Campese, who has mentored Dotoi since taking over at the Blackhawks, told this masthead the tournament would prove the 23-year-old belongs at the highest level.
"This is a really good platform and arena for [Dotoi] to shine and try and show the NRL that's where he belongs," Campese said. "He's pretty much got everything you want as an outside back and as a footy player. He's got strength, speed and this agility about him that's really hard to come by."
Dotoi, who hails from Bowen in north Queensland, played schoolboy rugby league at Kirwan State High School alongside Jeremiah Nanai. His NRL exposure so far has been limited to a stint with the West Tigers fresh out of high school and a train-and-trial opportunity last summer with the North Queensland Cowboys.
After a brief demotion for missing a commitment without informing teammates, a frank conversation helped the winger mature. "Being punctual is probably the easiest word to wrap it all up. His priorities at the time – putting training first – he probably didn't do that as a young kid," Campese said. He added that communication is key: "Communication is the big one ... communicating with the people who can help you through it."
In 2026, Dotoi recorded 11 try assists from the flank and has won consecutive Winger of the Year awards in the Queensland Cup. Campese described his growth in professionalism, noting he once sat Dotoi out of a captain's run for arriving five minutes late.
The World Cup offers Dotoi a chance to demonstrate his improved discipline and elite finishing against international opposition, with NRL clubs expected to watch closely.