Keaon Koloamatangi hasn’t spoken with Brad Fittler yet but a phone call can’t be too far away after the South Sydney star showed off his versatility in the middle to enhance his State of Origin credentials.
South Sydney’s middle forward crisis forced the 24-year-old to shift to the front row where he hadn’t officially started a game since 2018 when he played prop in reserve grade.
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It meant we didn’t get to see his famed hole running that has led to two tries in the opening three rounds, but we did see a different side to his game, with Koloamatangi running for a team-high 182m having only come off late for a two-minute rest.
Having someone who can play on an edge and in the middle is exactly what the Blues need, and Saturday’s effort against Manly may even force Fittler to pick up the phone to speak with a guy who can help NSW win back the shield.
“I never chatted with Freddy,” Koloamatangi said.
“It’s humbling. It’s good that I’m being noticed. That’s my next goal to play Origin. I’d love to do that.
“There are always versatile players in Origin. Playing multiple positions is an advantage because you can cover a lot more. I feel a lot more comfortable on the edge, I feel more threatening on the edge.”
The Blues will need to make some changes after losing the series last year, and Saturday’s game between the Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles may have been a mini Origin audition between Koloamatangi and Tongan teammate Haumole Olakau’atu.
It was a shame the pair never lined up opposite each other in what turned out to be an even battle, with Souths getting the win even though Olakau’atu scored an acrobatic try off a kick.
“There’s a bit of competition in my position. Haumole is a gun, so it’d be pretty cool if me and him were together. We played together for Tonga and we’re good mates,” he said.
“We have banter and that. He’s a powerful beast and we both have different playing styles. It’d be good to see one of us get in there.
“We both do our best and let our footy do the talking.”
Whether he plays Origin or not, one thing is for certain – Koloamatangi’s effort against the Sea Eagles will go down as one of his finest even though it was overshadowed by the emotion of the night.
The Rabbitohs were missing Junior Tatola, Liam Knight, Hame Sele, Siliva Havili, Jai Arrow and Shaquai Mitchell, which forced coach Jason Demetriou to reach out to his star edge forward to move closer to the action.
“Early in my career I played middle, so it’s pretty easy for me,” Koloamatangi said.
“I just slot in there and I’d do anything for the boys. The boys needed me to do something and the coach needed me to do something. As long as I’m playing I’m happy and I’ll do my best.
“I’ve never played 80. When I first started I was probably playing 30 minutes max, 15 either side of halftime.
“My fitness is good and my body is feeling good. I’m handling the game a lot better. I’m not thinking about how tired I am – I’m just trying to do the next job for the boys.
“I love playing. I’m not the best trainer but I just love playing. I get a big adrenaline rush and I don’t get tired that much.”
