NANAI AIMS TO TAKE OUT HIS ANGER ON THE BLUES
MAROONS rookie Jeremiah Nanai is on a mission to both prove he belongs in the Origin arena and take out his anger on the Blues following his Perth embarrassment.
Nanai will make his starting debut in Queensland’s back row in Wednesday night’s series decider at Suncorp Stadium following the withdrawal of back-row veteran Felise Kaufusi.
Kaufusi will miss his first Origin game since debuting in Game One of the 2018 series after flying to the US to be with his ill father, Taniela.
Kaufusi’s absence has opened the door for Nanai to step into Queensland’s starting side for the first time in what will be his third appearance for the Maroons.
And the Cowboys try-scoring sensation has plenty to prove following a poor performance in Queensland’s 44-12 Game Two thrashing in Perth. “I wasn’t too good,” Nanai said. “That’s just the game and how it is. It’s time to move on from that game. I’m going to move forward from now on and do my job in the starting team.
“It means a lot to me and my family to get that starting position. You’ve got to earn it and I think I have. I’m going to do my best.
“If Billy (Slater, coach) believes in me I have to believe in myself. I will do all I can on Wednesday night.
“I’m going to try and punch out 80 minutes and keep working on my defence and kick-chase. I am excited to see how I go.”
Nanai, 19, is yet to make his mark in Origin like he has in the NRL, with 12 tries in 14 games for North Queensland this season.
He suffered an ankle injury on debut in Sydney and only managed four runs in Perth, with a poor missed tackle on Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai punctuating his bad night.
That limp effort on Luai has fuelled Nanai to shine when he gets his first crack at starting for Queensland.
“It does hurt,” he said.
“That gives me motivation. I want to get some anger out of myself and give it to those Blues fellas.
“We’re at home and going to do it in front of 50,000 fans.
“I’m keen and ready.”
Nanai will have to be at his best defensively in place of the hard-hitting Kaufusi, who has been a mainstay on Queensland’s right edge.
Fellow backrower Kurt Capewell said Nanai was up to the task of stopping NSW’S threatening attack.
“It’s a special beast, Origin, and you need to be at the top of your game to fire in this arena,” he said.
“Losing Felise is a huge blow, he brings so much experience, but it’s a great opportunity for a young guy like Jeremiah. I believe he is more than capable to jump in while Felise isn’t here and hopefully Nanai makes the most of it.
“You can see how well he is going in the NRL and using that as a guideline, I have no doubt he can handle a starting role in Origin.”