BLUES COOKING UP ORIGIN WIN
COEN Hess believes in miracles. How could he not after making his State of Origin debut in one of Queensland’s greatest comebacks in history?
Billy Slater out? Dane Gagai battling injury?
Hess will still believe.
The Blues were on the cusp of winning just their second series in a decade when they led 16-6 at halftime and were in control early in the second stanza in Game Two last year.
But in a performance that ranks with any of the Maroons great fightbacks, Queensland refused to yield and eventually took honours when a busted Johnathan Thurston nailed a sideline conversion in the dying minutes.
Cowboys forward Hess came off the bench in that game, his Origin baptism coming in a match that would forge the belief that the Maroons’ never-say-die attitude is far more than just legend.
“It was unreal, you can’t really describe it,” he said. “It’s giving me goose bumps thinking about it. There were so many clutch plays in that last 20 minutes.
“You watch the highlights back now and are dumbfounded as to how it all turned out.
“For me coming into Game Two and not knowing what to expect, it was a bit daunting. But I obviously gained a lot of confidence from last year.”
An impact player off the bench last year, Hess has become an 80-minute man for the Cowboys in a move that may have seemed to dull his impact from the outside, but clubmate Gavin Cooper said that was far from the case.
“He’s not playing the same role at clubland as he was last year, so he’s not coming on with the big, tired forwards in the middle and scoring two tries a game, so everyone thinks he’s having a s*** year,” Cooper said.
“But for what we’re doing at the club, Hessy’s form’s been pretty good, I think.”
While not a religious man, Hess admitted he had been praying he would make the Queensland team and is now out to make an impact in the middle.
“We’ve got big Naps (Dylan Napa) and JWall (Jarrod Wallace) there who will no doubt do a good opening job for us, so it’s up to us bench guys to step in once they’ve come off and continue what they’ve started,” he said. “That’s my job here, to create a bit of an impact.” One thing is for certain, though. Hess won’t be intimidated by the occasion.
“Last year we were underdogs and we all saw how that turned out,” he said. “We believe in ourselves and know what we’re capable of.” THEY will be representing their state, their people, their heritage.
James Roberts and Latrell Mitchell, from the NSW mid-north coast towns of Kempsey and Taree respectively, Blacktown’s Josh Addo-Carr and Wellington-born and bred Tyrone Peachey may come from different parts of the state but each carries the one indigenous heart.
They are Aboriginal stars who will tonight attempt to help thrust NSW into a golden age of State of Origin football.
And their debuts come as the indigenous-owned Kari Foundation will be displayed for the first time on the front of a NSW jumper.
“There’s four of us, it’s a massive achievement. To have some brothers in there getting among it is good for the image of NSW,” Mitchell said.
“Being indigenous means everything to me. I wear it on my sleeve. Anything I do I always remember where I come from.
“I know what I want to live by. I’m proud to be an Aboriginal. It’s also massive LET me take you back to Game Three, 2017 – The Decider.
The great Cameron Smith comes out and says he has been letting Queensland down after being limited to just two runs for eight metres in the opening two matches.
On the eve of the decider Smith publicly called his forwards out to lay the platform for him to increase his attack.
The crafty Queenland No.9 was at his attacking best, scheming and probing every time there was a quick play the ball, every time a NSW marker was left on the ground. And when the big, powerful NSW forward pack tired, it was Smith who owned the moment.
Tonight as we embark on a new era of Origin, the Blues will field a side full of speed, athleticism and youth with 11 debutants thrust onto rugby league’s biggest stage.
For the Maroons, well, they face the daunting task of trying to defend their title without arguably the greatest spine in the history of league.
Few would argue Smith is the greatest dummy-half to ever lace up a boot, while Billy Slater is a player who completely revolutionised the modern-day fullback’s role, Johnathan Thurston is a future Immortal and few have ever been able to execute a coach’s game plan better than Cooper Cronk.
We’ve become accustomed to seeing these four Queensland champions owning the clutch moments when the game is on knife’s edge.
Who will rise when that moment presents now?
Is there a player with bigger shoes to fill than Andrew McCullough?
The retirement of Smith was going to eventuate and it was always going to be unfortunate for whoever had that daunting task of pulling on the famous Maroons No 9.
McCullough is the right man for the job. His temperament for our families. I’m stoked.
“We (the group of four) just clicked straight away as soon as we got into camp. We are building our relationship. I’m really keen suggests he won’t go out there tonight and try to be Smith, he has to play his own game, something he has done so well for the Broncos over the past few years.
His game suits Origin. He’s tough and uncompromising, yet crafty out of dummy-half.
It is what Smith brought to the Maroons for over a decade.
McCullough though is up against a very big NSW forward pack and will need to play smart. He will need variety, movement and to change the angles of his forwards to fatigue the NSW forward pack.
We don’t see him run a lot but he must do it tonight.
When you earn momentum in Origin you must sustain it, put the foot on the throat and be to play with the boys.”
Roberts has a connection with each of his indigenous Blues mates.
“It’s really good to see, 100 per cent,” Roberts said. “The relentless, play over the advantage line and terrorise the opposition through the middle.
This is a great opportunity for McCullough and one he thoroughly deserves.
Opposing McCullough is the electric Damien Cook.
Is there a player heading on to the MCG tonight in better form?
What a story this is.
He is the epitome of persistence.
He has had road block after road block in front of him at every club he has been at and tonight that incredible drive, determination and phenomenal work ethic pays off.
His form at the Rabbitohs has been incredible and could boys have been playing really good footy so to be able to play with them is really exciting. I’m buzzing.
“I grew up playing for La Perouse Panthers and so did Josh. Latrell is from Taree and my old man is from Forster, just down the road, we have that bond there, a connection. I also played with Peach out at Penrith.
“This is the first time I can feel how proud my family are, my people as well. I hope to do them proud, that’s the plan.”
Peachey added: “I get to play Origin and I’m pumped. prove to be the x-factor for NSW. The Blues forward pack is powerful and aggressive and the onus is on them to lay the platform and generate momentum for the likes of Nathan Cleary and James Maloney but it is Cook who could do the most damage.
He now poses just as much of a threat in the opening 20 minutes as he does in the last 20 minutes.
What’s most important for Cook is that he doesn’t sit back and wait for his moment, sometimes in Origin they just don’t come. You have to go and find it.
Tonight on rugby league’s biggest stage, when that Origin moment arrives and the result is on the line, the two debutants in the No.9 jersey will hold the key.
Who will own that moment? I get the feeling that this is Damien Cook’s time. It’s awesome to have the Fox (Addo-Carr), Jimmy and Latrell in camp, we’re all going through the same experience on debut.
“It’s a surreal feeling. You can feel the atmosphere and energy.”
Addo-Carr was as proud. “It’s great to be able to represent my family and my people,” Addo-Carr said.
The Kari Foundation designs and develops programs for indigenous people through education, health, arts, culture and sport.