Once considered a lucky charm, Queensland back-rower Coen Hess doesn't feel so blessed ahead of the must-win second State of Origin clash in Sydney.
In fact the North Queensland young gun can barely remember the last time he savoured a victory.
When the 21-year-old runs out onto ANZ Stadium on Sunday, it will be more than seven weeks since Hess featured on a winning team - the Cowboys' NRL round nine triumph over Penrith on May 4.
Such a drought would have been inconceivable for Hess not so long ago.
The towering youngster seemed to have the Midas touch in 2017.
Handed his Origin debut in game two, Hess helped Queensland hit back from a record opening home loss to clinch an 11th series win in 12 years.
Hess' good fortune didn't change when he returned to the Cowboys, who launched an unlikely charge to the NRL grand final.
Hess admits it has been a steep learning curve this year but hoped to bounce back to his best in the Maroons' do or die clash.
"It's really tough. Personally I have always been in a winning culture," Hess said.
"At the Cowboys we went on a run into the finals and I won both my Origin games.
"This year I don't think I have won a game of footy in a month and a half, it's a learning curve for me."
Cruelly, Hess missed out on the 13th-placed Cowboys' most recent victory - just their fourth of the year - in round 13 over Manly because he was on Origin duty.
A battling North Queensland have come up short in both their NRL games since Hess returned from yet another defeat - Queensland's 22-12 Origin I loss in Melbourne.
"Everyone who plays rugby league goes through it at some time in their career - now it's my turn," Hess said.
"I will try to learn as much as I can out of this. Hopefully it helps me evolve as a player."
Barely 12 months after being hailed as Queensland's next big thing, Hess admitted he feared his name would not be called out for Sunday's crunch game.
Hess was feeling the heat after the Maroons pack was outmuscled in the midfield in game one.
"Obviously a bit nervous. Losing game one puts those voices in your head," Hess said.
"Last year I was on the opposite end of that, they lost game one and then brought in some changes."
However, Hess was confident of finally regaining his mojo after reuniting with Queensland teammates at their Gold Coast camp.
"Just being here, looking around the players here gives me a lot of confidence for Sunday," he said.
Share
