Horn set to be a hit with Maroons
THE Maroons are set to extend an invitation to newly crowned WBO welterweight champion Jeff Horn to come into Queensland camp this week, in a bid to inspire the Origin underdogs.
Faced with a massive battle in tomorrow week’s Origin decider, Kevin Walters is hoping Horn’s victory over legendary fighter Manny Pacquiao can spur his side on to glory against the Blues.
A number of Queensland players, including Michael Morgan, Gavin Cooper, Coen Hess and Matt Gillett, attended Horn’s fight on Sunday alongside Walters and selector Gene Miles.
Miles said the team was stunned by Horn’s resilience and now the Maroons hierarchy hope they can use his Cinderella story as inspiration.
“I’m pretty sure Kevvie is going to invite him down (to camp) to have a chat or spend the day with them, do a bit of training and just be present with them,” Miles said.
“I’d love to hear the story myself, just how he felt, particularly in that ninth round. He didn’t look too flash.
“To see what he did was something very special. He had the old underdog tag, which we love. I think we’ve got it again this game.
“He was just a tenacious Queenslander. He wanted something badly and put his body through hell to get there.”
Horn has visited the Maroons once this series – and proved to be a lucky charm after he stopped in at one of their Gold Coast training sessions ahead of Game Two.
After the two sides named their teams yesterday, Queensland were $2.10 outsiders with UBET to claim victory in front of their home crowd.
But, following Horn’s win on the Suncorp Stadium turf on Sunday, Queensland know anything is possible.
“I, like all Queenslanders yesterday, was very proud of his efforts,” Walters said.
“What he did in that ring … he has more courage than I would ever have.”