After congratulating Robert Toia on becoming the least experienced Maroons selection since his own Origin call up 30 years ago, Ben Ikin declared: "At least Billy will actually be able to identify Robert when he walks into camp".
Toia, who is only 10 games into his NRL career with Sydney Roosters, will make his State of Origin debut in the centres for Queensland at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday night.
In doing so he will become the biggest Maroons rookie since Ikin, who had played just four games for the Gold Coast Seagulls when chosen by Paul Vautin for the opening game of the 1995 Origin series.
Others with little first-grade experience before their Origin call-ups were Maroons backs Willie Carne (5 games in 1990) and Dale Shearer (11 games in 1985), while Blues prop Payne Haas had only played 10 games before his 2019 debut.
Remarkably, Vautin didn't even recognise Ikin when he arrived at the Queensland team hotel for his medical and told the then 18-year-old that autograph hunters were to wait in the lobby.
After successful playing and media careers, Ikin is now the QRL CEO and he had some words of encouragement for Toia ahead of his debut.
“I’m really excited for Robert, he’s a magnificent young player, and from what I’ve seen, he’ll thrive in the Origin arena… and at least Billy will actually be able to identify Robert when he first walks into camp, which is a better start than I had back in ’95,” Ikin said.
“But if there was something I learned from Fatty in that series 30 years ago, when it comes to Origin football, just keep it simple, work hard, and keep turning up for your mates. If he nails that, he’ll be more than OK."
Two for Toia
Toia, 20, never imagined he’d be on Slater's radar, let alone be called up to make his Origin debut at Suncorp Stadium.
“I was a bit speechless. To be honest, I thought it was a joke. I thought it was a prank call from someone … I was just in total disbelief,” Toia said of receiving the phone call from Slater telling him about his inclusion.
“I just remember it being a random number and then he was, ‘is this Robert?’ and I was like, ‘oh yeah, hello’, and then he just said, ‘oh hey mate, this is Billy Slater and just wanted to let you know you're making your Origin debut’ …
“After those words, I don't even know what was said, to be honest.”
Toia's dramatic rise has been even more remarkable after he was sidelined by multiple long-term injuries, including two season-ending ACLs and a broken jaw within the past three years.
“I'd be lying if I said there wasn't any doubt, but I think just the support from my family and the club, I never lost any of their support … it was just through the roof every time and just the reassurance they gave … ," he said.
“I can't thank them enough, their loyalty, despite what other people have said about the club, the club's had my back since day one and just so glad to be at the club.”
For Slater, the actions of the former Queensland U19s representative have spoken loudly, and he thinks Toia is more than ready for the ride ahead.
“I think he's a world-class centre, I think he's a topline centre and although he's only 10 games into his NRL career, he's been through a bit of adversity,” Slater said of his ‘shock’ selection.
“I know his coach at the Roosters [Trent Robinson] has got a really high opinion of him and watching the principles that he has in his game, we think he's of Origin class, so we are looking forward to having him a part of our team and looking forward to helping get his game on and build his game into our footy team.”
Slater said the Maroons would be honouring Vautin's 1995 team, which famously secured a 3-0 clean sweep, despite being derided as ‘Neville Nobodies’ at the start of the series.
“I think it's always important to acknowledge your history, the history of this jersey … the '95 series, which was one that everyone remembers because obviously there was no Super League players available and a lot of the Queensland stars weren't available to play for the state,” Slater said.
“Players came from reserve grade … there was a lot of youth in there. I think our CEO at the QRL, Ben Ikin, was there as a 17-year-old, so it's a good reminder of the opportunities out there to play for your state.
“Fatty Vautin did a great job in coaching that team, so, there might be some memories and some remembering of what they did back then in this series, but at the same time, this is 2025, and we need to make sure that this year's going to be remembered.”
Match: Blues v Maroons
Game 3 -
home Team
Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
