'Proved he belonged': Keaon tipped to hit new heights after Origin debut

Rabbitohs playmaker Cody Walker believes second-rower Keaon Koloamatangi is set to take his game to another level after starring on debut for NSW in the Origin finale.

Walker, who was player of the match in NSW’s 24-10 triumph at Accor Stadium on July 12, said Koloamatangi had proven that he belonged in the Origin arena after running 84 metres and make 34 tackles on the Blues right edge.

The 26-year-old had set his sights on playing Origin this season after representing Tonga at last year’s World Cup but suffered a syndesmosis injury before the series opener and was overlooked for NSW’s must win match in Brisbane.

However, after being given his chance in Origin III, alongside Walker and Rabbitohs team-mates Cameron Murray and Damien Cook, Koloamatangi has grown in confidence as the Rabbitohs work towards a finals berth.

“Obviously playing in those sort of big games gives you a lot of confidence,” Walker said ahead of Friday night's match against Wests Tigers in Tamworth, which is set to feature Latrell Mitchell's return from injury.

“I mean, he's proved that he belonged in the arena, which is good moving forward. He was just excited.

“It's a great reward for a guy that's done some wonderful work over the years to put himself in a great position, so we're very proud of Keon and we are glad that he is at the club.”

The Rabbitohs junior started his career as a middle forward but has developed into one of the most dangerous edge backrowers in the NRL after making a positional switch under former coach Wayne Bennett.

“He was a middle forward coming through the ranks and he's turned himself into an 80-minute back rower,” Walker said.

“If you look at when he was injured recently, he came back early from that injury and played 80 minutes – he started in the back row and went into the middle for a period of the game. That's a hard thing to do after being out for five-to-six weeks.

“It doesn't matter how much training you do, game fitness is something that you just can't train for, and it takes you a few weeks to get that back in games, so I am very proud of his journey.”

Walker is also entitled to proud of his own journey after earning player of the match honours in an Origin return he thought was unlikely to ever come.

The 33-year-old last played for the Blues in 2020 and while he never gave up on being recalled he doubted he ever would.

“It was good to get out there and be back in the Sky Blue jersey,” Walker said. “I was thinking there was probably never going to be another opportunity so to get back out there and to perform the way we did was pleasing.”

Three of NSW’s four tries were scored on the left side, where Walker plays but he said the right egde of Koloamatangi, Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o did not get enough recognition for their role in the win.