Blues winger Zac Lomax felt comfortable in the Origin arena, but fellow rookie Spencer Leniu admits he questioned whether he belonged before Wednesday night’s series opener.
Lomax and Leniu were among five debutants in the new look NSW team and the pair impressed in a side beaten 38-10 at Accor Stadium after rookie centre Joseph Sua’ali’i was sent off in the eighth minute.
“I thought we were very courageous, and we competed. Obviously, we are disappointed to lose but the circumstances weren’t ideal, and we go again in Game II,” Lomax said.
Zac Lomax Try
“I loved it, you just want more and more and more. The boys I got to play with are the best bunch of boys ever. I love them to bits, our camp was outstanding and you just want more of it.”
Leniu, who made an impact from the interchange bench and ran 113 metres with the ball in two stints totalling 23 minutes, was proud of his efforts.
However, the Sydney Roosters prop said he wasn’t sure if he had been worthy of selection after returning from an eight-match ban just three weeks before the team was named.
A debut to remember: Leniu
“The game was so quick I was struggling to get my breath,” Leniu said.
“Someone asked me before if I deserved to be out there and I was like, probably not, to be honest.
“In terms of being worthy, I don’t know, but I wanted to do my parents, my family and my partner proud.
“My parents and my family deserve to see the Leniu name on the bigger stage for all of their sacrifices and all of their hard work to get me to where I am today.
“We all had a dream of making it to this stage and we always watched State of Origin when we were younger so for them to see their last name on the biggest stage and on the back of the jersey is special.”
Lomax, who scored a try and ran a game high 224 metres, also had a large contingent of family and friends from Temora on hand to watch his Origin debut.
After being on the verge of Blues selection for several years, Lomax finally got his chance under new coach Michael Maguire and the 23-year-old appears set to become a fixture in NSW teams for the immediate future.
The Blues come out firing
“I am just stoked that I got to have a debut and got to play with such great people,” he said. “I thoroughly enjoyed my week with the boys, they are the best bunch of lads and Madge has done such a great job.
“I base my game just on competing so whatever I can do for the team I pride myself on being that player who can do that for the team, so whatever I need to do I will put my hand up.
“Game II is obviously must win and I am sure we will be up for the challenge.”
Leniu said the players had formed a close bond in camp at the Blue Mountains and that was evident as they fought to stay in the game until late in the second half.
Two huge hits from the NSW Blues!
After conceding two quick tries following Sua’ali’is dismissal, the Blues regrouped and scored two tries to trail 20-10 until 13 minutes before fulltime.
“This camp was a really special one, just with the way that we all came in and bought into what Madge wanted to drive,” Leniu said.
“Obviously the result wasn’t a good reflection of how the camp was but I have built so much love for the boys in the 10 days we have had together. I think we all just took confidence with how tight we got in camp and the brotherhood that we have together.
“Whether it is 12 men or 13 men we need to turn up for each other and that’s what we did for as long as we could.”
Robson take a bow
Fellow debutant Haumole Olakau’atu also saw 23 minutes of action from the interchange bench and he played in the middle rather than his more accustomed role as an edge backrower for Manly after Sua’ali’i’s send off.
The Sea Eagles forward said he hoped to retain his position for Origin II at the MCG on June 26.
“It was very fast but I would love to do it again,” he said. “Hopefully I looked like I belonged on the big stage. Physically wise, I am built for the game so it is just a matter of getting confidence from this game and bringing it to the next game.
“Despite the result Madge was very proud of us boys, losing a man early in the game. We spoke about that Blues spirt, all the boys having each other’s backs and not giving up, and I am very proud of our effort to stay in the fight.”