Mal Meninga backs Robert Toia to have lengthy Origin career – but first he must stop Latrell Mitchell

Impressive Maroons rookie Robert Toia might hero worship his NSW opposite number Latrell Mitchell, but once the game starts he says he’ll do whatever it takes to stop the Blues star.

He is the Queensland young gun who once rejected the advances of rugby union and now Maroons sensation Robert Toia is ready to again stave off the Latrell Mitchell threat in Origin II.

The 20-year-old produced such a sensational debut in Origin I that ‘Toia the Destroyer’ was regarded as an automatic selection for the return bout at Perth’s Optus Stadium this Wednesday night.

Before Game One, there were fears NSW champion Mitchell would run riot and torment a Roosters centre rookie who had played just 10 games of NRL.

Eighty minutes later, Toia was trumpeted as one of the shining lights in Queensland’s 18-6 loss, setting up the Maroons’ only try and restricting Mitchell to just 58 metres from eight runs.

Robert Toia runs the ball in Origin I.

Robert Toia tackles Latrell Mitchell during Origin I.

Maroons NRL Immortal Mal Meninga believes Toia can have a 10-year Queensland career and while the classy centre still hero worships Mitchell, he says he doesn’t fear Latrell in the heat of battle.

“I have to stop him again,” Toia said of his centre showdown with Mitchell in Origin II this Wednesday night.

“Not only for myself and the team but the state of Queensland.

“I will do whatever it takes.”

It is testament to Toia’s mindset that he felt nerveless going into the biggest game of his life. The pre-game narrative was that Mitchell would rip and tear out wide and toy with the Maroons debutant.

Nerves? Toia didn’t feel anything until halftime at Suncorp Stadium.

“To be honest, it was the first game of footy where I wasn’t nervous,” he said.

“The coaching staff and family kept asking me if I was nervous and it didn’t hit until maybe halftime when I was like, ‘I’m here playing Origin’.

“The whole camp was a blur and even the first half went so quick.

“I still couldn’t believe I was playing Origin.”

Toia knows Mitchell will be gunning for him in Perth. The South Sydney superstar has scored five tries in his last four games in sky blue, but Toia will defend the jumper, not the reputation.

“Everyone knows who Latrell is and what he can do,” he said.

“I was in awe to be matched up against him. It was pretty special and the little kid in me was cheering.

“I was just trying to focus on what I can do. I looked up to Latrell and I still do, but I wasn’t nervous to be honest.

“I got reassurance from Billy (Slater, Queensland coach) and the Maroons boys kept telling me I can do the job and handle Latrell.

Robert Toia (L) and Cameron Munster (R) share a moment at the Queensland State of Origin Fan Day at Albert Park in Gympie. Picture Lachie Millard

“That settled my nerves.”

Toia could easily be in a different Queensland jumper. As a schoolboy prodigy at Nudgee College, rugby’s Queensland Reds were keen to turn him into a future Wallaby, but Toia had his heart set on the NRL.

“At first rugby showed interest in me,” he said.

“When I was 15, before I signed my first contract, they (the Reds) were keen, but I stayed with league and never looked back and I’ve been with league the whole time.

“I loved playing union at school, but just my heart was with league.

“It was an easy decision really. It wasn’t much of a fight to be honest. The love of the game kept me in league.”

Maroons winger Xavier Coates played outside Toia in Game One and says the Roosters ace can be Queensland’s backline X-factor in Perth.

“He is a classy player,” Coates said.

“He is only 20 years of age and in the Origin arena.

“Rob is going up against Latrell Mitchell, who is a massive threat and I thought he did a really good job in Origin I.

“It didn’t surprise me. You can see in his game for the Roosters what a damaging centre he is ... Rob Toia is a freak.”