Craig Bellamy backs Melbourne’s Stefano Utoikamanu for Blues in Origin II

Laurie Daley will name his squad for Origin II following the King’s Birthday clash between the Bulldogs and Eels on Monday and it’s a Storm enforcer who has been tipped to fill Mitch Barnett’s boots.

Storm coach and NSW team adviser Craig Bellamy has backed Stefano Utoikamanu to help the Blues seal the State of Origin series against Queensland.

Utoikamanu is the favourite to replace injured Warriors prop Mitchell Barnett in the NSW forward pack for game two in Perth on June 18.

Barnett, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a torn ACL, produced a quality 41-minute effort for NSW in their opening game triumph over the Maroons.

Utoikamanu was the 19th man of the NSW squad ahead of Origin I.

Bellamy confirmed Utoikamanu was right in the frame for a NSW Origin call-up following Melbourne’s impressive 38-14 victory over the Cowboys on Friday night.

The front-rower produced 146 runs metres and 59 post contact metres in 44 minutes.

“He was in the camp as the 19th, 20th player, so you’d think he’ll be right up there in the firing line,” Bellamy said.

Stefano Utoikamanu has been good since joining the Storm in 2025. Picture: Getty Images

“I think he’s a real big chance and I don’t think he did his chances any danger tonight.

“He was really solid and some of his runs really stood out.”

Utoikamanu’s ability aside, the 25-year-old’s involvement in the Origin I camp is also a major factor in his anticipated selection due to his understanding of head coach Laurie Daley’s coaching style and philosophies.

He has also tasted the furnace of Origin before having made his NSW debut from the bench in 2023.

Rabbitohs forward Keaon Koloamatangi and Wests Tigers prop Terrell May will also come into consideration, with the latter holding talks with Daley recently to discuss why he was omitted from the Blues squad for Origin I.

Daley will name his squad for Origin II following the King’s Birthday clash between the Bulldogs and Eels at 4pm on Monday.

Outside of injury or suspension, Daley is hoping to make just the one change of replacing Barnett to his side that were able to take a 1-0 nil lead in the series.

Originally published as Craig Bellamy backs Melbourne’s Stefano Utoikamanu for Blues in Origin II