State of Origin is back at the top of the agenda with New South Wales attempting to retain the shield after knocking Queensland off in their own backyard in the 2024 decider.
Laurie Daley is the new man at the helm for the Blues after Michael Maguire opted to walk away after one successful year and take over Brisbane.
Daley is the third coach that Billy Slater will face off against during his tenure. And the Maroons mentor has produced a shock selection ahead of the 2025 series opener, placing his faith in rookie Robert Toia.
The Sporting News takes a look at the most inexperienced players ever selected in State of Origin during the NRL era.
MORE: 'Thought it was a prank' - Queensland rookie's reaction to Origin call-up
Who are the most inexperienced NRL players to appear in State of Origin?
Robert Toia - 10 NRL matches
The Sydney Roosters centre will make history when he steps out onto the turf for Game I.
The rookie has played just 10 games of footy in the NRL before being handed his opportunity to impress upon arguably the biggest stage rugby league has to offer.
The 20-year-old debuted for the Chooks during their 50-14 shellacking against the Broncos in the opening round of the campaign.
Yet a few of his classy touches alerted people to his vast potential with the centre grabbing two try assists during the defeat.
He has since gone on to be a mainstay in Trent Robinson’s much-changed backline, scoring three tries, providing three assists and averaging 110 run metres per game before his Origin call-up.
Payne Haas - 10 NRL matches
Payne Haas previously held the sole record for the fewest NRL appearances before earning Origin selection, until Toia joined him on the 10-game mark.
The prop debuted for the Broncos in Round 8, 2018 against South Sydney. However, he went on to play just two more games during this season.
The following year was when Haas really broke onto the scene, as he was instantly a mainstay in his side's forward pack.
And he subsequently debuted off the bench for the Blues in their opening 18-14 defeat to the Maroons in 2019. He churned through 66 run metres and made 31 tackles during his introduction into the rep arena.
Yet Brad Fittler was unable to call upon the emerging forward for the rest of the series as a hamstring injury ruled him out of contention.
Brent Tate - 14 NRL matches
Brent Tate debuted for Brisbane late in the 2001 season when he took on the Melbourne Storm in Round 21.
He went on to play two more games for the club during the year, before establishing himself as a regular at Red Hill in 2002. His eye-catching performances earned him his first QLD jersey in Game III under Wayne Bennett’s watch.
It was the first of 23 appearances Tate made for his state, during three separate periods spread across his career.
He featured for the Maroons while playing for the Broncos, New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland.
Matt Scott - 14 NRL matches
Matt Scott debuted in Origin three years into his NRL career. However, he had played limited games during his rookie seasons with a sole appearance in 2004 for the Cowboys followed by three games in the 2005 season.
After two injury-interrupted campaigns, the forward started to make his mark in 2006 and was picked by Mal Meninga for the series opener.
Yet after debuting in the backrow during the narrow 17-16 loss to NSW, Scott was dropped from the squad. He would have to wait three more years before being given another chance to play for his state.
Carl Webb - 15 NRL matches
The late Carl Webb debuted for Brisbane in 2000, with the enforcer clocking seven NRL appearances during his maiden campaign.
He continued his rapid rise the next season and earned his debut Maroons jersey in the 2001 opener.
Webb was named on the bench for the clash and got on the scoresheet during his state’s 34-16 victory over the Blues.
The enforcer went on to play 15 games for the Maroons, as well as making a sole appearance for Australia.
Xavier Coates - 15 NRL matches
Xavier Coates debuted for Brisbane during the 2019 campaign when he featured against Cronulla midway through the year.
The teenage winger made just three appearances for the club in his rookie season. However, Coates became a regular for the Broncos during their horror following year that ended in the club slumping to a last-placed finish.
Yet despite his side’s tumultuous run, Coates did enough to impress on the flank and earn a QLD call-up. He played in the opening game of the 2020 series and has since been a regular for the Maroons.
Will Hopoate - 15 NRL matches
Will Hopoate debuted for Manly during the 2010 campaign and went on to register three appearances in his rookie season.
In what turned out to be his final year with the Sea Eagles, before his departure to Parramatta, he earned his first Blues jersey in 2011.
Hopoate was called into the side for Game II in the centres by Ricky Stuart. And he touched down for a four-pointer during the clash at ANZ Stadium during his side’s 18-8 win.
The premiership winner finished with five appearances for his state.
Fewest NRL appearances before State of Origin debut
| Player (Club) | NRL appearances before Origin debut |
| 10 |
| 14 |
| 15 |
| 16 |
| 17 |
Fewest first-grade appearances before Origin debut
Reece Walsh would have broken the NRL record back in 2021 after being picked by Slater for Game II. The teenager had played just seven matches of first grade at that point in time.
He debuted for the Warriors midway through the campaign after being granted a release from the Broncos by Kevin Walters.
Kalyn Ponga and AJ Brimson were ruled out of Origin due to injuries, allowing Walsh to stand on the precipice of history. But, in a cruel twist, the 18-year-old also suffered an injury on the eve of the contest.
Meanwhile, a teenage Ben Ikin currently holds the record for the most inexperienced player to ever feature in Origin.
The playmaker was selected after making just four ARL appearances for the Gold Coast Chargers in 1995.