Kotoni Staggs has no plans to hold back his aggression on the footy field when he steps into the State of Origin arena, even though it almost cost him a spot in the series opener.
The Broncos premiership winner was left with a dark cloud over his selection hopes after he was slapped with a two-game ban for an ugly tackle on Roosters gun Hugo Savala.
The sanction meant Staggs was out of the sights of selectors in the build-up to Origin selection, but there was a fortuitous turn of events when Latrell Mitchell withdrew himself from contention on Sunday due to injury.
Blues coach Laurie Daley was impressed by Staggs' displays to start the 2026 season and called on the centre to replace Mitchell, beating out young gun Casey McLean who landed on the six-man bench.
Staggs admits the two weeks on the sidelines waiting for Daley's call was not easy, but it has not made him reconsider his playing style.
"I sat back after that game thinking about whether that would rule me out or had I played good enough footy to be able to be picked with two weeks rest," he told 2GB's Wide World of Sports with Adam Hawse.
"You do think about that kind of stuff, but I knew whatever happens, happens. You just have to learn from it.
"My aggression will never stop in this game. That is part of me, it always will be. That's just how I play.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to be picked. I am excited to be in camp."
Staggs, 27, has spent most of his football career playing alongside Queenslanders, coming up through the Broncos academy pathways.
And while he has built great relationships with those born and raised in the state, Staggs insists he has no issue putting those feelings aside when it comes to representing NSW.
"There is a love-hate relationship when it comes to this," he said.
"I am around (Queenslanders) 24/7. It is mate versus mate, state versus state. It is a game they love to watch.
"I will be very passionate playing against them."
Three of his Broncos teammates were named to represent the Maroons in game one, but Staggs was most "surprised" to learn that Reece Walsh would not be one of them.
The superstar fullback was snubbed in favour of Kalyn Ponga.
"I know what Reece can do. He is a talented footy player," he said.
"It is sad to see that he is not in there, but it is probably a good thing too because he can do things that not many people can do in the game.
"He'll look back at his game and change what he needs to change.
"There is no doubt that you will see him back there."
The State of Origin series will kick off on next Wednesday in Sydney.
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