Fired up veteran Nate Myles has dismissed speculation that next week’s State of Origin III will be his last for Queensland.
The evergreen prop has been named for July 13’s Origin III in Sydney but must overcome a knee injury that sidelined him for their series-clinching game two win in Brisbane last month.
Barely three weeks after minor knee surgery, Myles says he will make a final call on whether he can play his 31st Origin in the coming days.
Either way, reports claim Myles is nearing the end of his Origin career.
The 31-year-old didn’t hold back when quizzed about the speculation.
“The stories that are getting tossed up, although a lot of it is horse s**t, it’s just how you guys get around,” he said.
“The older guys are under pressure but I enjoy that kind of stuff – it’s a positive considering the success Queensland have had.
“Your articles were saying it is going to be my last Origin apparently, hopefully it is not my last one.”
Queensland lock Corey Parker will play his 19th and final Origin when the Maroons try to clinch a fifth series whitewash on Wednesday week.
Queensland playmaker Johnathan Thurston is expected to retire from Origin in 2017 and captain Cameron Smith the following year.
But Myles said he had not set an Origin deadline.
“I am contracted for another two years after this – there is no time frame,” said Myles, who has missed just two games since his 2006 Origin debut.
“I am not saying this is my last series.
“No one knows.
“But I will try to do it the right way.
“I don’t want to hang on.”
Myles said he would decide sooner rather than later on his fitness.
“I haven’t been given a deadline but I am not going to stuff around – the team deserves better than that,” he said.
Myles was slotted into the Queensland 17 for bench utility Michael Morgan (knee).
The other new face is North Queensland backrower Gavin Cooper, who replaces injured bench forward Josh Papalii.
Cooper is yet to arrive in the Maroons camp as he awaits the birth of his second child in Townsville.
Myles did not believe Queensland coach Kevin Walters missed a chance to blood new talent in next week’s dead rubber, saying Cooper’s selection sent a strong message.
Cooper makes his Origin debut at 30 and in his 11th NRL season.
“Gavin Cooper coming in for his first game is fantastic,” Myles said.
“The young guys will see that and say ‘I am not going to take this for granted, this guy is 30, been one of the best players in the competition and he’s getting his first game’.
“It’s another realisation for our players to pick their game up again.”
Queensland move into their Gold Coast camp on Wednesday.
