It’s been 27 years since Kerrod Walters donned Maroon, but he’s still just as passionate about beating the Blues.
The 53-year-old Sunshine Coaster is eagerly anticipating this year’s series, which gets underway at Townsville on Wednesday.
“State of Origin engages everyone, even people who don’t normally follow rugby league,” he said.
“They love the whole identity of what Origin is, state versus state and mate versus mate.
“It’s the occasion, the build-up.”
Walters was No.9 for Queensland from 1989 to 1994.
“Before my first game Arthur Beetson, the godfather of Origin football, presented me with my jersey and said ‘go out and do us proud’
“I couldn’t believe it was happening.
“I was beside Wally Lewis and Gene Miles and Allan Langer. It was a pretty special moment.
“And when you run out and the crowd erupts, it gives you tingles on the back of your neck and it lifts you to play well for Queensland.
“To play for Queensland is a privilege, and you’re playing for all the supporters.
“State of Origin is high intensity footy and at a level that most people have never played at before, but you have so many good players that carry you along and make you a better player.
“And I just kept telling myself the guys I was playing against have two arms and two legs and are beatable.’
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Walters doesn’t get as nervous but still feels an enormous sense of pride when the Maroons play.
“I’m a passionate Queenslander and supporter still, and having the honour to play for Queensland, I get a feel for what the players go through pre-game and during the game,” he said.
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He said State of Origin has had appeal since 1980, when Queensland and New South Wales players first represented the state they hailed from, instead of the state they played club football in.
“Origin is is a fantastic product, with enormous ratings on TV,” he said.
This year’s series opener was relocated to Townsville, due to a COVID-19 spike in Melbourne.
“The people of north Queensland are rugby league fanatics and it’s great to see them get an Origin game,” he said before suggesting it should be a close series.
“New South Wales have picked a strong team but we seem to always pick 17 players who can match them year in and year out, so I think it will be another tight series.”
“But it’s so hard to predict what’s going to happen.
“In 2006, we were staring down the barrel of four series losses in a row and then somehow Darren Lockyer and his team won in Melbourne against all odds. They won the series and then went on to win the next seven series.”
Queensland great Willie Carne said there’s nothing like State of Origin.
He starred at all levels of rugby league, but said the inter-state encounters were daunting and incredibly tough.
“It’s the hardest game that anyone will ever play,” he said.
“They are all star players in the game, and the opposition is equally as good you.”
Carne said there was plenty of hype surrounding State of Origin and being involved was “like being in a movie”.
“The pinnacle of rugby league is playing for Australia, and winning a grand final is nice but there is nothing like State of Origin.”
Carne said the Maroons had a key player who could propel them to victory.
“I think it’s going to be pretty close (but) Cameron Munster will be a big part of it.
“He plays a similar tole to what Wally played.
“You don’t really know what we’re going to get but we (Maroons) have always held the underdog tag well.”
Carne notched 12 games in the centres for Queensland, from 1990 to 1996.
The 52-year-old moved to Brisbane last year, after 15 years on the Sunshine Coast, and is working with a technology and services company.
STATE OF ORIGIN
- The first official State of Origin was contested in 1980
- Queensland have won 22 of the 39 series, including an eight-year streak from 2006 to 2013
- The Maroons are reigning champions after winning the 2020 series two games to one
- This this year’s series will be played in Townsville (June 9), Brisbane (June 27) and Sydney (July 14) respectively
- The women’s State of Origin match will be contested at Sunshine Coast Stadium (June 25)
Game I details:Â Wednesday, June 9 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium (8.10pm). Televised on Channel 9 from 7pm. Replays on Fox League.
NSW Blues: 1. James Tedesco 2. Brian To’o 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Tom Trbojevic 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Damien Cook 10. Jake Trbojevic 11. Cameron Murray 12. Tariq Sims 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Wighton 15. Junior Paulo 16. Payne Haas 17. Liam Martin 18th man: Api Koroisau 19th man: Campbell Graham.
QLD Maroons (likely): 1. Valentine Holmes 2. Xavier Coates 3. Kurt Capewell 4. Dane Gagai 5. Kyle Feldt* 6. Cameron Munster 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Christian Welch 9. Harry Grant 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. David Fifita 13. Jai Arrow 14. AJ Brimson 15. Jaydn Su’A 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Joe Ofahengaue. 18th man: Coen Hess 19th man: Reed Mahoney
