Billy Slater Let Todd Payten Tell His Cowboys Players Who Made The Origin Squad, The Moment Was Very Wholesome

Getting picked to play State of Origin is an emotional roller coaster.

Usually, the player is excited and anxious, just sitting there sweating on the phone to ring, waiting and hoping for the Origin coach to call to say they are in.

But for the North Queensland Cowboys who will be representing Queensland next week, they received the news in the most unique and heartfelt way.

While Cowboys coach Todd Payten was speaking with Maroons coach Billy Slater regarding which of his team would be heading into Origin camp, Payten asked if he could deliver the wonderful news personally.

Slater thought the idea was perfect.

"I thought it was a really special moment for that group, you know Todd Payten especially has done a whole heap for those young guys," Slater explained to Fox Sports.

"I just felt it was important for them to feel that emotion as a group, because they have helped those individuals get to this level."

So, at a team dinner on Sunday night, Payten got up in front of his troops.

"Just got off the phone to Billy, the Queensland coach, and I am so happy to say we have six players involved in Origin this year."

As clapping and cheering broke out Payten had to say, "Let me finish, let me finish!"

"We have three in the 17 and we have three in the extended bench, so making their Origin debuts..."

Payten heads over to Rueben Cotter and shakes his hand as his teammates go bananas. He then makes his way to Jeremiah Nanai, another debutant for Queensland. They shake hands and hug while the rest of the Cowboys cheer.

He mentions that Valentine Holmes who wasn't at the dinner will also be heading into camp, along with Tom Dearden as the squad's 18^th man. It took a second for Dearden to register what he had just heard, the shocked look on the young mans face was priceless as Payten shakes his hand and his teammates congratulate him. Scott Drinkwater, who is sitting across from Dearden, gives him a 'knuckles' along with a perfect and appropriate "F**k yeah."

Payten continued on delivering the good news. "Hamiso and another fresh face in Origin," Payten says as he makes his way over to Murray Taulagi and shakes his hand.

The Cowboys shared the special moment on social media for all NRL fans to see. There is something very special in the water up in Townsville at the moment. Todd Payten has done a stellar job with the Cowboys this year, so to see him get to tell his players they had made the Origin team was just *chef's kiss.

Make sure you have your tissues ready!

Topics: Rugby League, nrl, State of Origin, Australia

Danielle Smith

@LadyleagueNRL