New Brisbane starting hooker Cory Paix has revealed the moment that convinced him he could end a 553-day exile from the NRL.
The 25-year-old will cap a remarkable comeback when he plays number nine against the Sydney Roosters on Thursday night at the Sydney Football Stadium.
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Last year, Paix was overlooked by former coach Kevin Walters for the entire season, with Billy Walters, Blake Mozer and Tyson Smoothy ahead of him.
Now, he has usurped Walters for the starting rake spot after new coach Michael Maguire held a pivotal meeting.
"It was when he grabbed all the hookers together as a group and said, 'Look, I don't know who I am going to go with. It's going to come down to you guys. Whoever wants it, put your hands up'," Paix said.
"It was a clean slate for everyone, not just the hookers. It was all on us to have a big pre-season.
"We came back to training in pre-season, and for me, it was a new lease of life and a fresh start for everyone.
"The easy option for me would have been to leave (last year), but I decided to stay and press towards that number nine jersey. I just kept persisting."
Paix has trained the house down and starred in the pre-season trials.
Last year, the Toowoomba-born hooker was a stand-out in the Queensland Cup in 20 games, where he scored five tries, set up seven and had a phenomenal 97 per cent tackle efficiency.
A noted hard trainer, Paix said he had not changed anything from last season.
"I have still been the same player,'' he said.
"I have still done my extras. I have turned up with the same attitude I did last year and it has obviously got me in contention."
Paix, a speedy ball runner and elite defender, said he had learned a lot about game management from former NRL hookers Matt Ballin and Andrew McCullough, who are both on staff at the club.
Now, he wants to keep his jersey and hopefully earn a new deal beyond 2025.
"I am pretty confident in my ability to play some footy, and if I do my job that is all the team needs," Paix said.
"If I do that then there shouldn't be any dramas, but I know there are good players here that are nipping at my heels to try and get (their spot) back. I just have to play the game hard and tough."
ABC
