The Exclusive Five-Man Roster for Maroons Debutants: Why Rob Toia Is Poised for Success

On Wednesday evening, Roosters rookie Rob Toia will join an elite group when he takes the field at Suncorp Stadium for his State of Origin debut.

At just 20 years of age, Toia becomes one of the five least experienced players ever to compete in this iconic interstate event in Australian rugby league.

With only 10 first-grade games under his belt, Toia started his journey with the Chooks back in round one of this season, finally reaching this significant milestone after enduring years plagued by injury.

As noted by Nine’s stats expert David Middleton, Toia is only the third player in history to have participated in State of Origin with such limited first-grade experience.

In 1995, Ben Ikin made his debut for Queensland as a fresh-faced 18-year-old, while Willie Carne suited up for the Maroons after playing just five games in 1990.

Toia is expected to take on the daunting task of marking Blues powerhouse Latrell Mitchell, arguably one of the toughest assignments on the pitch.

“What I’ve noticed from Robert this season has been truly impressive. I can confidently say he is well ahead of where I was at a similar point in my career,” Ikin commented to AAP this week.

“In any profession, being good enough means you’re old enough.”

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“What gives me tremendous faith in Robert is that I have complete trust in Billy (Slater). Billy watches every game week in and week out and knows precisely the type of football he wants his Origin team to play.

“He understands what he wants and allocates his downtime to study those games, focusing on the traits he’s looking for in potential selections.

“So, if Robert Toia is in a team led by Billy Slater, you can be assured he has truly earned his place.”

Here’s a look at the four other least experienced players in Origin history, along with how their careers unfolded.

BEN IKIN

Selected for Queensland after just four games in 1995

The tall centre-winger was merely four games into his first-grade career with Gold Coast when he received the call-up to join Queensland’s struggling 1995 Origin team.

So unknown was he that Maroons coach Paul Vautin didn’t even recognise him when he arrived at the camp, hilariously mistaking Ikin for an autograph seeker.

At just 18 years old, he made appearances in every match of that iconic 1995 series off the bench, ultimately representing Queensland 17 times.

After a single season with Gold Coast, he switched to the North Sydney Bears, where he played for four years.

In 2000, he joined the Brisbane Broncos and won the NRL premiership that same year. He concluded his career with 150 first-grade games and two international caps for Australia before retiring in 2004.

Ikin currently serves as the CEO of Queensland Rugby League.

WILLIE CARNE

Selected for Queensland after five appearances in 1990

The hard-nosed winger from Ipswich had participated in just five Broncos games when he was selected for the Maroons in game three of the 1990 series.

He ultimately played 12 Origin matches for Queensland and enjoyed a six-year run with the Broncos, battling injuries that led to his premature retirement from the game.

Additionally, Carne obtained 10 caps for the Kangaroos.

Now at 56, he works as a self-employed IT professional.

PAYNE HAAS

Selection for NSW after only 10 games in 2019

Haas has often been hailed as the best prop to ever set foot on a rugby league field, and his career is still unfolding.

He burst onto the scene with Brisbane as a teenager, making his Origin debut at the tender age of 19 in 2019.

Remarkably, he fasted until game day for his first Ramadan.

That same year, Haas made his debut for Australia, marking a fantastic entry into elite-level rugby league.

On Wednesday night, he will line up for his 15th game in the iconic blue jersey, still at just 25 years of age.

DALE SHEARER

Selected for Queensland after 11 appearances in 1985

The player known as Rowdy migrated from Mackay to Manly in 1985, fortuitously launching his first-grade career, leading to his Queensland debut just 11 games later.

Shearer eventually represented the Maroons 26 times, usually playing on the wing, but also performing roles at five-eighth and off the bench.

With 12 tries throughout his career, he held the record for the most Origin tries for a decade post-retirement.

Additionally, he played 20 international matches for Australia and clinched a premiership with Manly, earning a reputation as one of the best utility backs in rugby league history.

Today, he is a director at Red Emu Wines.