‘This is not too big for us’: Daly Cherry-Evans says Maroons can bounce back
Matt Gillett’s hopes of playing the State of Origin series decider go on the line, while Daly Cherry-Evans has attempted to reinforce the confidence of his Queensland team.
NRL
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Daly Cherry-Evans has declared Wednesday’s night’s State of Origin decider will not define his career but reassured Queensland fans the occasion will not be too big for his underdog team.
The Maroons will wait until Tuesday’s training session to assess the fitness of experienced forward Matt Gillett, still a strong chance of playing despite being laid low with a groin injury.
While Origin great Darren Lockyer has claimed Cherry-Evans could be defined by his performance on Wednesday night Cherry-Evans sees a bigger picture.
“It is a big game, no doubt about it and I am really excited about what lies ahead but you just cannot get too far ahead of yourself,’’ Cherry-Evans said.
“There has been a bit of talk about potentially this game defining me. If the result goes the way I think it will that’s great but I have never been one who played to have one game define me as a player. I will play too much football beyond this game for it to define me as a player.’’
Cherry-Evans today played the role of amateur psychologist to reinforce the confidence of a team blasted off the paddock in Origin II.
“It’s about reassuring the boys this is not impossible,” he said.
“It is very very real. That is the mindset we need to have. This is not too big for us.
“It has been done before. It is a big task. I have been involved in one of these games before and it is bloody hard work. It takes a full 80-minute performance and full task to get it done.
“The moment is never too big for a Queensland side ... it is there for the taking and I cannot wait.’’
Cherry-Evans admitted that he has told some “white lies’’ about his own fitness as he battled shoulder and ankle injury but is feeling mercifully pain-free.
“It is the best I have felt. I have thrown out a few little white lies about my fitness over the past few months. That is part of footy. But the fact I have taken part in every training session this week is something I have not done since coming back from injury.’’
Originally published as ‘This is not too big for us’: Daly Cherry-Evans says Maroons can bounce back
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