Broncos teenager makes historic NRL debut

Broncos teenager David Fifita has made NRL history on Saturday night as the first player born in the 2000s to play first-grade rugby league.

The 18-year-old schoolboys star was named in the No.21 jumper for Brisbane’s clash with Canberra on Saturday night.

But an Instagram post by fellow youngster Payne Haas appeared to break the news that he would be in for a debut:

The Broncos confirmed later that Fifita would be the last man on the bench after Joe Ofahengaue was pulled out with a virus.

The 18-year-old played 47 minutes, running the ball nine times for 82 metres and two tackle breaks while laying 18 tackles on the defensive end.

Fifita’s piece of history came after Haas, born in December 1999, made his debut earlier in the year to nudge rugby league towards the milestone.

Saturday’s debutant doesn’t turn 19 until February next year but he had moved closer to selection after training with the main group in recent days.

The Broncos see the Fifita, who is signed on until the end of the 2020 season, as a future starting prop with many keen watchers predicting big things.