State of Origin wash-up: In the Lee cousins we trust

They were supposed to be Queensland’s weak link, but could Origin bolters and cousins Edrick Lee and Brenko Lee be a long term wing-centre selections for the Maroons’ after shining in Wednesday’s Origin series clinching win?

They were supposed to be Queensland’s weak link, but Origin bolters and cousins Edrick Lee and Brenko Lee turned out to be anything but pushovers in the Maroons’ stunning Origin series clinching win on Wednesday.

Indeed retired Origin legend and commentator Ben Ikin predicts lanky winger Edrick to be a Mighty Maroon for a decade.

“Do you know who I am most excited about after Wednesday night? Edrick Lee,’’ said Ikin on radio SEN Track breakfast show, Pat and Heals.

Ikin said he was just Queensland to the core and loved what he saw from the Cavendish Road SHS alumni during the hothouse Origin atmosphere on Wednesday.

“It fits, it just works. I can see him being on the wing for Queensland for the next 10 years.’’

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And Edrick Lee could have Brenko alongside him all the way if the pair’s Origin debut is anything to go by.

Edrick Lee scores for Queensland. Pic Peter Wallis

Brenko entered season 2020 as an NRL journeyman with lingering question marks over his defence.

But now he stands tall as a 2020 premiership winner and State of Origin series champion having satisfied the requirements of the greatest two coaches of all-time - Craig Bellamy (Melbourne Storm) and Wayne Bennett (Queensland).

QLD's Edrick Lee. Pic Peter Wallis

That Bellamy and Bennett had faith that Lee’s defence would hold up during the NRL finals and the Origin series says everything about his giant strides in the last 12 months.

One man not surprised by Brenko’s rise under Bellamy and Bennett is the man who recruited him to his first NRL club, the Canberra Raiders.

That is talent scout Brian Edwards.

Brenko Lee of the Maroons is tackled during game three of the State of Origin series. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“Playing at No.7 or No.6, he was the most naturally gifted kid I have seen for a junior around that age,’’ Edwards said Brenko, a Marsden SHS past student and Logan Brothers junior.

“And I have still not seen a kid as gifted as he was playing in that position in the halves.’’

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Edwards said there was no doubt while Brenko was a great runner with an excellent dummy half scoot in him, he had to work defensively on his game.

Indeed Edwards often wondered if a struggling debut playing out of position on the wing against Manu ‘The Beast’ Vatuvei might have set him back in terms of confidence. But not any more.

“He has had to work hard defensively and he has done that and will continue to do that. I think Craig Bellamy was going to be the answer.’’