Walters lays out Milford’s challenge
QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters has challenged Anthony Milford to prove he can be the long- term successor to Johnathan Thurston, telling the Maroons debutant: “Now it’s up to you.”
With the injured Thurston rated virtually no hope of playing Origin I, Milford is on the cusp of his Queensland debut before 52,000 fans in the series opener on Wednesday week at Suncorp Stadium.
The Broncos sensation was yesterday named in the No. 6 jumper, with Thurston relegated to 18th man in a clear sign the champion pivot is losing the battle to play his 37th consecutive Origin game.
Milford’s call- up shapes as Queensland’s most enthralling playmaking baptism in 30 years, after a tiny 68kg rookie from Ipswich named Allan Langer was thrown into the Lang Park cauldron in 1987.
Walters and Langer forged the greatest scrumbase alliance in Broncos history and the Maroons coach has urged Milford to produce the type of Origin debut that made “Alfie” a Queensland icon.
“It’s up to Anthony to deliver now,” Walters said.
“We’ll provide the support to get him ready for the game. But now it’s up to Anthony ... he has all the talent in the world and he gets the chance to show it on the big stage.
“Milf is similar to Alf. They are both little blokes, although Milf has about 20kg on Alf.
“His personality is similar to Alf’s as well. When the footy is on, he likes to play and when it’s not on, he likes to relax and not take things too seriously.
“I just want him to have a good week and get ready for the game of his life.”
Upon receiving the phone call from Walters, an elated Milford began ringing Broncos teammates to ask what he needed to bring to Camp Ma- roon. “He was very Walters said.
“The great part of our system in the QRL is that Anthony has played under- 20s for us, he’s been in our Emerging Origin system and now he gets his opportunity to do his stuff on the big stage.”
Thurston entered Camp Maroon last night, but he is ex- excited,” pected to succumb to a shoulder injury in the coming days.
That will clear the path for Milford, rated Queensland’s most prodigious talent since Thurston, to take an embryonic step in what Walters hopes will be a march to Origin greatness.
There is a view Milford, at 176cm and 90kg, could be tar- WELL Ray Price, you’re on your own.
NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce is back in Blue, having waited 685 days to erase the 52- 6 nightmare of his last state appearance in game three of 2015.
Ignoring the critics, including Price, whow called for Blues coach Laurie Daley to never pick the 28- year- old again, Pearce has found career- best form to be handed the reins of the Blues alongsidea five- eighth James Maloney.
The selection of rookie hooker geted by the NSW forwards but Walters scoffed at suggestions the Maroons tyro would be defensively exposed.
“I wouldn’t put him in that position if we felt he was vulnerable,” he said.
“I am excited about the week that lies ahead for Anthony. Dropping him into that six jersey which has been worn Nathan Peats, whose directive will be to provide clean and quick service, is a clear indication that the Blues’ attack will be left for Pearce to control.
It is the first Origin series the former Roosters premiership- winning halves combination of Pearce and Maloney will play together since 2013.
Queensland won the 2013 series 2- 1, when NSW lost the decider 12- 10 at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Leading the NRL with 25 try involvements this year, according to Fox Sports Stats, Pearce has developed as a
SUNCORP STADIUM, MAY 31, 8PM
by some famous people ... he just needed an opportunity to get into the side and that has arrived for him.
“We are preparing to play the game without ‘ JT’ ( Thurston). We realise his importance to Queensland and his importance to the Cowboys as well. We have to be smart around the decisions with Johnathan.” footballer and person since his Australia Day drama last year. He began the season alongside South Sydney recruit Luke Keary, and many believed the combination would take time to jell.
But on the back of Pearce and Keary, the Roosters are sitting third on the NRL ladder, while Pearce is also third on the Dally M leaderboard.
In Pearce’s corner, the likes of Andrew Johns, Braith Anasta, Michael Ennis and Phil Gould have championed his Origin recall.
Importantly, Daley and Pearce’s coach at the Roosters, Trent Robinson, believe in the halfback’s ability to make his 16th Origin appearance his most important.
“Mitch is a guy who has deserved his position,’’ Daley said. “He’s really matured and has been taking games by the scruff of the neck this year and he deserves his opportunity again.’’
Robinson said Pearce had let his football do the talking.
“I don’t want to talk about the road back because I think there has been enough of that,’’ Robinson said.