Craig Bellamy believes Storm sensation Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is definitely ready to pull on a Queensland Maroons jumper after what's been a significant 12-month transformation for the young giant.
The 20-year-old is the only Storm player to feature in every one of the club's games so far this season and continues to make a name for himself as a try-scoring forward with another four-pointer in Sunday's 36-20 win over North Queensland.
Kevin Walters will be looking far and wide to assemble an extended squad to stop New South Wales' pursuit of a third successive Origin title, and Fa'asuamaleaui is expected to be handed his debut in the post-season series.
MORE: Cowboys to farewell club legend Cooper
Bellamy admits at the start of the year he'd have scoffed at suggestions the young Storm prop was Origin ready, but credited the Samoan international's evolution since the start of the year.
"If you had asked me that at the start of the season I probably would have said no but I have no doubt he would handle Origin at the moment," Bellamy said after Sunday's win.
"The experience he has had this year and the maturity he has shown, I probably didn’t see that last year, to be honest.
"He worked really hard in the pre-season to come back in real good shape and I think that is the foundation for what he has done this year where he has played long minutes and been very productive.
"He's learnt a lot being in the system and just seeing how the good players prepare and he's taken all that on board and come back in great shape.
"You’ve seen what he has done this year and I am sure Kevvie [Walters] is looking really closely at him playing Origin."
🚂Fa'asuamaleaui the freight train!🚂
— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) September 4, 2020
STREAM: https://t.co/xIMmlH4nO5 #9WWOS #NRL #NRLRabbitohsStorm pic.twitter.com/UyrIg0P4r8
In 18 appearances this season Fa'asuamaleaui, whose signed with the Titans for next season, has scored six tries while averaging 132 metres and 24 tackles a game off Melbourne's bench.
The 115kg monster is set to head up Queensland's new young brigade of forwards, alongside the likes of Patrick Carrigan and Lindsay Collins, as Walters seeks to end the Blues' recent dominance in the interstate arena.
