DCE hopes Walters stays on as Qld coach

While Cameron Munster wasn't so sure, captain Daly Cherry-Evans hopes Kevin Walters will stay on as Queensland coach and lead a Maroons revival. Walters was quick to shut down speculation that NSW's 26-20 State of Origin series-clinching win would be his last with the Maroons reins.  "I'll be back next year," he said. But speculation won't go away that Walters is set to relinquish his Maroons job and head for the NRL, taking over from besieged Gold Coast Titans coach Garth Brennan next year. Walters even back-tracked in the post-match Origin press conference when pressed on what he would do if offered the Titans gig. "I don't want to talk about that now. I want to talk about this great Queensland team and how proud I am of them," he said. Maroons fullback Munster admitted Walters may be lost to the NRL with reports former Queensland mentor Wayne Bennett has already put his hand up to take over the Origin job next year. "I am fairly sure he dreams of being an NRL coach," Munster said of Walters. "Whatever he decides to do it's his decision and I will back him 100 per cent. "Kevvie has done so much for this Queensland side and state, I really respect him. "But if he decides to stay I am very confident that this group can bounce back."

DCE admits Qld "lapse" cost them chance

They say State of Origin is about moments. And Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans admits the Maroons botched a big one with a play-the-ball "lapse" before NSW sealed a series-clinching 26-20 win. Cherry-Evans confirmed he was ready to cap another trademark Queensland comeback by kicking a series-deciding field goal in the dying moments of Origin III on Wednesday night. After fighting back from 12 points down to level at 20-all, the stage was set for Cherry-Evans to be the hero in his debut series as captain after centre Moses Mbye's run put them in field goal position. But inexplicably Mbye was slow to play the ball - and Cherry-Evans said their moment was quickly lost. "I was definitely thinking it (field goal). We got into field position for it," Cherry-Evans said. "The referee called time off but there was a bit of a slow play the ball there so my mindset was after that there was too much pressure (for a field goal), just put it in the corner and look at golden point. "Rugby league can be a cruel game. After 79 minutes of focus we just had one lapse for one minute. "Origin is made up of many moments. Unfortunately NSW had more bigger moments than us." 

Time off for Qld's Morgan after head knock

Queensland star Michael Morgan may spend an extended time on the sidelines after copping a second sickening concussion in 13 days in NSW's 26-20 State of Origin series-clinching win. Morgan's North Queensland club said on Thursday the playmaker would be rested for Sunday's NRL clash with St George Illawarra and would be monitored in the coming weeks. "He's out this weekend and club medical staff will assess him in the coming days," an official said. Morgan was left convulsing on the ground after copping a stray elbow from teammate Josh McGuire in a second half tackle in Wednesday's thrilling series decider in Sydney. It came after Morgan was nursed throughout Queensland's game three preparation after copping a hit from Tariq Sims on June 28 that earned the St George Illawarra enforcer a one-week ban, ruling him out of the NSW side for Origin III. Morgan had started the first two Origins in the centres but was relegated to bench utility for the decider after his disrupted preparation. The jury is now out on when Morgan will return to NRL action after his second heavy knock that left on-lookers reeling and Queensland a man down in the Origin decider.

Anger over 'bewildering' drama in State of Origin decider

The spectacle that is State of Origin was almost ruined on Wednesday night as a record 12 penalties were blown in the first half alone. Fans and commentators were left fuming during the Origin decider at ANZ Stadium when the first half was constantly disrupted by the referee’s whistle. It was the most penalties in the first half of an Origin match in 23 years, meaning the game was very stop-start and the 8-8 scoreline reflected that. One Queensland penalty drew particular ire when Tyson Frizell was deemed to have flopped in order to drive Dane Gagai back into the in-goal - even though the Maroons winger already appeared to be destined for that fate. “The tackle had been made, if I am reading the referee correctly,” Ray Warren said in commentary. “The third tackler in has been deemed to have flopped in the tackle.” However Phil Gould was gobsmacked: “He had no effect on it.” “The referees are interfering in this game too much tonight,” he later added. “The first two games weren’t like this but tonight they want to stamp their authority.” Queensland legend Paul Vautin said: “Some of the penalties have been bewildering.” “They’re going to ruin the game if they keep it up.” Others on social media were equally as alarmed.

Qld's Lowe credits Walters for comeback

This time last year Ethan Lowe was playing reserve grade. But the back-rower has credited advice from Kevin Walters for sparking a remarkable turnaround capped by a stunning State of Origin debut barely 12 months later. NRL premiership winner Lowe admitted it had been a "pretty crazy ride" since languishing in Queensland Cup last year after standing tall in Queensland's heartbreaking 26-20 game three loss on Wednesday night. A former North Queensland star, Lowe feared his NRL career may be over when he was unwanted by Cowboys coach Paul Green and relegated to Queensland Cup side Northern Pride in 2018. However, Lowe revealed his comeback was inspired by Walters when the Maroons coach wandered into Northern Pride's dressing rooms last year. Walters was only at the game to watch his son Billy play for Brisbane Easts but still took time to reassure Lowe. After starring for Queensland, the back-rower is now sure glad Walters did. "I'm not sure if Kevvie remembers this but I was playing Q-Cup against his boy Billy and after the game he came and said a few words to me," Lowe said. "It's something I haven't forgotten and something I've used as motivation to keep working hard. It's got me here. "He talked about not letting one person define who I am as a footballer. "He said to me he knew I was a very good footballer and I just needed an opportunity."

I will play with broken wrist: Qld's Napa

A broken wrist has not deterred Queensland prop Dylan Napa, who says there is "no doubt" he will play Sunday's State of Origin II in Perth. The Maroons appeared to be reeling before game two after it was revealed on Tuesday that Napa had arrived in camp with the fracture and flyer Dane Gagai had been quarantined with a virus. But Napa backed himself to run out on Optus Stadium while Maroons officials played down fears for Gagai, saying he had been separated from teammates simply as a precaution. Napa underwent scans on Monday after complaining of a sore hand following Canterbury's NRL loss to Sydney Roosters on the weekend. And Napa was unfazed by the results, claiming he had played the majority of the Bulldogs clash with the injury and believed it augured well for his Origin II chances. Asked if he was confident of playing, Napa said: "Absolutely. I am pretty confident, (there is) no doubt. "I have got to take it day by day but I played the whole game with it (for Bulldogs). "It's just another hurdle but I believe I can get out there." The Maroons said Napa would be nursed through the week to give the Canterbury enforcer a shot at playing.

Qld's Ponga refuses to discuss rugby call

Kalyn Ponga has refused to talk about whether he wants to be a Wallaby. But the Queensland No.1 has declared he wants to be the next Johnathan Thurston. Ponga, 21, may be preparing for Sunday's State of Origin II in Perth where Queensland can seal a series-clinching victory. However, Ponga was on Tuesday peppered by questions about another code. It was revealed last week that Wallabies coach Michael Cheika spoke with Ponga in what was believed to be a bid to lure the NRL star to rugby. While Ponga confirmed the phone call, he repeatedly knocked back questions about a possible code switch. "That (call) was ages ago. But I don't want to touch on that," said Ponga, who is contracted to NRL club Newcastle until the end of the 2021. Asked if rugby was a future option, Ponga said: "I don't want to touch on that, I am here to focus on Queensland." The Maroons' X-factor was more forthcoming on his rugby league plans, saying he wanted to emulate NRL great and former North Queensland teammate Thurston.