Brad Fittler's Origin III selection could have serious repercussions for the West Tigers, with a unique clause in rookie Blues prop Stefano Utoikamanu's contract impacting his future at the club, according to a Sydney Morning Herald report.
Utoikamanu was called to make his debut in the sky blue jersey in Origin II, replacing Tevita Pangai Junior – who was dropped from the side after game one.
The 23-year-old was given 12 minutes off the bench but was axed from the side for the dead rubber clash in Sydney, with Fittler bizarrely informing him he was being "rested" from Origin III.
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The Parramatta junior debuted at the Tigers in 2021, with the club announcing early last year the young prop had signed a two-year contract extension with the Tigers until 2025.
However, Herald reporter Michael Chammas revealed a unique contract clause was inserted for Utoikamanu, due to fears over the direction of the club with the Tigers currently positioned at the bottom of the ladder.
The clause would allow the star to become a free agent in 2025 if the Tigers failed to make the eight in 2023 and 2024, but can be revoked by the club if the Blues rookie's representative career kicks off.
A counter-clause inserted by the Tigers, in an effort to protect themselves in their deal with the prop, allowed the club to remove the free agency clause if Utoikamanu represents NSW twice by the end of 2024.
The Blues coach reportedly told Utoikamanu he had decided to go "in a different direction" for Wednesday night's series finale.
Catch up on all the action from State of Origin III on 9Now
"He called me and said he's resting me this game. He's going in a different direction," Utoikamanu said.
"It was pretty disappointing I'm not there… but we lost the game, there's naturally going to be people on the chopping block.
"I was pretty confident going in. I only got 12 minutes so I didn't get to do much out there. I feel like I did my job. It's good I got to go out there and experience what it's like to play State of Origin, that's where all the best players play."
"I didn't take it to heart or anything."
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