After taking a call from O’Meley on a Friday, Taaffe played for the Blues the following Wednesday and helped steer them to a win over the Maroons. Burton, who plays for the Panthers on Sunday, won man of the match and Panthers duo Spencer Leniu and Stephen Crichton also featured in that NSW team. It was the same night James Tedesco scored in the corner to seal a memorable origin series win for the Blues in Sydney.

Taaffe said this weekend’s soldout Suncorp Stadium would be the biggest crowd he has played in front of since that Origin night.

”I try not to think about [the pressure],” Taaffe told the Herald. “I’m the type of person where the less I think about it, the less I stress. I just like hanging out with the boys and talking crap.

“Latrell has been massive for me. He’s done it all, won two premierships and played for his state and country.

“He just keeps telling me to be myself and not over-play my hand. He deserves a (premiership) ring, he’s been here through thick and thin and we can’t thank him enough.”

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Such is Taaffe’s form that there has already been talk about how incoming Souths coach and current assistant Jason Demetriou plays Taaffe and Mitchell in the same backline next year. Mitchell can also play centre and could even step up to replace Adam Reynolds as a halves option with Cody Walker.

Taaffe is also a halfback, but said he enjoyed it most at the back.

“I can see myself in the halves if I’m given that roaming role,” Taaffe said. “As long as I’m in the 17 I’m not fussed. But fullback is where I’m most comfortable. Latrell is still our No. 1. He’s just loaned his jersey to me. I’ve still got a lot to learn about it.”

After one bobble, Taaffe did well to survive Nathan Cleary’s relentless aerial assault a few weeks back, but he is expecting more this weekend.

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