THE pressure is on Daly Cherry-Evans to deliver for Queensland, but Maroons hierarchy say their new No.7 can get the job done in Origin II on June 17 in Melbourne.
As expected, DCE was named at halfback for the Maroons for Origin II, his inclusion for the injured Cooper Cronk being the only change to the squad that won 11-10 in Origin I in Sydney.
Cronk’s knee injury, while unfortunate for the Storm star who will now miss out on playing for Queensland in his home city of Melbourne, has given Cherry-Evans the ultimate shot at redemption after a tumultuous few months for the Manly halfback.
Cherry-Evans was given an early initiation to the pressure of being Queensland’s Origin halfback last year, when he deputised for Cronk in the first two games of the series.
Cronk famously broke his arm 10 minutes into Origin I last year, meaning DCE had to come off the bench and pull the strings for the Maroons for the rest of the game.
He earned his first Maroon No.7 in the second game last year with Cronk still out injured.
Unfortunately, Queensland lost both of those games – and the series – giving the Blues their first Origin series crown since 2005.
Now a year older and a year wiser, Cherry-Evans has once again been handed the Queensland reins at halfback, and is determined to set his Origin ledger straight with victory at the MCG.
He will also look to put the controversy of the last few months – where he made headlines for reneging on his deal with the Gold Coast to stay at Manly – behind him with a match-winning display at halfback.
Maroons skipper Cameron Smith acknowledged it would be a big challenge for Cherry-Evans to deliver, not just under the increased scrutiny since re-signing with Manly, but also filling the massive shoes of Cronk, who was once again the saviour for Queensland with his game-saving field goal in Origin I.
But Smith expects the halfback, who has plenty of big match experience with grand final victories and Tests for Australia, to deliver what Queensland needs from him.
Similarly, his Queensland coach Mal Meninga has full faith in Daly delivering for the Maroons, saying he expects the fire to be burning after Cherry-Evans missed Queensland’s Origin I victory with injury.
“Daly was always part of our plans for Origin II,” Mal said. “What has happened externally with his contract situation never had any bearing on his prospects of being picked for Queensland.
“We pick the team based on performances, and he has shown over a number of years that he is a passionate and willing contributor to the team and the culture of this squad.
“Obviously with Cooper being out injured, the role and responsibilities we require from Daly have grown somewhat. But he has been chosen for that role because we know he is the right man for the job.
“We believe in incumbency. Daly would have been in the squad for Origin I had he not been injured, so there was no question he would have come back into the squad this time around if he was fit to take his place.
“He has a good head on his shoulders, and a good football brain. We know he will work well within the team dynamic to ensure everyone plays to their potential.”
Cronk’s injury and the elevation of Cherry Evans has had the silver lining of allowing Cowboys young gun Michael Morgan to retain his place in the Maroons squad at No.14.
Morgan made a stellar Origin debut off the bench in Game I, but looked like being squeezed out of the selection frame with Cherry-Evans returning from injury.
Cronk’s misfortune has acted as a lucky break for Morgan, who will again be Queensland’s utility player from the bench.
“I think everyone agrees that Michael acquitted himself exceptionally well in Game I and we are hoping he will continue to build on what he has learnt going into Game II,” Meninga said.
“Michael was not overawed by the occasion, and I think he will be better for the run, now that he knows what to expect inside the camp and in the heat of battle as well.
“He has been in terrific form for the Cowboys and he is a great impact weapon for us off the bench”