Cameras have captured the heart-warming moment speechless Eels star Ryan Matterson learned he’d be playing in next month’s State of Origin opener.
After being named in Brad Fittler’s New South Wales squad on Sunday, the 27-year-old was named in the Blues’ starting line-up on Monday, selected in the No.17 jersey for the game one.
Matterson learned of his selection while being interviewed by Nine’s NRL reporter Danika Mason, and was in disbelief when told of the news.
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“Are you serious? Really playing? My man, Freddy, thank you,” he said initially.
The Eels star still needed to be convinced even further, with Mason showing him the team list on her phone, and he was lost for words shortly afterwards.
“Straight away, I’m just thinking of mum, dad, and my brother, Dean,” he said.
“My brother actually shed a tear last night when he found out that I was in the squad, so if he found out that I’m actually playing, he’ll be over the moon.
“Wow, my jaw is hurting from smiling. I’m so excited.”
Matterson and his Blues teammates will kick off the 2022 State of Origin series on Wednesday, June 8, with the series opener set to take place at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.