Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa has been spoken about as a future NSW No.7, which is why he is relishing the prospect of taking on incumbent Blues half Nicho Hynes in Cronulla.
The 20-year-old Tonga international, who moved from New Zealand to Australia when he was nine years old, is in no hurry to announce himself as a true Blue.
"I was born in New Zealand, but I also do qualify to play for NSW," Katoa said.
"At the moment, my sole focus is on the Dolphins and then Tonga (in the Pacific Cup) at the end of the year."
Katoa told AAP that while he is so young there is no need to make definitive statements about his future.
But rest assured, the Blues brains trust will have been watching his stellar development this year as his composure, game management and craft has played a key role in elevating the Dolphins into the NRL's top four.
There are few greater challenges this season than facing the second-placed Sharks at their home ground, and the Dolphins will become the latest to take that test when they travel south for Thursday's clash.
Hynes will return from the calf injury that ruled him out of Saturday night's 22-12 win over Brisbane and he will be keen to prove to NSW coach Michael Maguire he is worth persevering with in game two of the State of Origin series.
"Nicho is an awesome player. He plays with a lot of flair but he also knows how to control a team and he does that so well for the Sharks," Katoa said.
"We’re going to have to try and nullify his involvements and touches of the footy.
"When he touches the ball, magic seems to happen."
Katoa is a hard judge of his own performances and was not happy with his display in the Dolphins' 26-25 loss to Canberra in round 13.
"I don’t think I had the greatest game, but something Wayne (Bennett) is always harping on about - especially to me - is getting over the mistakes that you make and making sure that you’re doing everything you possibly can to make it up for your team," Katoa said.
"It’s something that’s just my personality, I’m not really going to be happy with how I played no matter if I had the best game.
"I’m always going to be looking for places to improve and things to work on."
That attitude is a quality coach Bennett has a lot of time for.
"The good ones are like that. The good ones are never satisfied," Bennett said.
"They always think they can do better. That pleases me.
“He’s young and doing a good job, but he could do better."
