Queensland want Dylan Napa to play his natural game in his State of Origin debut

QUEENSLAND don’t need Dylan Napa to play like Matt Scott. They just need him to play like Dylan Napa.

Brett Morris (centre) of the Bulldogs is tackled by Boyd Cordner (right) and Dylan Napa of the Roosters during the round 2 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Thursday, March 9, 2017. (AAP Image/Paul Miller) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

QUEENSLAND hierarchy will call on Dylan Napa to bring his natural game to the Origin arena, with the fiery enforcer to make his long-awaited debut next week.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters revealed on Monday that the Roosters prop will finally get his shot for Queensland, after he named him to start alongside Nate Myles in next Wednesday’s series opener.

After coming close to earning a call-up in 2015 and only missing last year’s series through the QRL-enforced suspension, this debut is one that many in the rugby league world have been waiting for.

Napa’s opportunity has come following the season-ending knee injury to Maroons veteran Matt Scott, who has led the forward pack bravely throughout Queensland’s decade of domination.

Napa has been earmarked for his Origin debut for some time.

But Walters does not want Napa to feel any pressure to be like Scott.

He says the young wrecking ball needs to just stick to his own game when he runs on to Suncorp Stadium next week.

“We don’t want him to try to be Matt Scott, because he’s not,” Walters said.

“He doesn’t play like Matt Scott does. We need him to play like Dylan Napa can.

“That will be his main task all week, to play like he can and not to be someone else. If he plays like someone else, I think he’ll fail.

MIND GAMES: Maroons mystery will befuddle Blues

SHOCK: Why no Slater?

“We need him to provide some go-forward so our halves and our backs can come into play. That’s why Dylan is in the side, to create that momentum for others to enjoy the spoils.”

Walters was the one who made the call to Napa to tell him he was going to wear his first Queensland jersey next week and he said the Brisbane-born forward was understandably excited.

Napa arrived in camp Monday afternoon alongside his new teammates, but Walters said the fun would not last for long, with plenty of work ahead for the debutant.

“For him to now finally get his opportunity, we’d like to think he’s going to make the most of it,” Walters said.

“We have to get down to some training and go through all the motions to make sure Dylan is ready for the game of his life.”

The Roosters forward is a renowned hitman.

Napa’s inclusion in the 17 was no surprise after Walters said last week that he was the answer to the next generation of Blues forwards.

With big boppers like David Klemmer and Jake Trbojevic set to wreak havoc for NSW this year, Napa has a massive battle ahead.

But the Blues forwards are just as aware of him, with Andrew Fifita telling The Courier-Mail that the 24-year-old was meant to play for Queensland.

“He’s made for Origin,” Fifita said.

“Naps is a really good player who’s come a long way since representing Cookies (Cook Islands in 2013).

“I think he’ll take it with both hands and live up to the expectations.”