State of Origin: Halfback Daly Cherry-Evans in Queensland tug-of-war

DALY Cherry-Evans, the future of Queensland rugby league, has explained how he settled his State of Origin tug-of-war.

Daly Cherry-Evans. The Queensland State of Origin side during a training session at Sanctuary Cove. Pic Peter Wallis

DALY Cherry-Evans, Queensland’s rugby league future, has explained how he settled his Origin tug-of-war.

The Australian Rugby League lists Cherry-Evans as being from Mackay Brothers but long-serving Sarina league identity Paul Wright, now the local junior club president, insists he counts Cherry-Evans among Sarina’s list of Queensland Origin products.

“Daly played with Sarina from under-7s to under-13,’’ Wright said.

“In his under-14 year, he went to Souths Mackay. Souths pinched his dad (Troy) to coach Souths A grade and he (Daly) went too.’’

Daly Cherry-Evans when he was a junior player at Sarina.

But Cherry-Evans said he wanted to identify with the club where he most enjoyed his times as a junior, and that was Mackay Brothers.

“I played for three different clubs so I can understand them wanting to claim me and I don’t shy away from the fact I lived in Sarina and played for the junior rugby league club there.’’

Cherry-Evans, a likely future Queensland captain, wants to finish the Origin series on a high note after Cooper Cronk’s Game I injury and his own restrictions with a leg injury in the lead-up to Game II damaged his plans to make an impact.

Daly Cherry-Evans in action.

Cronk, Johnathan Thurston and Cherry-Evans, who will come on as a backrower unless one of the halves is injured, all want a more creative Game Three for the Maroons.

“I’ve learnt most that the opportunity for a try doesn’t come around in Origin often so when you do get the opportunity you have to make sure you get the ball over the line,’’ Cherry-Evans said.

“Unfortunately we haven’t done that too many times this series so hopefully the floodgates open for our side (in Game Three).

“I feel as if we can get our preparation right it will go a long way towards a good performance.’’