TRENT Waterhouse will become a firm favourite of Wolves’ fans this season.

It’s a long time, if ever, since a player has made as much of a significant contribution on a Wolves debut to the one produced by the former Penrith back rower at Hull on Sunday.

Admittedly, not everything worked out for him. He bombed one try opportunity in an attempt to put his winger Rhys Williams away, and that was at a key stage when a score could have laid a winning platform.

For me, it was all about how he slotted into the team. He looked as if he belonged there, that none of the play or players around him was unfamiliar.

He must have done his homework well.

Although Wolves were adventurous in their football, it was clear that the 6ft 4ins powerhouse was the ‘go to’ man for wreaking the most havoc on an enthusiastic home defence.

It reminds me of the task asked of Ali Lauitiiti when Tony Smith signed the New Zealander for Leeds Rhinos.

From first impressions, Waterhouse has all the qualities you would expect of an Australian international and it was the all-round talent that impressed.

With the ball, one minute he was sucking in defenders, swatting them away and freeing his hands to conjur up an offload, the next he was running from deep and rampaging through a hole to set up the team’s second try for Williams.

When Hull had possession, he was leading the cavalry charge as if every metre counted, and, of course, it does.

It was his presence and thumping hit that distracted Danny Tickle as the experienced Hull back rower tried to clear his line, allowing Waterhouse to sweep up the loose ball and plough over for a debut try.

He was missed when he was given a breather, which is another sign of his quality.

Hull found him very difficult to handle and future opponents will quickly pick up on that.

Defences may need to number up on the big man and by doing so Waterhouse will be causing damage simply by being there.

That will present space to exploit elsewhere on the field or in the channels either side of him.

The scrum half and centre that tend to operate on that side of the field, Richie Myler and Ryan Atkins, could have a field day benefiting from his graft.