It was the most anticipated lower grade trial match in history but teen star Joseph Suaalii didn't betray the hype with a brace for Sydney Roosters' feeder club North Sydney on Saturday.
The 17-year-old showed off the right-foot step that made the Roosters hierarchy go to battle for his signature this season as he scored a try in each half of the Bears' 26-18 win over Canberra.
South Sydney's loss looks to be a huge win for their closest rivals.
The hulking teenager towered over his teammates as he lined up at right centre, but showed signs of struggle in his first rugby league game in 18 months.
There was a scare late in the game when he was helped from the field with a leg injury, which was later revealed to be a cramp.
For both tries, Suaalii used his brute strength and size to score, but was lucky with his first when he didn't pass to an unmarked winger on the edge.
Later, halves Sam Walker and Lachlan Lam were in good touch to lead the Roosters to a 26-20 win over Canberra in the NRL trials in Queanbeyan.
Lam is expected to get the nod for round one with halfback Luke Keary to line up after nursing a hamstring injury which kept him out of Saturday's trial.
