Staggs, a proud Indigenous man from the Wiradjuri nation, will play the Gold Coast on Sunday, with the Blues side to be announced the following day for the State of Origin season opener against Queensland on June 5 in Sydney.
The 25-year-old Staggs has played just once for the Blues in game one in 2022 when he was injured and did not play the rest of the series. He was overlooked last year.
"I want to be back there (in Origin). That is where the best footy players play," Staggs said.
"It is the biggest game of the year. If I do all the hard work in a Broncos jersey I might find myself back in a Blues jersey. If that call comes, I will be ready."
Staggs was invited by new coach Michael "Madge'' Maguire to attend a pre-season camp this year."He got all the players that he looks at to select for the games. We all came together to get to know the new staff and Madge as well and how he goes about things," Staggs said.
"I back him (as a good coach)."
Staggs, who debuted for Australia last year, is no certainty to get picked.Canterbury skipper Stephen Crichton is a red-hot favourite. He plays both left and right centre, which means Maguire can pick the best of the other centres no matter what side of field they prefer.
South Sydney talisman Latrell Mitchell, Cronulla weapon Jesse Ramien and powerful Joseph Sua'alii from the Sydney Roosters are all contenders."There are a lot of good centres you can pick in the NSW team as well," Staggs said.
"Crichton is there as a three-time premiership winner who knows how to go about his job. He has been there before."
Brisbane's Kotoni Staggs will wear an Indigenous-themed jersey he helped design against Gold Coast. (Supplied/AAP PHOTOS)
Round 12 of the NRL is Indigenous Round, one that Staggs marks on his calendar and plays well in. He modelled the jersey the Broncos will wear at training on Tuesday.
"A few of us were asked to help design the jersey, and it is special for me to be able to have my say," Staggs said.
"The jersey is (themed) around ancestors. It has the Brisbane River that runs down our shoulder and comes into a footy and (motifs of) strength and power on the shoulders. On the back is the mud flicking up from the ground. It is a special one for me and also my family."
The motifs on Staggs' shoulders are fitting for the pocket rocket he is.
"The position I play, I need to be powerful and have a lot of strength," he said.
"It is a very powerful jersey and I can't wait to put it on. I am a proud Indigenous person and I love my culture. This is a round where I am always ready to play and what I wait for as well."
10°C