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![\"Jojo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/20260521-mt008389.jpg\"\/)
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\n Jojo Fifita at Maroons training.
\n \u00a9Mitch Townsend \/ QRL
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As a former series-winning Queensland Maroons centre, Josh Hannay knows what it takes to find success in the Origin arena.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why he fully has endorsed the selection of fresh face Jojo Fifita to make his debut in Game One at Accor Stadium.<\/p>\n
As coach of the Titans, Hannay has seen exactly what Fifita can bring to a team and having served as an assistant coach to Maroons mentor Billy Slater for the past few seasons, knows what he\u2019s looking for to support the balance of the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the last little period, Jojo’s really developed his game,\u201d Slater said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd that’s not the highlight stuff, it’s more the preparation stuff, it’s his defence.<\/p>\n
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\n Jojo Fifita at Maroons training.
\n \u00a9Mitch Townsend \/ QRL
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\u201cI think he’s a wonderful player. We had him in camp last year. We brought a few players in just to give us a training run against our Queensland team and he was one of those guys.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpeaking closely with Josh Hannay, I know that he has a really high opinion of Jojo.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think he’s only just scratching the surface of where he can go in his career and hopefully, we can help him get there in this Queensland jersey.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Slater: ‘Gives me chills just thinking about it’<\/p>\n
For Fifita \u2013 the surge into the representative arena has been a goal since making the switch from rugby union \u2013 a game where his father Pila Fifita made his name a former Tonga international who featured at the 2003 Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n
\u201cI called Josh after I called my parents, and he was over the moon for me,\u201d Fifita said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was just happy and proud that I’ve got to here because I spoke with him last year and he knew this was one of my goals that I wanted to strive for.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s helped me every chance he can get; every chance he can this year in the pre-season and the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe just does what’s best for me and he was stoked for me.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
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\n ![\"Jojo](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/81123578_jojo-fifita-qld-maroons-white9826.jpg_2026520114956.jpg\"\/)
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\n Jojo Fifita decked out in Maroons kit.
\n \u00a9NRL Images
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<\/p>\n
In his support for Fifita, Hannay said like many of Slater\u2019s Queensland selections, the centre\u2019s key attributes could sometimes be missed unless you are seeking them out.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think anyone who watches the game closely and understands football would watch that guy and understand that he deserves his shot,\u201d Hannay said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know what he’s capable of.<\/p>\n
\u201c(But) there’s probably a lot of people that don’t yet and I think they’ll have a better understanding of his capabilities after Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe’s built for that arena and I’m really happy that he’s been given this opportunity.<\/p>\n
\u201c(It\u2019s) just the way he applies himself to the game when he doesn’t have the ball; his off-ball effort, the way he moves defensively, the consistency of it puts him in really good positions to make really good decisions and affect the play positively.\u201d<\/p>\n