The Tongan international NRL player, Keaon Koloamatangi, expects his versatility to help him secure a Blues jersey for the State of Origin 2023 in Australia.

The NRL player, Koloamatangi played hooker for Tonga during last year’s World Cup, after being a member of the extended New South Wales (NSW) squad last season.

“I played hooker at the World Cup so I am pretty versatile, and wherever the coach wants me to do I will do," he said.

NRL News said the Mascot junior revealed he has set his sights on Origin. “That is my next goal – to play Origin...I would love to do that and there is a bit of competition in my position,” Koloamatangi said.

“I think playing multiple positions is an advantage because you can cover a lot more. I feel more comfortable on the edge, but I don’t mind where I play, to be honest.”

However the 24-year-old is expected to again play in the middle against the Storms on Friday after answering an SOS call from coach Jason Demetriou in spectacular fashion as the Rabbitohs overcame Manly.

He told NRL News, “Early in my career I played middle so it was pretty easy for me, I just slotted in there. I would do anything for the boys so if the boys want me to do something and the coach wants me to do something … as long as I’m playing I am happy.

“When I first started I was probably playing 30 minutes max - 15 minutes either side of half-time – but my fitness is feeling good so I am heading into the game feeling a lot better and not thinking about how tired I am and just doing the next job for the boys.

“I am not the best trainer, but I love playing, I just get a big adrenalin rush and I don’t get tired that much. I just keep pushing.”

Koloamatangi has run 189 metres, the most by any forward on either side – in 19 carries of the ball and also made 40 tackles in a 78-minute stint.

The State of Origin series is an annual best-of-three rugby league series between two Australian state representative sides, the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons.