But when Mitchell Moses makes his much-anticipated NRL debut alongside his great mate Luke Brooks against Penrith at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday, we will finally see what all the hype is about.

The young playmakers were earmarked for bigger things when they starred for Holy Cross College Ryde and Wests Tigers as they came through the grades, but injuries meant they rarely set foot on the field at the same time.

"The worst one was my leg, I broke my tibia when I was in year 12," Moses said. "Coming back from that, I played last year in the 20s for round six. I was always in one week, out one week with the injury."

Asked if there were times he questioned his ability to come back, the 19-year-old said: "One hundred per cent. When I was week in, week out, I got some screws out, all the hardware in my leg. They said that would work then it didn't. I went through a bit. I just needed rest, some time off helped it."

Which is why Moses' debut, most likely at fullback rather than his customary position at five-eighth, will be a reward for perseverance. For not turning it up when, inexplicably, Parramatta punted the kid considered one of the brightest young prospects in the game.

"I wanted to stay there but it's their decision and I respect it," he said. "I played my junior footy at Carlingford Cougars ... Then I went to Parramatta and played Harold Matts there. [Tigers recruiter] Warren McDonnell came up to me, showed some interest and I jumped at the opportunity to play at the Tigers.

"It's not so much something to prove [to the Eels], I'm happy with the move I made."

Given Moses is the nephew of Balmain legend Ben Elias, the Tigers appear a natural fit. As is his combination with boom halfback Brooks, who has overcome the pressures of injury and expectation in his first year in the top grade.

"I'm proud of him," Moses said. "He's kept his head, he hasn't looked into the media and handled himself really well.

"He's a calm kid but he's tough. He cops it every game with teams always coming at him.

"Even at school level, when we were playing together, he was a calm kid. Nothing would get to him."

In their junior days, Moses was considered the flashier player than Brooks, always willing to chance his arm in the quest for points. However, his game has matured after joining the full-time squad.

"I've had to change my game a bit, I've had to be a bit more calm with my game," he said. "I've needed to take control, which I haven't done over the past couple of years.

"If the call up [to NRL] comes, I'll take it with two hands. I'm ready to play. I'd be stoked, over the moon if I get picked."

Another NSW under-20s star is poised to make his NRL debut for the Tigers. Matt Lodge, a mid-season signing from the Storm, will also be blooded against the Panthers.

While Blake Austin, who was originally named to play fullback for the Wests Tigers, laughed at the suggestion his position at the Wests Tigers ought to be listed as "no fixed address", there was some truth to it.

The Penrith junior had already played halfback, five-eighth, hooker and, last weekend, he filled in at fullback for James Tedesco in the opening seconds against Canberra.

"I'm being moved around a bit but it's better than playing reserve grade," he said. "But I want to be the No.6.

"I think spending a bit of time week in, week out in the middle at five-eighth would help me develop."

Austin battled illness and an ankle problem during the week but insisted he would take his place in a game that he conceded would be tough.

"We have our backs against the wall but we'll give our all," he said. "We're missing a few key players to Origin but we're at Leichhardt Oval and there's no better time than now to play there."

with Daniel Lane