Leeds Rhinos enforcer Keenan Palasia has revealed who he thinks is the best prop-forward in Super League – and, unsurprisingly, he has chosen one of his teammates.
Samoan international Palasia has had a big season so far for the league leaders, but he reckons pack partner Mikolaj Oledzki is unmatched as the competition’s most in-form front-rower.
Oledzki, who will join new NRL club Perth Bears next year, was outstanding in Leeds’ 34-8 win against Hull KR last weekend and Palasia insisted: “I would say he is the best prop in the league.
“I think last year he showed how good he was as well and he has built on that this year. We just get to jump on the back of his hard work.
“In my opinion, he will be going to the World Cup. There’s a lot of great forwards that could get picked for the England side in this competition and back in Australia as well; he is a good mate of mine so I am a bit biased, but I am putting him in the starting team.”
Click here to watch the Serious About Rugby League Predictions Show – Magic Weekend Edition
‘World Cup not on my mind’ says Leeds Rhinos prop
Palasia, capped four times by Samoa, is another Rhinos man who could be involved in this autumn’s tournament in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
But he insisted: “I haven’t been thinking about the World Cup at all. I am putting all my effort into winning for Leeds at the moment.
“That’s what all my sights are set on, Leeds being league leaders and winning the competition at the end of the season.
“I think once we can do that I can think about whether I get picked to play for Samoa.
“It is possible because I am Samoan, but whether I get picked or not is a different story. I am just focusing solely on Leeds Rhinos at the moment.”
As good as Palasia has been this year, he reckons he can – and has to be – better as Rhinos approach the business end of the campaign.
“As a professional athlete in general you should always be striving for a bit more,” he stressed.
“Come the play-offs I am hoping I can lift another level. I think I’ve got a few things to improve on defensively, but at the moment, where we are, I don’t think there’s much more I can ask for.”
The same applies to Leeds as a team. Palasia added. “We’ve built a solid foundation and some confidence in the club, but these past games don’t mean anything, realistically.
“Now is when all the important games start, and the play-offs is where we have to show how good we are.”
