Recalled Maroon Jeremiah Nanai has vowed to repay the faith shown in him by coach Billy Slater and is set to unleash his aerial attack in the decider.
An injury-affected start to the year saw the Cowboys back-rower miss the opening rounds following an off-season shoulder reconstruction, only to re-injure the same shoulder in his second game back against the Bulldogs in Round 9.
However, that proved just a setback, returning again in Round 16, culminating in a match-winning performance last round against Penrith to help celebrate Jason Taumalolo’s 300th game.
Despite only being back for two matches, Slater had seen enough and recalled the 23-year-old for the decided to feature in his 12th game for Queensland.
“It's great to be back in the team again (and be) part of the squad again,” Nanai said.
“It goes down to working hard on the offseason and (I) had a slow start, but I'm very grateful to be back here in this arena again, so I'm very blessed …
“(While I was injured) I didn't think I was going to be back in this arena again, obviously with the shoulder injury, and a slow start to my season, so I wasn't expecting it.
“But I guess I just put my head down and worked hard and was hoping to see if I would be back in the squad, but I'm very blessed and honoured to be back here again.
Maroons squad locked in for the home decider!
“(It is) always a massive privilege from Billy to call me again and to fill those shoes (and be) back into the squad again.
“He's got all the faith in me (that) I'm going to do the job next week and I want to make sure I get the best preparation right and make sure next Wednesday night, I'm ready to go.”
As he showed in his performance against the Panthers, the former junior volleyball player remains a strike weapon in the air, with a noted kick-chase and lethal ability to bring down a high ball.
Having watched what Maroons halves pairing Cameron Munster and Sam Walker can do, Nanai was keen to work on his preparations with their kicking game.
“Sam Walker's been one of the best halfbacks in the game this year and he's been going great for the Roosters,” Nanai said.
“That match-up with me and him, or Cameron Munster, it will be something special.
“You have just got to wait until next Wednesday night and see how it goes.”
Expected to be injected from the bench, Nanai acknowledged the new-look Blues had strong performers set to feature from their interchange but was more worried about making sure he was doing his job for is coach and team.
Jeremiah Nanai gets a spectacular double
“I'm just going to just focus on myself and the team here, so whatever they bring, we're going to have to match it,” Nanai said.
“We've just got to get our preparation right here at Queensland and make sure we do everything right, so come next Wednesday night, we're going to be on.
"(I need to) get my preparation done, get what I need to work on throughout the week and make sure I do everything right come next Wednesday night, so whatever it may be, whenever I get on, I'm going to do the job.
"If it's defence, I'll work on my defence, if it's attacking, then I'll do that.
“I have just got to fill my role in and make sure I get my game on … if I can get my game on, then it could cause a bit of trouble there but at the moment, just got to get the week right, focus on ourselves.
“But next Wednesday night I'm going to make sure I'm ready for the contest.”
Don't miss a minute of the action when Queensland and NSW collide in an epic State of Origin decider. Live on Channel 9, 9Now and Watch NRL, Wednesday July 8.
