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Sport Nation
The Roosters' young gun set to make Origin history
Sam Kosack • May 19th, 2025 3:36 pm
Robert Toia will become one of the most inexperienced Origin debutants in history after being a shock selection for the Queensland Maroons in Game I.
In Round 1, Robert Toia was named to make his NRL debut for a Roosters side expected to struggle after losing 1300 games of experience.
The 20-year-old was known to be an extremely talented centre whose career had been hampered by ACL injuries as he was coming through the grades, but only 11 rounds later, Toia has emerged as a genuine Origin bolter, having impressed coach Billy Slater in his start to his young career.
Having played only 10 games of NRL so far, Toia is tied with Payne Haas for least games played ahead of his Origin debut, sitting only behind Ben Ikin for least games played.
Speaking on SEN 1170 Mornings, Scott Sattler backed Toia to succeed in the Origin arena after his impressive start to the season.
“There’s always one debutant isn’t it when it comes to both Origin sides… Robert Toia doesn’t surprise me,” Sattler said.
“He’s been impressive for the Roosters. I think he's been one of their best.
“We've seen over the years when a smokey gets named… they, for whatever reason, end up dominating Origin and from what I’m led to believe he’s an amazing young man.
“I know Jaxon Purdue was thrown up quite heavily… but Robert Toia just seems to be a little bit of a bigger body and you need that when you’re bringing the ball out from your own 20m line.”
In his 10 games this season, Toia, who is a proud Redcliffe junior, has averaged 110 metres with a tackle efficiency of 94 percent, but there will be no bigger test for the young centre than lining up against Latrell Mitchell or Stephen Crichton on the game’s biggest stage.
Billy Slater also praised Toia after his selection, sounding full of belief in the ability of the Roosters’ gun.
“I think he’s a world class centre, I think he is a top line centre. Although he is only ten games into his NRL career, he has been through a bit of adversity,” Slater said in a press conference.
“I know his coach has a really high opinion of him and watching the principles he has in his game, we think he is of Origin class.
“(I’m) looking forward to having him and looking forward to helping build his game into our footy team.”
Toia joins Titans second rower Beau Fermor and Storm lock Trent Loiero as debutants for the Maroons, while Bulldogs’ Max King is the sole debutant for the Blues. His Bulldogs’ teammate Kurt Mann is 18th man for the Maroons, and a chance to debut during the game if activated.
Game I will be played at Suncorp Stadium on May 28.
