Whether he comes on in the first minute or the last, Moses Mbye is ready for anything in Perth on Sunday as he targets becoming a regular super sub for the Maroons.
The 25-year-old will play just his second Holden State of Origin game with the ultimate belief embedded deep within him after rubbing shoulders with his childhood idol Johnathan Thurston in camp in Brisbane before his Queensland debut.
Mbye just played the last eight minutes in the 18-14 win at Suncorp Stadium but got stuck in from the get-go to make 11 tackles.
The Wests Tigers skipper said he would be ready to go in the first minute in Origin II at Optus Stadium if required.
"It is exactly that. So long as you are prepared to cover as many positions as you can and play as much game time as you can," he said.
"You never know when you are going to get on in this game. It is an unpredictable game with head knocks, HIAs, injuries etc so you never know.
"It is just about being prepared and ticking as many boxes as you can during the week to cover as many positions as you can and taking all that information in. Once you get the call to get up and get your [interchange] card you’ve got to be ready to go."
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Mbye follows a long list of Maroons who have filled the bench utility role with aplomb including in recent years Michael Morgan, Daly Cherry-Evans and Cooper Cronk.
"It is a great opportunity to be in a position to win a series and be in a position to make it your own spot," Mbye said.
"I have covered every position in the back line and dummy half at NRL level so I have had experience in that utility role. That is why I am in this side."
Mbye said he drew on just being around Thurston in camp to get himself ready for his Origin debut. It was why he felt 10-feet tall and bullet proof when he took the field.
"Having people like Thurston in the camp it is all about his presence and what that brings. When you rub shoulders with people like that it brings confidence," Mbye said.
"He is a massive pillar of what Queensland has been about and the success they have had in recent years. Surround yourself with successful people and it rubs off on you.
"I think every young kid that grows up in Queensland and plays rugby league dreams of playing for the Maroons.
"At a young age you don’t realise the series that stand out so much. It is the more certain players that stand out to you and your idols. Lockyer, Thurston and Gorden Tallis. They were the players I watched. They were such competitors and successful players."
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Mbye has not been dwelling on which position he would like to play if he ever broke into Queensland's starting line-up.
"I don’t know. I have played 100 games and I don’t even know where I am playing at NRL level yet, so I couldn’t answer the question for you," he said.
"On the field is good. I just like playing rugby league. It can be a simple game. I’ve covered heaps of positions. I am actually enjoying covering a few different roles. They are good strings to your bow."