Maroons star can excel for club too
MAROONS ace Dane Gagai has bristled at suggestions he saves his best football for State of Origin following another matchwinning performance for Queensland.
Gagai was one of Queensland’s heroes in Wednesday night’s upset win against NSW at the Adelaide Oval in Game 1 of the series. Gagai was shifted from the wing to centre only an hour before kick-off following the late scratching of Brenko Lee (calf) and responded with another sublime showing.
He beat Dally M medallist Jack Wighton with a superb play and raced away to put winger Xavier Coates over for a crucial try to give Queensland the lead for the first time, with the Maroons going on to record an 18-14 victory.
Gagai, 29, has earned a reputation for producing remarkable performances in the Origin arena throughout a 14game career which has seen him net 11 tries.
He was also crowned the 2017 player of the series.
But his superhuman Origin efforts have raised questions and jokes about his club form for South Sydney. Now a 203game NRL player, Gagai said he wasn’t fazed by criticism he was an Origin specialist.
“Nah, not really. I guess everyone’s gonna be entitled to their opinion,” Gagai said.
“I thought a few of my performances this year at Souths were pretty up there but unfortunately we didn’t get to where we wanted to go, which was the grand final. That’s all behind us now.
“Like I’ve always said, when I’m playing at Souths, all my focus is on them and now I’m in Origin camp, all my focus is going to be here.
“I don’t listen to any outside noise. I’ll just do everything I can to prepare and not let the team down.”
Gagai looks set to start at right centre again in Wednesday’s second game at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, where Queensland can wrap up its first series win since 2017.
The Mackay product is now a senior player in the Queensland fold, with only prop Josh Papalii (16 games) boasting more Origin experience.
After losing the past two series, the Maroons have a golden opportunity to win the 2020 edition, even if it goes to a decider at Suncorp Stadium on November 18.
But Gagai is adamant the young Queenslanders can get the job done in Sydney if they remain focused following their Adelaide boilover.