State of Origin is where the makeup of the Australian Kangaroos side is cemented, with a few players who go deep into the NRL finals then rounding out the end-of-year selections.
It’s a battleground where many a player has proven themselves before the next step in representative duties, and more often than not it’s a rite of passage for national selection.
Before the last World Cup, I suggested Mal Meninga might usher in a new era of rep stars. I proposed a backline comprising Corey Oates, Latrell Mitchell, James Roberts and Tom Trbojevic, with a fullback of Darius Boyd, who was always going to be there.
With Meninga’s link to the nucleus of the Maroons side who had the edge for over a decade, it’s no surprise he went for elder statesmen on the outside edges. Although Trbojevic was in the squad.
But it’s equally as unsurprising that Brad Fittler – who is coaching a side that have lost 11 or their past 12 series – has decided to now usher in such a new era.
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Of most prominence in Fittler’s backline is James Roberts and Latrell Mitchell, given their respective developments this season and in the years beforehand.
Both have raw, natural and bursting skillsets that cannot simply be taught.
Roberts is a strong, fast outside back whose signature move is getting around someone or through a hole, then using his speed to shut the gate behind him.
Mitchell – who was compared as a teenager to one of the greatest centres to ever play the game, Greg Inglis – uses his fend, upper-body strength and leg-drive to break a tackle and find open ground.
At just 20 years old, and arguably not yet fully physically developed, it’s crazy to think what the boy from Taree might do in years to come.
Fittler has taken a risk with the pair of centres, but it’s one that will likely pay dividends – even if it’s not in this series.
The two have the talent, skills and attributes to hold those positions for the next four years at least. But if the duo fulfill their potential and become players of the Inglis, or even Will Chambers mould, it’s likely they will be the centre pairings for Australia as well for that time and beyond.
James Roberts (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Roberts is 25 and will be 28 by the time the next World Cup, being held in England, rolls around in 2021.
Even in eight years’ time, when the World Cup is slated to be held in the United States of America and Canada, Roberts and Mitchell could still likely be in the Kangaroos’ fold.
In 2025, Roberts would be 32, Mitchell just 28.
Inglis played in the World Cup in 2008 and 2013, before missing the 2017 edition through injury, although he would have been in the side if fit.
But the development, and ultimately success of Roberts and Mitchell depends on themselves.
Roberts has had some trouble so far on his NRL journey, but appears to have put those times behind him. Mitchell is at a well-run club, the Roosters, who have a solid culture under Trent Robinson.
On-field, the two still have weak spots in their game, as their battle at club level just a few weeks ago showed. But a changing of the guard is on its way.
With NSW handing out 11 debutant jumpers and Queensland’s stars on the other side of the hill or already finished, it’s likely a NSW dominance of the Kangaroos squad is about to begin.
In 2013, 13 of the 24-man Kangaroos World Cup squad were Queenslanders. In the final, 11 of the 17 were Maroons.
In 2017, 14 of the 24-man squad were from north of the Tweed. In the final, against England, ten were Queenslanders.
Those figures will almost certainly be reversed in the coming years should Brad Fittler’s young side fulfill their potential.
Let the magic take hold.
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