Five Dragons named in Emerging Blues squad

Sele was one of five St George Illawarra players named in Fittler’s Emerging Blues squad on Friday with Matt Dufty, Jai Field, Zac Lomax, Reece Robson also getting call-ups.

The 21-year-old, who played 15 games in his debut NRL season,  was handed his first rep jersey by Fittler, who coached and underdog City line-up to a 20-10 victory over Country in May.

Fittler won also won praise in coaching Lebanon to within two points of a semi-finals berth at the recent World Cup and Sele was quick to endorse his coaching abilities.

“I was really honoured and really lucky Brad gave me that opportunity,” Sele said.

“He was really relaxed and down to earth and kept things pretty simple for us middles. He gave me a starting spot which I didn’t expect but he really put me at ease and just told me to stay patient, stay calm and just do what I needed to do.

“There were a lot of times where he’d joke around and have a laugh but but as soon as we hit that field it’s time to stop mucking around and get to work. He was really, really big on that.

“I really think he deserved [the NSW job] after the way he brought us together.”

Sele, Field and Dufty made their NRL debuts in 2017 and, along with Robson, have all featured for the NSW under 20s during the Blues six-year reign of dominance, while Lomax was named the NSWRL under 18s player after booting the winning field-goal in Blues 29-28 victory over Queensland in July.