Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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JOSH McGuire says his career-best form is thanks to the NRL’s new interchange rules.
The 106kg Broncos forward has had his strongest start to a season and last Thursday he put in masterclass performance against the Raiders.
He made a career-high 24 runs against Canberra and his red hot form continued to deliver for him on Wednesday, when Queensland coach Kevin Walters named him to make his Origin starting debut in Game Two on Wednesday.
He was selected ahead of Canberra’s Josh Papalii and veteran Warriors forward Jacob Lillyman to replace injured prop Nate Myles.
The 26-year-old said his improvement this year was thanks to getting more game time after the NRL reduced the interchanges to eight this year.
“Every year is different and this is probably the lightest I have been in a long time,” McGuire said.
“I’m really enjoying the new rules of the NRL with the reduced interchange. I feel it suits the smaller forwards a bit more.
“It’s just the way the game is going and I’m enjoying my footy. It’s always nice playing footy when you’re having fun with a good bunch of blokes.’’
McGuire will be hoping to carry his form into his first Origin appearance at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday.
While he put in a strong effort in Game One, there is no denying he will have to lift for Origin II, particularly now that he is starting.
He does not expect to replicate his performance against Canberra because he will get less time against the Blues, but he is determined to give it his all to help wrap up the series on home turf.
“Obviously it’s a lot harder playing Origin in the middle,” he said.
“You don’t get the opportunity to run that amount unless you’re playing massive minutes.
“In Origin, everyone is so good you just don’t see that middle guy playing massive minutes like that. You just have to be doing your all and not letting anyone down.’’
No Cookies | Daily Telegraph
The 106kg Broncos forward has had his strongest start to a season and last Thursday he put in masterclass performance against the Raiders.
He made a career-high 24 runs against Canberra and his red hot form continued to deliver for him on Wednesday, when Queensland coach Kevin Walters named him to make his Origin starting debut in Game Two on Wednesday.
He was selected ahead of Canberra’s Josh Papalii and veteran Warriors forward Jacob Lillyman to replace injured prop Nate Myles.
The 26-year-old said his improvement this year was thanks to getting more game time after the NRL reduced the interchanges to eight this year.
“Every year is different and this is probably the lightest I have been in a long time,” McGuire said.
“I’m really enjoying the new rules of the NRL with the reduced interchange. I feel it suits the smaller forwards a bit more.
“It’s just the way the game is going and I’m enjoying my footy. It’s always nice playing footy when you’re having fun with a good bunch of blokes.’’
McGuire will be hoping to carry his form into his first Origin appearance at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday.
While he put in a strong effort in Game One, there is no denying he will have to lift for Origin II, particularly now that he is starting.
He does not expect to replicate his performance against Canberra because he will get less time against the Blues, but he is determined to give it his all to help wrap up the series on home turf.
“Obviously it’s a lot harder playing Origin in the middle,” he said.
“You don’t get the opportunity to run that amount unless you’re playing massive minutes.
“In Origin, everyone is so good you just don’t see that middle guy playing massive minutes like that. You just have to be doing your all and not letting anyone down.’’
No Cookies | Daily Telegraph
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