NSW debutant Jacob Saifiti admits pre-match nerves are starting to build as he gets closer to Wednesday's State of Origin decider in Brisbane.
He knows he's ready to make his State of Origin debut but pre-game nerves are starting to take hold for Jacob Saifiti.
Having been rushed back into the Blues' camp in northern NSW last week after Jordan McLean's own debut dream was dashed by a hamstring injury, Saifiti has spent the weekend coming to terms with the fact he'll be running out in Wednesday's decider at Suncorp Stadium.
"The nerves are starting," Saifiti told AAP.
"At the start of the week they weren't really there but getting close to the game - last night I was in bed trying not to think about it but the nerves were flowing.
"I woke up pretty good this morning. Had a really good training session.
"So I'm pretty confident."
Saifiti, whose twin brother Daniel has made seven Origin appearances, was a member of the Blues' extended squad in game one.
That experience, as well as the time spent in camp last week before his sudden elevation into Brad Fittler's 17 has him confident he's ready for the opportunity despite being the Blues' third option behind Payne Haas and McLean.
"I was pretty confident my time would have come here next year, or the year after, or year after," he said.
"It's just come earlier than everyone expected, probably than I expected as well.
"But that's no different, I'm still going to wear that jersey with pride. I'm going to do everything to get that win."
Saifiti also revealed on Monday he would be starting Wednesday's match from the interchange bench, meaning Parramatta wrecking ball Junior Paulo will start in the front row for the Blues.
Whenever his first hit-up comes in a Blues jersey however, the Newcastle Knight will be making sure he makes an instant impact on Queensland.
"Every now and again the last few days I'll just think about the occasion, think about how big it is and just sort of pinch myself," he said.
"It's not that I didn't think I would get here, I've sort of realised the last couple years I've had a chance but before that, not even just to play Origin but to play a game three decider up here, it's still so surreal."
