Maroons iron Mann forged with steel for No.14 role

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Queensland debutant Kurt Mann is perhaps one of the most ideally suited utilities to pull on a Maroons jersey after a career of putting his head where others won’t. 

The 32-year-old will become the oldest Maroon to debut in State of Origin since the great Arthur Beetson led a famous victory in 1980. 

After a stellar season with Canterbury the proud Winton product will line up in Perth with the faith of his coach Billy Slater placed in him for good reason. 

Wherever he is asked to play and whatever he is required to do, Mann will answer the call. He has the runs on the board. 

“I've actually started a game in every position bar front row,” Mann said. 

“I've played a little bit of front row as well, a couple of weeks back against the Roosters. 

The No.14 jersey has a rich history for the Maroons with some of the greats to have donned it with panache and purpose, including in recent years Ben Hunt, Daly Cherry-Evans and Cooper Cronk. 

“A lot of people that come into the Queensland Origin side, usually start wearing that 14, especially in the spine. I look at the calibre of players that have worn it and it's a jersey that I hold in really high esteem,” he said. 

“With all the rule changes, the speed of the game and injuries that No.14 role’s started to become a really valuable role there and you can really make an impact in the game.” 

There  have  been times where the thought of playing Origin seemed a bridge too far for Mann but his club form for the competition leaders has been too strong to ignore. 

“If you would ask me this at the start of the year, I probably would have thought all this was kind of past me being the age I am, but it's a credit to the team we have down there at the Bulldogs at the moment,” he said. 

“I probably wouldn't have been a look in if it wasn't for the way we've started the year there, so really excited, especially being a boy from Winton. 

The town of Winton has also embraced their local hero. He was 18th man in game one and the locals celebrated in a remarkable way. 

 “It'll be huge,” he grinned. 

“There's a big water tower in town and it's usually white but they turned it all maroon when they found out I was 18th man last game. 

“I don't know how they managed that, so I think it'll be a pretty good atmosphere in Winton this week. 

“The whole town watches it and it brings the community together.” 

It was a full circle moment when former Storm teammate Slater told Mann he was set to make his debut the Tuesday morning after he played a starring role for Canterbury in their round 14 win over Parramatta on the King’s Birthday Monday. 

He flew to the Sunshine Coast on Monday night still unsure of his spot in the initial 20-man squad. 

“I knew I was in the squad but I didn't actually know what number,” he said. 

“I only found out in the morning that I was going to be playing, so, I think Billy kept his cards close to his chest. 

“He didn't want to stress me out too much.  I didn't get in until like 1.30am and didn't get much sleep. 

“I woke up and found out. It was unreal. 

Mann has worn some bumps and bruises in his career but is known for putting his head into the fray with no thought of self-preservation.  

“Oh definitely, I’ll put it wherever I need to put it, especially for my state and for my family and community,” he said.  

“I spent a bit of time playing in the centres and on the wing so you got pretty used to taking those first couple of carries and usually getting pretty banged up. 

“I played in the halves and I think I've just got slower and slower as I've gotten older and just slowly moved into the middle, so I could end up wearing eight  or 10 yet.” 

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