Harry and Hopgood: Hervey Bay's finest on the Origin stage

Queensland Under 19 weapon Harry Armstrong, who hails from Hervey Bay, cannot wait to pull on his maroon jersey on Thursday night to go up against New South Wales.

At Wynnum Manly Seagulls, training with the Hostplus Cup squad, but playing local A grade with Beenleigh Pride, Armstrong has been named at No.17.

“It means a lot to me… will be the first time I put on this Queensland jersey, so it’s a real privilege,” Armstrong said.

“I’m excited that I get the opportunity to run out there for my state… it’s special.”

Armstrong’s rugby league journey started at the Hervey Bay Seagulls – the same as Queensland Maroons State of Origin Game I debutant J’maine Hopgood – in under 6s.

“Have loved it since then,” Armstrong, who captained Wynnum Manly’s Mal Meninga Cup side this year, said.

“J’maine… really good guy who has helped me… he’s a great guy… so seeing him play Origin was real special.

“I didn’t really make any Queensland teams growing up. This is my first opportunity to throw on maroon, play for my state, so it means everything to me.

“State of Origin was always a pretty big event, always looked forward to it. For those eight years there, it was a good time. When the Blues first won again, it was a bit tough, but it’s always a good time of the year.

“Even though I was a forward, I always idolised Billy Slater and Greg Inglis. The way that they played, and how fearless they were… so strong. Helped the team massively.”

Armstrong, part of the Brisbane Broncos Emerging Squad, moved to Brisbane the week after he graduated from Xavier Catholic College in Hervey Bay to pursue a future in rugby league.

He said training with the “older more experienced guys in the Cup squad” at Wynnum Manly and being part of the Broncos Emerging Squad had helped elevate his game.

“Learning little things off them… as a backrower, there’s people like Liam Gale, Josh Stuckey, Darius Farmer,” Armstrong said.

“At Broncos, pretty big difference in the load of training, but I’ve learnt so much... it’s been really good atmosphere.

“I just want to try and play some good footy, wherever it is, and try and keep going up to try and get to the NRL, whenever that will be.

“Making this Queensland team was one of my goals at the start of the year so it’s good to get that one ticked off.”

Armstrong said being in camp with Origin greats including coach Ben Te’o and mentor Darius Boyd was “surreal”.

“I’m just trying to soak it up, learn as much as I can,” Armstrong said.

“I think they’ve got me on the team for the energy and the hard work I’ll get through… (my aim is to) get on, do the little things right and hopefully make an impact.”

Queensland Rugby League pathways and performance head coach Nathan Cross said Armstrong “epitomises what Queensland is all about”.

“Professional, very hard worker, great human… a super coachable player who will do anything for the team,” Cross said.

“Can play edge back row, middle or centre if needed and will not stop trying the entire time he is on the field.”