Taufua named in Emerging Blues

After an outstanding rookie season, explosive Sea Eagles winger Jorge Taufua has been recognised as a future Origin player, named in the 2013 NSW Emerging Blues squad.

NSW VB Blues Coach Laurie Daley today revealed the 22-man squad for a three day camp to be held in January.

The Sea Eagles Rookie of the Year, Taufua was one of Manly's most impressive performers in the 2012 season after making his debut against the Dragons in Round 4 and head coach Geoff Toovey said his selection is well-deserved.

“I think he’s been fantastic,” Toovey said. "He’s a really good kid, and he’s taken on every challenge he’s received this year, and he’s come out the other side."

??The selected players are all NRL experienced and have been handpicked by Daley and the NSWRL High Performance Unit with the consideration that they will wear the famous sky blue jersey in the very near future.

??"Some of the guys have already played at a State of Origin level," Daley said.??

"We want these players Origin ready from the moment they receive the phone call and camps like these are essential for us to get them into that space.??

"You look at a guy like Josh Reynolds who has progressed through the VB NSW Cup and starred this year for the Bulldogs. It is about helping players like him transition through to this next level of Rugby League."

??The Camp will take place over three days at Coogee beginning Friday, January 18.

2013 Emerging Blues Squad

Josh Dugan - Canberra Raiders
Shaun Fensom - Canberra Raiders
Blake Ferguson - Canberra Raiders
Josh McCrone - Canberra Raiders
Josh Jackson - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Josh Reynolds - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Aiden Tolman - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
Luke Douglas - Gold Coast Titans
Jamal Idris - Gold Coast Titans
Aidan Sezer - Gold Coast Titans
Jorge Taufua - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Alex McKinnon - Newcastle Knights
Tariq Sims - North Queensland Cowboys
Jacob Loko - Parramatta Eels
Nathan Merritt - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Adam Reynolds - South Sydney Rabbitohs
Mitch Rein - St George Illawarra Dragons
Boyd Cordner - Sydney Roosters
Joseph ‘BJ’ Leilua - Sydney Roosters
Feleti Mateo - Warriors
Chris Lawrence - Wests Tigers
Aaron Woods - Wests Tigers