From reserve grade to Blues squad, Kiraz is on the cusp of Origin debut

6 hours ago 2

Jacob Kiraz couldn’t get a start in the NRL four years ago. Now, he’ll make his State of Origin debut if winger Brian To’o isn’t fit enough for the decider at Accor Stadium on July 9.

With To’o nursing a lateral ligament tear in his knee, Kiraz – the Blues 18th man – is a chance of starting.

“Obviously, Bizza’s scan was a good one, but again [he’s on] restricted duties, so you just can’t afford to take any chances there, that’s the reason Jacob’s 18th man,” NSW coach Laurie Daley said.

“So, he’ll [Kiraz] train the majority of the sessions so he won’t miss a beat, so if we need to make that change, we can, we’ve got that flexibility there, so it won’t disrupt our preparation. More importantly, Bizza can try and get right, and Jacob, if he plays, has got a good 11-day prep going into his first Origin.

“You’d like to think by Saturday [To’o is] going to have to do some decent training. It probably still won’t be with the team, but you’ll have to do some decent training by Saturday.”

Kiraz’s NRL career has been anything but conventional. After being handed a contract by the Cowboys in 2019, he ended up returning to Sydney when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the country.

In 2020, he joined Newcastle on a development contract, but couldn’t break out of reserve grade.

Since the Bulldogs took a chance on him in 2022, he hasn’t disappointed – Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga was so impressed with Kiraz’s performance that he picked him in his 2024 squad, before he had to withdraw with a back injury.

“That’s something I never forget. The path I took was a bit different to everyone, and I wouldn’t change it for the world,” Kiraz said.

“I think it’s made me the player and person I am today, and I don’t forget those moments. I used to watch Origins, we [my family] still do every Wednesday, have a barbeque at my house, and now just to be a part of the squad is pretty amazing.”

Kiraz credits the systems in place at Canterbury and the Bulldogs’ impressive start to 2025 for helping him land a spot in Daley’s Origin squad.

“I feel like when you’re doing good, it helps lots of us players get picked. If we weren’t doing good, it makes my job a lot harder and I feel like I’m playing good footy because of my team ... without them I’m nothing,” he said.

As much as Kiraz wants to make his Origin debut, he wants To’o to be fit. But if he’s not, he’ll be ready to play.

“I’m preparing like I have to play because even as 18th you never know when you can get on, and when I get on, I have to be able to fill in multiple positions,” Kiraz said.

“Right now, I’m just training with the boys every day, and I’m literally preparing to win because you never know. I know Bizza will be fine, he’s a tough cookie.

“But if not, I just got to prepare to win, prepare to play and prepare to train well. That’s why I’m sure Loz [Daley] has picked me as 18th, just to get that full preparation and that’s what I’m here to do.”

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