Broncos and ex-Keebra Park teammates Payne Haas and David Fifita preparing for Origin debuts

Rather than simply dipping their toes in the water, David Fifita and Payne Haas are being backed to make a difference in the State of Origin contest next Wednesday.

THEY’RE the teen sensations preparing to be thrown into rugby league’s fiercest arena. Rather than simply dipping their toes in the water, David Fifita and Payne Haas are being backed to make a difference in the State of Origin contest next Wednesday.

The pair of 19-year-olds have long been tipped for big things but remain green on the professional stage, having played a meagre 32 NRL games between them.

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Fifita and Haas played together in the Keebra Park team that reached the 2016 NRL Schoolboy Cup national final. The following year, Fifita captained them to Australia-wide glory and won the Peter Sterling Medal – succeeding Haas in receiving the prestigious honour.

David Fifita (middle) in 2017 in Keebra Park colours. Picture: Glenn Hampson

It’s been a rapid rise from there to them being named to make their Origin debuts off the bench in Game One, Fifita for Queensland and Haas for NSW.

“It was not that long ago they were here so the kids who were running around in grade eight and nine at the time know them because they saw them walking around the school,” Keebra rugby league coach Glen Campbell said.

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“They’re talking about it here at school quite regularly, the boys are saying, ‘how do you think they are going to go and who is going to get over the top of who?’”

Payne Haas. Picture: Phil Hillyard

For his part, Campbell said: “Both are going to have big futures and I’d say they might even have a bit of impact on this game, I’m hoping.

“It’s the mate versus mate story that has been explained to us for many years. Neither boy will take a backward step to each other.

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“I’m really happy for both of them. To happen at such a young age, it’s unbelievable.”

Campbell believes their maturity and self-belief will help them handle the momentous occasion at Suncorp Stadium.

Queensland Origin debutants Joe Ofahengaue and David Fifita. Picture: Adam Head

Haas has been a dominant force in the front-row for Brisbane this year to the point where it has sparked flashbacks to his Keebra days.

“He has a massive engine and backs his ability,” Campbell said.

“He’s set this pathway for himself and he believes he belongs there so he is running rampant almost like he did at school at some points.”

Campbell added second-rower Fifita has excelled in his Broncos opportunities and still has more to show in the form of his offloading ability.

Maroons prop Jai Arrow is another Keebra product, while rookie Blues five-eighth Cody Walker attended Palm Beach Currumbin State High.