my son first of all and I love him because he’s my son.
“Rugby side of things is something he’s always loved, he has progressed and he can go all the way, he can be a superstar.
“I truly believe that, I’m not saying that because he’s my son. He’s an outstanding player now and even Matty Peet is talking to him.
“If he keeps working hard and doing what he’s doing, I’m always a phone call away. He rings me up for advice. I ask him about all of his sessions.
“I think, like all the other lads who have dads who have played Super League have a little advantage over someone who doesn’t because we’ve been in there and give them pointers about how to run and get on your front because it’s about one percents.
“He doesn’t have many errors in his game, and I feel like I had to go through that to show him that.
“Wigan have been fantastic. I didn’t realise how close the family thing is there with Kris Radlinski and the whole team.
“I think he’s at the best place. He did have a chance to go to Leeds, but we chose Wigan.”
