BLUE BELIEVER

I can remember watching State of Origin as a young kid; all I knew was rugby league. When I was a youngster, when Origin time rolled around, it was massive in our household. I can remember going to school and being so excited; couldn’t wait to get home to sit in front of the telly and watch it.

One of my earliest memories of Origin was when Danny Buderus raced down off the kick-off and put that hit on Shane Webcke back in 2003; it’s still one of my favourite Origin memories for sure.

(Image courtesy of Canterbury Australia.)

I grew up in a little town called Old Bar on the mid-north coast of New South Wales. I went to school up there and mate, to tell you the truth, ever since I could remember, it was all about living and breathing footy. That’s all I ever wanted do to since I was a kid. I’ve loved it.

I’ve been born and bred to love that blue jersey of New South Wales – and to hate Queensland. That’s the way it’s been since I was a kid, and that’s the way it still is. That’s what makes State of Origin so great, that healthy rivalry that’s stronger than ever today. There’s not much else like it anywhere else in sport.

FIRST TASTE OF ORIGIN

My Origin debut was back in 2013 for game three; I ended up being selected as 18th man. So I went into camp, trained all week. I wasn’t even meant to play. I think it was the Sunday before the game on the Wednesday. Our coach Laurie Daley called me in. It was our day off, so I’m thinking, “Hang on, what’s going on here?”

(Image courtesy of Canterbury Australia.)

I sat down with him and he told me he was going to play me. I was 21 years old at the time. Mate, I couldn’t tell ya the emotions … it was something pretty crazy and surreal. Dreams had come true at that meeting. I walked out of the room. Couldn’t wait to call Dad and my brother.

I remember the build-up and realising how much it really meant to everyone. It’s a pretty big beast, State of Origin. When you’ve been a supporter and a fan … it’s so different again when you’re about to play in one. On game day the atmosphere … I remember running out … I’ll never forget it. It’s something you can only get playing State of Origin.

(Photo by Getty Images)

ON THE MAN HE REPLACED

Paul Gallen had a lot of leadership qualities and a lot of respect from the playing group, which I admired. That’s how he goes about his business. He’s a very tough competitor. He says it how it is. If he says he’ll do something, he’s going to do it. What he said, he really meant. He led by his actions; he still does to this day. I loved playing with Gal. He’s a really good bloke.

I try and do my best in that area, but obviously playing under a guy like Paul Gallen, you’d be silly not to take a few things and implement them. In saying that, I’d like to think I’ll do stuff my way as well. I’m still only young as a leader and captain; I’m still learning along the way and growing. Hopefully I can do a good job again.

(Photo by Getty Images)

I haven’t changed my game around Origin very much at all. I’ll always go out and put in 100-percent effort for my team-mates. The only thing that changes for me as far as being captain is concerned is the responsibility of talking to the refs and rallying the troops when something needs to be said. Most of that is spur-of-the-moment stuff. It’s not a hard job. That’s just the way it is. Part and parcel of it all.

- as told to James Smith

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