Bryan Fletcher opens up on just how good NSW Origin camp used to be

The State of Origin times they are a changing, but not so long ago Origin camps were a time for the boys to get around each other and a well known stomping ground.

Drinking before a game may be frowned upon in sports circles these days but as recently as the 2000s there used to be a thing called team bonding.

In State of Origin camps it even used to be a rite of passage — a chance to get amongst the boys and prove yourself.

Former NSW star forward Bryan Fletcher has opened up on just why Origin time and camp was his favourite time of the year.

Hot tip — it was not the on field action. “I used to love it,” Fletcher said. “It’s changed a lot because we used to be able to get on the drink for four days.

“This is what we used to do — this was the trilogy — Coogee Palace, not there anymore, Archies, not there anymore, then up to the Cross for Bourbon and Beefsteak and good times.

“Three days in a row you would do that just the same bang, bang, bang, bang.”

Asked whether they should have been more focused on planning for Origin, Fletcher was quick with a flippant response.

“We were good,” he said. “We had Andrew Johns — (we’d say) ‘just do that Joey’.”

As for the upcoming series the Blues don’t have anything resembling an Andrew Johns-type available. Newcastle star Mitchell Pearce, despite some shocking past Origin performances was probably the closest thing, given his current form, but he like Adam Reynolds and Luke Keary were ruled out through injury, leaving Nathan Cleary to stay on as NSW number seven.

He will be partnered in the halves by Cody Walker and while that pairing has left plenty of questions asked over how successful it will be, Fletcher is for the young duo, especially Walker, who he said had been “phenomenal” for Souths.

Still it’s another youngster he is most excited about.

“Our forward pack, I just think our forward pack — we’re too mobile, too big, too strong

and I think Payne Haase, I know he is making his debut but he will have a massive impact,” he said.

WAUGH’S BIG WORLD CUP CALL

England's James Vince congratulates England's Jos Buttler on a half-century against Australia.

Mark Waugh might have to hand his baggy green back after tipping the Old Enemy to salute on home soil but he also believes the Australians will throw a selection surprise at the World Cup.

“They’re deserved favourites I think,” Waugh said of the England side.

“They have so much power in their batting it’s going to be a high-scoring tournament and they have a lot of depth in their batting.

“Some of the teams are relying on two or three players, like India and Australia — who are relying on Smith and Warner.”
Still while Waugh thinks Australia might be relying too much on Warner he has backed him to open the batting alongside Aaron Finch, despite the fact that has not been the case in warm-up games.

“I think (Usman) Khawaja will bat three, he’s been in great form and I think Finch and Warner will open.”

WARRIORS ALL THE WAY

Golden State might simply be too good.

Shane Heal knows what it takes to be on a winning team.

And while the former Boomers star has been all-in on the Golden State Warriors for a while he has heaped more praise on them ahead of an NBA Finals series where he expects they will have little trouble with Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors.

In fact he thinks the Finals will only go “four or five games” as the Warriors three-peat.

The reason? How good Golden State were in sweeping Portland with Kevin Durant and DeMarcus Cousins.

“Golden State have always been unbackable but I think they will get it done,” Heal said.

“Those guys (Steph) Curry, (Klay) Thompson and (Draymond) Green — the way they stood up without two superstars is unheard of.”