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.”
Rob
Guest
I really think the Queensland selectors dropped the ball and it cost them in the opening games of this and last years series. Selecting players racing the clock to be fit and others that have been struggling through injury is stupid. Picking a balanced team with the best players to carry out certain roles and a plan is what a good coach and selection committee have sorted, well before the whistle gets blown. Having 2 running halves and not replacing what they had lost in game management without Smithy and Cronks direction again stupid. I feel some sympathy for Hunt when he’s picked with a thigh injury and asked to play that type of role. He not a dominant personality that can lead a team around the field with his passing and kicking game.
Nat
Roar Guru
Very true, although I'd sooner have Walters job just to have selection of the best of the best. By 2020, the Broncos will have a very strong and experienced squad if they can keep the majority of the current crop and to hand that to someone without the cred would be a mistake. I would even hold Mal in that same regard, very good at inspiring passion and the ability to lift but that's only 3 games. Brisbane need someone with week to week fortitude.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I'll be honest, I hope he isn't. I can't help but feel that Brisbane dodged a couple bullets when they missed the signatures of both Greene and Walters. Both of them inherited good teams and both are starting to be put to the test now that they've got to build their own teams
Matt H
Roar Guru
Maybe he'll be coaching the Broncos from 2020 so it won't matter.
Graham
Guest
Its more the fact that we started 2 series in a row on the back foot he seems to learn from his mistakes though so hopefully thats behind him
Jed Clampit
Guest
Geez, if they were beaten by twenty in both games ya might think he was under pressure.
Graham
Guest
Our defensive structure has been disorganized in the first game of the series two years in a row which definitely looks like a coaching problem. You can't go into an origin series with a warm up match. But maybe he's learnt An out of the box idea would be to have DCE at center. He is defensively strong so covers mitchell probably as well as any other option we have in that position but also gives a goal kicking option which we desperately need. Hard to see him as losing anything in offence compared to chambers as well If our goal kicking was better in game 2 we win the match and series
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Preferd Backline plus Hooker 9.Granville 7.Taylor 6.Munster/Milford 1.Slater 3.Copley/Munster 4.Chambers 5.Gagai 2.Oates Either Milford no.6 and Munster center or Munster no.6 and Copley center either way it would have been better then the current lineup IMO.