Biggest Origin battle
AN emotional Kevin Walters has declared next week’s decider will be “the biggest game in Origin history” as Queensland attempts to clinch the series in Sydney.
Walters fought back tears yesterday as he defiantly backed his new-look squad to bring the State of Origin shield north of the border and was confident his men could do the job in enemy territory.
Next week’s Game Three shapes as one Queensland’s biggest tests as they overcome a humiliating 38-6 loss in Perth and head to Sydney in an attempt to avoid consecutive series defeats for the first time since 2005.
The injury-hit Maroons squad has been bolstered by the inclusion of debutants Corey Norman and Christian Welch – brought in to cover for sidelined stars Kalyn Ponga (calf) and Jai Arrow (ankle).
Game One bruiser Joe Ofahengaue has also been named to return from injury to add starch to the Maroons pack, which was criticised for a lack of go-forward in Game Two.
The Maroons yesterday headed into camp in Brisbane to begin their 10-day preparation for the decider.
“The exciting thing for all Queenslanders is that we’re part of a decider,” Walters said.
“It’s going to be the biggest game in Origin’s history and I’m so thrilled and excited to be a part of this.
“There’s plenty of experience in the side and we’ve got some guys making their debut.
“You go and ask any one of them where they want to be on Wednesday week.
“They don’t want to be at home watching it on the telly; they want to be on the field giving it all and their best for
Queensland. Their best will be good enough to win.”
Front-rowers Jarrod Wallace and Dylan Napa were yesterday dropped for Game Three following an underwhelming display in Queensland’s loss in Perth.
Walters said it had been difficult to drop both players but a tough call had to be made if Queensland were to win Game Three and claim the series.
“It was hard (to make the call) on both players,” he said.
“They’re both obviously disappointed but you’ve got to make a tough call sometimes.
“We weren’t up to scratch in Game Two and we’ll just leave it at that, and we’ll move on to Game Three and get our preparation really spot on and make it the best preparation we’ve had.
“We picked the team again we expect to win Game Three.
“We expected to win Game Two and we expected to win Game One and we certainly expect to win Game Three.”