Stefano Utoikamanu does not feel he had the chance to prove his State of Origin credentials in NSW's hefty game-two loss but insists he has not taken his axing to heart as he plots a return.
The prop is now fully focused on club side Wests Tigers, who look set to welcome captain and Blues representative Api Koroisau back from a broken jaw this Friday, two weeks ahead of schedule.
Utoikamanu had been on the fringes of the Blues side since 2021 before earning his debut in Origin II at Suncorp Stadium last month.
But in what has been a recurring theme for NSW this series, Utoikamanu found himself underused off the bench.
Accustomed to starting for the Tigers, Utoikamanu was named on the interchange with the view to coming on as an impact prop but only earned 12 minutes of game time spread across either side of halftime.
He ran for 50 metres in the 32-6 defeat but was replaced by Newcastle prop Jacob Saifiti for the third match of the series, to be played at Sydney's Accor Stadium on Wednesday.
"It was pretty disappointing I'm not there," he said.
"But ... we lost the game, there's going to be people on the chopping block.
"I didn't take it to heart or anything.
"(Coach Brad Fittler) is going in a different direction and I'm wishing the best for Saifiti. He's the man on the bench now and hopefully he does a really good job."
Fittler phoned Utoikamanu to tell him he would be "rested" for the final Origin clash, in which the Blues will fight to avoid the first series whitewash since 2010.
The 23-year-old is keen to return to the big stage.
"I only got 12 minutes so I didn't get to prove that I deserve to be there," he said.
"But I'm ready for it if I get another experience. I'm definitely hungry to get back in there."
The Tigers are languishing in last spot on the NRL ladder but pushed premiership hopefuls Cronulla in the first half of last week's game and have named Koroisau to face the Knights on Friday.
"I've got to get cleared by the surgeon, I've got a couple of things to do," Koroisau said on Tuesday.
"But I'm feeling good."
The four-time NSW hooker has managed to maintain his weight despite being unable to eat solid foods as part of his recovery plan.
The hooker became creative with the blender, although not always with positive results.
"I heard someone say (to try) KFC popcorn chicken with gravy (in the blender)," he said of his recipe experiments.
"Don't do it. It is horrible. I don't think I put enough gravy in."
More difficult was watching the Tigers lose their three games without him by a combined total of 120 points.
"It was torture," he said.
"It just gives you so much anxiety. You can't help out on the field. You're pretty helpless."
