Daly Cherry-Evans admits thoughts of retiring from State of Origin have entered his head, but the veteran Queensland captain has found a simple way of dealing with it.
“Any time it does I have a laugh and go ‘just stay in the moment, you’re in Origin camp’,” 34-year-old Cherry-Evans grinned.
“Because of my age and how long I’ve been running around, naturally retirement comes into my mind more often than say six years ago.
“If I drift too far down the track I’ll lose focus of what’s important to me now. The important thing for me now is being part of this side, going to Sydney and potentially doing something really special.”
Cherry-Evans will play his 22nd Origin match when he tries to lead his side to a clean sweep on Wednesday night at Accor Stadium.
“Right now I’m trying to stay in the moment. I’m playing every game as if it’s my last because I know how much it means to play for Queensland,” he said.
“I lost the opportunity because of my own accord back in 2015. So any chance I got to get back into this side ... I said I wasn’t going until I was done. I’m really proud to be back in this side.”
Coach Billy Slater said retirement from the arena wasn’t something he’d heard from Cherry-Evans’ lips.
“That’s the first time I’ve heard of that. He hasn’t mentioned it to me or anyone else in camp,” Slater said on Tuesday at his pre-game press conference.
“He’s got a smile on his face every time I see him and is really enjoying his football. I am sure he is enjoying leading this group as well. I wouldn’t be pressuring one way or another.”
Cherry-Evan’s leadership has impressed Slater, as has his stellar form.
“The number trait of a great leader is consistent performance and that’s what he’s bringing,” Slater said.
“He’s Queensland’s halfback first and foremost before he’s the captain. He brings his game, and that will help the team.
“On top of that he’s just got a calmness that good leaders have. I played alongside Cameron Smith for a long time. He is a lot calmer than me on the field.”
Cherry-Evans was asked on Monday how much longer he would play Origin football.
“I don’t know,” he said.
“They’re the big questions I don’t have the answer for right now.
“I’m so grateful to be in Origin camp. I’m really proud to play for Queensland and lead the side.
“Those bigger questions you don’t have time for until the end of the year.”
Cherry-Evans will overtake Allan Langer’s all-time Origin record of 15 games straight in the No.7 jersey on Wednesday night.
“The consecutive games, it’s not lost on me how special it is to be mentioned in those sorts of milestones,” he said.
“It’s probably not something I’ll really appreciate until I’m finished.”
