Column: Adam Doueihi is a future NRL star

Drew Darbyshire

South Sydney Rabbitohs have an outstanding young talent on their hands in Adam Doueihi.

The 19-year-old played for the Rabbitohs first-grade side against Wigan Warriors in their first game of 2018.

And boy oh boy, he certainly impressed on the big stage.

Doueihi grew up playing Rugby Union and even represented the Australian Schoolboys in the 15-man code in 2016 before signing an initial two-year contract with the Rabbitohs.

He has been mainly playing for South Sydney’s feeder club, North Sydney Bears, since joining the Rabbitohs.

His NRL debut doesn’t seem far away at all, though.

I first recognised Doueihi’s talent when he was playing for Lebanon in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. He was born in New South Wales but his grandparents are from Zgharta, Lebanon.

And his performances for the Cedars were impressive. He is good in attack and defence but when he has the ball in hand, he is extremely exciting to watch because you don’t know what he is going to do next.

Doueihi is a half-back by trade but played at centre, where he was equally as good, for Lebanon in the World Cup.

He has scored two tries in five appearances for Lebanon and he is aiming to have a big year with the Rabbitohs in 2018.

And he started it in good fashion. The 6ft 3in back put in a remarkable display against Wigan, helping the South Sydney to an 18-8 victory in their first game of the season.

A host of NRL and Rugby Union clubs have already been showing interest in him so he is tipped for a huge future in the game. Could we one day be speaking of him as we do about the likes of Cooper Cronk or Gareth Widdop?

Adam Doueihi – remember the name.