State of Origin: Queensland Origin stars’ wives say Maroons win is good for population
QUEENSLAND State of Origin WAGs say a Maroons victory isn’t just good for morale...
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A QUEENSLAND State of Origin win isn’t just good for morale but also for the state’s population.
At least that’s according to Rachel Thaiday, wife of hard-hitting Maroon Sam.
After having their second daughter Ellsie in April, the Thaidays found they weren’t alone in making their family bigger, with a number of Queensland stars welcoming little ones over the last 18 months.
“There’s such an influx,” Rachel said of the growing number of Maroons offspring.
“I think it’s that Origin time of year. They (the players) have their time away, come back and then there’s an influx of kids.”
As well as the Thaidays, injured prop Josh McGuire and wife Tanyssa had their first child Maiya 13 months ago, while lock Corey Parker and wife Margaux introduced their third child Jagger last May.
Justin Hodges was also blessed with his first child last year, as was Greg Inglis, while Johnathan Thurston welcomed his second daughter in March.
Rachel said that the extra numbers are always good for support, especially as Queensland look to reclaim the Origin title this Wednesday at Suncorp Stadium.
According to the mums, all the kids will be watching, with Rachel assured that first child Gracie will be particularly eager to see her dad come out victorious over the Blues.
“I know it sounds funny but since three months old she has loved watching footy,” Rachel said of Gracie.
“Now we go to the games and she just loves footy. She knows what he does and loves seeing him play.”
Margaux also said her two eldest, Memphis and Wylei, are dedicated to the Maroons’ and Broncos’ causes, while Jagger doesn’t quite understand but misses father Corey when he is away.
“Wylei is just obsessed,” she said.
“I have to stop him some days from wearing full football uniform. It’s full headgear, jersey, socks, boots, mouthguard, ball, tee — he’s ready to go. That’s his attire, even for kindy.
“He’s really in the zone of football. He calls Corey, Corey Parker instead of dad sometimes. He’s always asking questions about the boys and the team … lots of little inquisitive questions.
“Memphis loves her dad and that he plays football.
“She takes it quite to heart if he gets hurt or injured.”
One of Queensland’s little ones won’t get the chance to cheer on their dad for the third game however, after McGuire suffered a season-ending injury at the end of last month.
McGuire’s wife Tanyssa said it was a devastating blow for the 25-year-old, who had greatly impressed in the first two games, but daughter Maiya was enjoying having him at home.
“She definitely struggled the first week he was away,” she said.
“She is a little bit distant from him when he gets home from Origin camp. That’s really hard for him. But the only positive with him being injured at the moment is she can spend more time with him. That will be really good for him.”
The extra show of support won’t be stopping any time soon for the Queenslanders either, with winger Darius Boyd to also join the father club with wife Kayla due to give birth in October.
Kayla said a girl is on the cards for the pair, who have been together since 2010, and she is happy to have the fellow Origin families around her for support.
“It’s very exciting,” she said.
“We were very set on finding out what we were having and we feel more connected with her. It’s just counting down the days now.
“The girls are extremely supportive. That’s another aspect of why I love the Broncos and Origin — they incorporate family. Everyone is so supportive.
“You know what to expect and it’s achievable and you’ll be fine because everybody else does it.”
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