Nate Myles insists he can still cut it for Queensland at State of Origin level

VETERAN Maroons forward Nate Myles says he can still be the man Queensland need him to be in Origin I despite a lack of playing time.

Manly player Nate Myles during the Round 10 NRL match between the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles and the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, May 13, 2017. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

A DEFIANT Nate Myles insists he is not a spent force at Origin level amid calls for the Queensland warhorse to be axed in favour of a new wave of young Maroons forwards.

The Courier-Mail understands Myles will be retained for Origin I as Maroons coach Kevin Walters looks for a senior enforcer to step up for injured prop Matt Scott.

Myles turns 32 in June and is fighting to retain his Maroons jumper after being axed to the bench at Manly, where he is averaging just 36 minutes per game this season.

In nine matches this season, Myles has averaged just 86 running metres per game — well shy of the 150-plus metres expected of the NRL’s elite front-rowers.

But Myles, speaking about his Origin selection hopes for the first time, is adamant he can lift and spearhead Queensland’s quest for an 11th series win in 12 years.

Myles has seen limited playing time so far this season.

A veteran of 31 Origin matches, Myles will surpass the great Wally Lewis and join Maroons icon Mal Meninga if selected for his 32nd game in the series opener on May 31.

“I always hope to be there — I know I can do the job,” Myles said.

“Losing Matt Scott from any side is a huge loss. There is no-one who can ever cover for Scott, but the exciting thing for Queensland is there’s a lot of great young front-rowers coming through.

“I’d like to think I can be there to help them out. There is enough experience in the Queensland team to keep the side moving forward.”

Maroons legend Gorden Tallis has led the push for generational change but Myles, a member of Queensland’s dynasty since 2006, is set to avoid the axe.

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Walters is keen to blood Dylan Napa in his starting front row in Origin I and he plans to partner the Maroons’ young buck with Queensland’s old bull.

“I would never discount Nate because of his experience. He has been there and done it over 30 Origin games,” Walters said.

“The fact he has been on the bench (for Manly) doesn’t worry me so much, I’m OK with that.

“What’s more important this year is his form. I actually reckon Nate is playing better this year than he was this time last year. That’s a positive.

“Nate knows he has to put in a good performance this week (against his former club the Titans), but we know what he can do.”

Can Myles still do the job for Queensland.

Myles concedes he is still coming to terms with playing fewer minutes as an interchange forward at Manly.

“It’s difficult,” he said.

“An impact player needs a certain physique, but I have to work with it.

“My body is getting older and coming off the bench, as opposed to starting, is definitely a change.

“I have been a little bit limited. I haven’t got as many minutes as I would like, but at the same time I have tried to adjust to that and get my workrate up.”

Manly coach Trent Barrett said Myles deserved to be retained for an 11th Origin campaign.

“He’s been really good, I’m happy for him,” said Barrett, the former NSW Origin pivot.

“Nate has certainly put his hand up.

“He’s done it before at Origin level — the harder the game gets, the better he goes.”