Tom Trbojevic, New South Wales, Blues team, State of Origin 2023

Author: Corey Rosser NRL Reporter
Timestamp: Mon 22 May 2023, 03:01 PM

While he never doubted he would be ready if selected for the Blues, Tom Trbojevic admits his hat-trick for the Sea Eagles in Round 12 provided a handy confidence boost ahead of arriving in Origin camp this week.

After an at times frustrating start to 2023, in which he concedes he wasn’t playing well enough in some games, the 26-year-old enjoyed his best showing of the year against the Raiders last Sunday, scoring three tries and running for 245 metres in the 42-14 win at GIO Stadium.

“It was great to put in a performance like that. Obviously it gives me a little bit of confidence going into this week,” Trbojevic said.

“I knew I felt really good… but obviously in footy you are judged on the way you play and if you aren’t playing well then you want to play well.

“It was good in that [respect] to be able to play a good game and get a good win.

“I spoke to Freddy after the game [Sunday] night, wearing this jersey is pretty special, I grew up watching this game and loving everybody that played in it.

Turbos combine

“To be back wearing this jersey means a lot to me.”

His selection in Brad Fittler's squad for the Origin opener in Adelaide comes after he missed the 2022 series through injury.

While debate has raged this year regarding Trbojevic's fitness – following his latest hamstring issues which saw him head to the USA this pre-season to work with rehab and conditioning expert Bill Knowles – the fullback believes he is back to 100 percent.

“I feel like I am. It feels like people can look at me and work out what percent I am running at, but I definitely feel really good,” he said.

“I didn’t really doubt myself. It does wear down on you a little bit, all the external commentary, you can’t really escape it these days.

“That’s just part of it and something I have had just had to come to accept.

“I wouldn’t say it was hurting me. It’s more you are getting commentary on how your body is feeling and people telling you, ‘He’s not right’, et cetera, when you know you feel good within yourself.

That stuff can be a little bit frustrating, but I understand I wasn’t playing well enough, so I guess it comes on the back of it.
Tom Trbojevic

Blues coach Brad Fittler meanwhile admitted on Monday that selecting Trbojevic was a risk given his injury struggles of late, but said he was always part of his plans for 2023.

"Tommy is always on the radar. He's a quality player and a quality person so it was only a matter of time,” Fittler said.

“You just have to gamble that Tommy is fit and ready.

“Very rarely has he ever let us down, so I'd say we had him pencilled in with a very heavy lead pencil.”

Game 1 - Game 1 - Wednesday 31 May

Full Time

Maroons

Blues

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Maroons is number 1 Reece Walsh

Fullback for Blues is number 1 James Tedesco
Winger for Maroons is number 2 Selwyn Cobbo

Winger for Blues is number 2 Brian To'o
Centre for Maroons is number 3 Valentine Holmes

Centre for Blues is number 3 Stephen Crichton
Centre for Maroons is number 4 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Centre for Blues is number 4 Tom Trbojevic
Winger for Maroons is number 5 Murray Taulagi

Winger for Blues is number 5 Josh Addo-Carr
Five-Eighth for Maroons is number 6 Cameron Munster

Five-Eighth for Blues is number 6 Jarome Luai
Halfback for Maroons is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Halfback for Blues is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Forwards

Prop for Maroons is number 15 Tino Fa'asuamaleaui

Prop for Blues is number 8 Tevita Pangai Junior
Hooker for Maroons is number 9 Ben Hunt

Hooker for Blues is number 9 Apisai Koroisau
Prop for Maroons is number 16 Reuben Cotter

Prop for Blues is number 10 Payne Haas
2nd Row for Maroons is number 11 David Fifita

2nd Row for Blues is number 11 Tyson Frizell
2nd Row for Maroons is number 12 Tom Gilbert

2nd Row for Blues is number 12 Hudson Young
Lock for Maroons is number 13 Patrick Carrigan

Lock for Blues is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Interchange

Interchange for Maroons is number 8 Thomas Flegler

Interchange for Blues is number 14 Junior Paulo
Interchange for Maroons is number 10 Lindsay Collins

Interchange for Blues is number 15 Cameron Murray
Interchange for Maroons is number 14 Harry Grant

Interchange for Blues is number 16 Liam Martin
Interchange for Maroons is number 17 Jai Arrow

Interchange for Blues is number 17 Nicholas Hynes