Discovered in his car: How the NSW Blues were scouted

Before they joined State of Origin folklore, the NSW Blues were just young men with stars in their eyes. David Riccio, Brent Read and Michael Carayannis reveal how they all got their big breaks.

NSW prop Payne Haas spent his final year at Keebra Park State High School flying from one city to another to meet with NRL clubs.

The first time NSW coach Michael Maguire laid eyes on Blues centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was when he was 15, playing at Botany Oval with his mum and dad watching from the family car.

Few know that Blues halfback Nicho Hynes’ career took a career-defining turn when a former Queensland Origin forward bumped into him at a pub.

Before they joined State of Origin folklore, the NSW Blues were young men with stars in their eyes.

In this special report, David Riccio, Brent Read and Michael Carayannis reveal how the Blues were discovered.

Originally published as Discovered in his car: How the NSW Blues were scouted