Daniel Saifiti 80 minutes away from spearheading a NSW Origin series victory

Daniel Saifiti is 80 minutes away from spearheading a NSW Origin series victory with memories of sky blue snubs as a junior and Brad Fittler's personal challenge still burning for the rising prop.

Saifiti is set to start alongside Knights teammate and mentor David Klemmer tonight , leading the Blues' bid for back‑to‑back series wins from the first carries of the game.

Newcastle's struggles through three consecutive wooden spoons saw Saifiti and twin brother Jacob fast‑tracked into first grade at the age of 20, a debut Daniel concedes came too quickly in a struggling pack.

He joked that missing the 16s,18s and 20s and is filthy about it.

He adds he is happy how it has panned out adding it drove him a bit, missing out on those rep teams as a kid.

The New South Wales Blues take on the Queensland Maroons in State of Origin Game 3 at 10 tonight.