Emotional Addo-Carr planning to succeed in Wally's memory
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An emotional Josh Addo-Carr will point to the sky and acknowledge his late grandfather Wally next week as the Blues winger prepares for a week in Origin camp without the presence of the inspirational boxing legend.
The Blues will travel to PCYC in Woolloomooloo on Tuesday night for a boxing session in preparation for the Holden State of Origin series opener on June 5 for the first time since Wally's passing and after he was invited by Brad Fittler to put the NSW squad through their paces ahead of Game Three last year.
Carr passed away from stage four stomach cancer in April at 64 years of age, with Storm winger Josh continuing to feel the effects of his sudden loss.
"It will be a bit emotional, he was a part of the week last year and I feel like ringing him every day," Addo-Carr told NRL.com.
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 1 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
"I know it's part of our preparation again this time. I think of him every day, it's going to be a tough thing but also a place that brings a lot of good memories for our family.
"He was asked to join the camp at late notice and ended up beating us all there to the session. He loved everything about the game and respected Freddie.
"It's hard not being able to see or hear from pop every day. I want to do my family proud as possible and will treat the game the same but there will be some reflection time at some point I'm sure I'll acknowledge him."
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the below video contains images and voices of a deceased person.
Josh Addo-Carr's tribute to his late pop Wally Carr
Addo-Carr will partner Latrell Mitchell on the left edge with Cody Walker the new face in a dangerous three-man Indigenous combination for the Blues.
Maroons coach Kevin Walters confirmed on Monday that Will Chambers is expected to mark Mitchell once again with Dane Gagai on the right wing, leaving the edge match-up flourishing with Indigenous talent.
"We've got a bit of a 'blackline' happening," Addo-Carr laughed.
"It's good to see some of the brother boys like Cody Walker there, he is in form and we'll have a bit of a good combination with he and Latrell.
"It's a great time of the year, I love the rivalry with my Storm teammates and the competition to challenge yourself. Will has been next to me all year on the left edge and now he's on the opposite side for the Maroons.
"I'm up for the challenge. It's going to be a challenging series, both teams have had injuries and picked fresh faces.
"It's everyone's dream, you make the NRL and that's an achievement in itself and then you want to climb higher and play Origin. You've just got to embrace the week and what's to come. Everyone in Queensland is against you and you've just got to accept that and enjoy it."
