Thurston stated: “He’s still got a lot of work ahead of him. He’s still raw and needs to learn the game a bit more — over time he will. He’s probably the standout in the 20s team.”

Like so many opposing players out at the Auckland Nines, Hess has used the pre-season tournament as a launching pad for his first grade career.

While Hess has already made his NRL debut against the Warriors, making a single appearance in round 25 last year, regular first grade is in the backrower’s not too distant future.