By Wayne Heming
Former Queensland and dual international winger Lote Tuqiri has warned the Maroons to be prepared to confront a physical NSW side intent on breaking into their house and robbing them.”
Tuqiri, who played six Origins between 2001-2002 before switching codes, said his former NRL premiership-winning coach, Michael Macguire, would have NSW primed for the kill in the State of Origin series decider at a packed Suncorp Stadium.
But Tuqiri believes if Queensland can repel the Blues during a torrid opening 20 minutes, they have the necessary strike power in the backs through Reece Walsh, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Val Holmes to clinch a third straight series.
Like a majority of Queenslanders, Tuqiri was left stunned by the physicality employed by NSW in shutting Queensland down in Origin II, setting an Origin half-time record 32-0scoreline at the MCG last month.
“Queensland’s start in game two in Melbourne was poor, that’s the first thing they have to fix that first,” Tuqiri told Fogs.com.au
“If they start like that again, it will be a horrible night, they’ll get blown off the park.
“Billy (Slater) will have them fired up and they won’t play that poorly again.
“I know Mage (Maguire), I played under him at Souths. He will be at his players all week telling them they have a chance to do what few NSW sides have been able to achieve in Brisbane.
“I’m wary of NSW because their motivation is huge. To win a decider up here, doesn’t happen often (the last time was 2005).
“Madge (Maguire) will be priming them up all week about that, he’ll use it as a positive to get his players up for a giant game.
“He’ll be coming up here with the mentality of “robbing Queensland’s house and taking the trophy back home to NSW.”
Tuqiri said the fact Queensland boasted a magnificent record in series deciders (nine wins from the last 10) didn’t mean “one iota”.
“They took the crowd out of the game in Melbourne, I was at that game and at half time I was thinking to myself: “What the f&*k just happened?
Players will have to go to the next level in the decider and Tuqiri believes the game could come down to a single piece of brilliance from a player.
All the players will be fired up,” he said.
“Back in my day, the coach would leave the dressing room and then Choppy Close (team manager Chris Close) would prime us all up.
“We started poorly in Melbourne; We couldn’t get anything going. We made a lot of nervous mistakes, we gave away penalties, had no ball and had no field position.
“We have to remove all that from our game and make sure we don’t give NSW a leg up like we did in game II.
“Passion will take you a long way but like all big games the team which makes the least mistakes usually comes out on top.
“This is the best of the best, you get punished for any error.”.
With so much on the line, Tuqiri admits he would not be surprised if there were a “stink” at some stage.
“Look, I know it’s not politically correct and kids will be watching, but if it happens, it happens,” said Tuqiri.
“We can’t throw punches any more, but I don’t mind the shirt front.
“I like that stuff but given the amount of money you pay blokes these days you can’t punch anyone.”
The house full sign has been up outside Suncorp Stadium for weeks and Maroon fans will not hear of Queensland losing.
Slater meanwhile has debunked reports of a rift with winger Selwyn Cobbo, describing the southern reports as “fake news”
“I haven’t actually seen Selwyn happier or more engaged in his football,” said Slater when confronted by the southern media report.
“He has had a great week, he’s ready to play football.
“Gone are the days when you report the truth. I don’t know where that’s come from, but it’s totally fake news.”
