Sione Mata'utia's whirlwind 2014 continued on Friday with his inclusion in Laurie Daley's 2015 Emerging Blues Squad.
The camp is aimed at giving young players of potential an insight into what it takes to play State of Origin.
“It's just icing on the cake finding out I'm in the Emerging Blues,” Sione said on Sunday morning following an intense dunes squad session in Port Stephens.
“I'm pretty keen and it will be good to see what I can put in and get out of it."
Previous Emerging Blues squads have included such names as Tariq Sims and Joey Leilua, and Mata'utia is pleased to follow in their footsteps.
“Going off what past players have said, they talk about what an Origin player is, and what attributes you need to be at that top level," he added.
“I'm sure if I can learn what an Origin player is, I'll try and stick to it and hopefully get a Blues jersey in the future.”
For now though, Mata'utia is ready to welcome the period of rest and relaxation that comes with the Christmas break.
“I'm looking forward to freshening up a bit and coming back ready to go,” he said.
“Come January the 5th I'll be getting into all the hard work.”
