Mal Meninga backs Maroons rookie Robert Toia to shine on Origin debut
He’s just 20-years-old and has played just ten games in the NRL, but Maroons legend Mal Meninga is adamant that Roosters rookie Robert Toia is ready for the Origin furnace.
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Maroons legend Mal Meninga has walked the same path as Robert Toia.
It’s why the NRL Immortal backed Toia to relish the Suncorp cauldron as he prepares for the biggest test of his career – muzzling NSW superstar Latrell Mitchell in his Maroons debut.
The parallels between the Origin baptism of Meninga and Toia are eerie.
Meninga made his Origin debut in the historic first encounter in 1980 on the day of his 20th birthday. Toia debuts at 20 years and 290 days. Both are centres. Meninga wore jersey No.3. So will Toia.
And when ‘Toia the Destroyer’ runs onto Suncorp this Wednesday night in Origin I, Meninga will fondly remember the night he became a Queensland hero at the ground formerly known as Lang Park.
Queensland coach Billy Slater is showing enormous faith in Toia, who has played just 10 NRL games, but Meninga is adamant the Roosters rookie won’t choke in the Origin furnace.
“If you are good enough, you are old enough – and Robert is good enough,” Meninga said.
“This game will be the fastest game Rob has ever experienced. But if he stays cool under pressure, the guys around him will help him out.
“His career is only just kicking off. Billy obviously sees a lot in him to say he’s an Origin player so I’m happy with that.
“They are all talented players at Origin level, but the key is your composure and your demeanour.
“It’s important Rob doesn’t panic under pressure because they will test him.
“Succeeding in Origin is all about how you handle making decisions under pressure.
“Rob’s character will be tested like never before, but if he has the mental side of his game right, his talent will carry him through.”
That was the case for Meninga. What pressure? On a game-changing night for the code 45 years ago, the Arthur Beetson-inspired Maroons shocked the Blues, with birthday boy Meninga calmly kicking a flawless seven from seven to seal a 20-10 boilover.
Meninga’s centre opponents that night were NSW and Test superstars Mick Cronin and Steve Rogers. Big Mal says the sight of Beetson charging onto Lang Park lifted him instantly. He believes Toia will find his own inspiration.
“I wasn’t so much nervous as very excited,” said 32-game Origin icon Meninga.
“I played for Queensland the year before in 1979 in an interstate series, so I wouldn’t say I was overawed the following year.
“All those Sydney guys came back to play for us and just as I was inspired to play with Artie, Rob Toia will be inspired to play with guys like Cam Munster and Daly Cherry-Evans.
“Playing alongside those elite older guys will bring out the best in him.
“I haven’t watched all his games, but from what I have seen, he doesn’t get overawed which is great, that’s what you need at Origin level.
“He has a good carry in him and a great step, he has some skill to trouble NSW.”
At 183cm and 100kg, Nudgee College product Toia has the bulk to handle Latrell, but Meninga says the Maroons tyro’s psychology is equally important.
“My advice to Rob is don’t worry about Latrell Mitchell, worry about your own game,” he said.
“They will do their work on NSW, but Rob can’t get stuff in his head about marking Latrell.
“I hope it’s the first of many, many games for Robert.
“Once he gets a taste for it, Rob will want more of it and want to keep his spot in the team.”
Another former Maroons centre, Justin Hodges, urged Toia not to be passive marking Mitchell.
“If he sits back and lets Latrell dominate him, it will be a long three games,” he said.
“If I was playing against Latrell I’d be in his face and taking away his time.
“He wants his time, he wants confidence and to know he’ll get it over you.
“We saw what Latrell did to Will Chambers for a few years – he isolated him.
“Rob Toia needs to get in his face and be as aggressive as he can.”
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