The stage is set for Dylan Napa to stamp his claim as one of the great Queensland enforcers, Maroons coach Kevin Walters says.
Napa couldn't crack the starting side for the State of Origin series opener, relegated to the bench for Queensland's 18-14 win at Suncorp Stadium.
And Napa only got a chance to return to the starting front-row for the first time since game two 2018 after the Maroons pack was hit by injury.
Incumbent Queensland prop Jai Arrow is sidelined for up to 12 weeks with an ankle injury while bench forward Joe Ofahengaue is out after suffering a knee gash in Origin I.
But Walters believes Bulldogs firebrand Napa will show he truly belongs at Origin level in Sunday's game two clash in Perth.
"He's got nothing to prove except to his teammates and the state of Queensland that he is an Origin player," Walters said.
"I believe he certainly belongs in this arena and he will show everyone that on Sunday night and it will be one that Dylan can be really proud of."
Asked if Napa can become one of the Maroons' feared enforcers, Walters said: "The expectation of them is to be that great Origin player.
"All the forwards need that same sort of mentality where they will do whatever they can to win the game.
"Dylan is a big part of that."
Napa will line up for his sixth Origin but first in the starting line-up since missing game three last year with a hamstring injury.
"It's a great opportunity for Dylan. He's a guy we have shown a lot of faith and trust in over his time at Origin level," Walters said.
"Now is his opportunity to start the game, I am looking forward to that."
Walters also threw his support behind the recalled Jarrod Wallace.
Wallace and Newcastle's Tim Glasby were overlooked for this year's series opener but both were added to the Origin II bench after Ofahengaue and Arrow went down.
Wallace was relegated to the bench in his last Origin - game three last year - after copping criticism for lacking impact as a Maroons starting prop.
And he had to hold out a challenge from Melbourne's Christian Welch to earn an Origin II recall in Perth.
But Walters believed Wallace - who has played five Origins - had nothing to prove on Sunday following stellar NRL form for Gold Coast Titans.
Australian Associated Press
