Forget Fifita, Parker tipping Fermor for Origin
FORGET about David Fifita, Queensland great Corey Parker believes Titans forward Beau Fermor will play State of Origin in 2023.
Fermor has been tipped to take the NRL by storm this year following a breakout 2022 and impressive pre-season.
The hard-running backrower will make his first appearance of the year in Sunday night’s trial against the Dolphins at Redcliffe.
And while all eyes will be on how Fifita performs following a disappointing 2022, in which he lost his Maroons jersey, Fermor is the Gold Coast forward that’s set to explode.
“I’ve had a big rap on Beau Fermor for a while and I think he will play State of Origin this year,” said Parker, a 19-game Queensland representative.
“He’s got all the attributes of a great edge backrower and has really improved over the past two seasons.
“He was close to playing Origin last year and I think he can take the next step in 2023.”
Fermor, 24, was a rare shining light for the Titans last year as the club slipped to a bottomfour finish. He was Gold Coast’s top tryscorer with 11 four-pointers in 23 games.
Now a 46-game NRL regular, Fermor will start on the left edge next to Kiwi Test fiveeighth Kieran Foran, who has been impressed by his backrow buddy in the pre-season.
“He is a player, isn’t he?” Foran said. “I’ve been so impressed with Beau. I think he’s in for a massive year.
“I always rated him watching him from afar, but coming to training with him this preseason has blown me away.”
A Dalby product, Fermor’s form didn’t go unnoticed last year, with Queensland coach Billy Slater drafting him into Camp Maroon in his extended squad.
“I’d be lying if I said it (playing Origin) wasn’t (my goal this year),” Fermor said.