Roosters star Robert Toia emerges as shock Maroons State of Origin bolter
A Roosters star has bolted into Queensland contention after destroying the Dolphins in Magic Round, while another Maroons hopeful has been ruled out of State of Origin Game I.
Maroons
Don't miss out on the headlines from Maroons. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Roosters dynamo Robert Toia ‘The Destroyer’ has bolted into Queensland Origin contention along with Broncos hardman Kobe Hetherington as another Maroons hopeful was dealt an injury blow.
Dolphins workhorse Max Plath has been ruled out of the May 28 series-opener in Brisbane after undergoing foot surgery this week.
Plath is facing a month on the sidelines, ending his dream of debuting for Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.
But a player firmly in the sights of Queensland coach Billy Slater is rookie sensation Toia after he ripped the Dolphins to shreds in a Magic Round clinic.
Having finally overcome three injury-ravaged seasons, which included two knee reconstructions, Toia has set the NRL alight this year.
Toia, 20, bagged a double to go with 170m in the Roosters’ 36-26 win over the Dolphins on Friday night and the Redcliffe junior said he dreamt of emulating Maroons legend Greg Inglis in the Origin arena.
“I would love to play Origin,” he said.
“I just remember watching ‘GI’ (Inglis) and Will Chambers (in Origin).
“GI was a good one for me, just how dominant he was. It didn’t matter who was in front of him, he was just able to create havoc.
“I never watched him live but on TV and highlights clips … all the time.
“Firstly, I have to play good footy for the club week-in, week-out.”
Toia could be considered an outside chance to debut this year given he has only played nine NRL games and is up against the likes of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Valentine Holmes and Selwyn Cobbo in the centre battle.
But there is no doubting the former Maroons under-19s representative is an Origin player in the making.
Another player pushing for a Maroons debut is Broncos lock Hetherington.
The unheralded Hetherington doesn’t produce the statistics of Broncos stars Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, but Maroons great Billy Moore believes he is built for Origin.
“I really like what Kobe Hetherington is doing this season,” he said.
“There’s a number of positions up for grabs and Kobe is tailor-made for State of Origin.
”Just like his father (Jason Hetherington), Kobe is tough as nails and he has the defensive mindset that is perfectly suited to the Origin arena.
“You look back to smaller defensive guys like Trevor Gillmeister and Dallas Johnson and Kobe is in that mould.
“He has great versatility, he can play middle, edge or hooker, so he wouldn’t let Queensland down.
“I’m sure Billy Slater is looking at those types of players, so I would be pushing for someone like Kobe Hetherington.”
Hetherington will go toe-to-toe with NSW and Kangaroos lock Isaah Yeo when the Broncos take on Penrith on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium.
Broncos coach Michael Maguire shifted Carrigan from his preferred lock position to the front row to accommodate Hetherington in the starting side.
“I’m really happy with what Kobe has done so far this season,” Maguire said.
“He has a great work ethic and he is a really important part of our middle rotation with Payno and Patty.
“He is my type of player and Kobe has responded to every challenge put to him.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Roosters star Robert Toia emerges as shock Maroons State of Origin bolter
Women’s Origin bumper ratings smash AFL
Women’s State of Origin continues to be a television juggernaut, out-rating Thursday night’s AFL clash between Essendon and North Melbourne by almost double on free-to-air.
Shock update in Origin eye-gouge allegation
The opening match of this year’s Women’s State of Origin showdown has been rocked by a shock accusation in Brisbane.