He is one of the most decorated forwards of Queensland's decade of Origin dominance yet Nate Myles has been given extra motivation for Saturday night's clash with the Broncos with some stinging words from his grandfather: 'You're not playing good enough to play for Queensland.'
Myles will go head-to-head with Broncos prop Josh McGuire in what could be a forerunner to a changing of the guard in the Maroons' engine room with McGuire earning a Test debut last week as Myles watched on from his home in Manly.
New Queensland coach Kevin Walters has suggested that McGuire is putting pressure on Myles's starting spot that he has held for the past 18 Origin matches but the veteran of 29 interstate matches says his granddad is the judge he has to first win over.
"I spoke to my granddad two days ago and he told me I won't be in the Queensland side because of the way I'm playing," Myles admitted.
"It's always good to get that honesty within your group.
"I'm not going to put my hand up and expect a jersey. It's not laid on the table for me and it never has been.
"If it's my jersey, it will have to be given to me, I don't just expect it. It has to be earned and it's always been that way with Queensland."
With potentially four Queensland forwards in the Broncos pack that the Sea Eagles 'host' at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, there are few better opportunities for Myles to issue Walters with a timely reminder.
The former Titans skipper is adjusting to a new team and a new coach in Trent Barrett and believes the best way to further his case is for the Sea Eagles to upset the competition front-runners on Saturday night.
"Statistically them boys are playing some great footy but team-wise they're playing great footy as well," said Myles. "It's easy to shine light on the individuals when the team's winning.
"Compare what the Broncs boys did against the Cronulla Sharks when they weren't on top of their game, it's a totally different format for a player individually when your team's not going well.
"Individually you can be a good player and stand out but what's the point if you're not winning? You need to make sure your team's put first, you get the win and then you go forward from there."
Long-time Maroons teammate Sam Thaiday has no doubt that playing against the Broncos in front of 50,000 fans will result in an inspired display by Myles who is currently averaging 99 metres and 32 tackles from 50 minutes per game in 2016.
"These are the games that Nate relishes. He relishes big games," said Thaiday, who will start in the second row due to the injury to Alex Glenn.
"You see him play for Queensland and you see him represent Australia as well, he always seems to put his hand up and have a fair crack.
"Even when he was at the Titans he loved playing against the Broncos so I'm sure he'll try and pull all of the tricks out of the hat this weekend."
