State of Origin 2018: Maroons coach Kevin Walters calls on Queensland greats to inspire his young team

THEY are three men with 65 State of Origin games for Queensland between them — and Maroons coach Kevin Walters hopes they can give his young side the belief they need for Game Three.

Hess knows what Queensland are facing. (Peter Wallis)

QUEENSLAND players have vowed to uphold the Maroons’ legacy after coach Kevin Walters summoned three Origin greats to help his side stave off NSW’s first Blue rinse in 18 years.

Former front-row enforcers Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva and one-time Origin back-rower Brad Thorn entered Camp Maroon last Tuesday night for a team dinner with Queensland’s class of 2018.

The trio collectively amassed 65 Origin games for Queensland, with 33-match icon Civoniceva spearheading the Maroons to the first seven of their record eight straight series wins.

Hess was just four when Civoniceva made his Maroons debut in 2001, but the Queensland forward says some choice words from the former warhorse has him primed to perform in his fifth Origin game.

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Petero was on hand to build up confidence. (AAP Image/Jeremy Ng)

“Petero said I have to believe in myself,” said Hess, who has struggled for peak form this season with his struggling club side the Cowboys.

“I have shown glimpses of what I am capable of, but Petero said if I can bring it into my game more regularly then I will do well in Origin.

“It was unreal for them to come into camp. We are going through a difficult time at the moment and they (Webcke, Thorn and Civoniceva) just wanted to express that they were all behind us.

“To have those greats come in and tell us they have full confidence in us moving forward was unreal, especially for the younger guys like myself.”

Hess knows what Queensland are facing. (Peter Wallis)

Maroons back-rower Gavin Cooper said the current squad had not forgotten the deeds of Webcke, Civoniceva and Thorn, who all endured dark days in the Queensland jumper.

“It was the first time I’d met Shane Webcke off the field so it was good to have a chat,” Cooper said.

“I actually played with Petero at the Panthers so there were fun times there.

“Just to see those guys in camp meant a lot, everyone knows what those guys have been through in the Maroon jersey.

“There was a big push for several guys to get pushed out in 2005-06, but (Civoniceva) helped start what was a historic run, never to be repeated again.”

Hess dismissed any suggestions the Queensland team is complacent with the series lost.

“There’s been talk that this game means nothing but every time we put on a Queensland jersey we have a job to do,” he said.

“A lot of people are relying on us to do the state proud, it’s no different on Wednesday.”

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