Trbojevic's rise from 'too nice for Origin' to NSW captain

Jake Trbojevic walks into NSW camp wide-eyed and with a grin from ear to ear. 

It's Game Three of the 2016 State of Origin series and a 22-year-old Trbojevic is on cloud nine. 

The Manly youngster is surrounded by some of the game's biggest stars, including Robbie Farah, Wade Graham and James Maloney, and is living out his childhood dream alongside his brother Tom. 

It's difficult to portray just how happy Jake was and he wasn't even playing. 

Instead, the Trbojevic brothers and Bryce Cartwright were drafted into NSW camp by coach Laurie Daley as development players. 

It was an opportunity for two future Blues stars to receive a taste of State of Origin and laid the platform for Jake's eventual rise to NSW captain.

"It was a chance to come in and get an understanding of what Origin's about," Daley told pan66.com. "He got to see how players prepare and what he needed to do to play Origin and it's held him in good stead throughout his career. 

"[The Trbojevic's] were very respectful guys, very quiet and unassuming. You could tell people liked their company, they mixed well which is a great ingredient to have when you're bringing blokes in. 

"I knew if I had to call on them, I could trust them to go and do a job and play football."

Unsurprisingly, Trbojevic has fond memories of that first taste of State of Origin. 

Fast forward eight years and the Manly forward has represented his state 16 times, won two series and is preparing to lead NSW out for the first time at Accor Stadium on Wednesday night.

He has become one of the most respective players in the game and developed into a leader. The shy, quiet youngster has well and truly found his voice yet he still walks into every camp with the same grin on his face.

Back in 2016, however, there were some question marks over Trbojevic's ability to handle the intensity of Origin. 

NSW captain Paul Gallen even wondered if the youngster was too nice for Origin.

"These Trbojevic boys that have been in training, I can't speak highly enough of them, they're great," Gallen said prior to his final Origin game in 2016. "They're almost too nice and they're great young players as well."

Daley, however, didn't hesitate to hand Trbojevic his NSW debut in Game One of the 2017 series. 

The coach was rewarded with the forward producing a solid 44-minute stint off the bench as the Blues prevailed 28-4.

Trbojevic has long been known as the nicest man in rugby league however it didn't take Daley long to realise a mean streak lives deep within him. 

"He was that willingness to compete, that hunger for success and embraces the challenge to beat anyone in front of him," Daley said. "That's what you want. 

"He's the ideal type of player. He's respectful, he does the right thing, when he gets to training he turns into a guy that gives his all. He's respectful of the position he's got and the opportunity he has in front of him. 

"He doesn't take it for granted, understands it can finish at any moment and makes the most of it. When he gets on the field his willingness to compete is as good as I've seen."