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On this day, Ricky Stuart apologises for referee spray, Semi Radradra says au revoir to Eels and Lance Thompson makes controversial switch from Dragons to Sharks.
Daly Cherry-Evans has accused NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler of recycling old material in a desperate attempt to get inside the head of Queensland Maroons debutant Reece Walsh ahead of Sunday’s Origin blockbuster.
History suggests, though, that being thrown into Origin with little NRL experience and at a tender age will hardly stymie a playerâs development.
Ben Ikin was the youngest and least experienced player to enter the Origin arena, named after four games and three months after his 18th birthday during that tumultuous 1995 season. He went on to spend a decade in the NRL, playing a key role in the 2000 grand final win along with two Tests for Australia and a further 16 games for Queensland in an Origin career spanning nine seasons.
Brad Fittler was one month older than Ikin when he debuted for NSW. He became arguably the greatest Blue in history, playing 31 Origins during a golden era for the state, as well as 40 Tests and 336 premiership matches in one of the most decorated careers of the Origin era.