He’s performed an uncanny impersonation of Payne Haas in his past two games, and in the process, South Sydney powerhouse Keaon Koloamatangi has staked a claim to line up alongside him in Origin II.
NSW will almost certainly require front-row reinforcements as they attempt to clinch a second successive series in Perth after winning the series opener 18-6 at Suncorp Stadium last week.
Blues enforcer Mitch Barnett suffered a knee injury in his team’s 36-30 win against Souths on Sunday, and there are fears scans will reveal a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, in which case he will require a season-ending reconstruction.
If, as expected, Barnett is unavailable for game two, Melbourne Storm middle forward Stefano Utoikamanu was a standby player for the Blues last week, and it would appear logical for NSW coach Laurie Daley to promote him into the 17.
But Wests Tigers wildcard Terrell May and Koloamatangi have also been racking up numbers that Daley will find hard to ignore.
Koloamatangi was switched from second row to prop by Souths coach Wayne Bennett two games ago, and the 27-year-old has delivered consecutive eye-catching performances.
Keaon Koloamatangi celebrates his try against the Warriors.Credit: Getty Images
In Souths’ 22-12 win against the Tigers on May 18, Koloamatangi carted the ball for 282 metres and made 49 tackles, prompting Bennett to compare him to former Brisbane greats Glenn Lazarus, Shane Webcke and Andrew Gee.
On Sunday, he followed up with a bulldozing try, 218 attacking metres and 40 tackles in the loss to the Warriors. This time Bennett compared him to Haas, widely regarded as the NRL’s best prop.
“Keaon’s numbers are great, that’s the point we’re missing,” Bennett said of Koloamatangi, who is averaging 140 metres and 30 tackles per game this season.
“And he’s playing the full 80 minutes. He’s not even looking to be brought off the ground.
Keaon Koloamatangi takes on the defence during his lone Origin appearance, in 2023.Credit: Getty
“That’s the remarkable thing – to have a middle forward these days who can do all that workload. Payne Haas is really good at it too, but this guy is in that league.”
Koloamatangi has played one State of Origin, helping NSW win game three of the 2023 series, and recognises that consistent form at club level is the key to earning a Blues recall.
“They had a dominant win in game one, so I don’t think they’ll change the team,” he said.
“I’m just trying to play my best footy for the Rabbitohs, and if the rep stuff comes, it comes. But I’m not too fussed, to be honest. If I get the call, I get the call.
“My main focus is the Bunnies … obviously one of my big goals is to get back there [in Origin], but obviously I have to play good at club level to be able to make the team.”
The Mascot Jets junior was confident he would be better a second time around in the Origin arena, given the experience he gained on debut two years ago.
“Especially playing for Tonga against Australia as well – you know, obviously they’re a mixture of both Queensland and NSW,” he said.
Warriors skipper Mitchell Barnett receives treatment on his injured knee on Sunday.Credit: Getty Images
“I’m confident in the way it’s going at the moment. I feel like I’m playing good footy, so whatever happens, happens.”
He has embraced his move into the engine room and was hopeful his ability to also play on an edge would count in his favour when Daley sits down on Sunday to name his team for Origin II.
“Wayne puts his trust in me, and I don’t want to let him down, to be honest,” he said. “I don’t want to be a liability for the team … obviously the best props in the world, like Payne, they play massive minutes and do a massive amount of work.
“I’m just trying to do that for my team.”
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