Daly Cherry-Evans backs Corey Norman to fire in No.6 jersey
Corey Norman has been handed a baptism by fire after being named in the famous Queensland No.6 jersey on debut but his skipper is confident he can handle the pressure.
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Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has backed Corey Norman to fire in Queensland’s famous No.6 jersey in next week’s Origin decider.
The 27-year-old debutant has been handed one of the biggest tasks of his decade-long NRL career after being trusted by Maroons coach Kevin Walters to bring the Origin shield back to Queensland.
Norman was named at five-eighth for Queensland and will pull on the Maroons jumper made famous by Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Johnathan Thurston.
The decision to play Norman in the halves has shifted star playmaker Cameron Munster to fullback and will keep Michael Morgan at centre.
It comes after Walters remained tight-lipped about the make up of his team during the first days of Camp Maroon, causing speculation around where Norman would play in the Game Three decider.
It will be Cherry-Evans’ first time partnering with Norman in the halves and he said he was confident the debutant would handle the pressure of Origin.
“I haven’t played with Corey at any level but I have played against him for a number of years,” Cherry-Evans said.
“I’ve watched him play some really good football across the seasons at all the clubs he has been at.
“Whenever we have had match-ups, he has put on good displays, so I know how good he can be. He is up to this level.
“If he plays his best game next Wednesday, it will be massive for our team.
“I’m confident we can combine well.”
Norman’s St George Illawarra halves partner Ben Hunt said the Dragons duo would be a boost for Queensland’s attack.
“We’ve played a lot with each other now and we know each other’s calls,” Hunt said.
“I know when to give him the ball.
“Because I’m playing No.9, it’s not going to have a really big toll on our combination.
“I know what he wants, and when he wants it.”
The No.6 jersey has been one of the most coveted positions in Queensland’s history, worn by former legends Lewis, Lockyer and Thurston.
The current Queensland captain said it wasn’t about replicating the form of past champions but for Norman to create his own legacy.
“Corey doesn’t have to worry about the greats of the past or fill anyone’s shoes,” Cherry-Evans said.
“He just has to be himself.
“The more training we get, the more comfortable he will get with the side and the more comfortable he will get with his role.
“I’m really excited for him and he will definitely add some extra spark to this side.
“You only have to look at the style of player and person he is.
“He is a relaxed character so the pressure won’t faze him one bit.”
Walters also confirmed enforcer Joe Ofahengaue will line up in the No.8 jersey in a head-to-head battle with Blues forward Daniel Saifiti.
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