Why winning Brisbane decider is Cotter’s Holy Grail
Joel Gould |
Queensland lock Reuben Cotter has done just about everything in the State of Origin arena but winning a decider in Brisbane remains a goal to be ticked off.
“It is there to do, to win a decider at Suncorp would be pretty special,” Cotter said.
“It is in all of our minds, but not at the forefront. There is plenty of work to be done before we get the result but it is on everyone’s bucket list.”
Cotter, who shapes as a key man in this year’s decider on Wednesday night in Brisbane, had a fantastic Origin debut at lock in 2022 but missed the remaining two matches after tearing a hamstring.
The Maroons wrapped up the 2022 decider 22-12 in Brisbane, with a late runaway try by Ben Hunt sealing it.
“That game had everything. I was pretty fortunate to watch it from the sidelines but I am pretty excited about the game next week and being in front of a home crowd,” Cotter said.
Cotter did get to enjoy the game two win in Brisbane in 2023 to clinch the series with a 2-0 lead, the same year he was Wally Lewis Medal winner as best player on either side.
The only game 3 decider he’s played at the Maroons’ spiritual home was in 2024, won 14-4 by NSW.
“It does burn. It is something we speak about often,” Cotter said.
“I definitely think about it, especially when we are in these camps. It was a tough battle.”
Maroons second-rower Kurt Capewell had two memorable Origin deciders in Brisbane at his first two attempts.
In 2020 he played centre in his debut series in the first two matches and then switched to his favoured second-row spot in game three where he battled through a groin injury with great courage to star in a 20-14 win.
In 2022 he was starting second-rower again in the Suncorp win and scored a crucial try on the cusp of halftime.
Both matches were “great memories” but in 2024 he too was on the wrong end of the ledger.
“That was a tough one to take,” Capewell said.
“The decider was one of the most intense games I have been a part of and that is what we are expecting on Wednesday.
“It’s an honour to play for Queensland in a decider at Suncorp in front of a packed house. It’s what you live for as a kid growing up.
“Just because it is a decider at our home doesn’t mean it is just going to happen for us. We have to go out and earn everything.”
Capewell will play his 16th Origin match like it is his last. He was dropped for the 2023 series, won by the Maroons, but considers coach Billy Slater’s tough call a blessing.
“I have been lucky enough to pull on the jersey a few times and also lucky enough to have experienced what it is like to be dropped,” he said.
“It puts perspective on it and changes the way you look at things.
“One thing about Bill is that he picks players that are in form and you can take confidence out of that when you do get picked.
“It is a swift reminder that any one Origin can be your last so go out and play like it is.”
AAP