The NRL competition is counting down the days until the Origin squads are announced, with both Queensland and New South Wales teams being announced on Monday.
With Round 12 the final chance for players to impress selectors ahead of Game I in Adelaide on Wednesday, May 31, it's fair to say Billy Slater and the Maroons selectors have a tough job ahead, especially with a number of Titans firmly in the mix to be recalled after impressing in the opening 11 weeks of the competition.
Gold Coast coach Justin Holbrook weighed in earlier this week on the decision ahead for Queensland, hoping to see a number of his players represent their state this season.
"This is probably the first year Queensland have got a lot of headaches," Holbrook said.
"In the past, they pick and stick because they've probably only got that 20 odd to pick from whereas this year, it's going to be a big job for the selectors.
"There's so many players in form and there's so many good players for Queensland, so it'll be very interesting to see how they handle it being in that position this year."
With Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Moeaki Fotuaika and Phil Sami all a genuine chance of earning a ticket to Adelaide, here is why they should be there for Game I in Adelaide.
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
Prop / Lock
There is no question the Titans captain will form part of Billy Slater's squad for the upcoming series, especially after playing a big role in regaining the shield from the Blues in 2022. The 23-year-old was also part of the World Cup-winning Kangaroos squad at the end of last season, making a huge impact in the final 15 minutes of the final at Old Trafford.
Leading into Game I, the back-to-back Paul Broughton Medallist has been in fine form for the Coast, averaging 157 running metres a game, as well as notching up 17 tackle breaks and 12 offloads in his first 10 games of the season.
His work rate has also been astronomical in defence, averaging 33 tackles a game at 93 percent efficiency whilst playing around 62 minutes per week.
David Fifita
Second row
Fifita is arguably having his best year of footy since debuting in 2018. As the first player born in 2000 to represent Queensland, the Titans' explosive edge forward is primed to return in Maroon for the 2023 series.
Averaging a career-high 173 metres a game (next best 128 in 2020) and 28 tackles at 92 percent efficiency, the 23-year-old is more than deserving of an Origin recall given his immense hard work to be one of the best forwards in the game.
What has also been a huge asset to Fifita's game this season is his playmaking ability, with the dynamo setting up five tries across the first 10 games (career best), as well as assisting in five line breaks; and he continues to bust tackles left, right and centre with an average of five tackle breaks per appearance for the Gold Coast this season.
Whilst the incumbent shield holders have a plethora of back-rowers to choose from - including the likes of Felise Kaufusi, Kurt Capewell and Coen Hess; Fifita has proven he should be there for the series opener in Adelaide after missing out in 2022.
Moeaki Fotuaika
Prop
Fotuaika's 2023 form has flown under the radar in the rugby league world but not to eager Titans pundits, who have called for the proud Tongan International to be recalled to Slater's squad for Game I as one of the best front rowers Queensland has as their artillery.
Having a lean year last season by his own admission, the 110-game powerhouse has put that all behind him with a stellar start to 2023 as one of the Titans' leading forwards, especially since getting the chance to become a regular starter again.
Average of 157 running metres per game, 16 tackle breaks and 13 offloads in his first 10 games, he has also been instrumental in the Coast's middle third defence by making 31 tackles per game at an incredible 95 percent.
Twice breaking 200 metres and another two times coming with two metres of hitting the double century mark, it's more than fair to share it's Fotuaika's time to wear Maroon again after being one of Queensland's best in 2021 before falling short of a recall in 2022.
Phil Sami
Wing / Centre
Sami has quietly become one of the best wingers in the competition this season after making the switch from centre in Round 3 and deserves to be in the Origin conversation again after making his Queensland debut in the victorious 2020 series.
Since going back out onto the right edge, the 25-year-old has averaged 167 running metres per game - including twice going well over 200 metres... once coming close to breaking the Titans' all-time metres gained record. He has also been extremely hard for defenders to tackle, elusively busting through an average of six tackles per game in his first 10 appearances, which has helped him find the line on six occasions.
Whilst the Maroons have depth aplenty in the outside backs, Sami's name must be on the discussion table for selectors given the scintillating start he has had and his versatility to play on both the wing and in the centres.
