State of Origin 2024: Kotoni Staggs pushing for NSW recall, Joseph Suaalii in frame for wing call-up
With plenty of competition clawing for the two NSW centres spots in Origin I, it’s Kotoni Staggs that has caught the eye and praise of coach Michael Maguire, perhaps hinting at a recall for the Broncos star.
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Michael Maguire says Broncos strike weapon Kotoni Staggs has rocketed into the NSW Origin frame as the new Blues coach vowed to reward hard work over reputation.
The in-form Staggs has a golden opportunity to press his claims for a NSW State of Origin recall in Saturday night’s showdown with the Raiders at Suncorp Stadium.
While centre partner Selwyn Cobbo will push his Queensland case against Canberra hulk Matt Timoko, Staggs will attempt to terrorise Raiders rival Sebastian Kris on Brisbane’s right edge.
Cobbo may have stolen the headlines with his two-try magic in last week’s demolition of the Dolphins, but it was Staggs’ workrate and powerful runs out of his own half that laid the platform for victory.
Maguire is famed for his relentless training ethic in pursuit of success and the newly-minted NSW coach confirmed Staggs is a genuine centre contender for the Blues’ series opener against Queensland in June 5.
“I am definitely looking at Kotoni,” Maguire said.
“I have some really good depth in some positions, but Kotoni has been playing some really good footy for the Broncos.
“I have asked our NSW guys to go away and play good club football, to be consistent, and Kotoni is displaying it.”
Staggs, Brisbane’s No.1 centre, has started the 2024 premiership in powerful form.
The 25-year-old has posted 13 tackle busts in six games and has cracked 100 running metres every week, amassing 788m at an impressive average of 131m per game.
Renowned for his supreme tackle-busting power, Staggs has added a greater workrate to his arsenal, producing the type of tough backfield runs that made former Broncos star Justin Hodges one of the code’s great centres.
Staggs made his Origin debut for NSW in 2022, but suffered a shoulder injury during the game and was dropped for Game Two after the Blues were beaten 16-10 on home soil in Sydney.
The Blues have a raft of centre options, with Stephen Crichton, Bradman Best, Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic all in the mix.
But after a two-year hiatus from the Origin arena, Maguire believes Staggs is a more mature campaigner. The Australian Test centre was named in Maguire’s preliminary 36-man Blues squad in February.
“I like the fact that Kotoni is a competitor,” he said.
“He competes on every play and he is playing with more maturity.
“He likes the big stage, he looks for moments in games and he wants to be part of the big games which is what you want in your players.
“Kotoni has been great for the Broncos and at Origin levels, you need to be doing things consistently, that’s important.”
Staggs is determined not to be a one-hit Origin wonder and wants the chance to atone in a sky-blue jumper.
“I would love to put that blue jersey on again, but I have to play good footy for the Broncos first and the decision will come from there,” he said.
“We had an early camp (in pre-season) with the players he (Maguire) is looking to select, but there’s been no conversations with him.
“You just have to play well for your club and the rest will happen.
“As a leader at the club and the position I’m in now, I want to show my actions on the field and do stuff like that (tough runs) to get the boys going.
“If that means taking three carries for them to get hyped up, I will take three carries.
“I am out there trying to better in myself and helping the team.”
Maguire says he won’t be picking his maiden NSW team on big-name reputations.
“I want to make sure as a group we build a team that the state is proud of,” he said.
“I want guys who are hungry and passionate. We have to earn that. We will do that with our actions on the field.”
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Sydney Roosters star Joseph Suaalii may walk away from rugby league after this season with a prized possession – a NSW State of Origin jumper.
Suaalii is being heavily considered for a Blues wing spot alongside Penrith’s Brian To’o for State of Origin I in Sydney on June 5.
And Suaalii’s chances were enhanced with another strong performance in his side’s 18-12 loss to Melbourne at Allianz Stadium on Thursday night.
Suaalii produced some sheer magic in the 69th minute with a brilliant tap back from a bomb for a Joey Manu try.
He kicked two goals to continue his amazing success rate at Allianz Stadium, where he has landed 22 goals from 22 attempts. Suaalii logged 12 runs for 80 metres against the Storm.
While the form of St George Illawarra’s Zac Lomax has been sublime, Suaalii is understood to be ahead of multiple candidates for NSW selection.
It could mean Suaalii wears a NSW rugby league jumper in 2024 and a NSW Waratahs jersey in 2025.
Suaalii’s defection to rugby union isn’t a factor in his possible Blues selection.
While NSW officials would prefer to pick a long-term rugby league player, there is an insatiable desire to choose a side that can win back Origin supremacy from Queensland.
And Suaalii’s form this season has been irresistible.
Before the Storm match, Suaalii had posted good numbers this season, including 20.5 possessions a game, an average of 122 run metres and 45 post-contact run metres a match along with 15 tackle busts.
Also a goal kicker, Suaalii has been a powerhouse on kick returns from his own red zone and ran for 195 metres against Newcastle last week.
Former NSW adviser and Fox Sports commentator Greg Alexander labelled Suaalii a “great target” under the high ball.
Suaallii will quit the NRL post-season to take up a three-year deal worth $5.3m with Rugby Australia.
He will play Super Rugby with the Waratahs.
Other NSW wing contenders include Roosters teammate Daniel Tupou and Canterbury’s Josh Addo-Carr. Penrith’s Dylan Edwards may be considered as a winger with James Tedesco to remain NSW skipper and fullback.
At age 20, weighing 98 kgs, and standing 196cms, Suaalii is built for Origin.
He was brought into the NSW extended squad, more for experience, in 2022 and said at the time: “Being part of this camp is pretty special, it’s what you dream about as a kid. It’s quite surreal.”
There had been suggestions over the past year that Suaalii shouldn’t be considered for Blues’ selection given his future is in rugby union but the NSWRL is unconcerned.
NSW officials are also monitoring the form of Warriors forward Mitch Barnett, a former Canberra Raider and Newcastle Knight.
Taree-born Barnett, 29, has a hunger and attitude made for Origin.
Knights centre Bradman Best is another being closely watched. Best is the incumbent NSW centre who scored two tries in his Origin debut last year.
While the Blues want to retain Best, there are multiple centre candidates including Tom Trbojevic, Latrell Mitchell, Stephen Crichton, Kotoni Staggs, Izack Tago, Matt Burton and Sifa Talakai.
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