Queensland stars endorse Daly Cherry-Evans as new Origin captain

Queensland Origin stars have sent a powerful message to coach Kevin Walters by endorsing Daly Cherry-Evans as the man to captain the Maroons in the post-Greg Inglis era.

• EARLY MAIL: Fifita boost for Sharks, NZ lose playmaker

• NEW SKIPPER: DCE tipped to lead new Maroons era

Queensland Origin stars have sent a powerful message to coach Kevin Walters by endorsing Daly Cherry-Evans as the man to captain the Maroons in the post-Greg Inglis era.

In the space of 12 months, Cherry-Evans has completed a remarkable Origin metamorphosis, going from a playmaker supposedly on the outer with Queensland hierarchy to the perfect candidate to succeed the retired Inglis in the eyes of his teammates.

Walters on Monday indicated Cherry-Evans is among the candidates to captain the Maroons this season and Queensland duo Corey Oates and Jai Arrow have thrown their support behind the 30-year-old.

Daly Cherry-Evans has been backed by teammates as the next Origin skipper. Picture: Annette Dew

MORE NRL NEWS

SHOCK TARGET TO REPLACE INGLIS AT RABBITOHS

HAAS TO FACE RAIDERS DESPITE $10K FINE

Cherry-Evans was outstanding in Origin III last season, leading Queensland to a face-saving 18-12 defeat of NSW at Suncorp Stadium after a three-year exile from the code’s toughest arena.

Oates and Arrow played alongside Cherry-Evans in his Queensland comeback and said his poise and composure in Game Three is evidence he is equipped to lead the Maroons onto Suncorp Stadium in Origin I on June 5.

“Daly would be a great captain,” said Oates.

“The last few years he has started to play some really good football and really consistent footy.

Cherry-Evans starred in Origin III last year. Picture: Annette Dew

“I don’t think it would be silly to make him the captain.

“There’s a couple of other blokes in the team who could be captain. It’s up to the selectors but I don’t think they’ll be picking the wrong bloke. Daly has to be a really good chance to get it.”

Cherry-Evans made his Origin debut in 2013 and didn’t always appear comfortable during Queensland’s golden dynasty driven by senior leaders Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Cooper Cronk.

But Oates says Cherry-Evans, a veteran of seven Origin games, has earnt respect with his peers as Walters presides over generational change.

“He was outstanding last year (in Origin III),” he said.

“He just showed what he can do, he is one of those players who competes on everything.

“It’s good to see Daly playing the way everyone knows he can play.

Queensland are looking for a replacement for Greg Inglis. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“It should be great confidence for him the way he played in Origin last year. It’s been a good start for him this year and the captaincy would be a massive milestone for him.

“You have Michael Morgan and a few others (who could be captaincy options) ... but Daly is respected.

“He has working for a long time, he’s been there almost 10 years in the NRL. He’s now there as our No.7 and he has taken it with both hands and playing great football.”

Arrow, who made his Origin debut last year, was impressed by Cherry-Evans’ confidence and cool head on the field.

“He’s definitely up to the captaincy,” he said. “He steers you in the right direction and tells you where you want to be. Every good half does that, he leads by example and he is a well-liked guy off the field so he will do a great job if he gets it.

“He came in with a lot of pressure on his shoulders in game three last year, we didn’t want to get whitewashed and did what all good halfbacks do.

“Daly is a good candidate.”

Oates and Arrow gathered in Brisbane’s CBD on Tuesday to launch the NRL’s Million Dollar Kick. In the week of the NRL’s Magic Round on Wednesday, May 8, fans will have a chance to win $1 million by kicking for goal in front of a live crowd in Brisbane’s King George Square.

Fans can also elect to have a nominated NRL star kick for goal on their behalf.

“I hope they pick me,” Broncos sharpshooter Jamayne Isaako said. “I’ll be asking for a 50-50 share.”

Originally published as Queensland stars endorse Daly Cherry-Evans as new Origin captain