State touch team calls

Former Rotorua rugby player Murray Sturt will get a taste of State of Origin after being selected for the Queensland touch squad.

Originally from Ngongotaha, the 33-year-old moved to the Gold Coast to seek his fortune and fame. The fame side of things has come on the touch field where he made the Queensland men's 30 team.

Sturt, who plays club touch for South West Queensland team 2 Sharp, was selected into the State side squad of 14, after what he describes as an "intense" selection process.

"We've been training solid, every weekend for three months now with a squad of 25 and it was eventually narrowed down to 14."

The three-test series which gets under way in September is popular in Australia and is televised live.

"It's pretty intense it's just like the NRL's State of Origin where it's mate against mate and no one holds back."

The former Western Heights High School student said it was the first time he had made the team and he was proud of the achievement.

Although he was proud to be a Kiwi, Sturt who is a nephew to Rotorua District councillor Charles Sturt, said he would be proud to wear the green and gold for Australia in touch.

"I think it's everyone's dream to play for the best team in the world and Australia are that in touch. There are a number of Kiwis who play in the Aussie team. Benji Marshall played for them."

Two other Kiwis in the Queensland side are Zak Rau and Johnny Andrews. New South Wales are the current title holders but Sturt said Queensland had the team to take back the title. The three match series will be played at Port Macquarie on September 21 and 22.

STATE OF ORIGIN

Game 1: September 21, 3.30pm (local time).

Game 2: September 22, 8.30am (local time).

Game 3: September 22, 4.30pm