Perhaps it is apt that Brent Tate can see a silver lining to the end of Queensland’s State of Origin reign as they look to infiltrate the land of the Long White Cloud.
Retired Maroons flyer Tate has been unveiled as the ambassador for Queensland Rugby League’s bold membership launch into New Zealand next week ahead of the Auckland Nines.
And the QRL have not ruled out campaigning for future Origin clashes to be held across the ditch.
Tate – who played three seasons for the NZ Warriors in his distinguished career – does not believe the Queensland cause will be a hard sell in New Zealand despite the Maroons’ record eight straight Origin series-winning streak being broken by NSW last year.
In fact Tate claimed Queensland would only find positives from their 2-1 series loss – especially after their 32-8 game three romp in Brisbane.
“It was always going to come to an end at some stage,” Tate said of Queensland’s Origin streak.
“But I think now the pressure is off.
“We can go into this series without having that expectation and just go about our business.
“And I think last year we probably forgot what a great side we were.
“But that last game was a strong reminder of what we are capable of.
“And with younger guys coming in I know how much it re-energises the older blokes.”
Tate was buzzing over the thought of the likes of Newcastle strike weapon Dane Gagai and Brisbane’s Dale Copley filling Queensland’s backline vacancies created by his retirement and an injury to Darius Boyd (Achilles).
“I think we have some great depth there,” he told reporters.
“Dane Gagai is very close, Dale Copley is another one who could handle Origin in a heartbeat.
“And Will Chambers did a great job on the wing (in game three) last year.
“There’s been some guys knocking on the door for a couple of years now and they will get their chance this year.
“I get goose bumps just talking about it because there is nothing better seeing a young Queensland kid get a go.
“I think it is a real exciting time for Queensland, it’s a changing of the guard.”
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