‘The King’ of State of Origin, Wally Lewis, shudders to think how long Queensland will extend their reign under Maroons coach Kevin Walters’ succession plan.
Queensland’s production line shows no sign of stopping after young bloods Dane Gagai, Justin O’Neill and Corey Oates helped the Maroons claim a 26-16 Origin II win on Wednesday night, sealing a 10th series triumph in 11 years.
Much had been made of Queensland’s ageing team – again – this year, with former NSW coach Phil Gould claiming the Maroons were “past their best and nowhere near formidable”.
Yet Queensland sealed a second straight series win despite boasting seven players on the wrong side of 30.
They had their eight successive series winning run under previous coach Mal Meninga snapped in 2014.
But Lewis believed the Maroons were primed to launch another record streak under new mentor Walters.
“I shudder to think how many more they will win,” Lewis told AAP.
“A lot of people wonder when they are going to get old and tired.
“But in this form they are going to be keeping the records going.
“They might be a little long in the tooth but they are still going well.”
A changing of the guard looms for Queensland.
Maroons veteran lock Corey Parker is in his last Origin series.
Pivot Johnathan Thurston said he would retire from Origin in 2018 with playmaker Cooper Cronk and Queensland captain Cameron Smith soon to follow.
But Smith said no matter who was blooded, he could not see the Maroons juggernaut slowing down under Walters’ transition plan.
“I am extremely confident that they can do that – the team’s in good hands,” he said.
“It’s brought up every year, our age.
“We are losing Corey Parker next year, another young guy will have to step up in our place.
“But with the guidance of Kev and staff they will be fine – we can just keep moving forward.”
Veteran prop Matt Scott described their succession plan as “flawless” after sealing the 2016 series without Justin Hodges (retirement), fullback Billy Slater (shoulder injury), prop Nate Myles (knee) and centre Will Chambers (foot).
“It’s been flawless which is a massive call considering the guys we don’t have available any more due to retirement or injury,” Scott said.
“O’Neill was outstanding. Oates, Gagai – they have all stepped up another level.
“It is a pleasure when young guys get into this side and continue on what these guys have been able to achieve.”
Walters had not thought about seeking Queensland’s fifth clean sweep after Gagai’s rare hat-trick sealed the Origin II victory at a sold out Suncorp Stadium.
He was still getting his head around what the Maroons had achieved in his first series at the helm.
“There was no Billy Slater, no Nate Myles, no Justin Hodges, no Will Chambers – that’s nearly 100 Origin games between them,” he said.
“For the leadership of the group to bring those younger players in … is really special.”
steveng
Roar Rookie
I'm proud of how I term this farst of a contest, I'm not a 'kid in the playground' and if NSW wants to make this into a contest than they will have to completely turn their culture around. As I've said before, Gus Gould is right in what he says but he should be the one that should lead by the example that he sets! I've pointed out before that Qld have so many of their past players running the show for Qld, be they trainers, officials and coaches. The Queenslanders are all involved with their team whilst on the other side and with NSW 'there are no past greats' seen or are they involved with the NSW side. What with Johns, Fittler being involved with Ch9 and all they do is criticise NSW short comings. My advise is for them to get more involved with NSW and that is, Gus Gould's, Johns, Fittler, Mortimer etc etc should all be there and apart of the NSW team administration and they should build the same culture and support for the Blues as Qld do, and then and only then NSW will be competitive and they 'will have a go'!!!
jamesb
Guest
Disagree with that. As a NSW fan, I've lost interest.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
"Use"? Righto Jeff Fenech.
NovaKay
Guest
Origin will continue to be interesting as long as Qld are competitive. The more Qld beats NSW the more NSW fans get interested.
jamesb
Guest
Gee, if Qld continues to dominate, will NSW fans still be interested.? Probably not. If Origin wants to continue, it desperately needs a strong NSW, just so that there is a contest. If there's no contest, the concept of Origin will die off.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I don't necessarily agree with this. I think NSW will be a dominant force in the next 5 years once JT and Smith retire. I think Qld will have the edge in the halves but NSW will have them in the forwards and possibly the outside backs. Klemmer/Fifita/Woods/Cordner/Frizel/Graham/JacksonCartwright//Finucane will make for a seriously great pack. At the moment I don't see the same level of young forwards coming through the Qld ranks. Gillett/Guerra should be there. Halves of course abundance for the Maroons with Morgan/DCE/Hunt/Milford/Mybe/Taylor while Blues have Reynolds/Brooks/Moses maybe Moylan.. Backs will be interesting - Munster/Holmes/Oates/Gagai v Tedesco/JB Leilua/Mansour/A.Johnson. Its going to be interesting future Origin.
Longarm
Guest
You sound like the kid in the playground who loses a game, takes his ball and marches home sobbing: "I don't even care anyway". This is my opinion after seeing your comments over the last 2 days
steveng
Roar Rookie
Who cares Wally??? This contest is over and use have won, what do youse want, more blood??? It will end up that you will only have Qld supporters watching the SOO and no one else. The way things are going with NSW they would be battling to find a coach that will coach them and players that will want to play from them. Who wants to be a 'tagged' loser once they are picked for NSW.
V.O.R.
Guest
Valentine Holmes can't be far away and Munster will be knocking on the door and provides depth. I believe the most worrying aspect for NSW in this next stage of Queensland development is that it is being built on a robust culture, an area NSW has struggled with. It's worth noting that Meninga's greatest strength was the admiration he received from his players. Kevvie Walters grew up in Australian rugby league heartland and his succession to the QLD top job is easily as smooth as a Lockyer/Cronk transition. Walters decision to ban young players for flouting camp rules is a key indicator of this. Short term pain for long term gain.
JohnB
Guest
Also without several players not considered after the camp curfew debacle. Would any of them have been picked - probably no more than one. Maybe one more on the bench. Others would have been close though.