EXCLUSIVE | 'It's an ongoing process': Josh Hannay responds to Eels coaching link
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Now time to check in with the Queensland Origin team. Josh Hanna is their assistant coach and I'm pleased to say he's on the line. G'day Josh. Hey, good afternoon guys. Lovely to catch up as always mate. Are you still in Queensland? Have you made your way to Melbourne and how's the week been? No, still in sunny Queensland. We will break camp tomorrow to go to Melbourne. Been a really smooth camp so far. We had Jeremiah Nenoy took it easy in the first couple of days. He just picked up a

a minor leg injury out of their game against the Raiders. So predictable, Josh. So predictable. Come on, head. Come on, mate. He's overcome that though, mate. So, yeah, it's been a really good preparation and, you know, we can't, we'll have no excuses.

Josh, what about the preparation? Only a couple of changes there with Felice Caffuzzi. I know he played, but him coming into the team on the bench and then Kirk Capewell, how have they settled in?

Yeah, those two guys are veterans. They've played plenty of origin. So I think, you know, forced changes in a way and certainly no, I think, doubt in our minds, though, of their ability to step up to the stage. As I say, they've been there and done it. They bring, you know, real leadership presence to what's a relatively young side. So there's certainly some benefits to having those two guys back in the 17s.

How's Glass Houses Billy going, mate? LAUGHTER Well, you can ask him that one. LAUGHTER Did it...

That's a Queenslander asking that question. I'm just saying to help fire them up, mate. I reckon it would have peed him off a little bit, so we'll have to wait and see what happens. And I think it could backfire on the Blues that it was set. Anyway, time will tell. But it's a great opportunity. And I imagine all the boys would be pretty excited to be playing in Melbourne. I wouldn't think too many of them have played down there.

No, you're right. And I think on the fact of the game being in Melbourne, it's going to be a wonderful spectacle and a great opportunity for these guys to play in that arena. As you say, not many have played there. Its reputation precedes itself, though, in terms of a venue. So there's certainly going to be a lot of excitement around the game for the guys and

We're in a no illusion. It's going to be a tough contest, you know, versus desperate New South Wales side. So, yeah, it should be a good spectacle for the fans down there in Melbourne. Hey, Josh, Origin 1 was a weird game because you played against 12 men for 73 minutes. And then New South Wales has gone ahead and made all these changes and the press in Sydney has been, oh, this guy's got to go and that guy's got to go.

did you learn anything about how New South Wales plays from that first game or do you have to start again because it wasn't like a normal game of footy? No, it's a really valid point actually and with the changes that they've made and as you say the fact that they played the majority of that game with 12 men, we haven't

been able to take a whole lot out of that contest in terms of what we know about them and what their best game looks like, to be really frank. So the guys they brought in have been there before. Obviously the two big ins, probably Moses and Latrell Mitchell, certainly are really acutely aware of the strength of those guys. But in terms of

the style of play that the Blues are going to bring to the game on Wednesday, yeah, there's a fair bit of uncertainty around that, to be honest. What are your thoughts on New South Wales using the suspended Joseph Suoliti mimicking your full-back, Reece Walsh, at training? Does that interest you or spark your attention?

To be really honest, that's the first I've heard of it. So thinking of it right now, no, it doesn't really spark any, I guess, interest or real feeling towards Joseph or the Blues. Just on Reece Walsh, Josh, I was telling the boys yesterday, I saw when you guys went out to Toowoomba this week and the reception, not only the Queensland team got, but in particular, Reece Walsh. He's the pin-up boy in rugby league at the moment, but I

I think it's just something he's got to get used to because everywhere he goes, people want a piece of him, don't they?

Yeah, he's a rock star. I probably wasn't and haven't been privy to his popularity until I've gotten in camp to see the way people of all ages respond to Reece. You know, he's surrounded by so many high-profile guys, current players, obviously, and former greats like Billy and JT. But the way people gravitate towards Reece has been...

really surprising as I say I didn't know he had that kind of reach but he is an extremely popular young lad and I've got to say the way he does handle it is a credit to him yeah. Alright Josh quickly we've got to ask you about Parramatta all reports are that you're down to the last two for that but obviously State of Origin campaigns on at the moment where are you at with Parramatta and when what might you present to them?

Yeah, to be really honest, there's not a lot to say on the situation. I'll catch up with them post this game, Origin 2. Given the schedule I've had the last probably month with two Origin camps, it's been...

It's been difficult to find the time, but we'll catch up after game two and we'll see where it all ends, yeah. Obviously, you've been an assistant coach for a while, Josh, now working under Billy at an origin level. You're ready to become a head coach, which is why, obviously, you've put your name forward.

Yeah, I think in my own mind, there's no doubt in terms of my readiness. And, you know, I've stated that publicly. So, yeah, we'll see where it all lands. As I say, there's not a lot from my end to tell at this stage.

It's an ongoing process and, yeah, we'll take a step forward after game two. Good stuff. All right, mate. Well, we'll see you down there in Melbourne at the MCG. 90,000 people. It's going to be a great night. What an experience for the players and may the best state win. Thanks for joining us. I appreciate your time as always. Thank you. Good on you, buddy. There he is, Josh Hanna, the Queensland Maroons assistant coach.