Robert Toia’s journey to State of Origin debut: Rejecting Wayne Bennett advances, bouncing back from two knee reconstructions
It was a brave decision from Robert Toia to say no to advances from NRL super coach Wayne Bennett and a return to his junior club. However, it’s ultimately a call that paved the way for his Maroons debut.
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Maroons sensation Robert Toia rejected Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins on his way to rebounding from career-threatening injuries to a Queensland Origin debut.
Toia will cap one of the NRL’s most remarkable comeback stories when he makes his State of Origin debut in Wednesday week’s series-opener against NSW at Suncorp Stadium.
At age 20, Toia ‘The Destroyer’ has been selected by Queensland coach Billy Slater for an Origin baptism against Blues weapon Latrell Mitchell after just 10 NRL appearances.
The quietly-spoken Redcliffe junior and St Joseph’s Nudgee College graduate has overcome back-to-back knee reconstructions, a serious back injury and broken jaw to become an NRL sensation.
Toia only made his NRL debut for the Roosters this year following a string of injuries which made him contemplate his future in the game.
And he also said ‘no deal’ to seven-time premiership-winning coach Bennett after being courted by expansion club the Dolphins as they prepared for their NRL launch in 2023.
“My dad (Beau) was fan-girling him,” Toia said of his meeting with Bennett.
“Around my Year 12 year they offered (me a contract). It was (tough to make a decision) because it was my junior club and closer to family.
“In a way it was hard (to say no to Bennett) but not really. I knew I was committed to the Roosters.
“I can’t thank them enough for their loyalty. Despite what other people say about the Roosters, the club’s had my back since day one and I’m so glad to be at the club.
“I’ll be lying if I said there wasn’t any doubt (following injuries), but I had support from my family and the club. They never lost any.
“Their support was through the roof every time and the reassurance they gave.”
The Roosters signed Toia as a 15-year-old and persisted with the Auckland-born dynamo, who moved to Brisbane as a six-year-old, despite his numerous setbacks.
The Sydney club’s patience has been rewarded with Toia’s form this year, which included a Magic Round masterclass against the Dolphins which put him firmly on the radar of the Maroons.
Despite his hot form, Toia thought he was no chance of Origin selection and believed he was the victim of a prank call on Sunday night.
“I was a bit speechless,” he said.
“I thought it was a joke. I thought it was a prank call from someone. I was in total disbelief.
“I just remember it being a random number. He was like ‘is this Rob? It’s Billy Slater, you’re making your Origin debut’.
“I don’t even know what was said after.”
Maroons prop Lindsay Collins has watched Toia’s journey at the Roosters and said he had shown tremendous strength.
“Where do I start? He was an 18-year-old kid that came down to Sydney, out of school, away from home, and got hit with back-to-back ACL injuries,” Collins said.
“That’s tough for anyone. I went through an ACL and one was enough. I was 26 and more mature.
“As an 18-year-old you’d have a lot of thoughts going through your head as well as living away from home and your support.
“It’s an absolute credit to him for sticking it out, persevering and now he’s playing State of Origin only 10 games into his NRL career.
“He’s had to stick at it for a long time and go through all that to reap the rewards.
“Even if you take Wayne out of the equation, Redcliffe is his junior club and his family is on the north side (of Brisbane).
“It’s close and comfortable for him, but that shows the person he is. He’s put himself out of his comfort zone to get what he wanted.”
Robert Toia will become one of the least experienced debutants in Origin history in Game 1 🫡#NRL#StateofOriginpic.twitter.com/9qqDBoE2sK
— Random Stats Guy (@randostatsguy) May 19, 2025
Toia will have the ultimate test in his Origin debut when he opposes Mitchell – one of the NRL’s most threatening players who lifts a gear in a Blues jersey.
But Toia did a number on Dolphins star Herbie Farnworth and held his own when he opposed Mitchell’s Rabbitohs earlier this season.
“I’m pretty speechless that I’m going up against him,” Toia said.
“I’ve looked up to him for a while. I’m ready to do my job.
“He’s a very good player. He’s very, very strong. He’s got it all.
“Hopefully I do okay.”
Slater is confident Toia can do more than okay.
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