Queensland skipper Cameron Smith says Kyle Feldt is ready for Origin arena
MAROONS skipper Cameron Smith says Kyle Feldt is ready for State of Origin, with the Cowboys winger revealing he is entering the 2018 season in the best shape of his NRL career.
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MAROONS skipper Cameron Smith says Kyle Feldt is ready for State of Origin, with the Cowboys winger revealing he is entering the 2018 season in the best shape of his NRL career.
Feldt received the ultimate reward for a punishing pre-season on Friday night, crossing for a hat-trick in his side’s 16-14 defeat of the Storm in the Cameron Smith-Johnathan Thurston testimonial clash at Suncorp Stadium.
On a night where Suncorp was buffeted by heavy rain, Feldt, who in recent years has come up with the odd clanger, had hands of super glue.
He produced the play of the night, somehow pulling off a superb one-handed catch from a Michael Morgan kick for his first try in the 33rd minute.
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It was a moment that demonstrated why Cowboys insiders believe it is only a matter of time before Feldt wears Maroon.
His Storm rival Smith, the most-capped player in Origin history, urged Queensland selectors to have a close look at Feldt this season.
“If he keeps coming up with the efforts he did (on Friday night), he gives himself every chance,” Smith said.
“Kyle has been on the fringe (of Origin) for a few years now, he has been involved in some of our training camps over the past two seasons.
“He is pretty close. He is playing in a team that is playing consistent football and they demand consistent football and that’s what Origin is all about.
“The pre-season he has had puts him in a really good position to have a crack at Origin this year.”
Feldt was on the verge of an Origin debut for the 2016 season before a shocker against the Broncos in Townsville. In a disastrous 15-minute period, Feldt dropped three balls – and with it went his maiden Queensland jumper.
Last year, Feldt received help from a sports psychologist to address his mental approach to the game. This year, he has gone a step further, improving his physical state as the 26-year-old leaves no stone unturned in his quest to be at his best.
“Kyle has had his best off-season so far,” Cowboys coach Paul Green said.
“He turned up (to pre-season) in good shape. We could see his abs from day one which hasn’t been the case for ‘Feldty’.
“Hopefully the penny has finally dropped and he can continue from this.”
The 102kg flyer has scored 48 tries in 74 games in his Cowboys career and admits he no longer takes his position in the NRL for granted.
“I’m getting older now,” he said. “I’m 26 so I’m coming to the prime of my career – I want to put my best foot forward.
“I’ve always been known around the club to come back to pre-season heavier, so I took ownership and decided to get my diet right. I have come back in the best shape ever.
“When I was younger, I took it for granted, but being around guys like Johnathan Thurston and ‘Thumper’ (prop Matt Scott) ... I’ve learnt a lot and become more mature.”
Originally published as Queensland skipper Cameron Smith says Kyle Feldt is ready for Origin arena