Ricky Stuart earmarks seven future Origin stars
* Steve Gee
* From: The Daily Telegraph
* January 22, 2011 12:00AM
THEY are the potential NSW Origin stars who are not even famous in their own lounge rooms.
None have played a single NRL game.
But as Blues coach Ricky Stuart plants the seeds to end five years of Queensland Origin domination, these seven young unknowns represent a leap of faith into the future for NSW.
Schoolboy stars, Toyota Cup whiz kids and genetically blessed - Josh Jackson (Bulldogs), Aiden Sezer (Bulldogs), Cameron King (Dragons), Boyd Cordner (Roosters), Tariq Sims (Cowboys), Mitch Johnson (Storm) and **Aaron Woods (Tigers)** are the bolters in Stuart's 51-man Blues-in-Waiting squad.
As Stuart readily admits, none are ready for Origin in 2011\. Nor is there any guarantee they will be called up in the future.
But that's not the point. This is all about preparing a pool of players to be ready if, and when, the call-up ever arrives.
The players yesterday met as one for the first time at the Pulman Hotel - a torpedo punt from the Origin cauldron of ANZ Stadium - where they will be based for the next two days.
For the NRL virgins, it was an eye-opener just entering camp, with many meeting Stuart, Paul Gallen and Jarryd Hayne for the first time.
"I'm a bit rattled just to get called, but this is just what NSW needs," said Cowboys front-rower and Gerringong junior Tariq Sims, 20.
"Queensland have shown how successful it can be with their Emerging Origin squad so I'm stoked to be a part of this.
"Hopefully we can all push through as one big group and be a force to be reckoned with in the future."
Roosters back-rower Cordner, 18, is the baby of the squad. The players will undergo one training session at Homebush today, ahead of an address from former Wests and St George coach Roy Masters at the request of Stuart.