How Grant helped Howarth storm into Maroons plans
The 22-year-old is regarded by Queensland and Storm legend Cooper Cronk as a Maroons player of the near future but that only became abundantly clear last year in Howarth's breakout season on the way to the grand final.
Howarth, a former Australian Schoolboys league gun and Brisbane Boys Colleges (BBC) rugby star, signed a five-year contract with the Storm in January, 2022.
It took him until 2024 to get a regular gig with the Storm but now the former Queensland under 19s league rep has his sights set on a Maroons debut.
"I lived with Harry Grant for a year and he would cut clips up for me and tell me what I was doing right and what I needed to do better to be in the team," Howarth told AAP.
"Harry had explained to me a few things I had to change because what I thought was important is a lot different to what (Storm coach) Craig Bellamy thinks is important.
"Craig is a very effort area type of person and I was always more concerned with how I went in attack. That is what I would base my game off, whereas he based a good game off defence and effort so I realised that and switched my mentality.
"My dream is to play for Queensland. It is the pinnacle of rugby league, especially coming from Rockhampton and doing all my schooling in Brisbane.
"Just being amongst all the Origins in Brisbane growing up was crazy. Hopefully I do get the opportunity."
Howarth is a huge young man with ball skills, speed and genuine oomph. He has only just returned to the Storm side after missing six weeks with a shoulder dislocation.
He will line up in the centres against North Queensland at AAMI Park on Friday night. Selection in this year's Origin series may appear a bridge too far but Howarth knows what Maroons coach Billy Slater, who helps out the Storm, wants from him.
'Billy does show me a few clips from games," Howarth said.
"He is very similar to Craig. It is the effort areas that he wants me to do well in."
Howarth starred in a 36-20 win by the Australian Schoolboys rugby league side over the Junior Kiwis while playing as a tall, rangy, wide-running back-rower.
At the Storm he has found his niche at centre.
"When I first came down I trained in the centres and I struggled defensively there because there was a lot of decision making, whereas back-row is more putting pressure on opponents," he said.
"Craig said that the opportunity was in the centres so I had to knuckle down. I was lucky I got a whole (2024) pre-season in and he was happy with how I went, so he gave me a crack. "At the Storm, even though it is a competitive environment, people are willing to help. When Juzzy (Justin Olam) was here he was helping with my defence. Now it's Nick Meaney.
"At the moment I have (club legend) Will Chambers who is coming into the club and he is working with me on the mental side as well with my defence and attack."
Melbourne centre Jack Howarth admits he had a lot to learn about being an NRL player at the Storm until club captain Harry Grant explained a few home truths to him.
The 22-year-old is regarded by Queensland and Storm legend Cooper Cronk as a Maroons player of the near future but that only became abundantly clear last year in Howarth's breakout season on the way to the grand final.
Howarth, a former Australian Schoolboys league gun and Brisbane Boys Colleges (BBC) rugby star, signed a five-year contract with the Storm in January, 2022.
It took him until 2024 to get a regular gig with the Storm but now the former Queensland under 19s league rep has his sights set on a Maroons debut.
"I lived with Harry Grant for a year and he would cut clips up for me and tell me what I was doing right and what I needed to do better to be in the team," Howarth told AAP.
"Harry had explained to me a few things I had to change because what I thought was important is a lot different to what (Storm coach) Craig Bellamy thinks is important.
"Craig is a very effort area type of person and I was always more concerned with how I went in attack. That is what I would base my game off, whereas he based a good game off defence and effort so I realised that and switched my mentality.
"My dream is to play for Queensland. It is the pinnacle of rugby league, especially coming from Rockhampton and doing all my schooling in Brisbane.
"Just being amongst all the Origins in Brisbane growing up was crazy. Hopefully I do get the opportunity."
Howarth is a huge young man with ball skills, speed and genuine oomph. He has only just returned to the Storm side after missing six weeks with a shoulder dislocation.
He will line up in the centres against North Queensland at AAMI Park on Friday night. Selection in this year's Origin series may appear a bridge too far but Howarth knows what Maroons coach Billy Slater, who helps out the Storm, wants from him.
'Billy does show me a few clips from games," Howarth said.
"He is very similar to Craig. It is the effort areas that he wants me to do well in."
Howarth starred in a 36-20 win by the Australian Schoolboys rugby league side over the Junior Kiwis while playing as a tall, rangy, wide-running back-rower.
At the Storm he has found his niche at centre.
"When I first came down I trained in the centres and I struggled defensively there because there was a lot of decision making, whereas back-row is more putting pressure on opponents," he said.
"Craig said that the opportunity was in the centres so I had to knuckle down. I was lucky I got a whole (2024) pre-season in and he was happy with how I went, so he gave me a crack. "At the Storm, even though it is a competitive environment, people are willing to help. When Juzzy (Justin Olam) was here he was helping with my defence. Now it's Nick Meaney.
"At the moment I have (club legend) Will Chambers who is coming into the club and he is working with me on the mental side as well with my defence and attack."
Melbourne centre Jack Howarth admits he had a lot to learn about being an NRL player at the Storm until club captain Harry Grant explained a few home truths to him.
The 22-year-old is regarded by Queensland and Storm legend Cooper Cronk as a Maroons player of the near future but that only became abundantly clear last year in Howarth's breakout season on the way to the grand final.
Howarth, a former Australian Schoolboys league gun and Brisbane Boys Colleges (BBC) rugby star, signed a five-year contract with the Storm in January, 2022.
It took him until 2024 to get a regular gig with the Storm but now the former Queensland under 19s league rep has his sights set on a Maroons debut.
"I lived with Harry Grant for a year and he would cut clips up for me and tell me what I was doing right and what I needed to do better to be in the team," Howarth told AAP.
"Harry had explained to me a few things I had to change because what I thought was important is a lot different to what (Storm coach) Craig Bellamy thinks is important.
"Craig is a very effort area type of person and I was always more concerned with how I went in attack. That is what I would base my game off, whereas he based a good game off defence and effort so I realised that and switched my mentality.
"My dream is to play for Queensland. It is the pinnacle of rugby league, especially coming from Rockhampton and doing all my schooling in Brisbane.
"Just being amongst all the Origins in Brisbane growing up was crazy. Hopefully I do get the opportunity."
Howarth is a huge young man with ball skills, speed and genuine oomph. He has only just returned to the Storm side after missing six weeks with a shoulder dislocation.
He will line up in the centres against North Queensland at AAMI Park on Friday night. Selection in this year's Origin series may appear a bridge too far but Howarth knows what Maroons coach Billy Slater, who helps out the Storm, wants from him.
'Billy does show me a few clips from games," Howarth said.
"He is very similar to Craig. It is the effort areas that he wants me to do well in."
Howarth starred in a 36-20 win by the Australian Schoolboys rugby league side over the Junior Kiwis while playing as a tall, rangy, wide-running back-rower.
At the Storm he has found his niche at centre.
"When I first came down I trained in the centres and I struggled defensively there because there was a lot of decision making, whereas back-row is more putting pressure on opponents," he said.
"Craig said that the opportunity was in the centres so I had to knuckle down. I was lucky I got a whole (2024) pre-season in and he was happy with how I went, so he gave me a crack. "At the Storm, even though it is a competitive environment, people are willing to help. When Juzzy (Justin Olam) was here he was helping with my defence. Now it's Nick Meaney.
"At the moment I have (club legend) Will Chambers who is coming into the club and he is working with me on the mental side as well with my defence and attack."
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The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Smith gets key backing as Australia's next coach
Cameron Smith has put his hand up to be the next Australia coach and two of the best players in the game insist his credentials are unmatched for the role. Australia will embark on a Kangaroo Tour at the end of the year and a new mentor is set to be appointed to replace recently appointed Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga. With Brad Fittler withdrawing his candidacy Smith now heads the list of potential coaches, with Kevin Walters also in the frame. Smith has seen it all, done it all and his 42 State of Origin games for Queensland, 56 Tests for Australia and 430 matches for Melbourne stand as testament to his understanding of the game and its players at every level. "His credentials and resume is probably the best that the game's ever seen, Maroon captain Cameron Munster said. "When he talks, you listen. If you don't know Cameron Smith, you will eventually when he talks to you. He's got that aura about him. He's a bit like Mal. "I know he's a Queenslander, but he'll pick the best possible squad for the Aussies that he thinks is going to get the job done. "There's no better person than Smithy to get the job." Storm captain Harry Grant made the point that Smith would also make the performances of leading players even better. "He's seen how different people operate over the years but I think what he will do is bring so much knowledge," Grant said. "There is also that element of education and learning for some of the best players in the game that want to keep developing. You think of guys like Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Nathan Cleary … I'm sure they are going to look at Cam Smith and want to play under him and learn from him." While Smith appeared to play the game like a grand chess master multiple steps ahead of his opponents, Munster said he had a simplicity to his methods that have been the hallmarks of the great coaches like Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy. "He just keeps it simple for players. It sounds stupid because everyone probably dissects rugby league and makes it this big geometry lesson or some mathematical equation," Munster said. "Realistically it's just simple ... run hard and tackle hard. I know that sounds silly at times, but that's what Smithy's done. "If it was a bigger game, the simpler the game plan. That's all you need to focus on. The big things will happen eventually." Not every player has athletic supremacy. Smith was not the biggest, quickest or strongest, but his knowledge of how to be an elite performer make him stand out. That quality, as a coach, would assist any player find their best performance, including Munster. "He's got a body like an accountant. I don't know how he got through so many games. He's just so durable," Munster said. "He was dominated by most forwards in our defensive sessions at training. He's just a smart man and it's just crazy. "I've been able to play with him in one game in Origin, which I was very thankful for, but I played a fair few Storm games with him. "Sometimes you take it for granted with the way he played and his game management. I'm still trying to learn that. The first couple of years when he left, I probably took it for granted and didn't realise how much I needed to understand the game management side of the game." Cameron Smith has put his hand up to be the next Australia coach and two of the best players in the game insist his credentials are unmatched for the role. Australia will embark on a Kangaroo Tour at the end of the year and a new mentor is set to be appointed to replace recently appointed Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga. With Brad Fittler withdrawing his candidacy Smith now heads the list of potential coaches, with Kevin Walters also in the frame. Smith has seen it all, done it all and his 42 State of Origin games for Queensland, 56 Tests for Australia and 430 matches for Melbourne stand as testament to his understanding of the game and its players at every level. "His credentials and resume is probably the best that the game's ever seen, Maroon captain Cameron Munster said. "When he talks, you listen. If you don't know Cameron Smith, you will eventually when he talks to you. He's got that aura about him. He's a bit like Mal. "I know he's a Queenslander, but he'll pick the best possible squad for the Aussies that he thinks is going to get the job done. "There's no better person than Smithy to get the job." Storm captain Harry Grant made the point that Smith would also make the performances of leading players even better. "He's seen how different people operate over the years but I think what he will do is bring so much knowledge," Grant said. "There is also that element of education and learning for some of the best players in the game that want to keep developing. You think of guys like Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Nathan Cleary … I'm sure they are going to look at Cam Smith and want to play under him and learn from him." While Smith appeared to play the game like a grand chess master multiple steps ahead of his opponents, Munster said he had a simplicity to his methods that have been the hallmarks of the great coaches like Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy. "He just keeps it simple for players. It sounds stupid because everyone probably dissects rugby league and makes it this big geometry lesson or some mathematical equation," Munster said. "Realistically it's just simple ... run hard and tackle hard. I know that sounds silly at times, but that's what Smithy's done. "If it was a bigger game, the simpler the game plan. That's all you need to focus on. The big things will happen eventually." Not every player has athletic supremacy. Smith was not the biggest, quickest or strongest, but his knowledge of how to be an elite performer make him stand out. That quality, as a coach, would assist any player find their best performance, including Munster. "He's got a body like an accountant. I don't know how he got through so many games. He's just so durable," Munster said. "He was dominated by most forwards in our defensive sessions at training. He's just a smart man and it's just crazy. "I've been able to play with him in one game in Origin, which I was very thankful for, but I played a fair few Storm games with him. "Sometimes you take it for granted with the way he played and his game management. I'm still trying to learn that. The first couple of years when he left, I probably took it for granted and didn't realise how much I needed to understand the game management side of the game." Cameron Smith has put his hand up to be the next Australia coach and two of the best players in the game insist his credentials are unmatched for the role. Australia will embark on a Kangaroo Tour at the end of the year and a new mentor is set to be appointed to replace recently appointed Perth Bears coach Mal Meninga. With Brad Fittler withdrawing his candidacy Smith now heads the list of potential coaches, with Kevin Walters also in the frame. Smith has seen it all, done it all and his 42 State of Origin games for Queensland, 56 Tests for Australia and 430 matches for Melbourne stand as testament to his understanding of the game and its players at every level. "His credentials and resume is probably the best that the game's ever seen, Maroon captain Cameron Munster said. "When he talks, you listen. If you don't know Cameron Smith, you will eventually when he talks to you. He's got that aura about him. He's a bit like Mal. "I know he's a Queenslander, but he'll pick the best possible squad for the Aussies that he thinks is going to get the job done. "There's no better person than Smithy to get the job." Storm captain Harry Grant made the point that Smith would also make the performances of leading players even better. "He's seen how different people operate over the years but I think what he will do is bring so much knowledge," Grant said. "There is also that element of education and learning for some of the best players in the game that want to keep developing. You think of guys like Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Payne Haas, Nathan Cleary … I'm sure they are going to look at Cam Smith and want to play under him and learn from him." While Smith appeared to play the game like a grand chess master multiple steps ahead of his opponents, Munster said he had a simplicity to his methods that have been the hallmarks of the great coaches like Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy. "He just keeps it simple for players. It sounds stupid because everyone probably dissects rugby league and makes it this big geometry lesson or some mathematical equation," Munster said. "Realistically it's just simple ... run hard and tackle hard. I know that sounds silly at times, but that's what Smithy's done. "If it was a bigger game, the simpler the game plan. That's all you need to focus on. The big things will happen eventually." Not every player has athletic supremacy. Smith was not the biggest, quickest or strongest, but his knowledge of how to be an elite performer make him stand out. That quality, as a coach, would assist any player find their best performance, including Munster. "He's got a body like an accountant. I don't know how he got through so many games. He's just so durable," Munster said. "He was dominated by most forwards in our defensive sessions at training. He's just a smart man and it's just crazy. "I've been able to play with him in one game in Origin, which I was very thankful for, but I played a fair few Storm games with him. "Sometimes you take it for granted with the way he played and his game management. I'm still trying to learn that. The first couple of years when he left, I probably took it for granted and didn't realise how much I needed to understand the game management side of the game."
7NEWS
7 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Fresh details emerge in Josh Papalii's stunning State of Origin return
Billy Slater's State of Origin stunner Josh Papalii has revealed fresh details about his shock selection to the Queensland squad. Speaking exclusively to 7NEWS, Papalii admitted that — after three years out of the Queensland set-up — he never imagined he would come out of Origin retirement. 'Feels good (to be back in the SOO team),' Papalii, 33, told Seven. Asked directly if he thought he would ever 'come out of retirement', Papalii said 'no'. 'It's all pretty surreal for me right now,' he said. 'Yeah, just can't wait to go into camp and see the lads, and see Slatts and all the boys. '(Looking forward to seeing) everyone ... I obviously watched the first two games and just, yeah, (enjoyed) watching how exciting they are and I just want to be a part of it.' Overcoming flight delays down south to make it to the Maroons Twin Waters base just in time for their first major field session on Wednesday, the man — affectionately known as Big Papa — entered camp early in the afternoon. But it was a bittersweet moment for Big Papa as he left his newborn child behind in Canberra. Papalii was also asked about his immediate thoughts when his phone rang and he realised Slater was on the line. 'I was still in hospital for my son and my wife, and I missed the first couple of calls and, yeah, after speaking to Bill there was no doubt I'd come out of retirement and hopefully do a job,' he said. Papalii spoke to Seven at the airport where a secret handwritten message (USO ASO UMA KEFSSS) was spotted on his suitcase. The message in Samoan translates to something similar to, 'Friends are for everyday, brothers are for the hard days' (or 'friends for every day, brothers for the bad days'). Papalii's presence made an immediate impact at training with his fellow forwards still not quite believing Slater convinced the 23-game Origin veteran to pull on the Maroon one last time. It's a sacrifice that will no doubt inspire his teammates who are still in shock. Lindsay Collins shared Queensland's front row with Papalii in his original retirement match, the 20-22 decider. 'I don't know how Billy done it, but he pulled it off,' Collins said. 'I think he just brings that calmness. '(But) he can flip a switch. You don't want to see him angry but he has a beautiful nature about him.' The Bodyguard: Papalii hailed as Maroons' new protector Recalled prop Josh Papalii will protect Queensland from harm and return fire to NSW like Kevin Costner did in the hit film The Bodyguard. That's the word from Maroons captain Cameron Munster who is a fan of the film and Costner's part as the bodyguard who protected Whitney Houston, playing the role of a famous actress and singer, from a deranged stalker. The Blues will be stalking Queensland in the State of Origin decider in Sydney and Canberra giant Papalii is the antidote in his first game for the Maroons since 2022. 'It's great to have him back. He brings a lot of that belief and steely eye when you have him beside you,' Munster said. 'It brings a bit of fear in people's faces. You don't want to be running around annoying Big Papa. 'He's a bit of a Kevin Costner. I don't know if you've seen that movie, Kevin Costner's The Bodyguard ... with Whitney Houston? 'He's probably our bodyguard and he's one of those enforcers. Taking him down to foreign territory, it's going to be good for us.' Former Maroons captain Trevor Gillmeister, known as 'The Axe' and a bodyguard of sorts in his own right as a player, said Papalii was in career-best form and would sort the Blues out. When asked what his advice would be for Papalii in his Maroons swansong, Gillmeister got a gleam in his eyes. 'Just blow your gasket in the first 20 or 30 minutes and go hard,' Gillmeister said. 'When the shit hits the fan he will be there in the middle of it. 'We have got Alpha males here in Tino (Fa'asuamaleaui) and Lindsay (Collins) and other blokes as well but Papa is the older, settling influence. 'Nothing seems to rattle him and he plays like that. How good is he playing for the Raiders at the moment? Outstanding.' Maroons hooker Harry Grant, who played alongside Papalii when he made his Origin debut in 2020, said his arrival was much anticipated. 'Everyone is really looking forward to big Paps getting back in camp and the presence and aura that he brings to the team,' Grant said.'He's a scary man to play against and one of the hardest blokes I've had to tackle because he is so wide and has got so many options to his game.'He's a protector and warrior of the team and has been for so many years. You know how much Queensland means to him. Every series he has been messaging and saying 'good luck and go well' to the boys and now he is back. 'It's pretty cool that he never lost that attachment to the group and how much the Origin series means even though he wasn't in the team for a couple of years.' Maroons squad for Origin III 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Xavier Coates, 3. Robert Toia. 4. Gehamat Shibasaki, 5. Valentine Holmes, 6. Cameron Munster, 7. Tom Dearden, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Harry Grant, 10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, 11. Reuben Cotter, 12. Kurt Capewell, 13. Trent Loiero, 14. Kurt Mann, 15. Lindsay Collins, 16. Jeremiah Nanai, 17. Pat Carrigan, 18. Reece Walsh, 19. J'maine Hopgood, 20. Josh Kerr.
The Advertiser
9 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Penrith 2021 vibes as Blues brave litany of injuries
Liam Martin says there are similar vibes in the NSW Origin camp to Penrith's heroic 2021 NRL premiership, with several players defying injuries to feature in the decider. Payne Haas on Wednesday revealed he had a bulging disc in his lower back, which required him to be needled in Brisbane on Monday before flying to Sydney. Brian To'o is battling a grade-two ligament tear in his knee and won't run until at least Saturday, while Hudson Young (groin) was the third player to sit out NSW's opening training session in the Blue Mountains on Wednesday. Jarome Luai also avoided any contact due to the chest wound that caused his infection and three-night hospital stay last weekend, while halves partner Nathan Cleary is managing a groin issue. Penrith built a "climbing Everest" theme around the 2021 premiership win, with Dylan Edwards, To'o and Cleary among a nine-strong injured brigade to feature in that grand final. So ugly did things get, a 16-year-old Jett Cleary and Cameron Ciraldo's son teenage boy Kai were filling numbers at training. Close to half of that Penrith side are in NSW camp this week, and Martin said it had served as an inspiration since then that anything was possible with the group. "That '21 run is probably the most incredible thing. We still talk about it and what we managed to do that year," Martin said. "This is similar vibes, just the toughness of the group. "Bizza (To'o) in particular. I've played a few games where he's finished the game and it's turned out he's done his syndesmosis, stuff like that. "The toughness is incredible, they (all) continue to surprise you. I've got every faith that they'll be right for the game." No one has typified that toughness more than Haas during this year's Origin series. The Brisbane prop barely trained in the lead-up to Origin I due to a quad tear, before being man of the match in NSW series-opening win at Suncorp. The bulging disc in his back has also proven a pain since the start of the season, despite being the Broncos' best forward almost every week this year. "Every time I get the chance to play with him, I'm in awe of him, he's just a generational freak, just what he can do," Martin said. "I absolutely love playing with him and can't wait to do it again. "Game one, didn't train all week, was put on ice. And then he come out and seeing how he played is just incredible." Haas himself was also adamant there is no risk of him missing next Wednesday night's decider at Accor Stadium, or that the bulging disc would in any way hold him back. "I'm just resting up now, but I'll be doing some running tomorrow ... No chance (I'll be missing)," Haas said. "I had a bit of swelling down my lower back, and then got a minor disc bulge. "I had a needle on Monday ... It's all good." Liam Martin says there are similar vibes in the NSW Origin camp to Penrith's heroic 2021 NRL premiership, with several players defying injuries to feature in the decider. Payne Haas on Wednesday revealed he had a bulging disc in his lower back, which required him to be needled in Brisbane on Monday before flying to Sydney. Brian To'o is battling a grade-two ligament tear in his knee and won't run until at least Saturday, while Hudson Young (groin) was the third player to sit out NSW's opening training session in the Blue Mountains on Wednesday. Jarome Luai also avoided any contact due to the chest wound that caused his infection and three-night hospital stay last weekend, while halves partner Nathan Cleary is managing a groin issue. Penrith built a "climbing Everest" theme around the 2021 premiership win, with Dylan Edwards, To'o and Cleary among a nine-strong injured brigade to feature in that grand final. So ugly did things get, a 16-year-old Jett Cleary and Cameron Ciraldo's son teenage boy Kai were filling numbers at training. Close to half of that Penrith side are in NSW camp this week, and Martin said it had served as an inspiration since then that anything was possible with the group. "That '21 run is probably the most incredible thing. We still talk about it and what we managed to do that year," Martin said. "This is similar vibes, just the toughness of the group. "Bizza (To'o) in particular. I've played a few games where he's finished the game and it's turned out he's done his syndesmosis, stuff like that. "The toughness is incredible, they (all) continue to surprise you. I've got every faith that they'll be right for the game." No one has typified that toughness more than Haas during this year's Origin series. The Brisbane prop barely trained in the lead-up to Origin I due to a quad tear, before being man of the match in NSW series-opening win at Suncorp. The bulging disc in his back has also proven a pain since the start of the season, despite being the Broncos' best forward almost every week this year. "Every time I get the chance to play with him, I'm in awe of him, he's just a generational freak, just what he can do," Martin said. "I absolutely love playing with him and can't wait to do it again. "Game one, didn't train all week, was put on ice. And then he come out and seeing how he played is just incredible." Haas himself was also adamant there is no risk of him missing next Wednesday night's decider at Accor Stadium, or that the bulging disc would in any way hold him back. "I'm just resting up now, but I'll be doing some running tomorrow ... No chance (I'll be missing)," Haas said. "I had a bit of swelling down my lower back, and then got a minor disc bulge. "I had a needle on Monday ... It's all good." Liam Martin says there are similar vibes in the NSW Origin camp to Penrith's heroic 2021 NRL premiership, with several players defying injuries to feature in the decider. Payne Haas on Wednesday revealed he had a bulging disc in his lower back, which required him to be needled in Brisbane on Monday before flying to Sydney. Brian To'o is battling a grade-two ligament tear in his knee and won't run until at least Saturday, while Hudson Young (groin) was the third player to sit out NSW's opening training session in the Blue Mountains on Wednesday. Jarome Luai also avoided any contact due to the chest wound that caused his infection and three-night hospital stay last weekend, while halves partner Nathan Cleary is managing a groin issue. Penrith built a "climbing Everest" theme around the 2021 premiership win, with Dylan Edwards, To'o and Cleary among a nine-strong injured brigade to feature in that grand final. So ugly did things get, a 16-year-old Jett Cleary and Cameron Ciraldo's son teenage boy Kai were filling numbers at training. Close to half of that Penrith side are in NSW camp this week, and Martin said it had served as an inspiration since then that anything was possible with the group. "That '21 run is probably the most incredible thing. We still talk about it and what we managed to do that year," Martin said. "This is similar vibes, just the toughness of the group. "Bizza (To'o) in particular. I've played a few games where he's finished the game and it's turned out he's done his syndesmosis, stuff like that. "The toughness is incredible, they (all) continue to surprise you. I've got every faith that they'll be right for the game." No one has typified that toughness more than Haas during this year's Origin series. The Brisbane prop barely trained in the lead-up to Origin I due to a quad tear, before being man of the match in NSW series-opening win at Suncorp. The bulging disc in his back has also proven a pain since the start of the season, despite being the Broncos' best forward almost every week this year. "Every time I get the chance to play with him, I'm in awe of him, he's just a generational freak, just what he can do," Martin said. "I absolutely love playing with him and can't wait to do it again. "Game one, didn't train all week, was put on ice. And then he come out and seeing how he played is just incredible." Haas himself was also adamant there is no risk of him missing next Wednesday night's decider at Accor Stadium, or that the bulging disc would in any way hold him back. "I'm just resting up now, but I'll be doing some running tomorrow ... No chance (I'll be missing)," Haas said. "I had a bit of swelling down my lower back, and then got a minor disc bulge. "I had a needle on Monday ... It's all good."
