He has carried the wisdom of legendary Maroon front-rowers since 2006 and now Nate Myles says he must take responsibility for ushering in the next generation of Queensland prop forwards.
Playing in his 10th straight series, Myles will play his 27th match for Queensland on Wednesday night in Game One of the 2015 Holden State of Origin Series and while intent on reversing the fortunes of recent past, also has one eye on the future.
Broncos prop Josh McGuire will make his Origin debut off the bench this week while 18th man Dylan Napa is likely to feature at some point in the Series and Myles and fellow starting front-rower Matt Scott have been busily educating them in the ways of interstate warfare.
When Myles made his debut off the bench nine years ago he did so with Maroons greats Petero Civoniceva and Steve Price leading the way up front and said that their words are the advice he has been sharing with McGuire and Napa this week.
"We [Myles and Scott] have gradually drifted towards the positions where Petero and those guys were when we were first introduced," said the Titans skipper. "That's nearly 10 years ago now and we have to make sure those guys like Dylan Napa and Josh McGuire, that we are half as good as Petero and Pricey, making sure our preparation is spot on and sharing any knowledge we have.
"That's what Petero said to me and Matty when we first came in, he said play everything play by play. We need to make sure our preparation is good and help the younger guys.
"It's easy to get overwhelmed and fit in, even in the middle of a game or a bonding session. You have to do things your way, walk your own path.
"Petero always said to me take every play at a time, that's what has stuck with me."
Although new to the Maroons camp McGuire and Napa have quickly established themselves as two of the bigger pests in the squad, showing just how comfortable they are training in such esteemed company.
McGuire has been knocking on the door of Queensland selection for the past couple of years and while Napa may have a little longer to wait before he earns his first Maroons jersey, Myles is confident both will handle the occasion when it comes.
"They have been fantastic the new blokes," said Myles, who has only missed the dead rubber in game Three, 2009 since making his debut. "They are from different clubs so I don't know their personalities or the way they go about their business but they are getting into and doing the physical stuff and having fun.
"[Napa] is a fantastic athlete and when he's on the field he contributes. We all know how good McGuire is going with his work rate and leg speed. All they have to do is what got them there."
Myles's front-row partner Matt Scott missed the Maroons' 32-8 victory in Game Three last year due to a fractured cheekbone and as far as Myles is concerned, the new boys could hardly do better than follow the lead of the North Queensland powerhouse.
"He is an absolute warrior. When you talk about serious professionals, not many go past him and for what he puts his body through it is an attribute to any side," said Myles, Queensland's player of the Series last year.
"He is a special human as a front-rower and to have him back there makes things a lot more comfortable.
"I should give him more credit for his footballing brain, he is a switched on footballer."
