The last person to say they could step up in retired Queensland great Petero Civoniceva’s absence is no longer in the side.
No wonder Maroons prop Matt Scott baulked when asked the question ahead of next week’s must-win State of Origin game two clash against NSW in Brisbane.
But coach Mal Meninga reckons Scott has already provided a resounding answer, saying the North Queensland bruiser had nothing to prove against NSW’s mobile Paul Gallen-led pack.
Canberra giant David Shillington boldly put his hand up to replace Civoniceva before donning the record-breaking forward’s No.10 jersey for the series opener earlier this month.
Shillington was dumped along with fellow incumbent forward Ash Harrison for Origin II as Queensland shelved the loyalty card in a bid to keep alive their hopes of an eighth straight title.
But Meninga still had plenty of faith in Scott after 12 games.
“Matt is a premier front-rower and he has dominated at that level at a number of years now and I expect him to continue that,” Meninga said.
“We had some players who were off colour in game one and I am sure they will be motivated to do a lot better in game two.”
Still Scott, 27, steered clear of answering who was next to step up after Civoniceva in game two.
“For one player to put their hand up and say they will do the job of Petero is probably asking too much,” he said.
“It’s something we had to take on as a pack.”
His job looked to be made easier by the dumping of fellow Cowboy and NSW prop James Tamou for high range drink-driving.
However, Scott admits no reprieve is in sight with NSW set to launch a sign of the Origin times – a mobile pack.
“I was surprised, everyone was, about James. But the NRL and the Cowboys dealt with it – they felt his punishment was fitting,” Scott said.
“It’s a big blow for them but they are a team not short of go forward.”
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