Sam Walker insists it is "an honour" to be compared to the great Allan Langer as he prepares to take the next step on the same path from Norths Tigers in Ipswich to Queensland halfback.
Walker will make his Maroons debut in the State of Origin series opener, 39 years after Langer played his first Queensland game before becoming one of rugby league's icons.
When Sam's father and former NRL star Ben Walker moved to Ipswich in 2010 to coach the Jets he took his son to play his junior footy at Norths Tigers, the local club where Langer started out.
The Maroons and Brisbane Broncos legend was the greatest half that Ben had seen and played with.
In the backyard Sam was encouraged to play what was in front of him and utilise his short kicking game, uncannily like Langer's.
Walker would play with his brother Tyson against sister Charlize and brother Jackson.
Sam had to learn to place his grubbers above the feet of his brother, which is what he does now in the NRL for the Sydney Roosters.
Last week Wayne Bennett and Langer both said Walker reminds them of Langer with his dazzling short kicking game, unpredictability and penchant for creating something out of nothing.
Walker said his game as a youngster "was probably moulded" on Langer's.
"Dad loved watching him play and I guess my game often gets comparisons with the similar way I play," Walker said.
"It is such an honour to be compared to someone like him ... and exciting as well. I spent a lot of time working on the little crafts in my game and I will continue to build them.
"I am really proud of where I am from. Ipswich is such a passionate place for rugby league fans and to represent them and everything they have done for me is really special as well.
"I still pinch myself that I get to wear this jersey. I know I will go out there and do the best I can. I want to make Queensland really proud."
The Capewell and Walker families have been close for decades.
Maroons second-rower Kurt Capewell would visit Ben and the family on weekends when he was a boarder at Ipswich Grammar School.
Sam and brother Jackson would play two-on-one touch against him in the backyard. Now Sam and Kurt will play together in an Origin match.
"It is obviously huge," 23-year-old Walker said.
"I spent a lot of time with him as a kid. I have played against him a fair few times now and to run out with him will be pretty special. I am sure after the game it will be something we can look back on that will be pretty cool."
Walker's defence has received criticism but there are 12 halves with more missed tackles than him in the NRL this year, including greats like Cameron Munster and Nathan Cleary.
"It is a side of the game I have got to continue to grow," said.
Like Langer, he won't be holding back in attack.
"For sure. That is why I am here," he grinned.
"I will play my game but also adapt to everyone else around me and get an understanding of how Queensland play as well."
