From lucky undies to specific meals, rugby league players have been adhering to pre-game superstitions and rituals for decades.
And our current crop of Queensland Maroons are no different.
Whether it's before they play or a State of Origin ritual from their childhood, players from the Game I squad have shared their habits in the latest instalment of 'Set of six'.
Do you have any Origin superstitions or rituals - as a player or fan?
Kurt Capewell
"No, nothing special. Just the same as it is every game day. I tape my left side before my right side, and that’s about it. As a kid, we’d wear our maroon for game day. We lived for Origin, especially out in Charleville, so couldn’t wait for it."
Daly Cherry-Evans
"I had more as a kid and a lot of that was taking advantage of my parents and saying I needed a Mars bar, Coke and lollies before a game. I still have some of those now. I still have lollies before the game. But I will say I really need a coffee in the sheds, just before warm-up. It’s just a coffee to perk me up. I’m always really excited and partially nervous so a coffee helps me get that right balance. It’s weird."
Xavier Coates
"I don’t have any superstitions as a player, but growing up, every Wednesday night on Origin we used to get pizza and watch the game. That was my superstition as a youngster."
Tom Dearden
"As a kid I used to wear full Maroons gear – I’d be in a jersey, I’d be in shorts, I’d be in socks, I’d have a blanket or something as well. I had everything."
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui
"You can’t get a haircut the night before the game. Apparently it brings bad luck, so I don’t do that."
Thomas Flegler
"For every State of Origin, we used to have hot dogs. Me, my brother and my sister would sit there every Wednesday night and watch State of Origin. It’s just what mum gave us but that was our ritual."
Valentine Holmes
"Nah, it’s too big of a day to be superstitious. I am pretty chill."
Felise Kaufusi
"It’s a bit of a weird one. I’ve tried so many times to come up with stuff, like putting the left boot on before the right. But then I’ve forgotten which boot went first so I gave up. I have nothing really."
Josh Papalii
"I do a quick prayer before I go on the field but I don’t have any other ones."
Rupert McCall: Blood and bone maroon
Kalyn Ponga
"Not really, to be honest. Origin when I was younger was about being with my mates, betting on who would score first, eating pizza, having a beer. Those sorts of things when you’re 18, 19, 20, they’re pretty special. That’s why I pinch myself that I’m in the shoes of those I was watching. It’s pretty special."
This is the fourth instalment of 'Set of six' where we get to know more about what State of Origin means to the current Queensland Maroons squad. Stay tuned to QRL.com.au for more insights from the players.
More 'Set of six'...
Favourite Indigenous Maroons player?
Earliest Origin memory?
Favourite Maroons moment?
