Great for Souths' - Seven reasons Bunnies fans should love Origin
By Christian Nicolussi
November 17, 2020 — 3.45pm
Damien Cook is banking on South Sydney's historic mass representation in Wednesday's Origin decider going a long way to making 2021 the Year of the Rabbit.
The same club that didn't field a single player in the Origin series three years ago will have five - Cook, Cody Walker, Dane Gagai, Jaydn Su'A and debutant Corey Allan - on the pitch at Suncorp Stadium.
Queensland forward Jai Arrow is bound for Redfern next year - he officially started on the club's payroll on November 1 - while Wayne Bennett takes his seat in the Maroons coach's box.
Cook was naturally focused on snatching the win north of the border for the Blues, but was already aware of the excitement building for next season, especially with the Origin experience and fact Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell could have also featured for the Blues had it not been for injuries. Murray played in game one before a hamstring blow.
According to statistician David Middleton, the last time the club had five players involved in an interstate game was 1971 when Bob McCarthy, John O'Neill, Paul Sait, Ray Branighan and Bob Grant played for NSW.
"It's exciting for next year,'' Cook told the Herald. "When you sit back and look at the number of players involved, it's awesome.
"It's great for the Souths club. I just hope we can all learn from these experiences and these games and take it back to our club and take us to another level so we can chase that next premiership.
"We actually have a Souths WhatsApp group, which is about the 2021 season. But I might have to leave it to get my mind away from footy. The pre-season programs are popping up already and doing my head in.
"We've got a job to do here [with NSW], a win would be a great way to finish off the season, especially having been in the camp the last month.
"I'll then enjoy some time with my family and slowly work my way back into the pre-season.''
The on-field chemistry of Cook and Walker was impossible to miss last week in Sydney, and the pair will pose a huge threat to the home side.
Cook could not be happier for Allan, who is expected to start at fullback.
"Corey is a natural footballer ... he looks like a kid having fun in the backyard," he said. "That's what I love about him. He's one of my favourite players. If he does play at fullback, he's great under the high ball, and if he's on the wing he's great defensively and can save tries.