Giant forward Sam Kasiano has given the clearest indication yet that he wants to play State of Origin for Queensland by telling his Canterbury teammates of his desire to don a Maroons jumper.
Speculation is mounting that the Auckland-born prop will be picked in the Queensland side for next month’s decider in favour of Dave Taylor, who had a quiet performance in game two.
International rugby league could be huge
The 21-year-old has remained tight-lipped about whether he wants to play for the land of his birth or Queensland, where he moved to after finishing high school.
However, Bulldogs fullback and fellow Queensland Origin hopeful Ben Barba said Kasiano made his intentions clear when the pair recently spoke about a possible call-up.
“He wants to play for Queensland,” Barba said.
“I’ve had a bit of a chat to him and he says he wants to play for us, so I’m hoping he does and hopefully one day he gets his chance.
“At the end of the day, it’s up to him. It’s his choice.”
Barba also shared with Kasiano his experience as Queensland’s 19th man and the tight-knit camp in the lead-up to game two in Sydney.
“Hopefully that gets through to him and he makes that choice,” he said.
Barba, who is also chasing a Maroons jersey as a replacement for injured fullback Billy Slater, is confident in Kasiano’s ability to step up to Origin level.
“For a big fella he carries himself pretty well,” he said.
“He’s got that effort and effort that you want to see in a big front-rower – especially as big as Sam.”
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler said he didn’t know if Kasiano would play for Queensland but joked that he was definitely “big enough” to do so.
“I’m sure if he gets that opportunity he’ll relish it,” Hasler said.
“For young blokes (Kasiano and Barba), they’ve got their feet pretty well-grounded so they won’t get too carried away with it.”
Despite being a New South Welshman, Bulldogs forward Aiden Tolman said it would be good for the game if players like Kasiano are allowed to compete in Origin.
“(New Zealand-born) James Tamou’s playing for NSW, so it’s the same situation as that,” he said.
“At the moment, guys like (Tamou and Kasiano are) eligible for it so it’s good for the game and probably improves NSW as well as Queensland.
“He’s been playing great for us and I’m sure he’ll put his hand up if the opportunity came about.”
Both Kasiano and Barba will get to prove their worth in Sunday’s top-of-the-table clash against Melbourne in Mackay.
It’s the first time the North Queensland town has held an NRL fixture, with all 12,000 tickets already sold.
Queensland's Game Is Rugby League
Guest
The Northern Pride and Central Capras drew pretty large crowds to their recent televised games on Ch.9. It was great seeing a packed out Browne Park cheering on the Central Capras on a beautiful sunny Queensland day. Pity they didn't get the 2 points. Now that Rod Jensen has been elected as a councilor for one of the divisions of the Cairns Regional Council, it'll be interesting to see if the Pride get a rectangular football ground of their own. They get good crowds at Barlow Park, but they would be much higher if they had a proper rugby league stadium. The Pride are aiming for 5,000 club members this year. That's more than some Sydney NRL clubs.
Queensland's Game Is Rugby League
Guest
:) Queensland's junior football leagues are producing superstars in the bucket loads. The Sydney NRL clubs are busting their guts to get hold of them. The quality of the NSW junior leagues must be pretty poor, as they're producing sub-standard ball players. The RFL and NZRL have the NSWRL beat in regards to producing ball players. That's how far the NSWRL has fallen since its peak in the 90s. The Queensland Cup is so far ahead of the NSW Cup it isn't funny. If it wasn't for the silly stance Gallop took on dual registration then most of the Sydney clubs would base their fringe players in the Queensland Cup. They don't want to be in the NSW Cup as its standard of play isn't as good as the QLD Cup. I enjoy going to the QLD Cup games. Better than going to an NRL game -- there's proper food, good seating that isn't squeezed into a tiny row and, plenty of parochial fans cheering on the mighty Wynnum Manly Seagulls throughout the greater Brisbane area! The other day I was at Davies Park to see the Seagulls. More Seagulls fans there than Magpies fans! I'm proud to say I prefer the Queensland Cup over the NRL. How many New South Welshmen can say they prefer the NSW Cup over the NRL? I look forward to seeing QLD beating the hell out of NSW in SOO 3. Queensland played poorly in the first two games, yet they won one and narrowly lost the other. NSW were playing as good as they ever will, largely by fouling up the ruck by holding the tackled player down too long. The refs, who are all from NSW, allow them to do it. Imagine how many points QLD will put on them when they finally move out of 1st gear?
Meesta Cool
Guest
I watched Titans instead of Cowboys,,, Bloody memory playing tricks again..
Meesta Cool
Guest
Wow Dishes, I couldn't disagree more,, whilst we Mexicans are enjoying freezing rainy days our mate Oikee is basking in winter sunshine -- OH and Melbourne and Sydney leave Brizzy for dead with concrete!.. I am a wannabe Queensladaahhh!. just like Oikee, Maninga, Kasiano and John Wayne.. Hey Oikee, I am watching Broncs and Cowboys on 'GEM' tonight, does that make me a honorary Queenslandaahhhh??.. where can I get my certificate and badge!???
Craigie
Guest
I always thought the players would die to wear the maroon, and not for the money.
Sylvester
Guest
For a minute I thought the the headline read "Kasiano mad about the cash, says Barba"...
steve b
Guest
What stat soapit !!
soapit
Guest
that stat is very fishy. helps if you dont just make things up to back up your arguments
dishes
Guest
oikee, get over yourself, not everyone wants to live in the redneck state, let alone call themselves a queenslander. Brisbane is a concrete shithole, to put it nicely. I admire your passion but you are way off there mate.
oikee
Guest
It is not so much if Kasiano wants to play for Queensland with me, it is more about what they are going to do with Origin. That is the real question. When you start to question picks, and you know Origin is the pinnacle of the sport, what can you do to grow the game, internationally i am talking. This is the problem i want solved. Kasiano will be a Queensalnder if he chooses to pick Queensland, we have been condiotioned to having anyone from anywhere play for Queensland, even Inglis, we love them, we love the fact they choose Queensl;and. This is part of our Mystic, our underbelly culture, and we all buy into it, it means nothing for anyone who is anyone to choose Queensland, we applaud it.
oikee
Guest
Scott, i gave it a hell of a nudge. Come on, i was close. Mate, you dont want to bring the state thing into your argument, my family is scattered from victoria to NSW queensland and America now. It is petty. not pretty. My dumb is everywhere. I will dumb the world with my widgets, did i mention i seen the mummies. :) Very educational.
Meesta Cool
Guest
I see on the news this arvo that Mal has said he will NOT select Kasiano for game 3... good onya Mal., A rea win/win decision, If you win you can boast that you did the right thing, if you lose, you can say Ricky didn't!!... smart move mate!. Hopefully this eligibility MESS will be sorted out within a month of SOO ending THIS year. I am so tired of reading about players jumping ship to line their pockets, They are right, with careers so dependant on keeping fit and maintaining your skill level, most players only last 5-6 years. -- they have to get the big bucks whilst they can!. --- I certainly would, BUT, I just couldn't outrun the big guys, so I never made the grade... had lotsa fun though!. m
john
Guest
perhaps new south welshman should play footy in QLD, to learn how to win
Mals
Guest
Well done Steve B for flying the Blues flag proudly in QLD. A mate of mine moved to Queensland a few years ago. His young kids have now started school & they recently asked him Dad why do we support NSW & Manly when everyone at school supports QLD & the Broncos? His answer is simple - cause that is where we are from, that is where we were born, you don't swap teams.
scott
Guest
perhaps Queenslanders should go to school in NSW, to learn how to spell Privilege.... presumably.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Kasianos been very quiet on this whole subject apart from apparently telling his club mates, why doesnt he tell Mal ? I think hes waiting to see if he gets asked to play and if he doesnt he will choose the Kiwis.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That's in Queensland.
steve b
Roar Guru
I have six kids oikee all born in central QLD .i played footy in QLD my sons played footy in QLD i have one daughter and three grandkids who still live in QLD i love QLD ...But my origin is NSW i was born in NSW i played my first game for Wenty maggies at the age of 7 so mate by origin i am a blueblood and proud of it..All my chidren follow the BLUES their choice,, So i think i have some idea on loyality to the word origin unlike some pretenders wearing the Maroon jumper just because they live and work their !!!!!!
oikee
Guest
Brisbane is made up of 25% of residents of the city born overseas. Steve, mate, have you been to Brisbane. What is a Australian, not sure, but i can tell you what a Queenslander looks like, he wears Maroon, dead giveaway. ;) As i said, everyone wants to be a Queenslander, if you come here to live, it is a honor and Privalige to have your kids born here, they are even flying in from NSW now to have their kids here, just so they can be born Queenslanders. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-mother-forced-to-fly-to-brisbane-to-give-birth-to-triplets/story-e6freuy9-1226381521870
steve b
Roar Guru
We have !!!