Should Isaiya Katoa play for NSW in Game III?

Dolphins’ halfback Isaiya Katoa has had his breakout form rewarded with an inclusion in the NSW Origin extended squad as Nathan Cleary firms to be fit for the decider.

As reported by Dave Riccio and Phil Rothfield, Katoa has been brought in for the experience and is not expected to provide cover for Cleary or five-eighth Jarome Luai, who has been cleared for Origin III after missing the Wests Tigers’ loss to the Sea Eagles on Friday night with an infection.

Katoa has burst onto the scene in 2025, leading The Dolphins to four wins in their last five matches, scoring 44 points or more in each of those victories.

In The Dolphins 50-28 win over the Rabbitohs yesterday, Katoa had four try assists and three linebreak assists.

Dolphins’ halfback Isaiya Katoa has had his breakout form rewarded with an inclusion in the NSW Origin extended squad as Nathan Cleary firms to be fit for the decider.

Katoa has been brought in for the experience and is not expected to provide cover for Cleary or five-eighth Jarome Luai, who has been cleared for Origin III after missing the Wests Tigers’ loss to the Sea Eagles on Friday night with an infection.

Katoa has burst onto the scene in 2025, leading The Dolphins to four wins in their last five matches, scoring 44 points or more in each of those victories.

In The Dolphins 50-28 win over the Rabbitohs yesterday, Katoa had four try assists and three line break assists.

NRL Crunch Time’s Justin Horo said, based on his form this season, he would be prepared to name Katoa over Luai or Matt Burton for Game III.

“I would be cautious and hold off one more year, but if Laurie decided to pull the trigger… (I’d start him over) the guys that they've got there currently," Horo said on NRL Crunch Time.

“He's just so good.

“I understand the hesitancy from everyone to declare that because of Jarome (Luai)’s resume and because of even Matt Burton's resume... but I can't see a world in which he doesn't put his name in contention next year.

“It's a huge statement and I don't say it lightly, but… he just ticks every single box.”

SEN Morning Glory host Matty Johns also believes Isaiya Katoa would succeed in the Origin arena despite only being 21.

“You need to have a pure seven in there and Isaiya Katoa is one of those,” Johns said on SEN 1170 Drive.

“State of Origin history… is littered with young players who were given a chance sometimes where people deemed, they weren’t ready and went in there and were thrown to the wolves and killed it.”

Johns has previously predicted Katoa could go down as one of the best halfbacks in the history of the game when he retires.

“I'll make the prediction. I think that when he retires, we'll talk about him as one of the great number sevens,” Johns said.

“His trajectory, he's just going through the roof, and… I reckon he's in the top three ball players in the game right now, and the kid’s only 21.

“(My advice would be) don't change anything, and don't send him to me. I don't want to change any of his good habits.

“Whatever he's doing in preparation or anything, just keep doing it.

“He’s a fantastic player.”