Mention of Kurt Gidley’s name has been the catalyst for numerous pub discussions around NSW when it comes to the make-up of the State of Origin team.
Highly respected by coaches and his peers throughout the game, the former NSW skipper polarises fan opinion like no other player in the Blues side.
But the versatile Newcastle captain insists he’s unfazed by any criticism that comes his way and adamant he offers something to the team.
“It doesn’t affect me at all. Everybody is entitled to their opinion on who should be in the team,” Gidley told AAP.
“The opinion of the coach is the only one that I worry about and Laurie (Daley) rang me at the end of last week and told me I was in.
“I am really happy to be involved again especially after missing last year.”
Unable to play in last year’s Origin series following shoulder surgery, Gidley admits he shared the frustrations of the state, who’ve not seen their side win a series since 2005.
“I was sitting at home, back on a lounge watching Origin again … it’d been a while since I’ve done that,” he said.
“I got a few boys around to watch it and I was just like a fan again, watching the boys and supporting and screaming at the telly and doing all those sorts of things that supporters do.
“It was disappointing watching them going down in the last game but I was really proud of their efforts.
“Everyone here in the camp is desperate to end this drought and we all think we have the team to do it.”
Gidley is one of seven players in the 17-man squad with captaincy experience and Daley said his leadership skills were a main reason for his selection.
Paul Gallen and Robbie Farah skipper Cronulla and Wests Tigers respectively while Jarryd Hayne and Greg Bird are co-captains with Parramatta and the Gold Coast.
Luke Lewis led out Penrith last year and Ryan Hoffman tossed the coin for the City side in April.
Gidley believes you cannot have too many leaders in an Origin side.
“It’s a good thing, but we have to ensure the leaders lead with action not words,” he said.
“That will be my role when I come on. But that goes for all the other guys as well. All of us are willing to put our bodies on the line.”
