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NSW received a huge boost before the 2019 Home State Series, with talented striker Tevita Pangai Jnr picking the Blues over Tonga.
The 22-year-old has recently been named to the NSWRL 32-man training team by coach Brad Fittler, who will meet at the NSWRL Center of Excellence in Sydney in December.
Pangai Jnr is eligible for the Blues and Tonga because Mate Ma'a is still classified as a country of the second division of rugby.
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But Fittler has now revealed that Pangai Jnr has made himself available for the Origin series.
"He's committing himself to the Blues for the series," said Fittler Channel 9
"He understands that there is a Tonga test game in the middle of it and he is happy to get away from it.
"He will have the opportunity to play for Tonga later this year.
"He recognizes where he is from. He grew up in Newcastle.
"He is a good player. Kid. He did a fantastic job for Tonga again.
"I look forward to seeing him come down and meet all the players. It will put a lot of pressure on the team.
Some criticized Fittler for choosing Brisbane's controversial striker Matt Lodge in his Emerging Blues cast.
The coach admitted that he hardly knew Lodge, apart from his well-publicized violence in New York in 2015, but was eager to learn more about him.
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"I've never met Matt in October of 2015, I've never met Matt since," Fittler said.
"I do not know much about him.
"What he did for Brisbane this year, he made a lot of pressure and a lot of scrutiny. I thought he did a good job.
"No one can change what happened in the past, but then again, I just want to wrap it up and meet the guy."
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Although Nathan Cleary and James Maloney of the duo Penrith have led NSW to a series this year, Mitchell Pearce, a former Blues quarterback, was another player on the training team.
"The great thing was Nathan had a mid-season operation, just like James Maloney," Fittler said.
"Injuries play an important role, so you obviously need people there just in case.
"Mitchell had a fantastic season (this year), played with injury, but he's someone who's been there before. His record is not great, but I know he's very capable.
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