Rabbitohs to move on from Origin
SOUTH Sydney Rabbitohs playmaker Adam Reynolds says there will be no cheeky locker room banter around Queensland’s shock State of Origin loss despite four players having a major role in the series so far.
Queensland featured the Bunnies star winger Dane Gagai and skipper Greg Inglis led the team while the victorious Blues boasted in-form rake Damien Cook and second rower Angus Crichton.
But Reynolds, who represented NSW in 2016, quickly dismissed any notions of jovial ribbing between teammates, adding that the Rabbitohs will take a “back-to-business” approach for their match with the Cowboys following the representative round bye.
“There won’t be any of that at all,” the crafty halfback said earlier this week.
“Both teams wear their hearts on their sleeves. NSW winning is great from my perspective but I’ve been on the other end of it and it’s not too much fun when you’re losing.
“When everyone gets back, I’m sure the guys will be humble and there won’t be too much said about the State of Origin series.”
Cook said he felt “mixed emotions” at the end of NSW’s thrilling 18-14 win in Game Two at ANZ Stadium last week, knowing his fellow Rabbitohs teammates had lost.
“We got the ball with about a minute to go. The boys were pretty excited but Queensland can score from anywhere, so we had to settle down,” he said.
“Then there was just shock when the siren finally went. Greg came over, congratulated us and said to enjoy it and that we deserved the win.
“It means so much to hear that from him because he’s obviously one of the greats of the game.
“I remember the first game at the MCG, the senior boys said, ‘When you run out take in the moment, have a look around and take it all in and get focused and get into the game’.
“I did that. People said it was really loud but for me it was all a blur. It was a surreal experience.”
Former captain John Sutton said the Rabbitohs were wary of pushing themselves too hard this week in the leadup to their match at Barlow Park in Cairns.
“Obviously ‘Gus’ and ‘Cooky’ will be pumped but we had 11 players play during the representative round which is great,” Sutton said.
Meanwhile North Queensland star Te Maire Martin will likely still feel jet lagged when he takes the field with the Kiwi five-eighth having played in New Zealand’s Test against England in Denver last weekend. Martin will have been on a plane for more than 21 hours this week before facing South Sydney.
“The travel is an issue,” Cowboys coach Paul Green said earlier this week.
“We’ll have to just assess once he gets back here, but we’re probably more confident he’ll be all right.”