Blues coach Brad Fittler has his eye on Brisbane’s New South Wales contingent

New South Wales Origin coach Brad Fittler has a message for Blues fans - strange as it seems, it’s time to start cheering for the Brisbane Broncos.

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BRAD Fittler has a message to NSW Blues fans — start cheering on the Brisbane Broncos.

They may live and play footy north of the border, but an unprecedented six NSW Origin-eligible Broncos aren’t about to escape Fittler’s radar.

While a devastating man of the match performance from Broncos forward Tevita Pangai Jr on Friday night has sparked early debate over his NSW State of Origin hopes, Fittler is thinking bigger picture.

Only 12 months ago, Fittler wanted to see the Sydney club’s with a heavy sprinkling of Blues candidates, including Penrith, St George Illawarra and the Roosters, fire.

“But this year, the good thing for us, is Brisbane,’’ Fittler said.

“We’ve (NSW) got Jack Bird, James Roberts, Payne Hass, Tevita Pangai and Kotoni Staggs, all playing for the Broncos.

“There’s five that are all young and are all really hungry. They’re at a good club and they’re well coached.

Bird had his best game as a Bronco against the Cowboys. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

“That’s what helps get them to the next level — and helps us at that next level.

“Brisbane are one team that I hope are really doing well when it’s time to get serious about selections.’’

The Broncos have a brief history of supplying players for NSW.

Since 1989, the most Brisbane players chosen for NSW during a series is two.

Chris Johns and Terry Matterson were chosen in 1989, Glenn Lazarus and Johns in 1992 and Michael De Vere and Luke Priddis were selected in 2001.

Fittler has had his eyes on the six talented Broncos, who were all born in NSW, for some time.

The 2018 series-winning coach included Pangai Jr, Roberts, Bird, Lodge, Staggs and Hass in either the NSWRL Emerging Blues camp or the Blues training camp, which was held prior to Christmas.

Reminding The Sunday Telegraph there were still 75 days until Origin I in Brisbane, Fittler said he wouldn’t be drawn into selections - but admitted Pangai Jr’s dominant Friday night performance was impossible to ignore.

Pangai Junior could make his NSW debut this season. AAP Image/Dan Peled.

“When he’s been with us, Tevita is really good company,’’ Fittler said.

“They’re only short camps, so I probably haven’t seen the real Tevita, but by all reports he’s serious about his footy.

“He’s a bit of a student of the game.

“Watching him (on Friday night), he can obviously be a really good player.’’

Wollongong-born Bird was also strong in the Broncos 29-10 win over North Queensland in what was just his second match back from a long injury lay-off.

Bird ran for 109-metres from 12 runs, including two tackle busts and one try assist.

The premiership-winning centre has made no secret of his desire to return to Blues jersey he has worn in five matches, his last being in 2017.