Brad Fittler believes the State of Origin series is at a tipping point, with a new generation of superstars set to determine which team creates the next winning streak.
Fittler has shaken up the interstate series since his appointment, throwing in 11 debutants during last year’s win. The NSW coach has blooded a further five new faces – Nick Cotric, Cody Walker, Jack Wighton, Payne Haas and Cameron Murray – for the opening match at Suncorp stadium in a bid to begin a dynasty.
Queensland are undergoing their own generational change after stalwarts Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis finally left the scene. It has left Origin ascendancy in the balance as both sides prepare to again battle for supremacy.
“Origin feels like it’s at a point, everyone is surprised at how strong the [Queensland] team looks, they’re in a lot of form,” Fittler said.
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“I just feel like one side could make a statement or some players could really make a statement. That group of Queenslanders now is gone – Johnathan, Billy, Cameron, Cooper – they’ve all moved on. Everyone is saying, 'Who will be the next superstars?’
“The thing they did very well was that they were consistent, they were consistent at their club. That’s what I’m trying to get our players to be like. If you want to be great at Origin, you have to be great when you go back to your club as well.”
The Maroons had won 11 of the previous 12 series until Fittler’s "Baby Blues" broke through for a victory last year. Now "Freddy" believes another state is on the verge of a winning streak.
“I feel like that,” Fittler said. “It seemed like a feeling that when those [dominant Queensland] players go, that Origin would die. It feels like it’s kicked again, if anything the interest has kicked again.
“Now you’ve got Pongas [Kalyn Ponga], Tedescos [James Tedesco] and all of these superstars coming through. It’s now up to them to do it week in and week out, which they’re doing at the moment.
“Getting our kids playing is the key, trusting the game. The best way to do that is to have heroes. To be a hero, you have to handle pressure. You have to deal with it and excel, play tough. That’s what the kids demand of their heroes. There were a few last year and they’ve got to do it again.”
South Sydney forward Murray represents part of the next Blues wave, picked after a series of eye-catching performances in just his third season of NRL.
“Being picked in the side is a great honour, but I need to prove to myself more than anyone that I’m ready for this, that I can handle it,” Murray said.
“I need to get my body right and my mind right, get my combinations right to be successful on Wednesday.
Canberra three-quarter Cotric is another youngster that has forced Fittler’s hand after a strong start to his career.
“Marking up on Corey Oates is going to be a good test, I can’t wait,” Cotric said.
The Maroons coaching and playing staff have refused to even mention the Blues by name, seemingly the result of ‘football whisperer’ Bradley Charles Stubbs’ influence on Kevin Walters. The Queensland coach has talked up his side, perhaps the first time in Origin history the northerners haven’t embraced the underdog tag.
Fittler hadn’t witnessed Walters’ “This is War” press conference, but isn’t concerned by Queensland’s change in tack.
“We’re ok with that,” Fittler said. “I don’t know who they are going to smash at the moment, it’s not until June 5.
“We’re trying to worry about our footy, do the best we can during the week to handle the pressure and then get out and execute and perform. We’ll be hard by June 5, we’ll be ready to go.”