Hancock and Barrett: What it means to represent Queensland

Steph Hancock and Jo Barrett are two of the proudest players to ever don a Queensland State of Origin jersey.

Hancock – QRP #44 – and Barrett – QRP #43 – both continue to give so much to the Harvey Norman Queensland Maroons, instilling the next generation of talent with the same passion and love for the Origin arena as they showed throughout their careers.

And as the Maroons prepare for tonight’s series decider at Townsville’s Queensland Country Bank Stadium, the duo have shared what it means to them to represent their state at the highest level.

For Hancock, it’s simple.

“For me, it’s life,” the forward – who still plays in BMD Premiership and the NRLW - said.

“It’s honestly been the best part of my life. It’s something I will cherish forever. It makes it extra special that my old man (Rohan Hancock) did it first and I got to do it as well and carry that family history.

“All my best mates are my teammates and it’s because of what we went through together at Origin.”

For Barrett, representing Queensland boils down to a shared feeling for everyone – pride.

“It means different things to every player but there’s a common element of being very proud of what it means and appreciating who you’re representing too,” she said.

“It’s a really exciting thing as a player. It’s a milestone in your career. And at the end of the day, most of us play the game because we love it so there’s an element of fun.

“It’s just one of those things that you know you grow old with, you know you will look back on for the rest of your life and you had that moment.

“Now the game is on the stage that it’s on, the beauty of that is more people get to share that moment.”

If Queensland win tonight’s game, they will win the two-match series 2-0, in what is a first for the women’s game under the Origin banner.

Coach Tahnee Norris has been adamant that the team will not rely on the points aggregate to get the 2023 shield and Barrett said the players needed to draw on everything they had done to get to this point.

“Trust all the work that they’ve done to get here,” Barrett said.

“Believe in the selection process. They’re ready for it, every single one of them, from the debutants right through to an Ali Brigginshaw. And have fun – enjoy the moment, be present to it.”

And for Hancock, she knows tonight will also require a bit of that special Queensland spirit to lock this series away.

“Don’t change a thing,” Hancock said.

“Just come out with the Queensland spirit and do it the Queensland way. Everyone will get that, that’s pulling a jersey on.

“They’ll play with their full heart on their sleeve – for the old girls, for themselves, for their families, but most importantly for this state. It’s going to be something really special.”