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Real talent: Joe Burgess scores for Wigan against St Helens in October. Photo: Getty Images
Burgess, who isn't related to the brothers at Souths and Manly, signed with the Roosters in January and Crooks – who starred for Wests and Balmain in the 1980s – was adamant the hype surrounding the 20-year-old from Wigan was justified.
"He's one player people over here will want to watch out for," Crooks said. "Burgess is a big, strong kid. He's very fast for his size, he has good footwork and while he started the Super League season slowly he's continued to get better and better as it's gone on.
"Joe isn't related to Sam or his brothers but he definitely has the potential to do very well in the NRL premiership."
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Crooks was as equally impressed by Currie, a 20-year-old who has already represented Ireland in three internationals, and after signing a new four-year deal with the Wolves was identified by England's coach Steve McNamara, who is Trent Robinson's assistant at the Roosters, as a future member of his national team.
"He's playing good football and is the other player who I think NRL scouts are watching and taking note of, he's been playing exceptionally well," Crooks said.
Currie made his top-grade debut as a 17-year-old in 2012 and is described in England as a player blessed with a "spectacular off-loading game" and "composure" that belies his age.
However, he found himself in trouble during Warrington's hard-fought Challenge Cup quarter-final victory over former Parramatta cult figure Fuifui Moi Moi's team, Leigh, when he made physical contact with the referee.
Currie's coach Tony Smith said while the player's actions weren't malicious and it was obvious the youngster was shocked once he realised what had happened the club could not defend it.
Meanwhile, Crooks' 23-year-old son Ben will return to England at the end of the NRL season to play for Castleford – a club where his father is considered a legend – after spending the season with the Parramatta Eels.
While the centre still hoped to play first grade for the 12th-placed Eels before the season finished, Crooks said his son had fulfilled the goals he'd set himself when he decided to challenge himself to learn more about the game in Australia.
"He's enjoyed the experience out here, he's achieved the development things he set for himself, all except playing first grade and you never know he might still get a game before he goes back," Crooks said.
"Parramatta has been fantastic for him and he'll go home not only a better player but a better person for coming here as well."
Meanwhile, Albert Hopoate, who is already signed to Manly, became the latest of former international winger John Hopoate's children to make his mark by being named on the flank in the Australian Schoolboys (15-year-old) Merit team.
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