Toia eyeing long Origin career after Maroons triumph

Robert Toia was simply aiming to make his NRL debut this season but after helping Queensland to an historic Origin series win the Sydney Roosters rookie wants more.

Toia had played just 10 NRL games when Maroons coach Billy Slater chose him to play opposite his idol Latrell Mitchell in the series opener and he now appears destined for a long Origin career.

The 20-year-old repaid Slater's faith with a clinical performance to limit Mitchell’s impact in Wednesday night's series decider while producing four tackle breaks - the equal second highest of any player - during 18 runs which totalled 154m.

"I was so stoked with my efforts," said Toia, who became the least experienced Maroons debutant since Ben Ikin in 1995.

"I'm just so blessed and privileged to be in this space and to go up against Latrell Mitchell.

"It's not every day that you go up against your idols. I was just so happy we got the win."

As he took the field at Accor Stadium, Toia said he was in awe of the 80,000 screaming Blues fans hoping to see NSW lift the Origin Shield at home for just the second time since 2004. 

“As soon as I ran out, I looked up and I was like, ‘Holy, this is crazy’," he said.

"I feel like it was just yesterday I was playing the game with my little brothers and sisters, so to play with all these boys in this game feels like a dream.”

After overcoming two ruptured ACLs and a broken jaw in the space of three years, Toia has skyrocketed to stardom this season.

The live-wire centre said it was important for young players battling injuries to have a good network around them to provide support.

“Just having the right people around you, your support crew is vital, not only that, just but having the drive in yourself and wanting to do better - and be better.”

Toia's meteoric rise to representative honours can be attributed to the unrelenting support of his family, which includes nine siblings - six brothers and three sisters.

The third oldest, Toia already has two brothers at the Roosters - Aholoka and Mana - who he hopes to play alongside at some stage in the future.

Aholoka is a middle forward who has made his NSW Cup debut for the Sydney Roosters this season and Toia believes he is closing in on an NRL call-up.

The Roosters have also recently secured the service of 15-year-old Mana, a halfback who will develop in their pathways program.

“I've got two [brothers] now with the Roosters, one that plays reserve grade. He’s a prop, he's a bit of a Spencer Leniu-type build and playing style. He’s pretty powerful and hopefully he gets a game sometime soon," Toia said.

Toia reflected on the backyard battles that took place growing up with Aholoka, and has high hopes that he and his other siblings can follow in his footsteps.