Blues forward Jake Trbojevic says boom rookie Coen Hess is not too young for Origin

RISING Blues forward Jake Trbojevic says boom Cowboys rookie Coen Hess, who is only 20 years old, is not too young for Origin and will be up to the task.

DALY Cherry-Evans is one of the form halves of the competition but the Maroons aren’t convinced of his Origin credentials.

However, Blues forward Jake Trbojevic has come out in support of his Manly teammate, saying Cherry-Evans had done enough to be a factor for the Maroons in this year’s series.

Queensland selectors blooded Anthony Milford in game one, with Johnathan Thurston out injured, and then made mass changes for game two but again chatter surrounding Cherry-Evans’ inclusion was minimal.

Trbojevic says his club captain is the driving force behind Manly’s resurgence this season.

“I think he’s been in really good form and put up a real good case to be in that team and his form warranted selection but in saying that they have some quality players right across the park,” he said.

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Manly's Daly Cherry-Evans deserves another chance at Origin. Picture: Brett Costello

“But the way he’s been playing he definitely deserved an opportunity I reckon.”

The Maroons have also selected boom Cowboys forward Coen Hess despite being only 20 years old and plenty of speculation about whether he is ready for the Origin arena.

Trbojevic, who is only 23 with just 60 NRL games under his belt, doesn’t buy into the logic that players can be ‘too young’ and says Hess is up to the task.

“I don’t think he’s too young, obviously people tend to think that age is an issue but if you’re good enough then you should definitely be out there,” Trbojevic said.

“I think he’s good enough. I think he’s in incredible form this year, he’s been scoring tries every week. He’s so big and he’s so strong, I think he’ll be up to it. In his case I don’t think age should be a deterrent.”

The Mona Vale Raiders junior made his Origin debut in game one of this year’s series and says the ‘surreal’ experience was a dream come true but was disappointed he missed out on playing alongside his brother, Tom.

“It was surreal, growing up as a kid something you dream of playing for the Blues and to get to do it ... it’s a really proud moment,” he said.

“It would have been great to debut with Tom, we love playing together at Manly. He’s only young so he’s got a lot of time. Hopefully he gets opportunity down the track.”

Playing for the Blues has whet Trbojevic’s appetite for rugby league at the highest level and the workhorse says he is now more eager than ever to play finals footy.

“We’ve grown into a close group [at Manly], everyone gets a long really well and this year everything is clicking,’ Trbojevic said. “We’re playing with confidence which really helps but hopefully we can keep going.

“I haven’t played finals before so I’d love to get into the finals.”