‘I could do the job’: Jacob Saifiti declares he’s ready for Origin debut

Jacob Saifiti says he wouldn’t let anyone down if he were to be picked to play in the second game of the State of Origin series.

Saifiti learned plenty in his first call-up to the Blues’ extended squad. Picture: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

Drawing inspiration from his twin brother, Newcastle Knights forward Jacob Saifiti has declared he would be ready for his State of Origin debut if called upon by NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler.

While his brother Daniel has represented NSW on seven occasions, Jacob had not been included in the Blues’ Origin set-up until Fittler named him in the extended squad for Game One.

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Saifiti didn’t end up playing in the Blues’ 16-10 loss, but learned plenty, having rubbed shoulders with the state’s elite forwards.

“It was a great experience,” he said.

“It was my first Blues camp and I was just trying to soak it up, just take some tips and jot down a few things I could bring back here (to the Knights).”

Saifiti was full of praise for incumbent front-rowers Junior Paulo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Payne Haas, whom he said had earned the right to feature in Origin II on June 26.

“The props they’ve got, they’re the best in the comp at the moment,” he said.

“I’m sure they’ll come back (to the NRL) the next two weeks and push their cases again and prove why they got picked that first time.”

Saifiti says he’s Origin ready. Picture: Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

As the only specialist prop forward picked in the extended squad not to play, Saifiti would be the short-priced favourite to come into the side if injury or form prompted Fittler to make a change to his front row.

Saifiti said his brother’s experience with the Origin team had made him realise he would be ready to play if chosen.

“Obviously you don’t know until you get picked,” Saifiti said.

“I remember Daniel’s first experience, he wasn’t sure either and then he got chucked in there and he did his job.

“If I was to get picked, I’m confident I could do the job, but I think there’s a long way until that actually happens. I’ll be doing everything these next two weeks to get ready just in case.”

Mann will make his return this weekend. Picture: Matt King / Getty Images

In the meantime, the Knights are turning their attention to the ladder-leading Penrith Panthers, whom they’ll meet in Newcastle on Sunday. The game will be Kurt Mann’s first since round seven.

During his rehab from an ankle injury earlier this season, the Knights utility suffered a ruptured aneurysm in an artery in his ankle – an incredibly rare injury even outside of rugby league.

“I think I was like the fourth case in the world or something,” Mann said.

“They took me to hospital and thought it was a blood clot or something initially, then we had a few more scans and a few more tests done.

“Controlling the swelling has been the big problem, but the swelling’s pretty much gone out of it now.

“I’m back now and hopefully I can stay fit for the rest of the year.”

Originally published as ‘I could do the job’: Jacob Saifiti declares he’s ready for Origin debut