State of Origin 2017: Josh McGuire warns that the whole Queensland side is still on notice

JOSH McGuire may have survived the sweeping changes that altered the face of the Maroons but he’s still not taking his spot for granted.

Josh McGuire during the Queensland State of Origin team training session on the Gold Coast, Friday, June 16, 2017. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt) NO ARCHIVING

MAROONS forward Josh McGuire has warned that the entire Queensland team is still on notice after sweeping changes were made to the side that played in Game One.

McGuire was one of just four forwards to survive a cull of the pack ahead of Wednesday’s showdown in Sydney, with Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Aidan Guerra and Jacob Lillyman all cut from the Queensland side.

But just because he survived the axings, McGuire is not about to presume his position in the team is safe moving forward.

While McGuire was one of Queensland’s best forwards in Game One, alongside Josh Papalii, he said no one is taking their place in the team for granted after the changes that were made by Kevin Walters and the selectors.

The Queensland forwards were dominated in Origin II.

“Everyone’s on notice,” McGuire said.

“The best players in the world are on notice when you play at this level and that’s just the way it is. No one takes their jersey for granted. You have to perform in every game.”

The pressure is now on the Queensland team to save the series at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday.

McGuire joked yesterday that Walters had lost a few hairs but the atmosphere in the team remained positive and relaxed.

He was also sure that the Origin careers of Myles and Thaiday were not over.

Both have been mentors to McGuire as he’s worked his way into the Queensland ranks and he said he expected them to both bounce back, especially now that Myles had left Manly for the Melbourne Storm.

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“I’m sure it’s not Nate’s last Origin,” McGuire said.

“He’s going to Melbourne and I think it’s going to be a great move for him. Craig Bellamy always gets the best out of his players so I won’t be surprised if I see Nate here next game or next series.

“(Sam) has also been a great student of the game so he’s another one I definitely wouldn’t be surprised to see back.

“I know Sammy very well and I know that he’s obviously disappointed not to be here but he understands. I’m pretty sure Sammy’s next game with the Broncos will be tremendous.”