Genetic gift why Nanai can’t be stopped
Giant hands have greatness within Jeremiah’s reach
YOU know what they say about b men with big hands? They score plenty of tries.
Maroons forward Jeremiah Nanai’s giant hands are the secret behind his freakish try-scoring ability.
Nanai, 19, has scored 11 tries in 13 games for the resurgent Cowboys this year to retain his spot in Queensland’s State of Origin team ahead of Sunday’s second game against NSW in Perth.
While Nanai has credited a volleyball background for his athletic leaping, it’s the backrower’s hands that give him an advantage. advantage
At 186cm and 104kg, Nanai is a big body and fellow Queensland backrower Kurt Capewell has never seen anything like “Miah’s mitts”.
“He has got the biggest hands I’ve ever seen in my life,” Capewell said. “It’s unbelievable. His hands are twice the size of mine.
“He is a good kid. He is quiet and goes about his training well.”
Nanai’s X-factor proved too hard to resist for Maroons coach Billy Slater, who blooded him off the bench in Queensland’s Queensland’ 16-10 1 Origin I victory in Sydney.
Nanai was restricted to 36 minutes in his Origin debut after an ankle injury forced him from the field briefly before he bravely returned to finish the game in pain.
The Cairns product revealed the injury hadn’t healed and he will carry it for the remainder of the season before he can properly rest it.
But he is in the big league now and has to learn how to play with pain.
“I was hoping it wasn’t too bad when I went back to the Cowboys,” Nanai said.
“I had a week off against the Dragons and I’ve been looking after it and recovering.
“It’s still a bit swollen, but I’m taking it step-by-step to slowly get back on the field at full strength.
“I’m not a little kid anymore. I’ve got to toughen up in this big game. It’s going to be sore for the rest of the year. I’ll leave it to the physio to strap it up all year and it will slowly recover.”
Most of Nanai’s time on the field in Game One was when Queensland was desperately defending its line amid a late charge from the Blues.
Nanai made 19 tackles but only managed two runs and he is hoping to have more of an impact at Optus Stadium when he comes off the bench.
The Blues didn’t experience his insane jumping and try-scoring efforts, which could help Queensland secure the series in Perth.
“It was disappointing to get hurt,” he said.
“I was grateful I got to get back on the field and finish the game off and get a win.
“I’m going to do what Billy wants me to do when he puts me on the field. I will play my game.”