COEN Hess is having a year to remember after being picked for the Under-20 Queensland State of Origin side.
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Last week, the 18-year-old was selected in an 18-man Maroons squad to play in tonight’s Under-20 State of Origin match against NSW in Brisbane.
The Mount Isa rugby league junior will play in the Game Three curtain-raiser match of the first-grade State of Origin series.
Having made his international debut for the junior Kangaroos side only two months ago, Hess was calmly pleased with having added another representative jersey to his collection.
“It’s been a pretty big last two months,” Hess said.
“I always look forward to going into camps like this. I know basically all of the boys from previous camps as well, which makes it easier.”
The Holden Cup Cowboys player has been called up off the back of a string of recent impressive performances for Mackay Cutters in the Intrust Super Queensland Cup.
Hess made his Cutters’ debut in their 28-18 victory over Redcliffe Dolphins during round 14.
If that wasn’t impressive enough, the former Black Stars player received the man of the match award with two tries to his name.
“I was pretty surprised with my game then. Both tries I was getting in the right place at the right time.”
Since his Queensland Cup induction, Hess has noticed a big difference between the under-20s and second-grade footy.
“It’s more physical playing against bigger bodies (in Queensland Cup). Most teams have one or two players with NRL experience, too.”
The Under-20s State of Origin fixture has only had three editions so far, and Hess is hoping to help land Queensland its first Darren Lockyer Shield.
“Everyone’s keen to win it this time. NSW don’t have their best team either because all of their boys are playing in the NRL.
“I’ll be trying to play my usual game. I love running the ball into the smaller halfbacks and roughen them up, then defend well.”
With what is likely to be Hess’ last representative game this year, the second-rower is striving to land a finals series berth with he Cowboys or Cutters.
“I haven’t experienced finals footy or anything like that in the National Youth Competition or Intrust Super Cup. It’s up to Cowboys 20s coach Paul Green where I’m playing (after Origin). I’m happy with where I’m at. to be honest.”
UNDER-20s QUEENSLAND MAROONS TEAM
Paul Byrnes (Brisbane Broncos), Gideon Mosby-Gela (North Queensland Cowboys), Jordan Drew (Brisbane Broncos), Marion Seve (Wests Tigers), Conor Carey (North Queensland Cowboys), Jayden Nikorima (Brisbane Broncos), Ashley Taylor (Brisbane Broncos), George Fai (Brisbane Broncos), Jayden Berrell (Brisbane Broncos), Lindsay Collins (Brisbane Broncos), Coen Hess (North Queensland Cowboys), Alex Barr (Brisbane Broncos), Jai Arrow (Brisbane Broncos), Karl Lawton (Gold Coast Titans), Luke Bateman (Canberra Raiders), Sam Lavea (Brisbane Broncos), Oshae Tuiasau (Gold Coast Titans), Andrew Niemoeller (North Queensland Cowboys), Kurt Wrigley (coach).