Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
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MAROONS great Allan Langer has rubbished claims Anthony Milford is too small for State of Origin and declared the Blues should be fearing Queensland’s new “x-factor”.
Milford is in line to make his Origin debut in next Wednesday’s series opener at Suncorp Stadium as 36-game Maroons veteran Johnathan Thurston battles a shoulder injury.
At 176cm, Milford will be the smallest player on the field at five-eighth and is sure to attract attention from NSW’s wide-running forwards.
But few know what it’s like to be a small man in a big boys game better than the 165cm Langer.
Langer made the first of 34 appearances for Queensland in 1987 as a 20-year-old halfback weighing just 68kg.
The powerful Milford weighs at least 90kg and Langer said the Broncos five-eighth would have no issues in league’s toughest arena.
“The cream rises to the top,” Langer said.
“He holds his own. He’s still over 90kg.
“There is a bit of a difference between me and him. I was 68kg in my first Origin and it was a tough night.
“I was definitely (targeted). He’s got to expect plenty of traffic.
“It will bring the best out of him playing against a top team.
“He’s the x-factor. He’s very quick off the mark.
“Hopefully he can be the matchwinner for us.”
Milford may only be 22, but he is battle-hardened having already played 106 NRL games in his five-season career.
He has at times been a defensive liability for the Broncos, more so with poor positioning rather than a weak tackling technique.
Thurston always receives plenty of traffic at NRL and Origin level and Broncos coach Wayne Bennett backed Milford to handle the load.
“It’s a tough game Origin and they will try and target him in defence,” Bennett said.
“The guys around Milf will help him.
“He’s a lot bigger than Allan Langer was so he will handle it, he’s tough enough.”
Thurston has had his share of defensive misses but has made up for it with his competitive nature and never giving up.
Maroons and Broncos fullback Darius Boyd said Milford was not scared to put his body on the line.
“He will be fine,” Boyd said.
“It’s important he builds a combination this week with his left edge but the good thing with Milf is he gets his body in front and he’s a courageous guy.
“(Broncos winger) Corey Oates will be out there, he’s a familiar face and Will Chambers is a great talker and communicator. I don’t have any concerns for Milf in that regard.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...n/news-story/6f346ddc4fc5ca969a467c1bc4e962f1
Milford is in line to make his Origin debut in next Wednesday’s series opener at Suncorp Stadium as 36-game Maroons veteran Johnathan Thurston battles a shoulder injury.
At 176cm, Milford will be the smallest player on the field at five-eighth and is sure to attract attention from NSW’s wide-running forwards.
But few know what it’s like to be a small man in a big boys game better than the 165cm Langer.
Langer made the first of 34 appearances for Queensland in 1987 as a 20-year-old halfback weighing just 68kg.
The powerful Milford weighs at least 90kg and Langer said the Broncos five-eighth would have no issues in league’s toughest arena.
“The cream rises to the top,” Langer said.
“He holds his own. He’s still over 90kg.
“There is a bit of a difference between me and him. I was 68kg in my first Origin and it was a tough night.
“I was definitely (targeted). He’s got to expect plenty of traffic.
“It will bring the best out of him playing against a top team.
“He’s the x-factor. He’s very quick off the mark.
“Hopefully he can be the matchwinner for us.”
Milford may only be 22, but he is battle-hardened having already played 106 NRL games in his five-season career.
He has at times been a defensive liability for the Broncos, more so with poor positioning rather than a weak tackling technique.
Thurston always receives plenty of traffic at NRL and Origin level and Broncos coach Wayne Bennett backed Milford to handle the load.
“It’s a tough game Origin and they will try and target him in defence,” Bennett said.
“The guys around Milf will help him.
“He’s a lot bigger than Allan Langer was so he will handle it, he’s tough enough.”
Thurston has had his share of defensive misses but has made up for it with his competitive nature and never giving up.
Maroons and Broncos fullback Darius Boyd said Milford was not scared to put his body on the line.
“He will be fine,” Boyd said.
“It’s important he builds a combination this week with his left edge but the good thing with Milf is he gets his body in front and he’s a courageous guy.
“(Broncos winger) Corey Oates will be out there, he’s a familiar face and Will Chambers is a great talker and communicator. I don’t have any concerns for Milf in that regard.”
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...n/news-story/6f346ddc4fc5ca969a467c1bc4e962f1
