They may lack experience but Coen Hess says Queensland’s “new breed” of forwards know exactly what to do in Wednesday’s State of Origin opener in Melbourne thanks to the example set by past greats.
The Maroons pack is considered Queensland’s Achilles heel as they look to begin a new era in Origin I.
Overall Queensland are without a total of 151 Origin games’ worth of experience as they look to begin life without former skipper Cameron Smith and fellow greats Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.
After Test prop Matt Scott was surprisingly snubbed, the Maroons’ forwards contingent in their 17 boasts just 27 Origins’ worth of experience including three debutants – hooker Andrew McCullough, back-rower Felise Kaufusi and bench weapon Jai Arrow.
And 17 of those games are represented by two players – bench forward Josh Papalii (nine Origins) and lock Josh McGuire (eight).
But Hess, 21, reckoned what they lacked in experience they would make up in spirit as they look to emulate past greats at the MCG.
“You have to see what the pack did in previous years,” back-rower Hess said ahead of his third Origin.
“They had that good period…and we grew up watching that and how they went about their business.
“I know how proud I was as a Queenslander (watching the Maroons forwards) doing their job every year.
“It’s upon us now to live up to that and keep Queenslanders happy.”
Hess said 22 Origin veteran prop Scott may not be in the squad but the standard the likes of the tough front-rower set would still be the yardstick for the Maroons forwards on Wednesday.
“Matt Scott, Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday – all those boys who pulled on the Maroons jumper, we need to follow that (example),” he said.
“Seeing what they brought every year was pretty extraordinary.”
Hess said Queensland’s forwards would need to get “down and dirty” against the monster NSW pack.
“They (NSW) will start fiery and so will we. It will be a very brutal game, I have no doubt about that,” Hess said.
“We will need to get down and dirty. But that’s Origin in a nutshell.
“We look forward to the physical battle. Heads will clash and there will be bumps and bruises – it’s the main reason why Origin is so special.”