‘Making sure that blue jersey becomes sacred again’: Cameron McInnes in the mix for Origin debut, turns to Wade Graham for captaincy inspiration

All it takes is five minutes with Cameron McInnes to know that he’d be the perfect fit for the Blues this year, with the newly appointed Cronulla co-captain keen to see the jersey “become sacred again” no matter who is chosen to represent NSW.

McInnes, 30, has been part of an extended squad in the past and was chosen for a 36-man camp earlier this year led by new coach Michael Maguire.

The workhorse lock forward has plenty of similarities to Queensland’s Reuben Cotter, who has shone in the State of Origin arena, with the pair playing together for the PM’s XIII last year when McInnes scored a try.

“It was a special camp,” McInnes said, with NSW desperate to win back the shield after back-to-back series defeats.

“There was a squad of 34 there and a few who couldn’t make it, but whoever gets the opportunity to make the team will be well supported.

“It’s not just about the 17, this is about everyone. It’s all about making sure that blue jersey becomes sacred again. This wouldn’t be my jersey, it would be NSW’s jersey.

“For me, that was a massive takeaway from that camp, and you could tell there was a huge buy-in to be a part of that.

“If that camp is where it ends for me then that’s fine because it was a cool experience.

“NSW is blessed with a lot of good back-rowers, so I’ll just put my hand up with how I play for the Sharks each week.

“I’m not trying to sound like a suck-up or anything like that, but it was such a good experience and you just want the best guys running around for NSW. That’s the way we’re all looking at it.”

McInnes will get the chance to impress, with the tackling machine set to start the new season at lock forward, with fellow co-captain Dale Finucane named on the bench for the trip to New Zealand.

The former South Sydney and St George Illawarra hooker is no stranger to the leadership group, having also been the second-youngest man to captain the joint-venture when he was at the Red V in 2020.

“It’s a huge honour for a number of reasons,” he said.

“If you look at some of the captains that have come before me, the club has had Gal (Paul Gallen), Wado (Wade Graham) and then of course Dale – they are all amazing leaders.

“This is a special place, and it’s a very unique place.

“I’ve been at a few other clubs, but this one is so hard-working and nothing is too big for anyone. You throw away job descriptions because everyone pitches in. That really resonates with my personality.

“I learnt a lot from my time at the Dragons. I was quite young when I was the captain and we had some good times and some adversity when I was there.

“This is nothing against any of the clubs I’ve been at, but the best captain I’ve been around is Wade Graham.

“The thing about Wado was that it was never about what he needed, it was always about what the team needed. That’s a pretty rare trait that not many people have, and he’s still around, so that’s something I can work on with him.”