As Gold Coast prepare to unleash forward Klese Haas for his NRL debut his schoolboy coach says the 20-year-old has the potential to become as damaging as Viliame Kikau.
Haas, the younger brother of NSW and Brisbane prop Payne Haas, will play off the bench against Newcastle on Sunday afternoon at Robina.
Klese's former Keebra Park High coach Glen Campbell, who also mentored Payne, said the younger Haas had a huge future ahead of him.
"Klese is a different build to Payne. He is a rangy back-rower who stands six foot four (inches) - just a big thing," Campbell told AAP.
"When I had him at school I told him he had the ability to become as damaging as Viliame Kikau is at Penrith, just with his power and strength on the edge, and I still believe that.
"Klese has still got a big engine like Payne but he is more mobile.
"I'd say he is a bit behind Payne in terms of his development at the same age.
"Payne was really at the top of his game at the same stage and every NRL club was after him, but Klese has the tools in the shed to get there. It will be up to him."
Klese was developed at Keebra Park High and left to attend another school before returning under Campbell's tutelage to play for the First 13 in COVID-disrupted 2020.
Campbell worked on Klese's attacking game and that's the area where he said his former pupil had the capacity to take the NRL by storm.
"We worked hard on his offloads and positional play on the edge to run through holes," Campbell said.
"That is why they can't handle Kikau in the NRL. I have no doubt that as Klese puts on weight over the next three or four years and develops his attacking game he can go to that same level."
Haas has been impressive in the Hostplus Cup for the Tweed Heads Seagulls against men where his defensive clout has been a real strength.
In his six games he has averaged 26 tackles and has a tackle efficiency of 96 per cent.
"Klese has always been unbelievable in that area. He puts his body in front and I have never had to worry about his defence," Campbell said.
"Once he brings his attack to the same standard he will make a real impact.
"The Titans have put him at Tweed Heads under coach Ben Woolf who is ex-Keebra Park and a very good development coach, so he's been in good hands.
"(Titans coach) Justin Holbrook has been smart to give Klese a taste against the Knights. That's good development."
