The men's Maroons have shown their solidarity with the Queensland women's touch football team, sending their best wishes and revealing their admiration for the skill and speed of the tackle-free version of the game.
"You just watch some of those touch players and they're just freakish talents, so light on their feet, and really crisp passing. It's pretty exciting," Maroons No.7 Ben Hunt said during preparations for Game II of the Men's Origin, which is in Sydney on Sunday night.
The Queensland Women's touch football team take on NSW in a 6pm curtain-raiser to the first Holden NRL Women's State of Origin at North Sydney Oval, on Friday, June 22.
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Like many of the men's Maroons, winger and kicker Valentine Holmes said he'd played some touch.
"I think it's an awesome thing they've got going with the Queensland versus NSW. I like it."
Impact forward Coen Hess said: "I never really played touch but I was always in awe of them. Just the stuff that they could do with the football was really cool for me.
"I'm very jealous of all the touch players."
Forward Tim Glasby said he thought he lacked the pace for touch. "It's a great sport. It's fast and very skilful. I don't know how they do it."
Second-rower Gavin Cooper said he played representative touch for Wide Bay. "I admire their skills – very nippy."
Five-eighth Cameron Munster said he and his sister had been good at touch.
"All the best to the Queensland touch side when they play against NSW and I know you'll do Queensland proud."
The Holden Women's State of Origin match kicks off at 7.45pm on Friday, June 22.
