Loyalty isn’t dead, according to Queensland coach Kevin Walters.
It is just that the Maroons are now loyal to winning, he says.
Yet the Queensland mentor reckons he isn’t feeling any extra pressure on his job despite a win-less 2018.
Walters has copped criticism this series for overlooking the likes of old heads Matt Scott and Darius Boyd in a nightmare introduction to life after their Big Three – retired greats Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston.
Now Walters is feeling the heat as the Maroons look to avoid NSW’s first series whitewash since 2000 and only fourth overall.
While Walters is contracted until the end of 2020, it remains to be seen how the Queensland Rugby League will react to a “Blue-rinse” after the Maroons won 11 of the last 12 series.
But Walters said: “I am under no more pressure than game one or game two.
“I can’t do any more than what I am doing with the team. I am very happy with what we are doing.
“Everyone likes to win but sometimes that can’t happen, given what has happened to us this year I think we have done a bloody good job.
“From day one when Cam Smith removed himself from this arena, from that day I think we have done a really good in trying to scramble and get that elusive victory.”
But Walters admitted winning was the best way to stay in the Maroons frame.
“The selectors have been very loyal but we want to be loyal to a winning team. We need to be loyal to Queensland but also loyal to a winning State of Origin team,” he said.
Walters said that was the thinking behind recalling winger Corey Oates in a Maroons backline reshuffled after captain and centre Greg Inglis (broken thumb) was ruled out of game three.
Oates’ brilliance has helped Brisbane win six of their last eight NRL games.
Winger Dane Gagai slots into the Marons centres for Inglis.
“Everyone has seen what he can do. If he can pull off one of those tries for us at this level which he has in the past that would be a huge bonus,” Walters said of Oates.
Walters said Tim Glasby’s proven winning Origin record also sealed his recall for game three.
“Tim has been a player who has excelled at this level for us. He has won both his games in the Maroon jumper (last year),” Walters said.
“I just think Tim has got team all about him that’s what we want in game three, it is going to be a real team effort.
“Glasby has been in a winning premiership team and a winning Queensland team and that counts for a lot.”
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