Talagi from Eels demonstrates his resilience.

It’s understandable that Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has developed a soft spot for Eels NRL rookie Blaize Talagi given his penchant for tough players.

In front of a bus full of family and friends, the 19-year-old Talagi had a memorable try-scoring NRL debut for the Eels at center in Sunday’s 28-24 home victory over Manly.

His breakthrough at senior level has come 10 months after he suffered a collapsed lung while playing in an under-18s City-Country Origin match.

“I played 15 minutes with it being collapsed,” Talagi said, perhaps highlighting why Arthur is such a fan.

Every time I ran, it felt like someone was stabbing me in the heart, but the doctor thought I might have a stitch.

“It was difficult for me to spend a week in the hospital.

“I didn’t believe it to be that awful… However, they claimed that was my time.

“They believe there was an object on my lung that burst, not a tackle.

“They believe it was innate in me. I first just intended to take things easy.”

Throughout his junior career, the young player demonstrated his versatility by playing throughout the halves and backline, earning him the reputation of being a future NRL great.

Given that Arthur has access to Maika Sivo and Bailey Simonsson for the Eels’ Easter Monday match against the Wests Tigers, it seems unlikely that he will maintain his starting position.

However, there’s a good chance that over the following several seasons, the adolescent will follow in the footsteps of fellow local schoolboy Will Penisini and establish himself as a key member of this Parramatta team.

Talagi stated of coach Arthur, “Brad is extremely excellent, he is sort of a father figure to all us lads.”

“He has followed my professional journey.

“The dream would be to play consistent first-grade footy. Whatever the team needs, I will slot in.”