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)