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Scott leaves his Origin fate to Walters

3 minute read

Prop Matt Scott says his State of Origin future fate ultimately rests with Queensland coach Kevin Walters.

MATTHEW SCOTT of the Maroons offloads during the State Of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
MATTHEW SCOTT of the Maroons offloads during the State Of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Veteran prop Matt Scott says he has not made a call on his representative future but admits his State of Origin fate will ultimately be decided by Queensland coach Kevin Walters.

The North Queensland front-rower said he was happy with his NRL return from off-season neck surgery and would sit down in the coming weeks to determine whether to make himself available for the Maroons.

"I haven't decided to be honest," the 22-game Origin stalwart said.

"I am just really trying to find my feet again, play some consistent footy and I guess I have to make a decision sooner rather than later.

"I can't see myself retiring from rep footy unless I start feeling pretty average in the next few weeks, then it is just based on form I guess."

However, the 33-year-old conceded his Origin future was in the hands of Walters.

The Maroons are desperately lacking experience after captain Greg Inglis's recent retirement in the wake of the loss of fellow greats Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater.

But Scott said he would understand if Walters wanted to look to the future this year and blood youth in the Maroons pack.

"I know there has been talk of a lack of depth in the Queensland forwards but I think we do have a lot of good, quality front-runners coming through," he said.

"I think it is up to Kevvie which way he wants to go, whether he wants to blood those young guys and give them an opportunity or bring a bit of experience back.

"I will leave that in his hands."

Scott's Origin career appeared at the crossroads after he was surprisingly overlooked for last year's series, won 2-1 by NSW.

The former Test prop also missed the 2017 Origin series due to a knee reconstruction.

However, Scott's return from his second major neck operation in four years has already convinced former Queensland captain Trevor Gillmeister that he should be selected.

But Scott said he would not be bitter if he was overlooked again by Walters in what would all but end his Origin career.

"I would be lying if I said I didn't want to be there. I would love to play for Queensland again," he said.

"I am certainly not expecting anything.

"I am happy with the career I have had in the Origin arena and if I didn't play again I would be very happy with what I have done."

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