Coen Hess not ready for Origin: Paul Green

NORTH Queensland Cowboys coach Paul Green has appealed for the Maroons to overlook try-scoring sensation Coen Hess

Origin hopefuls Coen Hess and Jarrod Wallace.

COWBOYS coach Paul Green has appealed for the Maroons to overlook try-scoring sensation Coen Hess, warning State of Origin could permanently scar Queensland’s hottest young forward.

Hess strengthened claims for an Origin II call-up after scoring his ninth try of the season in North Queensland’s 20-8 defeat of the Titans in Townsville on Saturday night.

The 20-year-old is remarkably in contention for an Origin initiation in Game Two at ANZ Stadium despite having played just 21 NRL games.

The Maroons are looking to blood new talent after suffering their heaviest ever defeat at Suncorp Stadium last Wednesday in the 28-4 Origin I mauling by NSW.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters has indicated Hess is firmly in the frame for a maiden Queensland jumper on June 21 but Green warned selectors to tread carefully with the rising rookie.

Coen Hess scores against the Titans. Picture: Evan Morgan

“Absolutely (players can be scarred) if they get picked before they’re ready,” he said.

“It’s not about winning or losing. It’s how they handle it.

“It’s up another level. We saw that with how the game started the other night.

“That’s as good as it gets in terms of footy. If you’re not really ready for that it can hurt you.

“I’ve said that (Hess is not ready) all along and I stand by that.

“He is a great player, a wonderful player and will be an Origin player potentially for 10 years plus.

“I just think it’s still a little bit early for him.”

Hess express steaming forward

The advice of Green should not be ignored but the conundrum for the Maroons is they have few options at their disposal to try and rescue the series.

Queensland’s forwards were dominated by the big and powerful Blues engine room and Walters must look to inject a new era of talent into the fold.

Green’s hesitation in Hess playing Origin stems from the young forward’s inconsistency.

Hess rarely plays a bad game but there is a gap between his best and worst performances.

At times he scores tries with ease but in other games has little impact and can be a defensive liability.

Coen Hess (L) is in Origin contention. Picture: Evan Morgan

“At different times he can drift out of games,” Green said.

“The difference between his best and worst performances is a fair gap at the moment. He’s getting better. That gap is closing.

“If you throw him in the pressure cooker of Origin, we saw what that game was like at the start the other night, you’d be throwing him in the deep end in a game like that and a position he hasn’t played a lot of footy.

“It would be different if it was Game Three and the series was wrapped up. You probably don’t have anything to lose there.

“They might be forced to pick him given some of the injuries or whatever is happening with players in other positions in the middle.

“If he does get picked he will probably handle it. But for his overall development it might be early.”

Hess showed his versatility against the Titans by coming off the bench and playing his entire stint in the front row for the first time in his career.

He agreed with Green that he was probably not ready for Origin but wants to join Camp Maroon to get a taste of what is required to wear a Queensland jersey.

“I’d obviously learn a lot down there off the more experienced guys,” Hess said.

“I’d have to find out (if I was ready). Being 18th man is my main focus at the moment, going down there and learning off those older guys. I’d take the opportunity and make the most of it.

“I actually enjoyed (playing front row). I got to run the ball a bit more, which I liked.

“I think I handled it all right. It adds a bit more to my game.

“There is a lot more involvement in the middle and that’s something I like.

“It’s pretty simple – run hard and tackle hard.”

Hess racked up 123m from 10 runs and busted four tackles in a high-intensity stint against the Titans.

Originally published as Coen Hess not ready for Origin: Paul Green