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CANTERBURY fans might want to get themselves familiar with the name Marcelo Montoya — if the hype is accurate, you could be watching him line up in round one.
The 20-year-old back is the name on teammates’ lips and many are tipping him to steal a spot in the starting 17 come March 3.
Those who paid any attention to the National Youth Competition last year could hardly have missed him.
Montoya scored 19 tries in 18 NYC games, and captained the under 20s side.
He clocked up 19 linebreaks, 64 tackle busts, and averaged 133 running metres a game.
He also played seven ISP grade games which reaped six tries, then flew to Samoa at the end of the year to represent Fiji.
Naturally, he scored a try to help his country beat Samoa 20-18 in the historic Test match.
Marcelo Montoya is a teacher's aide at Casula Public School.Source: News Corp Australia
If his 2016 wasn’t busy enough, Montoya worked three days a week as a teacher’s aide while studying a bachelor of primary education at Western Sydney University.
Next item at the top of his to-do list is to play in the NRL.
And if veteran centre Josh Morris has his way, he could be lining up inside the young winger in the first game of the season.
“We’ve got a young bloke — Marcelo Montoya — who’s really impressed me on the wing,” Morris told foxsports.com.au.
“His fitness levels and his ability, some of the stuff he’s showed us in training makes me excited to see how he’ll progress through the trials.
“He could be pushing for a starting spot in round one.”
Montoya’s stellar 2016 season caught the eye of Canterbury Bulldogs coach Des Hasler, who gave the young gun the nod to train with the senior squad during the pre-season.
Hasler is yet to announce his Auckland Nines squad but Montoya looms as one of the exciting young players who could light up the fast-paced tournament.
A good showing this weekend will only bolster his chances of an NRL debut.
SQUADS: Every NRL club’s Auckland Nines roster
With Sam Perrett and Curtis Rona parting ways with the Bulldogs over the off-season, there’s a wing spot up for grabs. Montoya will likely battle it out with recruit Brenko Lee for the position, if Kerrod Holland is given the chance at centre.
“Eyeing off a wing spot is a goal of mine, but at the same time I still have a lot to work on,” Montoya told the club website.
Marcelo Montoya in action.Source: Supplied
“It’s my first pre-season with the NRL side and at the moment I’m just looking to train hard and getting all the little things right, before I think about a wing spot.”
But if Montoya is modest on his chances, his teammates aren’t afraid to talk up the young talent.
“I’m sure, whether he gets the start or not, he’ll definitely be playing first grade at some stage. He’s looking the goods,” playmaker Josh Reynolds told foxsports.com.au.
“I think the Nines will be a good chance to show everyone what these young guys from the Dogs are doing.
“It’s pretty exciting for everyone and for the club’s future.”
The Bulldogs kick off their NRL season against Melbourne Storm at Belmore on Friday, March 3.
The 20-year-old back is the name on teammates’ lips and many are tipping him to steal a spot in the starting 17 come March 3.
Those who paid any attention to the National Youth Competition last year could hardly have missed him.
Montoya scored 19 tries in 18 NYC games, and captained the under 20s side.
He clocked up 19 linebreaks, 64 tackle busts, and averaged 133 running metres a game.
He also played seven ISP grade games which reaped six tries, then flew to Samoa at the end of the year to represent Fiji.
Naturally, he scored a try to help his country beat Samoa 20-18 in the historic Test match.
Marcelo Montoya is a teacher's aide at Casula Public School.Source: News Corp Australia
If his 2016 wasn’t busy enough, Montoya worked three days a week as a teacher’s aide while studying a bachelor of primary education at Western Sydney University.
Next item at the top of his to-do list is to play in the NRL.
And if veteran centre Josh Morris has his way, he could be lining up inside the young winger in the first game of the season.
“We’ve got a young bloke — Marcelo Montoya — who’s really impressed me on the wing,” Morris told foxsports.com.au.
“His fitness levels and his ability, some of the stuff he’s showed us in training makes me excited to see how he’ll progress through the trials.
“He could be pushing for a starting spot in round one.”
Montoya’s stellar 2016 season caught the eye of Canterbury Bulldogs coach Des Hasler, who gave the young gun the nod to train with the senior squad during the pre-season.
Hasler is yet to announce his Auckland Nines squad but Montoya looms as one of the exciting young players who could light up the fast-paced tournament.
A good showing this weekend will only bolster his chances of an NRL debut.
SQUADS: Every NRL club’s Auckland Nines roster
With Sam Perrett and Curtis Rona parting ways with the Bulldogs over the off-season, there’s a wing spot up for grabs. Montoya will likely battle it out with recruit Brenko Lee for the position, if Kerrod Holland is given the chance at centre.
“Eyeing off a wing spot is a goal of mine, but at the same time I still have a lot to work on,” Montoya told the club website.
Marcelo Montoya in action.Source: Supplied
“It’s my first pre-season with the NRL side and at the moment I’m just looking to train hard and getting all the little things right, before I think about a wing spot.”
But if Montoya is modest on his chances, his teammates aren’t afraid to talk up the young talent.
“I’m sure, whether he gets the start or not, he’ll definitely be playing first grade at some stage. He’s looking the goods,” playmaker Josh Reynolds told foxsports.com.au.
“I think the Nines will be a good chance to show everyone what these young guys from the Dogs are doing.
“It’s pretty exciting for everyone and for the club’s future.”
The Bulldogs kick off their NRL season against Melbourne Storm at Belmore on Friday, March 3.
