Why the Queensland captaincy will take Greg Inglis to another level in State of Origin I

LEADERSHIP is not for everyone, but for Greg Inglis the Queensland captaincy can take his already glittering State of Origin career to a new level.

McCullough to play like Smith Greg Inglis of QLD celebrates his try during the State of Origin match between Queensland and New South Wales. Pic Darren England.

The Origin captaincy will take Greg Inglis to another level.

Leadership is not for everyone and within a rugby league team, some individuals are best left to focus on their own game, but Inglis will relish the additional responsibility of captaining Queensland.

When a player reaches the twilight of a decorated career, it can be easy to fall victim to complacency. For Inglis, a new challenge has arrived. Premierships. Origin games. Test jumpers. Hundreds of NRL games. As a 30-game Origin Statesman, Inglis has scaled almost every major summit in rugby league.

But captaining Queensland to a series win is the leadership challenge that will test one of the most naturally gifted players to ever have played the game.

Inglis is already a State of Origin legend.

Over the past decade, I have watched Greg develop from a raw footballing talent to a leader of men whose physical aura and personal achievements generate instant respect among his peers.

Greg made his Origin debut in 2006. At the time, he would just turn up to training and say little, his sole motivation to get to Origin night and play the game he loves.

But just watching him, I knew Inglis was a winner. He had an intensity about him and when he flicked the switch, you knew he would perform when it mattered.

In the past three years, since he accepted the captaincy at Souths, I’ve detected an evolution in Inglis. He has reminded me of former Broncos skipper Justin Hodges in his journey from self-absorbed rookie to a team-focused leader who can inspire not with words, but actions.

Inglis will take the baton from the departed Cameron Smith.

From experience, I can appreciate the benefits imposed by captaincy. A leadership position holds you accountable and through the very process of working hard and upholding wider cultural standards, it betters you as a player and person.

That is what the Queensland Origin captaincy will do for Greg Inglis.

There are times at Origin level when Greg has drifted in and out of games, but the captaincy will drive him to seek more involvement. Inglis simply hates letting people down. There will be no demons for him returning to Origin after 12 months out of the arena following his knee reconstruction.

Amid the discussion over whether Inglis can recover physically to flourish again in Origin, the captaincy will be the impetus for him to deliver at this level again.

Inglis, though, will also need off-field guidance from coach Kevin Walters.

Twelve years since his Origin debut, Inglis will lead Queensland for the first time.

Without the calming presence of Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk, Queensland’s biggest battle for Origin I could well be what happens internally and whether they have the self-belief to continue their dominance.

As coach, Walters has an important role to play in cultivating the confidence of young players in a changing team dynamic. That must then flow onto the park via the leadership influence of Inglis, Billy Slater and Josh McGuire.

This is without doubt Queensland’s biggest challenge in 15 years. The Blues have picked a dangerous team with the right fusion of youth, experience, power and finesse and it’s important the Maroons’ pack prevents NSW’s forwards getting a roll on.

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In James Maloney and Nathan Cleary, the Blues have picked halves who know how to manage a game, capitalise on momentum and field position. It’s crucial Queensland’s big boys restrict NSW’s go-forward with consisted aggressive line speed.

The revolution in the hooking role, with Cameron Smith departing and NSW’s Damien Cook arriving, will shape the fortunes of Origin I.

The speedy Cook is a real X-factor. Smith was so good at controlling the Maroons’ ruck in defence, so it’s important Queensland maintain their discipline and focus because Cook’s speed could be a game breaker.

It’s one Origin series with so many unknowns. If the best leaders rise in a time of need, Greg Inglis and Kevin Walters could enjoy their finest hour.

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