State of Origin 2017: Don’t underestimate Queensland’s rookie forwards, NSW warned

QUEENSLAND’S forwards have warned that the remaining experience in the team’s pack should not be underestimated ahead of Game Two.

Tim Glasby and Coen Hess have been subjects of much debate. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

QUEENSLAND’S forwards have warned that the remaining experience in the team’s pack should not be underestimated, despite the axings of four of veterans from Game One.

With forwards Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Jacob Lillyman and Aidan Guerra all cut after Origin I — alongside young backs Justin O’Neill and Corey Oates — the Maroons will head into Game Two with one of their youngest packs in years.

They will blood three debutants in Jarrod Wallace, Tim Glasby and Coen Hess, with Dylan Napa and Gavin Cooper also sharing just two Origin appearances between them.

Tim Glasby and Coen Hess have been subjects of much debate. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

But Cooper has knocked back suggestions the pack doesn’t have the experience needed to save the series. He said guided by the likes of Josh McGuire, Matt Gillett and Josh Papalii — who have 29 Origin appearances between them — Queensland is capable of causing an upset on Wednesday.

“We’ve got some guys still around the pack that have been there a long time,” Cooper said.

“Moose (McGuire) has been in the Origin team now for a long time. Gillo would have played (16) games already and he’s not even 30 years old.

“There’s still a lot of games in there, even Papa as well.

“I’ve played a lot of footy now, compared to guys like Hessy, who’s only played 20 games. I’ve played nearly 250 games now, so I draw on a lot of experience that I’ve had in bigger games.

“I know Origin, it’s the biggest (game) that we have in the middle of the year and there’s a lot of scrutiny that comes with it, but you can’t just make these teams without warranting a selection.”

Matt Gillett says the Maroons will make up for the loss of experience. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Gillett, who will play his 17th game for the Maroons on Wednesday, said even without the likes of Myles and Thaiday, those players have still left their mark on the team for Game Two.

After making his Origin debut in 2012, Gillett was taught a lot by the older forwards. Debutant Wallace also got his chance to work with Myles ahead of Game One, when he was Queensland’s 18th man.

Gillett said the influence of these veterans will have a lasting effect.

“Obviously we didn’t perform too well in Game One so there was sure to be some changes,” Gillett said.

“We’re pretty excited about the changes that have been made, although it was pretty devastating for the boys who aren’t here.

“Those two blokes (Myles and Thaiday) know what Origin is all about and have been around a long time. They are good leaders. We feel for them because they’re great mates and we’ve been a close group for a long time.

“We want to be back winning so with the side we’ve got, with a lot of younger boys, it’s time to perform well as a team.”