Kevin Walters says ‘5/10 Maroons beat Blues’ in Origin opener

An extremely confident Kevin Walters is adamant Queensland will wrap up the 2019 Origin series in Perth, with the Maroons coach saying his men only scratched the surface of their ability at Suncorp Stadium.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters is confident his side will wrap up the series in Perth. Picture: Richard Wainwright

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Queensland coach Kevin Walters has put the basketcase Blues on notice by declaring the Maroons will wrap-up the series in Origin II after beating NSW with a “five out of 10” performance in Game One.

As NSW reel from seven changes, Queensland’s confidence is soaring with Walters saying the Maroons only scratched the surface of their ability in the series opener and still beat the Blues at Suncorp Stadium.

Now Walters is going for the jugular, with the Maroons coach warning NSW counterpart Brad Fittler his playmaking spine will only get better in the historic return bout at Perth’s 60,000-seat Optus Stadium this Sunday night.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters is confident his side will wrap up the series in Perth. Picture: Richard Wainwright

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Queensland showed great resolve to win Game One 18-14 but Walters fired a fresh salvo at the besieged Blues, insisting his Maroons can be twice as good in the west to reclaim the Origin shield.

“We expect to win Game Two,” Walters said.

“After reviewing the game, I would probably give us a five out of 10, or maybe a six if I am being kind.

“The players are aware of this, they know there will be some improvements and we expect them to improve over the week.

“That is why we are here (in Perth), we have come over early to get ourselves mentally and physically prepared for the game of our lives.

Walters says his new look spine will improve. Picture: Darren England

“We expected to win Game One and our thoughts haven’t changed to get the job done in Game Two on Sunday.”

Walters is adamant his awesome foursome of Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster, Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Hunt will terrorise the Blues and consign NSW to a dead-rubber in Origin III in Sydney on July 10.

Asked to explain why he gave Queensland’s Game One performance such a mediocre rating, Walters pointed to his newly-constructed spine.

“Firstly, we look at our attack, it was the first game our spine has played together,” he said.

Walters was unfazed about the team picked by NSW. Picture: Craig Golding

“’DCE’ (Cherry-Evans) had five weeks out before he played his first Origin game from major surgery and for him to play the way he did in Game One, I thought he was outstanding.

“He can better, certainly he can. Daly has had a couple of games in the NRL since.

“Kalyn Ponga ... it was his first game in the Origin arena (as a starting fullback), he will learn a lot from that experience.

“Ben Hunt, that was his first game at hooker in the toughest game in the world and he comes out ... what a performance he gave, he will get better in Game Two.”

Walters said he couldn’t care less about NSW’s drastic selection shake-up, which included axing Latrell Mitchell, instead leading Queensland’s famed loyalty and mateship.

“The other team has done what they have done but it doesn’t bother me one bit,” he said.

“It is always about Queensland. We’ve been very loyal. I have a great belief in this team and the only changes we’ve had have been forced.

“We have a lot of faith in the guys in this side and they will get the job done for us on Sunday night.”

Perth’s Optus Stadium surface has come under fire from AFL’s West Coast and Fremantle clubs for being too hard following a spate of lower-leg injuries.

That has prompted the NRL to seek a report from Optus Stadium chiefs, but Walters dismissed any concerns about the playing surface.

“No, it’s a world-class arena,” he said.

“We feel privileged to get the opportunity to play at such a great stadium.

“I saw plenty of grass on it. We will be fine, we would play them in the desert ... this is Origin.”