Tino Fa'asuamaleaui says a debut for Queensland in the 2020 State of Origin series has given him the confidence to take his game to a new level.
The 21-year-old has been a standout over the first four rounds of the competition, sitting just one vote off the lead in the race for the Dally M medal.
Speaking with Katie Brown and Jimmy Smith on SEN Breakfast, Fa'asuamaleaui says his time in Maroon helped him realise that he could mix it with the best in the game.
"It (State of Origin) just gave me the confidence, especially after that series, it gave me a lot of confidence to back myself coming into games," he said.
"I think that was just from the boys and the older boys there and Wayne (Bennett) on camp, they gave me that confidence to go out and do what I do and I've taken that into this year.
"The confidence made me think yeah I am made for this and I just want more of it.
"It pushed me to work harder to make sure I can get back there and hopefully go to another level."
After starting the season with two wins and two losses, Fa'asuamaleaui says there's still an obvious goal for the Club in 2021.
"If you're not trying to push for finals, what's the point of playing," he said.
"That's our goal, but we need to take it week by week and improve on the little things first.
"We're trying to build a good culture and good standards around the Club and hopefully we become better and improve and become a powerhouse but it all starts with the little standards and culture things first."
After making his NRL debut at the Melbourne Storm, he says the often gets asket to compare Craig Bellamy and his new coach Justin Holbrook.
"They're both very similar in that if they see something they'll say it," he said.
"I learnt a lot from Craig and I'm learning a lot from Justin and that is the best thing."
"As long as I'm learning something new every day from them and improving my game that's what I'm happy with."
