Parker thrilled to receive Origin call-up - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Parker thrilled to receive Origin call-up

Wayne Heming 17/05/2011 05:28:26 PM Comments (0)

He's played more than 200 NRL games, won grand finals and represented Queensland, but Corey Parker couldn't answer his mobile phone on Monday after speculation his State of Origin career was to be re-ignited.

When he did answer, after several rings, former Queensland great Andrew Gee let Parker have it, the pair bursting into laughter.

"When it rang, I saw his name come up but I let it ring to compose myself," Parker told AAP.

"When I picked up, the first thing GG said was `don't let the phone ring four or five times, I know you've been sitting next to it all day', which was true."

Having played his last Origin the year Ricky Stuart's Blues completed a third straight series win in 2005, Parker rated his recall as exciting as when picked for his first interstate game in 2004.

"The success this team has had over the last six years makes it a very difficult side to crack, but I never gave up hope," Parker said.

"To finally get here is a little surreal but an experience I'll treasure the second time around."

Parker, who recently inked a new three-year deal with Brisbane until 2014 and looms as the possible replacement captain for Darren Lockyer, has matured as a player.

He understands it's up to him to hang onto his maroon jumper for as long as he can now he's back in favour after two superb NRL seasons in which his consistency has been his trademark.

"If I can go out next Wednesday (Suncorp Stadium) and not let my teammates down, I'll be happy with that," he said.

Parker is lucky enough to play alongside Lockyer every week.

But to get the chance to play in the legend's last series for Queensland is "very special".

"I've thought about how special it would be to play another Origin game with Locky in his last series," he admitted.

"I play with Locky week in and week out and I spend a lot of time with him.

"To be part of something like this would be wonderful and a very special memory.

"If you canwalk away from playing a game of footy with Locky and you can look him squarely in the eye and he knows you've done your best as player, you should be happy with that."

Parker, who along with Jacob Lillyman, has been selected on the bench to help bend the Blues back in defence.

It's been a great 2011 so far for Parker with the birth of his second child, Wylei Cash recently, and now his selection for Queensland.

"It's been a big year with the birth of our second child and now this," he said.

"Footy brings some wonderful things and life throws some curve balls at you.

"You have to enjoy them because you never know what tomorrow brings."

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

0 Comments about this article

Post a comment about this article

Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.

« All sports news