Recall thrill for DCE
DALY Cherry- Evans says his previous lack of success at State of Origin was because he tried to be Cooper Cronk instead of himself.
The Queensland halfback spoke yesterday about his long- awaited recall to the Maroons team, following persistent rumours that he was on the outer with team officials and senior players.
He has been rewarded the spot due to his form and experience and the playmaker knows this is his chance to stamp his authority as the possible long- term No. 7 for Queensland. It is a moment the 29- year- old has always hoped would come.
Cherry- Evans racked up six Origin games between 2013 and 2015 before dropping out of the 17.
In those games he did play, he featured just twice at halfback, filling in for Cronk on both occasions.
He partnered Johnathan Thurston in the halves, but said he felt too much pressure from within himself to play like Cronk.
His three- year exile has taught him that the only player he can be is himself, and that is what he will bring in his return to Suncorp Stadium.
“I have to be myself and play to my strengths,” he said.
“I certainly got lost in trying to be someone else last time I was playing, and that was down to how much respect I had for the people that were playing and the people’s spots I was filling in for.
“Every time I played ( at halfback) … I just felt as though, in my own head, I felt I was just filling a spot.
“But that’s all in the past … I’m going to be a lot more confident and that’s why I am really happy with the opportunity I’ve got.
“This time around, no one has a stranglehold on the seven jersey for Queensland so I’m really excited.
“Anyone playing halfback in the Origin arena is always going to have a nice dark cloud over their head, that just comes with the territory. But I’m a lot more ready than what I was a couple of years ago.”
The Sea Eagles skipper admits he struggled to hear the rumours about him being on the outer with the Maroons over the past three years.
“It’s never nice hearing stuff about yourself … but I just had to make sure I was staying true to me,” he said.
“It’s a hard one to explain. I always trust my judgment as a person and make sure I am doing the best thing for me and my family.
“It’s a tough one, it really is a tough one.
“There’s no quotes or comments about it, it’s just rumours. No one’s actually come up and told me.”