After what seemed like a hostile State of Origin series this year it may seem difficult for those players involved to suddenly come together in the green and gold.
However Australian and Storm skipper Cameron Smith is adamant that will not be an issue for the national team moving forward.
“I have been playing for the Kangaroos since 2006 and I have never had any issues with players uniting when we come here to play for the Kangaroos,” Smith said.
“We are representing Australia so all the Club hats and all the state hats, any sort of affiliations with anything else are left at the door to be honest.
“Anyone I think that struggles with getting a call-up to play for Australia and leaving that stuff at the door, they probably shouldn’t be there.”
Be at AAMI Park when we take on the Roosters, Saturday 23 July, 7:30pm.
Much has been said about the on-field sledging and level of sportsmanship that was displayed through this year’s Origin series, which Queensland won for the 10th time in 11 years.
Many of the same players involved will likely be asked to come together and play for Australia at the Four Nations tournament at the end of the year in England.
The tension may have been typically fierce between the two states this year but that likely ended as soon as the Maroons hoisted the Origin shield.
“State of Origin finished nearly a week ago, there has been some things said post that match but I think we are all going to move on now,” Smith said.
“We’ve got a lot of football to be played in the premiership now. Once the Four Nations come around, whoever is picked they’ll be there to do their very best for Australia.
“It has nothing to do with Queensland or New South Wales.”
