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High-flying, try-scoring teenager Jeremiah Nanai will add an aerial threat to Queensland's bench in the State of Origin opener.

Jumping Jeremiah Nanai thanks a childhood playing volleyball for the hops and his uncle for convincing his father that rugby league was worth a shot.

The 19-year-old Auckland-born, Cairns-raised backrower has caught the eye for North Queensland after 10 tries in 12 NRL games this season.

Incredibly, the first eight of those came from teammates' kicks.

But it's been his tireless defence that impressed Queensland coach Billy Slater and ensured him a spot to face NSW in Sydney next Wednesday.

He scored a try on debut as an 18-year-old in round 22 last season and announced himself with a high-flying hat-trick at Suncorp Stadium against Brisbane in round three.

It forced the Cowboys into action, extending the in-demand teenager's contract until the end of next season.

Nanai's place on the bench will add further headaches for a NSW team already busy scheming to defuse the aerial threats of wingers Xavier Coates and Selwyn Cobbo.

"I've just been competing for the ball, wanting to have that ball in your hands," Nanai said of his handy habit.

"Fingers crossed they do (halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster kick for him).

"Xavier's there too, who can jump. If they put it up in the air hopefully I get there."

Volleyball was just as competitive in Cairns school sport as rugby league, with Nanai's spike a weapon that didn't translate to the football field until under-13s.

"I played backyard footy with my four brothers but dad didn't want me to play rugby league. He was pretty scared of me getting injured," Nanai said.

"One day my uncle told my dad, 'put him in a team'. Back and forward they had an argument but he ended up convincing him.

"So I signed up for under-13s Kangaroos and it went from there.

"Dad was pretty happy (when told Nanai had made the Queensland team) and I put it (thanks) on my uncle too for convincing my dad to sign me up."