But while Haas has made such a sudden impact in the NRL that he was chosen for his NSW Origin debut after just 10 first-grade games, Saulo's initiation at the Knights has been comparatively circumspect.

Last season the towering Maitland Pickers junior made three cameo appearances off the bench. This year he has played three minutes against South Sydney and 10 minutes against Melbourne, in Newcastle's past two games. Enough of a taste to whet his appetite for more.

"I'm thankful to get any opportunity," the 20-year-old prop said. "I'd always love to get more minutes. I've just got to keep building my fitness, I guess, and keep doing the little things right on the field, as well ... I feel like this year I have a bit more of an understanding of not only who I'm playing with, but also the game itself."

Asked how quickly he would like to establish himself as an NRL regular, the 1.90-metre, 103-kilogram tyro replied: "The sooner the better. But I've just got to work on a couple of things and hope for the best.

"For me, I reckon it's best to take it as it comes. I don't want to ruin myself when I'm not ready.

"Hopefully I can get a couple of games up my sleeve to experience it. I'm loving it.

"With the pre-season as well, I've done everything pretty good and I feel comfortable and confident going into the games I've played."

After charging fearlessly into South Sydney's Burgess brothers at ANZ Stadium, last week Saulo found himself up against Melbourne's Kiwi internationals Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

"I still feel like a little kid when I run out onto the field, to be honest," he said.

"Especially last year, I was a little fish going into a big ocean."

All the while, his former Australian Schoolboys teammate Haas has been providing inspiration.

"It's good to see him out there," Saulo said. "He's ripping in. I look at him and think that could be me, too, soon."