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Maroons' DCE says Norman ready to step up

3 minute read

Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans admits it may look like a big risk to blood Corey Norman at five-eighth but has backed the debutant in State of Origin III.

CAMERON MUNSTER of the Storm runs with the ball during the NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
CAMERON MUNSTER of the Storm runs with the ball during the NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

From the outside looking in Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans admits blooding Corey Norman at five-eighth in a State of Origin series decider in Sydney appears a "big risk".

But Cherry-Evans said the St George Illawarra playmaker's swagger at Maroons camp had convinced him Norman was unfazed by the daunting challenge.

Queensland coach Kevin Walters on Wednesday finally confirmed his 17 for the July 10 clash almost 48 hours after unveiling his squad, naming Norman at pivot and Melbourne star Cameron Munster at fullback.

Norman had been expected to feature on the bench on his Origin debut with the more seasoned Michael Morgan chiming into the halves with Cherry-Evans.

But halfback Cherry-Evans said he had no problem with Norman being asked to step up in Origin III.

Already a big fan of Norman after watching him pick apart NRL teams since his 2010 debut, Cherry-Evans said the Dragons talisman had a "strut" about him since arriving in Camp Maroon.

"From the outside looking in it will be built up as a big occasion and a big risk," he said of Norman's elevation to five-eighth.

"But he's got a demeanour where not too much fazes him.

"This isn't an overwhelming challenge for Corey. From what I can see he is very excited and very focused."

Besides, Cherry-Evans believed Norman had already shown he could step up for the big occasion this season - not once but twice.

Norman demanded the ball before kicking a last gasp match-winning field goal for NRL side the Dragons against Brisbane in round three.

Remarkably Norman then repeated his heroics the next week against Newcastle.

"All the best players want the footy at crunch time and Corey has done that over the years for different (NRL) clubs," Cherry-Evans said.

"I have watched him first hand as an opposition player pick apart a team - if he backs himself we are going to be in for a good night.

"If we are in a situation where it is tight in the end we have more than one person who is going to be willing to put their hand up and try and help this team win a game of footy."

Cherry-Evans was also buzzing over Munster switching from five-eighth to fullback, replacing injured No.1 Kalyn Ponga.

The Maroons skipper said the Storm star would be an "X-factor" in the No.1 jersey.

"No doubt he will be. And the fact that he is not just pigeonholed to the left hand side of the field is going to mean dramas for NSW," he said.

Meanwhile, Joe Ofahengaue is a confirmed front-row starter with debutant forward Christian Welch on the bench.

Ofahengaue made an impressive debut in Queensland's series opening 18-14 win but missed their 38-6 loss to the Blues in Perth with a knee gash.

Queensland: Cameron Munster, Corey Oates, Michael Morgan, Will Chambers, Dane Gagai, Corey Norman, Daly Cherry-Evans (capt), Joe Ofahengaue, Ben Hunt, Josh Papalii, Felise Kaufusi, Matt Gillett, Josh McGuire. Interchange: Moses Mbye, Christian Welch, Tim Glasby, David Fifita. 18th man: Ethan Lowe.

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