Wayne Bennett can still remember Sam Burgess urging him to persevere with Keaon Koloamatangi.
“Sam told me, ‘Look after him, Wayne, because he’s going to be a really good player’, and Sam was 100 per cent right,” Bennett says. “Keaon has turned out to be a very good player.
“He’s a good bloke and very good team man. You can see the ones who have got it and who haven’t.
“He came through with Cam Murray. Cam has been a top player; this kid just took a bit longer to get the recognition.”
What will make Koloamatangi’s NSW Origin debut extra special on Wednesday night is his good friend and South Sydney teammate Murray will be playing alongside him.
Koloamatangi and Murray won 10 straight South Sydney District premierships with the Mascot Jets. There are some joyful grainy photos of the pair celebrating their junior success.
Bradman Best and Keaon Koloamatangi at Coogee.Credit: Dylan Coker
You get the sense Koloamatangi always looked up to Murray – knowing his skipper was destined for greatness – but needed a little bit of convincing that he was just as good.
Burgess, who works on the South Sydney coaching staff, remembers going in to bat for Koloamatangi.
“Everyone talked about Cameron, but I also saw a lot of Keaon – he just wasn’t the greatest trainer, which can put people off,” he said.
Wayne Bennett at North Sydney Oval.Credit: Kate Geraghty
“I told Wayne this kid could play, even though his training was sometimes not up to scratch.
“I can tell you now, he has definitely fixed that, and he’s a great trainer. He’ll be fine next Wednesday. He’s one guy you don’t have to worry about. He won’t let you down.”
Bennett moved Koloamatangi to the middle during his debut in 2020 season in the hope he would find his feet in the top grade before having the confidence to revert to his preferred right edge.
Coach Jason Demetriou, then Bennett’s assistant, recalls the night Koloamatangi made his debut. It was memorable for all the wrong reasons.
“It was one of the first games back when the competition resumed during COVID; we played Melbourne, we flew in and out on the day of the game, there was no crowd, and they were one of the best teams in the competition,” Demetriou says.
“His first touch was a forward pass, and for about six weeks after that he was down on himself and thinking his opportunity was gone.
“I went to give him a kick up the backside after training one day, but as I got closer to him, I could see this guy was already beating himself up enough.
“So I reminded him I’d signed the succession plan at the time [to replace Bennett as head coach], and I’d be here in the long term, and that he was a part of my plans. I told him, ‘This isn’t the end for you, it’s only the start’.
“From that point on, he was outstanding, he trained well. Wayne brought him back in a few weeks later, and he’s never looked back.
“A lot of boys are like that. They put enough pressure on themselves. Keaon has that really soft side to him. At times in the past, he has lacked a bit of belief, which makes this whole journey [to Origin] extra special.”
Koloamatangi received a phone call from Blues coach Brad Fittler as he drove home from his parents house on Sunday night.
“He asked me what I was doing, [told me] that I was in the team, and that I’ll be playing back row,” Koloamatangi said. “I told him I’m ready and thanked him for this opportunity.”
Demetriou broke the Origin news to the Souths players on Monday. Murray was the first to embrace his long-time mate.
Cameron Murray.Credit: Getty
“Not many people can say they played their first game together and are now still playing together, at 25, in the pinnacle of our sport,” Koloamatangi says. “It’s really humbling.
“Cam has always been a great player growing up, he’s always been the best. I’ve always looked up to him because he’s such a great leader.
“To get the chance to share the field with him next Wednesday, I can’t wait to be honest.”
Koloamatangi is a giant – and has a super-sized haircut to match.
It’s a surprise Bennett – who is known for telling young players to get a trim – allowed Koloamatangi to make his debut without a pre-game trip to the barber. If he played with Bennett’s Dolphins today, Koloamatangi would not be allowed within 50 kilometres of Redcliffe.
Demetriou, however, has taken a shine to the hair, which has not been cut in three years, and is regularly maintained around the sides by Koloamatangi’s fiancee, Heavenly.
“There’s no way he would have had the hair when Wayne was here,” Demetriou says. “I’ve been more tempted to tell Campbell Graham to get a cut when he was wearing that stupid hairband every week.
“He’s since cut it and put it in a topknot. Keaon’s hair stays out of his face during games, and if it makes him happy, it makes me happy.”
Hopefully, Freddy is happy with Koloamatangi on Wednesday night.
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