‘Something that has been spoken about’: Ryan Papenhuyzen on Laurie Daley’s radar for Blues debut

Ryan Papenhuyzen’s blistering form has him in the mix to earn a State of Origin debut later this month as returning Blues coach Laurie Daley faces a major call at fullback for the series opener.

The Storm fullback is fresh off scoring a club record 36 points against the Wests Tigers on Sunday that included a rapid-fire hat-trick in the opening 17 minutes.

Papenhuyzen represented NSW in the under-16s, under-18s and under-20s, while he also carved up for a star-studded Junior Kangaroos side with a double against France back in 2019.

Ezra Mam took to the field for the first time in 2025, following his suspension last year.

It’s unlikely that he’ll win the fullback spot over Dylan Edwards or James Tedesco, but he could force his way onto the bench as an impact player where he could wreak havoc through the middle as he used to do when he first joined the Storm.

“Yeah, he is someone who could play that role very well I think,” Daley said on the Big Sports Breakfast on Monday morning.

“With the speed of the game, fatigue and all those types of things, you could inject him. He could be there as cover for an injury to an outside back.

“But I think you could get him into the game as a lock and inject some speed in and outside the ruck. That’s not a silly idea … it’s something that has been spoken about.”

Daley’s other major choice is at fullback where Edwards and Tedesco would both do a wonderful job if picked.

Tedesco, the former Blues skipper, wasn’t originally picked for last year’s series opener but replaced the injured Edwards, who returned to help NSW come from behind to stun the Maroons in the final two games.

Edwards was man of the match in game three and went on to win a fourth title in 2024, but he has been outplayed by his Roosters rival this season.

The Panthers fullback is the favourite to win the jersey, but Roosters coach Trent Robinson says Daley is in a good position with so many guys in form.

“You can’t go wrong. You look at the way that Papenhuyzen played yesterday, you look at Dylan and you look at Teddy (and they’re all in form), but it’s the selection of Laurie,” he said.

“Ted is my No.1 and always will be. I love the way that he plays and the heart he plays with, but it’s Laurie’s selection. I don’t need to add to that.

“It’s whatever his choice is and the style of play and what fits that around the other players.”

Meanwhile, Isaiya Katoa looms as the NSW halfback of the future after another display of ball-playing wizardry against the Eels last week as he made it wins over Mitch Moses, Nathan Cleary and Jahrome Hughes in recent weeks.

The Johns brothers are in awe of the Dolphins playmaker who bamboozled the Eels defence to set up the first try as he looked inside, dummied and swivelled his hips before passing out the back to Kodi Nikorima to help Jack Bostock score.

“He plays nice and straight, which I feel helps my game because I’m more of a runner and I can play off the back of him,” Nikorima said of the 21-year-old.

“Obviously they’ve got some incredible halves at the moment in Nathan Cleary and Mitchell Moses. He might have to wait his turn, but he’s definitely heading in the right direction for Origin.”