Raiders firebrand Horsburgh targets Maroons debut

Corey Horsburgh has put five major injuries behind him and says he is ready to follow in the footsteps of childhood hero Corey Parker by playing for Queensland in State of Origin.

After Horsburgh starred at lock in Canberra’s 20-14 win over Brisbane on Saturday night, his coach Ricky Stuart said the 25-year-old “has got Origin mentality”.

Horsburgh admires Maroons greats Petero Civoniceva and Shane Webcke but it is more recent Queensland lock forward Parker who captured his imagination as a youth.

“Corey Parker was my favourite player growing up,” Horsburgh told AAP.

“I loved how he played. He played tough. He could play flamboyant. He had a bit of everything.

“I was in a pre-season Maroons camp in 2020 and to play Origin is a goal of mine. I’d love to do it.

“I played with (Broncos props) Pat Carrigan and Tom Flegler for Queensland under 20s and we won. It is such a good feeling. I know I have to play consistent footy for the Raiders. When you win, rep footy looks after itself.”

Horsburgh is a throw-back to a 1980s style of Maroon. He plays tough with a look in his eye that blazes passion and commitment as his mop of red hair bobs up and down.

It is his kick-pressure, cover defence and all the one-per-cent plays in his game that should make him a success in Origin, along with handy ball skills he is learning to utilise at the right time.

In 2020 and 2021 he only played 16 NRL games and he had a disrupted pre-season in 2022. Now he is in the best shape of his career and has been one of the Raiders’ best in the opening six rounds

“It was tough. I had five major injuries in a two-year space,” Horsburgh said.

“I did my Lisfranc (midfoot), two shoulders, my wrist and my elbow and I couldn’t get a clear run of footy so it has been nice to get some momentum and do what I love.

“Injuries are not in the back of mind any more so I can play free-flowing footy.

“I am the lowest weight I have been in a few years at 105 kilos. When I came back from my foot injury I was 115 and couldn’t run for a 12-month period. I was too big and fat but I am feeling good now.”

Stuart said Horsburgh was an “exceptional” forward and explained why he was Origin-built.

“He is a tough kid,” Stuart said.

“Nothing fazes him when he is controlling his emotions, and he gets baited all the time. He is enjoying that now rather than reacting to it.

“We all know he is an emotional big bugger and that’s why I love him. We love the emotion but when he cools and plays calm he is an even better player and he was good tonight (against the Broncos).”