Queensland hooker Harry Grant continues to walk the talk in the State of Origin arena, just like his predecessor Cameron Smith, and has laughed off suggestions his midweek virus was a furphy.
Grant missed Tuesday's training session with a stomach bug, but trained strongly on Thursday and again on Saturday ahead of Wednesday night's State of Origin series opener in Sydney.
His initial absence ignited speculation the Maroons were foxing, and fullback Reece Walsh threw fuel on the fire when he said "it might be a little tactic".
"I was out of action for 24 to 36 hours. There was a bit of a bug going around in recent weeks," Grant said.
"No lingering effects - someone had me being in hospital and rushed off to emergency, but that definitely wasn't true. I was a little crook in the tummy.
"If anything, it was a good little rest to put the feet up and get into it later in the week.
"Everyone gets sick don’t they? I don’t think you can control it."
Whether coming off the bench or starting, the 26-year-old Melbourne rake has been outstanding for the Maroons.
He has played a key role in three series wins since debuting in the decider in 2020, when he came off the bench to score a game-changing try.
Maroons legend Smith has left a huge mark on Grant in key areas.
"The biggest thing with Smithy, and any great leader, is you’ve got to be a good person - that’s number one," Grant said.
"Then you’ve got to be able to back your words. If you are going to talk you’ve got to do it as well.
"Everyone goes about their business differently, but if I am talking there is ownership that I’ve got to go out and do my role.
"I have always found that part was strong in my game and it is something I continue to build on."
Smith has commitments that prevented him joining the Maroons as assistant coach this season, a role he has filled for the past two series.
He has been replaced by former Queensland hooker Matt Ballin, an assistant at Brisbane.
"Matty has been really good with me and (fellow hooker) Benny (Hunt), and all our forwards," Grant said.
"We were very fortunate to have Smithy the last couple of years. Now Matty is bringing something different and honing our strengths.
"He is giving us a lot of confidence to back our ability and play the footy that has got us here.
"In a representative camp your coaches aren’t pushing you to change too many things.
"It is more a reassurance of the things you are doing well and why you are in the team.
"Matty has been really good with that and been a great sounding board about what we need to do next Wednesday night."
