'Best I've seen': Toia's rise from rugby gun to Maroons
Billy Slater has full faith in "world-class" debutant Queensland centre Robert Toia, and his legacy at rugby union powerhouse Nudgee College has certainly left an indelible mark.
"I've been here 11 years and he's the best I've seen," Nudgee director of rugby Sean Graham told AAP of the former First XV outside centre.
The Sydney Roosters 20-year-old will play for the Maroons in the State of Origin series opener after just 10 NRL games where his right-foot step, strength, balance and speed have been electric.
Slater had no hesitation throwing Toia into the Origin cauldron in his preferred centre position rather than on the wing.
"Although playing on the centres is man-on-man out there, it is a system. He is a great system player and has some good strengths (NSW) need to defend as well," Slater said.
"Hopefully he is going to get some ball in some good situations and be pretty dangerous himself. I think he is a world-class centre."
Toia is likely to have to mark Latrell Mitchell on debut.
"I've looked up to him,'' Toia said. "He's an unbelievable player ... very strong and he's got it all, but I'm ready to do my job.''
Toia played rugby union for Nudgee and rugby league for the Redcliffe Dolphins as a youth. His YouTube clips are reminiscent of a young Mal Meninga in his pomp, shrugging defenders off at will.
"Robert just had an unbelievable step and fend. He wasn't worried about the defender in front of him," Graham said.
"He could move the ball in and out of either hand and was light on his feet.
"Then as he progressed through the grades at Nudgee this unbelievable body developed. He looked at a squat rack and got big. It was ridiculous … an absolute specimen and super-athletic."
He was also a budding basketball gun, who Graham said had "a vertical leap where he could nearly dunk from the free-throw line".
Toia has rebounded from two season-ending ACL ruptures and a back injury that kept him out for seven months at school.
Through it all the Roosters, who signed him as a 14-year-old, stuck solid when Toia wondered whether he would ever make it.
"I'd be lying if I was saying there wasn't any doubt, but my family and the club never lost any of their support, which was through the roof," he said.
"I can't thank them enough for their loyalty."
It was why Toia stuck solid and re-signed with the Roosters in Year 12 when his junior club the Dolphins came knocking.
Toia idolised Maroons great Greg Inglis for his "dominance" of Origin, a legacy the young man hopes to emulate. That he is about to do it so soon blew him away.
"It doesn't feel real," he said of the Origin media attention.
Toia is just grateful for the great start Nudgee College gave him, even though he chose a professional career in league.
"I feel like they moulded me as a person and taught me core beliefs and values. I am definitely the man I am today because of them," he said."Ever since I was young, I knew I wanted to be an NRL player."
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The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Cherry-Evans dropped in one of two Maroons changes
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But neither state has decided to drop a captain from their side midway through a series this century. Cherry-Evans' omission is even more significant considering only Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith have captained more Origins for their state. Dearden has won two of four games starting for the Maroons at five-eighth, partnering Cherry-Evans last year and in the 2022 series-deciding win. Queensland lock Pat Carrigan said he believed the North Queensland playmaker would be ready for the challenge. "I played with Tommy when he debuted (for Brisbane) and his competitive nature hasn't changed," Maroons lock Carrigan said. "He is playing great footy for the Cowboys, and you put him in a Queensland jersey and he just grows to another level as well. "Whether it be Chez or it be Tommy, I know they can get the job done and we are going to need them to." Carrigan also spoke highly of Cherry-Evans. "Chez has done a lot for me not only as a footballer with advice but as a friend too. I love playing with him," he said. "He is a great man with great values and I know all the boys really appreciate him a lot too. "The big fella's footy speaks for itself. I know what the boys think of him and how Queensland rugby league thinks of him as well." EXPECTED QUEENSLAND SQUAD FOR STATE OF ORIGIN II Kalyn Ponga, Xavier Coates, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Moeaki Fotuaika, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Pat Carrigan, Kurt Mann, Lindsay Collins, Kurt Capewell, Trent Loiero, Ezra Mam, Jack Howarth, Corey Horsburgh Queensland's Daly Cherry-Evans has become the first State of Origin captain dropped mid-series this century, as one of several huge Billy Slater selection calls. Slater will name a 20-man squad for Origin II on Monday morning, but AAP has been told Tom Dearden will replace Cherry-Evans in the No.7 jersey in Perth next Wednesday. Beau Fermor is the other player dropped after the Maroons' series-opening 18-6 loss at Suncorp Stadium, with Kurt Capewell set to replace him. Kurt Mann is then expected to take Dearden's spot on the Maroons' bench, after acting as 18th man in game one. Notably, Slater has also called Ezra Mam into the Maroons' extended squad, just three games into his return from a nine-match ban for drug driving. Mam is not expected to be part of Slater's 17, and will need scans before entering camp after injuring his knee in Brisbane's win over Gold Coast. Canberra prop Corey Horsburgh will also act as a reserve after missing out on a spot in the pack, while Melbourne centre Jack Howarth is also in the 20-man group. The Maroons are also confident prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will be fine to play, despite suffering a knock in the Titans' loss to Brisbane on Saturday and requiring pain-killing injection to his sternum at halftime. The call to leave Cherry-Evans remains one of the most seismic in recent memory from either state. He has been the Maroons' first-choice No.7 and captain since 2019, taking Queensland to three series wins, including their incredible 2020 effort. The 36-year-old has, however, come under fire since the Maroons' loss in Origin I - their second straight defeat at Suncorp Stadium. Queensland has previously dropped Trevor Gillmeister when he was captain in the 1990s. NSW last year made the call to drop James Tedesco for Origin I, before recalling him through injury and then leaving him out again for game two. But neither state has decided to drop a captain from their side midway through a series this century. Cherry-Evans' omission is even more significant considering only Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith have captained more Origins for their state. Dearden has won two of four games starting for the Maroons at five-eighth, partnering Cherry-Evans last year and in the 2022 series-deciding win. Queensland lock Pat Carrigan said he believed the North Queensland playmaker would be ready for the challenge. "I played with Tommy when he debuted (for Brisbane) and his competitive nature hasn't changed," Maroons lock Carrigan said. "He is playing great footy for the Cowboys, and you put him in a Queensland jersey and he just grows to another level as well. "Whether it be Chez or it be Tommy, I know they can get the job done and we are going to need them to." Carrigan also spoke highly of Cherry-Evans. "Chez has done a lot for me not only as a footballer with advice but as a friend too. I love playing with him," he said. "He is a great man with great values and I know all the boys really appreciate him a lot too. "The big fella's footy speaks for itself. I know what the boys think of him and how Queensland rugby league thinks of him as well." EXPECTED QUEENSLAND SQUAD FOR STATE OF ORIGIN II Kalyn Ponga, Xavier Coates, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Moeaki Fotuaika, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Pat Carrigan, Kurt Mann, Lindsay Collins, Kurt Capewell, Trent Loiero, Ezra Mam, Jack Howarth, Corey Horsburgh Queensland's Daly Cherry-Evans has become the first State of Origin captain dropped mid-series this century, as one of several huge Billy Slater selection calls. Slater will name a 20-man squad for Origin II on Monday morning, but AAP has been told Tom Dearden will replace Cherry-Evans in the No.7 jersey in Perth next Wednesday. Beau Fermor is the other player dropped after the Maroons' series-opening 18-6 loss at Suncorp Stadium, with Kurt Capewell set to replace him. Kurt Mann is then expected to take Dearden's spot on the Maroons' bench, after acting as 18th man in game one. Notably, Slater has also called Ezra Mam into the Maroons' extended squad, just three games into his return from a nine-match ban for drug driving. Mam is not expected to be part of Slater's 17, and will need scans before entering camp after injuring his knee in Brisbane's win over Gold Coast. Canberra prop Corey Horsburgh will also act as a reserve after missing out on a spot in the pack, while Melbourne centre Jack Howarth is also in the 20-man group. The Maroons are also confident prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will be fine to play, despite suffering a knock in the Titans' loss to Brisbane on Saturday and requiring pain-killing injection to his sternum at halftime. The call to leave Cherry-Evans remains one of the most seismic in recent memory from either state. He has been the Maroons' first-choice No.7 and captain since 2019, taking Queensland to three series wins, including their incredible 2020 effort. The 36-year-old has, however, come under fire since the Maroons' loss in Origin I - their second straight defeat at Suncorp Stadium. Queensland has previously dropped Trevor Gillmeister when he was captain in the 1990s. NSW last year made the call to drop James Tedesco for Origin I, before recalling him through injury and then leaving him out again for game two. But neither state has decided to drop a captain from their side midway through a series this century. Cherry-Evans' omission is even more significant considering only Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith have captained more Origins for their state. Dearden has won two of four games starting for the Maroons at five-eighth, partnering Cherry-Evans last year and in the 2022 series-deciding win. Queensland lock Pat Carrigan said he believed the North Queensland playmaker would be ready for the challenge. "I played with Tommy when he debuted (for Brisbane) and his competitive nature hasn't changed," Maroons lock Carrigan said. "He is playing great footy for the Cowboys, and you put him in a Queensland jersey and he just grows to another level as well. "Whether it be Chez or it be Tommy, I know they can get the job done and we are going to need them to." Carrigan also spoke highly of Cherry-Evans. "Chez has done a lot for me not only as a footballer with advice but as a friend too. I love playing with him," he said. "He is a great man with great values and I know all the boys really appreciate him a lot too. "The big fella's footy speaks for itself. I know what the boys think of him and how Queensland rugby league thinks of him as well." EXPECTED QUEENSLAND SQUAD FOR STATE OF ORIGIN II Kalyn Ponga, Xavier Coates, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Moeaki Fotuaika, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Pat Carrigan, Kurt Mann, Lindsay Collins, Kurt Capewell, Trent Loiero, Ezra Mam, Jack Howarth, Corey Horsburgh
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News.com.au
6 hours ago
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Reece Walsh says ‘I'm ready' to make State of Origin return
Reece Walsh returned in style for the Brisbane Broncos and now the star fullback is putting his hand up for the Maroons. Walsh was sidelined for six weeks with a PCL injury, but showed flashes of brilliance against the Gold Coast Titans as the Broncos secured the 44-14 victory. The 22-year-old was so keen to get back on the park he reportedly told Broncos coaches to shut up and let him play, according to CODE Sports. 'I was trying to get back last week and I kept telling the coaches to shut up and let me get in there,'' Walsh said. 'It is good to be back. It feels good. I had time off where I could get away from footy and rejuvenate myself.'' After losing the Origin opener, several question marks hang over the Maroons squad with Walsh giving selectors something to think about at fullback. 'If Billy needs me in the squad for anything, I'll be there and ready to go,' Walsh said. Slater was quizzed on a potential Walsh recall, but the Maroons coach kept his cards close to his chest but did concede he would be in the discussion. 'I have actually had this injury (a PCL). I know exactly what Reece was going through when he went down towards the back end of the game. 'Posterior cruciate ligaments can be quite painful and, to be honest, Reece is going to have to play with that for the rest of the season. It is something he will have to manage for the rest of the year. 'The other thing you have to think about is when you throw names up you have to take someone out. So it's a balance.'' Warriors star earns Maroons recall New Zealand Warriors stalwart Kurt Capewell is reportedly set to be named in the Queensland side after remaining in Australia as his teammates returned home. The 31-year-old played in Game 2 and 3 of the 2024 series, but was ultimately dropped for the 2025 series opener and was omitted from the 20-man squad. According to AAP, Capewell is set to be rewarded for his strong club form, having spent time in the back row and centres this season under Andrew Webster. The veteran back rower has already played 11 games for his state, having featured in all three fixtures in 2020, 2021 and 2022. However, he didn't feature in 2023 before he was recalled on the bench in Game 2 last season and then in the back row in the decider. DCE's Origin career all but over Queensland captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is reportedly set to be dropped by the Maroons for State of Origin Game 2. In what looms as the biggest selection call of Billy Slater's tenure so far, the Queensland coach is weighing up his halves combination for Game 2 after his side was thoroughly outplayed in the series opener. According to Code Sports, Slater is currently leaning towards axing Cherry-Evans in a bombshell selection move, with the veteran's Origin career 'all but over'. If Cherry-Evans is dropped, Cowboys playmaker Tom Dearden would be named at halfback to partner five-eighth Cameron Munster after impressing off the bench in several Origin games.
