Teen talent Zaidas Muagututia emerges as 'surprise' candidate to replace Lachlan Croker at No.9
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A 19-year-old fresh out of school is shaping up as a shock contender for the Manly hooking spot next season.
With Lachlan Croker having to medically retire and Gordon Chan Kum Tong switching to the Bulldogs, Manly's hooking ranks are looking very thin.
The Sea Eagles have sprung a major surprise by naming Zaidas Muagututia - a teenager with Samoan heritage - in their top 30 squad.
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A NSW under-18 City representative this year, Muagututia has been a standout in the NSW Cup and is likely to be given his chance in the NRL at some stage of next season.
Zaidas Muagututia is shaping up as a shock contender for the Manly hooking spot next season. NRL Imagery
He is one of only three hookers in the top 30 - the incumbent Jake Simpkin and Roosters signing Zach Dockar-Clay being the others.
"Zaidas is a very talented kid and really impressed us in his first season with the club this year," a Sea Eagles insider told Wide World of Sports.
"He is smart out of dummyhalf, reads the play well and has speed.
"He has a way to go, but he is definitely a player with potential."
