Utoikamanu moves to make Origin mark after 2023 tease
The one fresh face in the NSW team for Origin II in Perth next week, Utoikamanu has every right to feel like he is making his debut again.
The 25-year-old played his sole Origin two years ago, playing 12 minutes for the Blues in their game-two loss that surrendered the series at Suncorp Stadium in 2023.
It was enough time for six touches of the football and seven tackles, but hardly enough for the prop to feel like he'd been able to make his mark in the Origin arena.
"I've thought about that a lot," Utoikamanu said.
"I didn't really get a real taste of getting in there. I played 12 minutes and it's pretty hard coming off the bench, you've got to make an impact.
"If you don't make an impact there's not really any point you being out there.
"I'm happy I get another opportunity to go in there and show them what I can actually do. That first time I felt like I didn't do what I needed to do."
Utoikamanu said he had "chilled" as a footballer since his Origin debut, having also represented Samoa since.
But he has also made no secret of his desire to get back in a Blues jersey.
It was a big part of the front-rower's thinking when he moved to Melbourne from Wests Tigers at the end of last year.
Utoikamanu says "it's hard to say" if he would be playing this week had he stayed at the Tigers, as one of only two men to feature in Origin while at the club since 2018.
Regardless, the Auckland-born talent knows the Storm move has helped, where he is now playing under NSW coach Laurie Daley's new adviser Craig Bellamy.
"Coming to the Melbourne Storm has helped me a fair bit in trying to get back into this arena," Utoikamanu said.
"It was one of the things I looked at when I was going to leave the Wests Tigers.
"I feel like the Melbourne Storm have such a good system, and being in it now I'm happy I made the move.
"There's a system there that's made a lot of players get better. A lot of players go there and become better, there's a lot of teams you can't say that (about).
"Melbourne's one of those teams that when you go there you have to do the hard work, but when you do the hard work you're going to become a better player."
Stefano Utoikamanu spent two years feeling so teased by 12 minutes of State of Origin that it prompted the front-rower to uproot his life and move to Melbourne.
The one fresh face in the NSW team for Origin II in Perth next week, Utoikamanu has every right to feel like he is making his debut again.
The 25-year-old played his sole Origin two years ago, playing 12 minutes for the Blues in their game-two loss that surrendered the series at Suncorp Stadium in 2023.
It was enough time for six touches of the football and seven tackles, but hardly enough for the prop to feel like he'd been able to make his mark in the Origin arena.
"I've thought about that a lot," Utoikamanu said.
"I didn't really get a real taste of getting in there. I played 12 minutes and it's pretty hard coming off the bench, you've got to make an impact.
"If you don't make an impact there's not really any point you being out there.
"I'm happy I get another opportunity to go in there and show them what I can actually do. That first time I felt like I didn't do what I needed to do."
Utoikamanu said he had "chilled" as a footballer since his Origin debut, having also represented Samoa since.
But he has also made no secret of his desire to get back in a Blues jersey.
It was a big part of the front-rower's thinking when he moved to Melbourne from Wests Tigers at the end of last year.
Utoikamanu says "it's hard to say" if he would be playing this week had he stayed at the Tigers, as one of only two men to feature in Origin while at the club since 2018.
Regardless, the Auckland-born talent knows the Storm move has helped, where he is now playing under NSW coach Laurie Daley's new adviser Craig Bellamy.
"Coming to the Melbourne Storm has helped me a fair bit in trying to get back into this arena," Utoikamanu said.
"It was one of the things I looked at when I was going to leave the Wests Tigers.
"I feel like the Melbourne Storm have such a good system, and being in it now I'm happy I made the move.
"There's a system there that's made a lot of players get better. A lot of players go there and become better, there's a lot of teams you can't say that (about).
"Melbourne's one of those teams that when you go there you have to do the hard work, but when you do the hard work you're going to become a better player."
Stefano Utoikamanu spent two years feeling so teased by 12 minutes of State of Origin that it prompted the front-rower to uproot his life and move to Melbourne.
The one fresh face in the NSW team for Origin II in Perth next week, Utoikamanu has every right to feel like he is making his debut again.
The 25-year-old played his sole Origin two years ago, playing 12 minutes for the Blues in their game-two loss that surrendered the series at Suncorp Stadium in 2023.
It was enough time for six touches of the football and seven tackles, but hardly enough for the prop to feel like he'd been able to make his mark in the Origin arena.
"I've thought about that a lot," Utoikamanu said.
"I didn't really get a real taste of getting in there. I played 12 minutes and it's pretty hard coming off the bench, you've got to make an impact.
"If you don't make an impact there's not really any point you being out there.
"I'm happy I get another opportunity to go in there and show them what I can actually do. That first time I felt like I didn't do what I needed to do."
Utoikamanu said he had "chilled" as a footballer since his Origin debut, having also represented Samoa since.
But he has also made no secret of his desire to get back in a Blues jersey.
It was a big part of the front-rower's thinking when he moved to Melbourne from Wests Tigers at the end of last year.
Utoikamanu says "it's hard to say" if he would be playing this week had he stayed at the Tigers, as one of only two men to feature in Origin while at the club since 2018.
Regardless, the Auckland-born talent knows the Storm move has helped, where he is now playing under NSW coach Laurie Daley's new adviser Craig Bellamy.
"Coming to the Melbourne Storm has helped me a fair bit in trying to get back into this arena," Utoikamanu said.
"It was one of the things I looked at when I was going to leave the Wests Tigers.
"I feel like the Melbourne Storm have such a good system, and being in it now I'm happy I made the move.
"There's a system there that's made a lot of players get better. A lot of players go there and become better, there's a lot of teams you can't say that (about).
"Melbourne's one of those teams that when you go there you have to do the hard work, but when you do the hard work you're going to become a better player."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Australian
3 hours ago
- The Australian
Manly, Roosters legend Johnny Mayes dead after battle with brain cancer
Former champion halfback Johnny Mayes – who won three straight premierships at two different clubs – has died. Mayes, 78, died on Wednesday after a battle with brain cancer. He won the 1973 grand final at Manly before capturing a further premierships with Jack Gibson's Eastern Suburbs in 1974 and '75. Johnny Mayes (ball) during Easts v Wests first at the SCG. Picture: Phil Marchant That achievement was later matched by Glenn Lazarus (Canberra and Brisbane) and Cooper Cronk (Melbourne and Sydney Roosters). Mayes scored a try in Roosters' famous 38-0 win in the '75 decider at the SCG. A 45-year resident of Evans Heads on the NSW north coast, Mayes played 110 games for Easts and 24 in his only season at the Sea Eagles. He scored 71 tries over 134 first grade matches and represented Australia in three Tests at the 1975 World Cup. Mitchell Peirce and John Mayes. Mayes, Roosters' number 586, also represented City Seconds in 1973 and 1975. The Roosters paid tribute to Mayes on the club's social media platforms. 'A true legend of the game,' the post read. 'Three-time premiership winner and a key piece in our back-to-back '74 ∧'75 premierships. Rest in peace, Johnny, Forever in our hearts.'
West Australian
4 hours ago
- West Australian
Carlton key forward Charlie Curnow ruled out of Fremantle Dockers clash in massive Blues blow
Carlton's task of causing a boilover in the west has been hit by a massive injury blow, with an ex-Docker also racing to be fit to face his former side. The Blues have won seven of their past eight clashes against the Dockers, with spearhead Charlie Curnow proving vital - kicking 12 goals in his past three games against them. But he won't be there on Sunday after it was revealed he pulled up sore following Carlton's loss to Hawthorn and failed to train during the week. 'Charlie Curnow is expected to sit out the trip to play Fremantle,' Mitch Cleary reported on Channel 7. 'Curnow pulled up sore from the loss to Hawthorn and failed to join teammates at training yesterday, five days on from that game.' Despite the Blues' struggles this season, Curnow has remained one of their best with 32 goals and has not missed a game since round one. His absence could allow Fremantle to take the safe route with captain Alex Pearce, given the Blues will likely have only Harry McKay as the primary key forward threat. Pearce has been dealing with shin soreness, playing just one game since May, and was listed as a test to play this weekend. While Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir was confident they could bring Pearce back, he admitted it wasn't without risk. 'I can't say 100 per cent though. The loads of a game are a lot different to the loads you can put him up to at training,' Longmuir said. 'There's always that risk but we feel like he's done the work and he's in a good spot.' The Blues could also be without former Docker Adam Cerra, after he was seen with his knee heavily strapped at training this week. Cerra has averaged more than 27 disposals across his past three games against the Dockers and he would be a massive loss given the calibre of Fremantle's midfield.
Perth Now
4 hours ago
- Perth Now
Blues star out as former Docker in doubt for trip west
The Blues face challenges with key players set to miss or be in doubt for their upcoming match. Charlie Curnow is expected to sit out, while Adam Cerra's fitness is uncertain due to a knee injury. However, there is a positive update on Sam Walsh's re Carlton's task of causing a boilover in the west has been hit by a massive injury blow, with an ex-Docker also racing to be fit to face his former side. The Blues have won seven of their past eight clashes against the Dockers, with spearhead Charlie Curnow proving vital - kicking 12 goals in his past three games against them. But he won't be there on Sunday after it was revealed he pulled up sore following Carlton's loss to Hawthorn and failed to train during the week. 'Charlie Curnow is expected to sit out the trip to play Fremantle,' Mitch Cleary reported on Channel 7. 'Curnow pulled up sore from the loss to Hawthorn and failed to join teammates at training yesterday, five days on from that game.' Despite the Blues' struggles this season, Curnow has remained one of their best with 32 goals and has not missed a game since round one. His absence could allow Fremantle to take the safe route with captain Alex Pearce, given the Blues will likely have only Harry McKay as the primary key forward threat. Pearce has been dealing with shin soreness, playing just one game since May, and was listed as a test to play this weekend. While Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir was confident they could bring Pearce back, he admitted it wasn't without risk. 'I can't say 100 per cent though. The loads of a game are a lot different to the loads you can put him up to at training,' Longmuir said. 'There's always that risk but we feel like he's done the work and he's in a good spot.' The Blues could also be without former Docker Adam Cerra, after he was seen with his knee heavily strapped at training this week. Cerra has averaged more than 27 disposals across his past three games against the Dockers and he would be a massive loss given the calibre of Fremantle's midfield.
