State of Origin 2017: Kevin Walters makes no apologies for Maroons’ lack of loyalty

FOR the first time in more than a decade it’s Queensland under the pump and Kevin Walters made no apologies for his ruthless approach to Origin II.

Kevin Walters has shown his steel for Queensland. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

IT’S no use bringing back Johnathan Thurston and Billy Slater unless you have a forward pack that can stop Andrew Fifita and the Blues big boys.

Kevvie Walters publicly conceded his forwards were “beat up” in the humiliating loss at Suncorp Stadium.

And that is why the Queensland coach made no apologies for throwing their famous loyalty card out the window in a dramatic shake-up that included seven changes.

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Kevin Walters has shown his steel for Queensland. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

Out goes Maroons mainstays Sam Thaiday, Nate Myles, Aidan Guerra and Jacob Lillyman while Corey Oates and Justin O’Neill also copped the bullet.

Along with the return of Slater and Thurston and veteran Gavin Cooper, Walters named four Origin debutants including Valentine Holmes, Coen Hess, Tim Glasby and Jarrod Wallace (if Wallace beats a shoulder charge at the NRL judiciary tonight.

“It was tough, particularly for our players that have been there for long periods,” Walters said.

“Nate Myles, Sam Thaiday, Jacob Lillyman, Aidan Guerra have all been long term players for Queensland. But with our recent results we felt there was a need for a change.

“For game one we picked a team that won last year’s series and the majority of those players were afforded the luxury to perform in game one.

“We didn’t get the result that we needed. So Gene, myself and Darren went to Plan B, which was always going to be in our plans. To bring some new players into the team that haven’t played Origin.

“The transition period for Queensland is right now. It is not next year or the year after. We feel the time is right to introduce some new players.”

But while Walters has been criticised for the lack of loyalty, there is no question this is a better and more balanced squad.

“It’s no secret that we got beat up through the middle,” Walters said. “Our forwards didn’t aim up.

“So we have made some changes there.

“We feel that if our players can stand up in that area that we have got the right class and quality around those guys to get the game right for Queensland.

“That wasn’t the case in game one.”

Tim Glasby was something of a surprise inclusion. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)

Cooper’s inclusion will mean he plays on the left edge with his Cowboys teammates Thurston that will allow Josh Papalii to add more grunt in the middle.

And it was also interesting what Walters said when asked about why he chose to go for young Glasby ahead of experienced Cowboy Scott Bolton.

“Tim is in what I believe is the best defensive system in the country at the Melbourne Storm,’ Walters said.

“They have proven that for the last 10 years the way they go about their business.

“And we feel that we were lacking in that area in game one and Tim will bring a lot and then some in game two.”

Cohen Hess and Jonathan Thurston arrive in Brisban. Photo: Jono Searle.

Asked about Hess’s arrival, Walters added: “I think the whole rugby league world knows that Coen is ready.”

But Walters did admit he didn’t ring Hess’s Cowboys coach Paul Green to get his advice after Green recently suggested Hess wasn’t ready for Origin.

“No, I think Paul would prefer that he wasn’t in the side so we didn’t ask Greenie,’ Walters said.

Walters also made jokes about what Slater’s return would mean for Darius Boyd.

“I don’t think he will be in the forwards anywhere but I expect him to line up somewhere in the backline,” Walters quipped.

But what Walters did admit to, and couldn’t hide, was that he was also feeling the heat.

“There is always pressure with Origin, not matter what game it is,” Walters added. “But I know that I am doing everything that I can.”