Why Dearden will turn to Cherry-Evans for Maroons tips
Tom Dearden will reach out to Daly Cherry-Evans, the man he replaced in the Queensland side, before donning the No.7 jersey in State of Origin for the first time.
Dearden has been elevated from the bench to the starting side after Cherry-Evans was axed for Origin II in Perth next Wednesday night.
While Dearden's running game is elite, he knows replicating Cherry-Evans's signature top-notch kicking will be vital.
"I know the type of bloke Chez is and I'll speak to him as it gets closer and closer to the game," Dearden said.
"Chez has been one of the best kickers in the game for a long time and I know that I work hard at that aspect of my game, and it's very important in this arena, so it's something that I'm going to have to make sure that I do next Wednesday."
Dearden said he was ready for the pressure of the occasion, which has gone up a notch after he replaced the skipper, and to own the side as all Maroons halfbacks must.
The 24-year-old played five-eighth for the Maroons in last year's series so the Origin cauldron is not new to him.
He will lean on spine members Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant to unlock the best in the Maroons' attacking arsenal.
"I think the pressure is part of playing Origin and I don't think it matters what position or what number you're wearing," he said.
"There's always been great players that have played in those numbers previously, so I think every time you get the chance to play for Queensland, there's just that extra added pressure. It's part of the arena.
"Part of the role of playing in the halves is to lead and get the team around the park.
"You do that in working as a spine and that involves a 7-6-9 and 1, so we'll all be working together to do that and hopefully do it the best we can."
Dearden has never played alongside new captain Munster in the halves. The combination will be fine-tuned in camp but there are reasons to believe the pair will complement each other.
"I just reckon we're both sort of similar players in the way that we like to run the ball and try and put the defence under a lot of pressure," Dearden said.
"I know if we can combine well and work well with each other and find that connection throughout the week, hopefully we can build a good combination for next Wednesday."
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