LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
Robert Toia, a 20-year-old rookie from the Roosters, is poised to make history as he prepares for his State of Origin debut for Queensland.
With only 10 NRL games to his name, Toia's situation is unprecedented in the tournament's 45-year history.
The ABC reports that following the inclusion of the Broncos in the NSWRL in 1988, only two players have made their first-grade and Origin debuts within the same year: Willie Carne in 1990 and Ben Ikin in 1995.
Both of these players debuted from the bench, making them the least experienced Origin players at that time.
Payne Haas also made a notable debut in 2019 with 10 NRL games, earning the record for least experienced in the NRL era.
When Toia takes the field at Lang Park, he will not only mark his debut but will also become the least-experienced starting player in Origin history, breaking the record currently held by Jim Leis and Trent Barrett.
Leis debuted for New South Wales in the first-ever Origin match in 1980, while Barrett played in 1997 during a series without Super League players.
Toia's unique position highlights a striking aspect of the game and sets intriguing expectations for his debut performance.