Gorden Tallis Backs Queensland Origin Changes
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FORMER QUEENSLAND Origin captain Gorden Tallis has endorsed the mass changes made by the Maroons’ selectors ahead of Origin game two.
The Maroons were blown off the park in the Origin opener, the 28-4 defeat, the largest by a Queensland side in Brisbane.
With the side facing an Origin series loss if they do not win game two in Sydney, coach Kevin Walters has made seven changes.
The clean-out is unlike Queensland, who are known for their loyalty and ‘pick and stick’ mentality — but Tallis says the changes are needed and have been a long time coming.
“It’s been coming,” Tallis said on The Matty Johns Show. “Everybody said it was at the eleventh hour — it was past midnight. The changes probably needed to be made.
“We were outplayed in game three last year, so (game one) isn’t our first loss.”
Origin stalwarts Nate Myles, Aidan Guerra, Jacob Lillyman and Sam Thaiday all make way in the forwards. All have been a pivotal part of Queensland winning 10 of the last 11 Origin series.
But Tallis says time is up for all, and while they should be thanked for their service, a new era must begin if the Maroons are to have any hope against a fierce Blues forward pack.
“You have to give those guys the respect they deserve, we won last years series, it’s a little bit of a changing of the guard,” Tallis said.