UNBELIEVABLE - it is a word that talented Bathurst halfback Noah Griffiths uses a lot when describing his latest rugby league representative honour and it is easy to see why.
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Griffiths has been selected to play for the under 18 NSW Blues side which will square off with fierce rivals Queensland next Wednesday.
The match will be played as a curtain-raiser to game one of the State of Origin series and to help his preparation, Griffiths has been offered guidance by men who have proudly worn the blue of their state.
Given Griffiths only made his NSW under 16s debut last year, the latest selection speaks volumes for his talent.
"At the start I was surprised, but I'm that nervous about it now just because it is a big jump," the Bathurst Panthers junior said.
"I'm a year young too, so that's pretty exciting, it's unbelievable.
"It started off as a 30-man squad which got picked through all the rep footy games and I was lucky enough to already have my name in the system. I was lucky enough to get called back.
"We had a two-day camp down at the [NSWRL] Centre of Excellence, we also had position specific days and then they picked the squad from there."
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At that position specific day, Griffiths and his fellow playmakers were instructed by Andrew Johns, Braith Anasta and Brett Finch - men who boast 36 NSW Origin caps between them.
"It was unreal Joey Johns, Anasta and Finchy were there, they were telling us how to play and just every little thing we could learn about the game," Griffiths said.
"I remembered some of it, but just listening to them talk about the game, it was just unbelievable."
Now he has been selected in the squad, which will go into camp on Friday, Griffiths will be coached by another former Blue in Michael Ennis.
The hooker played eight games for NSW and has already drummed into the Bathurst talent and his team-mates the responsibility that comes with wearing the renowned league colours.
"I talked to him once when we had our first camp down there - he's unbelievable. He just interacts with everyone real good, his knowledge of the game is fantastic," Griffiths said.
"That's the number one thinking they drilled into us, getting the meaning of the jumper and what it's like, what you need to do to be a Blue. So yeah, it's unbelievable.
"It's a great team, even just the forward pack, looking at them, I can't wait to play behind them."
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While Griffiths has been playing club football for Panthers in the Group 10 under 18s competition, when he runs out onto Suncorp Stadium it will mark his first representative match of 2019.
His job will be to try and guide NSW to a fourth consecutive win over the Maroons in this age group.
"I'm nervous more than anything because it's before the big boys State of Origin is played, there's going to be a bit of a crowd there. It's up in Queensland so it's going to be hard, but I think we can do it," he said.
"It's stay simple and all the origin mentality stuff - don't go doing fancy plays, just try and get your job done and hopefully all that just ties together. You've only got one crack at it, so you've got to give it your best."