Destroyer Toia gets Maroons tick from 1995 tyro Ikin
Joel Gould |
Queensland centre and debutant Robert Toia has received the ultimate endorsement from the Maroon who knows what being thrown into the State of Origin cauldron out of the blue is all about.
In 1995 the Maroons famously debuted 18-year-old Ben Ikin after four first grade games for Gold Coast Seagulls, as the youngest and least experienced in terms of games played in Origin history.
Queensland won the series 3-0 and Ikin, now the Queensland Rugby League CEO, went on to play 17 Origin games in a decorated career.
Sydney Roosters rookie Toia, 20, has played just 10 NRL games. In the Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night he will join NSW prop Payne Haas as the least experienced Origin debutant in terms of top grade games in the NRL era.
Ikin, still the all-time record holder, has no doubt Toia will do the Maroons proud.
“What I have seen from Robert so far this season is pretty impressive. I will say that he is miles in front of where I was as a player at this stage of his career,” Ikin said.
“He can move. He is a threat with the ball and seems really locked in without it. He has been really well coached by Trent Robinson in a good system so he comes into the camp in good shape.
“My advice to him, having been there and done it before, would be to keep it simple, work hard and just keep turning up for your mate. Origin is just a test of who can go the hardest for the longest.”
That’s how it was in 1995 when rookie coach Paul Vautin’s “Neville Nobodies” prevailed in a clean sweep against all odds.
“My experience was made better by the environment I came into,” Ikin said.
“Fatty Vautin, for all the TV host and comedian we see publicly, privately he is a very smart guy who thinks deeply about the game and knows and understands how to win Origin football.
“He gave us a very clear and simple game plan and got us all deeply connected, which is exactly what (current Maroons coach) Billy Slater has been doing since he took on this job.
“He knows Origin footy is different and he will create an environment that all of these players, not just Robert Toia, can step into and deliver their best for the people of Queensland.”
Toia has unleashed a deadly right-foot step, power, speed and strength in his short career for the Roosters.
Ikin said his lack of NRL experience would not count against him.
“I think in any industry if you are good enough you are old enough,” Ikin said.
“The other thing that gives me great confidence in Robert is that I have great confidence in Billy. Billy watches every game every week and knows exactly what kind of footy he wants this Origin team to play.
“He knows what he stands for and spends his spare time watching those games and looking for those traits in the players he wants to select.
“So if Robert Toia is in a Billy Slater-coached team, you can bet your bottom dollar he has earned his spot”.
AAP
