From exile to exemplary
Parker’s six years of hell forges his steely resolve
COREY Parker once had his leg slashed open so deep he could touch his shinbone.
But when the Maroons workhorse uses the word “excruciating” he’s referring to something very different.
That’s how Parker describes his six-year Origin exile.
Parker made his Origin debut as front-rower with a shaved head in 2004.
He played three matches from 2004-05 before being overlooked. I’ve been lucky enough to be here ever since.
“I was always in contact with Mal (Meninga, coach).
“I did make sure when I got the opportunity again I wouldn’t be letting it go real easy and I don’t plan on letting it go either.”
Queensland won the opening match of the series 11-10 but NSW sent it to a decider with a 26-18 victory three weeks ago at the MCG.
The Maroons forwards were overrun in Game Two with Parker the only one to run through the 100m barrier.
Meninga has stuck by his engine room and Parker backed them to fire in the face of adversity.
“It’s the same forward pack we had in Game One that won and same pack that won the series two years ago,” he said.
“These guys haven’t just popped up. They’ve been here for a while.
“I’ve got no dramas at all. I’m 100 per cent confident the 17 guys can get the job done.
“You’re playing a decider at home and wearing a Queensland jersey. That’s enough motivation in my book.”
Parker had a much publicised battle with firebrand Blues rookie David Klemmer during Origin II.
The two exchanged words and Klemmer has been a talking point of the decider but Parker said the Maroons couldn’t focus on one player.
“He’s been fantastic for NSW in his first two games,” Parker said. “If you want to focus on one guy like David, you’re going to miss a couple of other fair players that they’ve got in their forward pack.
“There’s a lot of pride and passion on the line.
“It’s going to be hot and tough where I am in the middle and I expect no different.
“It’s a decider, it’s an Origin, it’s going to have everything I would assume.”