Christian Welch vows to continue to put his body on the line despite concerns over long-term effects of head knocks

Christian Welch came off second best after a head clash during Origin I. But that won’t stop him from putting his body on the line for the Maroons.

Josh Papalii has become the latest Origin star to turn his back on Australia. Picture: Scott Davis/NRL Images

Maroons hardman Christian Welch admits he has concerns about the long-term effects of concussion but has vowed to put his body on the line for Queensland to keep the Origin series alive.

Welch is seeking redemption in Origin II at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night after playing just 12 minutes in Queensland’s horror 50-6 loss to NSW in Game One.

Welch came off second best following a head clash with Blues winger Brian To’o in Townsville and was not allowed to return to the field.

He watched from the sideline as NSW racked up eight tries to inflict their biggest ever win against the Maroons in Origin’s 41-year history and take a 1-nil series lead.

The loss of Welch, a tidy defender and reliable ball-carrier, was there to see as the Blues monstered Queensland’s middle and halfback Nathan Cleary had a field day without Welch hassling him.

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Christian Welch suffered a head clash in Origin one. Picture: Getty Images

Welch, 26, recovered well from the head knock, but he was ruled out of Game Two last year due to a concussion in the series opener.

A keen scholar with a commerce degree and studying a master of business administration, Welch is a strong advocate of preparing well for life after football.

And having watched former Kangaroos and Blues captain Boyd Cordner be forced into retirement at age of 29 due to concussion issues, Welch admits he has concerns about his long-term health.

But he said the hectic nature of rugby league and Queensland’s desperation to level the series meant you couldn’t second guess your commitment on the field.

“I suppose (you get concerned) when you see a Boyd Cordner story happen,” he said.

“I’ve had a few head knocks. I haven’t had any severe ones but it’s something that’s a bit of a concern. You’ve got a long life after football.

“It’s come good but I was a little bit rattled. Brian To’o has a very hard head.

“I got through it all right. I was pretty clear the next couple of days.

“The health professionals we’ve got are pretty conservative. They’ve got your best interests at heart.

Christian Welch says he does have concerns about the long-term effects of concussion. Picture: Getty Images

“It’s so chaotic in the middle of the field and with the rule changes – you don’t have a whole lot of time to think out there these days.

“It’s so quick and intense. My position is pretty full-on.”

Welch will make his fifth Origin appearance for Queensland, although two of his four games have ended early due to head knocks.

The Melbourne prop has become an integral part of Queensland’s forward pack and the return of Josh Papalii from suspension alongside Welch will give the Maroons a huge boost up front.

There is also more than just the Origin series on the line.

Welch is in the mix to secure a maiden Kangaroos jersey for the year-ending World Cup in England, if it goes ahead.

He was named in a Kangaroos merit team last year which did not get to play any Tests due to Covid causing a restructure of the NRL season.

But the Blues have some excellent props pushing for Test spots like Daniel Saifiti and Payne Haas.

“It would be a huge honour to get picked for the Kangaroos,” Welch said.

“I’ve never played for Australia. I’m enjoying my footy at the Storm and being part of this Queensland forward pack is a great honour.

“The winning side gets rewarded with (Kangaroos) selection. They’ve got some fantastic middle forwards with guys like Saifiti and Haas.

“We’ve got our work cut out but I’m confident in the pack we’ve got.”

Christian Welch is ready to play in Origin II. Picture: Getty Images

MAROONS HITMAN TO SNUB KANGAROOS FOR SAMOA

Travis Meyn and Peter Badel

Queensland prop Josh Papalii is set to become the latest Origin star to turn his back on the Kangaroos as the Maroons hitman prepares to shut down Blues dynamo Tom Trbojevic.

Papalii is leaning towards ruling himself out of Kangaroos selection to play for Samoa if the year-ending World Cup goes ahead in England.

Papalii, 29, is regarded as one of the NRL’s top front rowers and at his best would be a walk-up starter for Australia, who he has played 11 Tests for since 2013.

But he is set to join a growing list of Origin stars – like Blues five-eighth Jarome Luai (Samoa) – pledging their allegiance to second-tier nations.

Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga, who handed Papalii his Queensland debut in 2013, believes only those willing to play for Australia should be picked in State of Origin.

Josh Papalii played for Samoa in the 2017 World Cup. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

But Papalii said he had spoken to Meninga and was keen to make amends for his poor campaign with Samoa in the 2017 World Cup.

“That time hasn’t come yet, I’m not sure,” Papalii said when asked who he would represent.

“I always said I’d like to play for Samoa. I didn’t have a strong World Cup in the last one.

“I went in a bit underdone and didn’t give Samoa my best. I’d like to right that wrong.

“Me and Mal already spoke and all that. Mal is all for it, playing for the second-tier teams. That’s his view on it.

“I’m maroon to the bone. I have the same passion I have for Samoa as I do for the Maroons. It makes no difference for me.”

Papalii will make his 19th Origin appearance for Queensland when he returns from suspension in Game Two at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night.

His absence was felt as Queensland suffered a record 50-6 loss in Game One a fortnight ago and the return of Papalii is expected to be a huge boost for a Maroons forward pack that was monstered in Townsville.

Josh Papalii has made a big impact in Camp Maroon. (Image/Josh Woning)

Papalii came through the Queensland system alongside seasoned props like Matt Scott and Nate Myles and said the Maroons had to get personal with NSW.

“I play similar roles to these guys and bring some experience from back in the day when we took stuff personally,” he said.

“That’s probably the biggest key, taking it personal and making it hard for their players to play well. It’s about winning all those little battles.

“The likes of Nate Myles, he was my roomie for the first couple of years. The way he trained and even opposed games, he took everything personal.

“This week means the world to him. It pays respect to the people who wore the jersey before us if we turn up with the right mindset and give it 100.

“I like to be aggressive. I’m a front rower. I’ve got to get the boys on the front foot as much as possible and set good platforms for our kickers to kick to corners.”

Papalii will be tasked with stopping Tom Trbojevic in the middle. Pic. Adam Head

The return of Papalii will ease the pressure on young middle forwards Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Moeaki Fotuaika and debutant Frank Molo, while fellow starter Christian Welch (concussion) only lasted 12 minutes in Origin I.

The Maroons were monstered through the midfield, not just by NSW’s forwards but also the Blues’ metre-eating backs like Brian To’o and Trbojevic.

Maroons centre Dane Gagai said Papalii wouldn’t let Trbojevic move with what sort of freedom.

“Having ‘Papa’ back will make a huge difference in the middle,” he said.

“If Turbo is roaming around there, he will have to run into Papa.

“Tom plays right centre, but he was attacking down our left edge and attacking through the middle, so we have to be alert and nominate where he is popping up to make sure we get help in defence.”

Originally published as Christian Welch vows to continue to put his body on the line despite concerns over long-term effects of head knocks