Myles thankful 'Queenslanders are loyal'
Queensland forward Nate Myles feared he'd be just like Mitchell Pearce, Braith Anasta, Willie Mason and Craig Fitzgibbon - disposed from State of Origin because of the Sydney Roosters' poor form.
With his NRL club battling in second-last on the competition table and the strong form of former teammate David Shillington and North Queensland's Matthew Scott pushing for Maroons selection, Myles thought he'd be overlooked for the opening Origin clash in Melbourne next week.
NSW quartet Pearce, Anasta, Mason and Fitzgibbon have paid for their club's demise by missing Origin selection - halfback Pearce the only player retained in the Blues' initial squad of 40.
Thankfully for Myles, coach Mal Meninga and Queensland selectors are loyal to a winning Origin side.
"It did cross my mind, I won't lie to you," said Myles when asked if he thought he'd miss the Queensland team.
"It definitely did but the fortunate thing about Queenslanders is they are loyal with their selections and I think I've been in worse positions and been picked before.
"It's a bit of a relief. You never know what's going to happen so I was very happy to be in the side."
While Myles may not be in the best form, the fact is, he is the backbone of this rampant Queensland side.
The damaging front rower is one of just five Queensland players to have played every game over the last three years.
Halfback Johnathan Thurston, hooker Cameron Smith, prop Petero Civoniceva and another under-rated forward, Dallas Johnson, are the other mainstays.
In fact Queensland have used just 36 players over the past three years - NSW have used 50 in the same period.
While the Blues have retained just three players from the third Origin game last year the Queenslanders have a virtually unchanged line up and Myles believes it is up to the Maroons to utilise their well-developed combinations to get victory in Origin I next week.
"It is good to be familiar with the players around you and that is something we need to really capitalise on," he said.
"The fact (four in a row) has never been done before I suppose is the most amazing part ... it's going to be a little bit special but we've got a long way to go before we get home.
"Everyone knows in this side not to be complacent especially because they're going to be so eager. They have a lot of fresh faces in their side and they are going to want to impress."
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.