Isaiya Katoa in frame for NSW Blues, but is he ready for State of Origin?

Isaiya Katoa is humming towards representative football. Yet immortal Andrew Johns has raised concerns over throwing the rising star into an Origin decider.

NSW State of Origin legend and newly-appointed Test selector Andrew Johns is concerned Dolphins halfback sensation Isaiya Katoa could become the Blues next Jarrod Mullen if he’s chosen to replace Nathan Cleary for the series decider in Sydney.

Describing Cleary’s groin issue as a “real worry”, the eighth immortal’s fascinating insight has emerged amid a major talking point across the game: Who should replace Cleary if his nagging injury forces him to withdraw from Origin III against Queensland on July 9?

In the eyes of the best judges in the game, Katoa is humming towards representative football, such is his extraordinary game management, vision and skill level, after just 59 NRL games.

It’s merely a matter of when for the 21-year-old.

“I think Katoa is probably the closest version you get to Nathan (Cleary),” champion five-eighth Darren Lockyer said only last month.

“The style that he plays, he runs a lot and Nathan runs a lot as well.”

Isaiya Katoa is a potential Nathan Cleary replacement in Origin III. Picture: NRL Photos

However, Johns has seen this movie before.

In 2007, Mullen was crowned Johns’ heir-apparent at Newcastle after the Knights legend retired in April of that season due to a bulging disc in his neck.

Five weeks after taking over from Johns at the base of the scrum for Newcastle, Mullen was chosen at halfback alongside Braith Anasta in the halves for NSW in Origin I of the 2007 series.

Jarrod Mullen representing NSW in 2007.

The Blues lost the match to the Maroons 25-18 and Mullen was never chosen by NSW selectors again.

On Friday night, Johns was asked on Nine for his thoughts on both Cleary’s kicking limitations and the Blues halves situation for the all-important decider.

Johns’ blue heart would’ve been busting for him to say, pick Katoa.

Yet you could tell he responded with his head, remembering the detrimental impact that the hype, expectation and pressure had on Mullen.

Johns also raised several salient points about the health of Cleary going forward.

“You look at a lot of the halfbacks over the last 20-odd years, anyone who trains that hard and does a lot of kicking, it’s around this 26 to 28 (years-old) that your body can break down,” Johns said.

“In particular, groins and hamstrings.

“Now Nathan had the hamstring (injury) at the start of the year and I understand he’s pulled back on all of the extra (kicking practice) he’s been doing.

Nathan Cleary was limited by his injury in Origin II. Picture: NRL Photos

“But you have to imagine from the age of 13, 14 how much kicking he’s done, how much extra training, it’s got to take an effect on the body.

“There’s got to be an imbalance there in his legs.

“It’s a real worry because groins (injuries) can linger around. But I think he’ll be okay.

“I hope he’s okay because then we’re going to call on some real rookies and the obvious one is Isaiya Katoa.

Andrew Johns is concerned about rushing Isaiya Katoa into Origin.

“They (NSW selectors) did it to Jarrod Mullen years ago.

“They put Jarrod Mullen in 2007 before he was ready and I think it really hurt Jarrod.

“Whether they would go Katoa at seven or (Jarome) Luai at six, I’d say we’re speculating, but it would be a big ask for a 21-year-old halfback with the series on the line in front of 80-odd thousand out there.

“He’d handle it, but I don’t know if I’d want to put him in.

“He’s ready, but he’s only 21.”

If not Katoa, then who for the Blues?

Confidence was high in the NSW dressing rooms in Perth that Cleary would be okay in time for the decider in 18 days.

Luke Metcalf is another option for the Blues. Picture: NRL Photos

Nicho Hynes knows the pressure of the NSW jersey. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

However, if he’s not, NSW coach Laurie Daley also has the option of selecting 18th man in game two, Matt Burton at five-eighth and Luai at halfback.

That combination would force Luai into a less familiar playmaking role with Burton presenting his bigger body as a run-threat in addition to his booming kick.

Interestingly and potentially problematic, both players are left-foot kickers.

Below Burton and Luai, the Blues options would turn to Dally M leader Luke Metcalf, veteran halfback Adam Reynolds and then Nicho Hynes, with the latter two going head-to-head in Brisbane on Sunday.

It’s a dilemma that Daley will only worry about once he needs to.

Yet with the series on the line, there’s no doubt the Blues coach is asking the same question; What do we do if Cleary is out?