'At least Billy knows who he is': Ikin backs Toia to thrive for Maroons

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 Chargers 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."

Up Next / Cancel Replay Play Next 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.”

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