‘Hothead’ Maroons rookie Trent Loiero vows to control aggression in Suncorp Origin cauldron

While Queensland are bracing for NSW firebrand Spencer Leniu to rip and tear off the bench, they are counting on Storm forward Trent Loiero’s fearless aggression to combat the Blues bookend.

Trent Loiero has promised he won’t commit another Suncorp brain explosion as the Maroons debutant vowed to stand up to a Blues onslaught in Origin I.

Tagged as the “hothead” who will fire up the Maroons, Loiero is relishing bench fireworks with NSW rival Spencer Leniu on Wednesday night.

But he is also mindful of not crossing the line in the series opener at Suncorp Stadium.

In his most recent trip to Suncorp three weeks ago, the Storm lock lamented a Magic Round disaster, committing the high tackle on Canberra and NSW rival Hudson Young which gave the Raiders an epic 20-18 win in extra-time.

Trent Loiero let his emotions get the better of him against the Raiders. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Queensland are bracing for NSW firebrand Leniu to rip and tear off the bench, and the Maroons are banking on Loiero’s fearless aggression to combat the Blues bookend.

Inspired by former Maroons hardman Mick Crocker, Loiero is keen to inject a hard edge off the bench, but says he is wary of losing an Origin game with a moment of madness.

“I’ve learnt my lesson,” Loiero said of his costly act of foul play in Melbourne’s Magic Round loss at Suncorp.

“It (his aggression) has always been there.

“It might have come out a bit more in the last two weeks.

“Aggression is good, but as long as it’s controlled aggression.

“I don’t know what the plan will be (for his role coming off the bench), whether it’s one minute, five minutes or 10 minutes, but I will be ready to go.

“That’s your job as a utility player, to bring some energy and spark.

“From two weeks ago, I have learned my lesson.”

Loiero in Maroons camp. Picture: Lachie Millard

Queensland’s 18th man for Game Three last year, Loiero has amassed 85 NRL games since his debut for the Storm in 2021 and has impressed with his no-nonsense attitude and workrate.

Quietly spoken off the field, Loiero rages with competitive fire on it and says he couldn’t care less if the Blues try to intimidate him.

The 24-year-old Kawana product remembers street games as a six-year-old being bashed by bigger kids.

“I’m not too sure (if NSW target him), if they do then so be it,” he said.

“I will worry about my job and what the coaches want from me.

“I have these memories in my head of playing State of Origin deciders in the front yard.

“We used to play Game 1, 2 and 3 rain, hail or shine, diving on the concrete, diving on the road.

“Coming in here (Camp Maroon) last year was an eye opener, to see what it was all about and learn off all the boys.

“It’s something I’m grateful for and it made me more hungry to represent Queensland.

“I went away and tried to have a big pre-season and been chipping away at my craft.

“To get the call up from Billy (Slater, Queensland coach), I’m very grateful and excited.”

Loiero will play an important role off the bench for the Maroons. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Loiero’s Storm and Maroons teammate Cameron Munster is confident the forward of Italian descent will keep his cool in the Origin furnace.

“He’ll bring a lot of aggression come Wednesday,” Munster said.

“(Controlling that aggression) is a hard one.

“You don’t want to go over the line.

“Sometimes teams have game plans about trying to get under your skin; it’s not ideal, but sometimes you get in that mode, and that’s what pressure does to you.

“I’ve spoken to him about it. He’ll learn from that Canberra game.

“I can’t wait to see him run out there.”