Even Nate Myles’ one-eyed, dyed-in-the-wool, Queensland-loving grandad reckons the Manly prop has not earned Maroons State of Origin selection.
But the Sea Eagles front rower is still backing himself to outpoint Brisbane rival Josh McGuire and make Maroons selectors sit up and take notice in Saturday night’s NRL clash at Suncorp Stadium.
Incumbent Queensland prop Myles is not taking Origin selection for granted under new Maroons coach Kevin Walters.
Especially after a brutally honest chat with his grandfather.
“It’s quite funny. I spoke to my grandad a couple of days ago and he told me I wouldn’t be in the Queensland side the way I am playing,” Myles laughed.
“It’s always good to get that honesty.”
Asked if his grandfather was a NSW fan, Myles said: “I can tell you he is not, mate.”
Myles couldn’t help but chuckle about his grandad’s assessment.
But he is deadly serious about retaining his Origin spot despite the imminent threat posed by McGuire.
Mobile Broncos powerhouse McGuire has emerged as one of Queensland’s premier front rowers after snatching a Kangaroos call-up at the expense of Myles for the recent trans-Tasman Test.
It set the scene for an intriguing square off when Myles’ Manly take on a Brisbane pack led by McGuire at a sold out Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Myles admitted the clash may yet decide who partners Cowboy Matt Scott in the Queensland front row in the Origin series opener in Sydney on June 1.
“They (Broncos) are playing good footy and it is easy to shine the light on individuals (like McGuire) when a team does that,” Myles said.
“I think it will be a good game for our forwards – we are pretty pumped up for it.”
Myles is a veteran of 29 Origins and Queensland selectors are famous for their loyalty.
But the Manly juggernaut admitted he would be starting from scratch again under new coach Walters.
“I am not going to expect a jersey. It is not laid on a table for me, it never has been,” he said.
“I don’t just expect it. It has to be earned and it has always been that way with Queensland.
“There’s a new coach, a new re-shuffle.
“I think everyone has to make sure they have to be playing their best.”
