Taufua and Parker the odd couple

Manly's new left edge of Brad Parker Jorge Taufua couldn't look more different.

The fair complexioned, red-headed Parker (a centre) stands 10cm taller than Pacific Islander Taufua (a winger), whose mane of long, dark curly hair he reguarly winds up in a bun.

"We do look like an odd couple," Taufua tells NRL.com.

"When you look at us he's long and rangy and deceptively strong. I'm shorter, stockier and try to use my speed.

"He's got a bit of flavour in him because he's played with a few Islanders in his time so he gets the Polynesians and he has a pretty good humour himself."

Parker, who played 11 of his 17 games for the Sea Eagles last year on the wing, has been thrown together with Taufua, who has made Manly's left touchline his own.

It's 25 NRL games for Parker alongside Taufua's 124 first grade appearances.

"He's got so much experience," Parker said.

"I'm obviously not a veteran player. But he's been around a lot longer, he's an international. So having him on my outside, and tipping me up, and talking to me, that all gives me confidence out on the field."

The new partnership is a byproduct of Dylan Walker being unavailable due to the NRL's proposed "no-fault stand down" policy which it is expected will result in Walker being stood down while his domestic violence case continues through the courts.

Regular left centre Moses Suli has been moved over to the right to fill in for Walker leaving Taufua to find a new inside man.

He's got a bit of flavour in him because he's played with a few Islanders in his time

Jorge Taufua on Brad Parker

"We lose Walks' experience in that part of the field but I'm excited to see how Moses goes. I don't think he'll let anyone down," said Taufua, who partnered Suli during 2018.

"Moses has trained really well. He's very skilful and you may not think that with his build. He just looks strong and fast but with the ball in hand he can do a lot of things."

Taufua and Parker have only played one trial game together. That was a 28-22 loss to the Sharks on a rainy Saturday night at Shark Park.

"We've still got a bit of work to do but the combination is looking good," Taufua said. "It will come with game time and being on the field together, as there's only so much you can do at training.

"Brad is young and eager and we'll make this partnership work. On the edges, it's a lot more work than the average fan would see.

"It's not just that we take the last pass along the line and run. Defensively you have to work together and trust each other."

Parker doesn't mind the shift closer to the action.

"I grew up playing centre with my local club so it's a position I feel more than comfortable slipping into," he told NRL.com.

"I don't mind wing but I think it's a good challenge for me to take on [playing] centre and prove to [coach] Des [Hasler] and the boys that it can be a move for me for the rest of this year.

"Jorge is my left-hand man. Hopefully, we can work on our chemistry and get things going well.

"Obviously it's a shock we don't have Walks. But he's doing well. He actually hasn't changed one bit – still bouncing around training with a smile on his face," Parker said.

"We've trained all pre-season to cater for injuries and other absences. So Moses will fill in at his spot no worries. He looks comfortable already based on what he showed in the trials.

"Look it's a shame we don't have Walks but we should do well without him," Parker said.