EXCLUSIVE: Andrew Johns' plan to 'brainwash' rising star Isaiya Katoa amid representative eligibility war

League great Andrew Johns is eager to begin recruiting the next generation of NSW Blues with his eyes set on "brainwashing" one young Dolphins playmaker.

Winner of the Dolphins' rookie of the year award in 2023, Isaiya Katoa has been at the centre of an ongoing battle between teams to secure his talent at a representative level.

Johns has been a vocal supporter of Katoa committing his representative future to the NSW Blues but the young star has also gained interest from New Zealand.

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The 21-year-old has previously represented Tonga on the international stage, competing as a teenager at the 2022 World Cup.

However, Katoa was born in Wellington, New Zealand and moved to Australia at the age of nine, meaning he is eligible to represent both nations.

The star five-eighth played his junior football for the Glenmore Park Brumbies before transitioning through the youth system at the Penrith Panthers.

Under the current eligibility rules for the Origin arena, if a player is not born in NSW or Queensland but has resided in either state since prior to their 13th birthday they can be considered for selection provided they have not represented another Tier 1 nation.

With Tonga not considered a Tier 1 nation, Katoa would be allowed to represent the Blues as long as he did not make the switch to join the Kiwis on the international stage.

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The 21-year-old has yet to confirm where his allegiance lies, but Johns is determined to begin planting the seeds to lean in favour of the Blues.

"Isaiya Katoa, everyone knows I love him as a player," Johns said on Wide World of Sports' Immortal Behaviour.

"I was thinking about going down to the sheds (on Friday) after the game because we need him for New South Wales... moving forward in like five or six years time when Nathan (Cleary) finishes up.

"(Katoa) and (Lachlan) Galvin... they are the next in line so I've got to start brain washing him.

"The Dolphins, can you please let me in the sheds?"