League: Maroons call in Price to help motivate side

Steve Price. Photo / Getty Images

Steve Price made an impact on the Queensland State of Origin campaign, despite sitting out his final season so far with a heel injury.

Price was called into the Maroons camp as a motivational speaker. He was a guest speaker on Monday night before they crushed New South Wales 34-6 to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the series on Wednesday.

What Price did not count on was that the match would be so spiteful - caused by the Andrew Johns/Timana Tahu race row and the inclusion of Australian Rules-bound Israel Folau in the Maroons.

Accusations Johns referred to Maroons centre Greg Inglis as "a black c***" meant Queensland needed little motivation.

"It was an unusual preparation that's for sure,"Price says. "But not a whole lot was spoken about it [the racism]. It was more about players offering Greg support. He was blown away, as I think most of us were, by Timana's stance when you consider what he was giving up. The boys were really proud of him [Tahu]."

Tahu's absence further weakened New South Wales. Their situation wasn't helped by a jubilant Inglis scoring the first try in the third minute.

"GI's like that most of the time but it looked like there was some added excitement," Price says. "With the way he played and the emotion he displayed I'm not sure if that was the norm, although he's pretty passionate."

Price spent the earlier part of his time with the team going around some predominantly Aboriginal schools preaching the values of education and playing team sports like rugby league.

"Six schools were selected as part of the programme with kids encouraged to have a 90 per cent attendance rate, wear uniform and be well behaved."

Free tickets to Wednesday's match went to a lucky few.

Price says that in his time with the Kangaroos he was unaware Johns had any racist tendencies.

"I'd never heard him say anything like that before. What happened is unacceptable and he needs to mend a number of relationships but he does seem regretful and people do make mistakes."

Price says there appears to be a better understanding of race relations on this side of the Tasman.

"Having been in New Zealand for six years, I know how important understanding indigenous populations is for Kiwis. My wife [Jo] is doing a teaching degree at the moment and Maori is one of the subjects. It's important whether it is part of your bloodline or of the nation's fabric. It's something we need to get better at in Australia."

Price had no problem with Folau being selected.

"I think he should've been there, especially seeing [Price's brother-in-law] Brent Tate was injured as well. I was under the impression the boys wanted him. Israel's a proud Queenslander and still part of our competition until the end of the season. I think the team would have been sad to not have him there."

Price's own absence from the Warriors continues to frustrate. No end is in sight for his return - his heel will not heal.

"It is still the same," Price says. "I am fighting to walk properly and doing everything I can in the way of exercise. It has been annoying - and educational - trying to work out why it hasn't repaired.

"Hopefully we can work that out before I've finished. If not, I certainly hope to be able to walk and live life as normally as possible."

He has singled out the Warriors for special praise, given the horror injury run this season. The franchise could even move back into the top eight with a guaranteed two points from the 15th round bye this weekend.

"At the start of the season a few bookies had us as favourite to win the wooden spoon. All of our most experienced players have spent time on the sidelines since then. But Ivan [coach Cleary] has turned up every week with a positive attitude and faith in those going on the field. It is paying off."