Cordner warning for focus on Fifita

BLUES captain Boyd Cordner has warned Queensland that focusing on Andrew Fifita tomorrow night will work in NSW’s favour.

Fifita was outstanding in the series opener, picking up the man-of-the-match award for a performance that included a try, a try assist and 168 running metres.

The Maroons have put a big focus on nullifying the big prop in game two but Cordner warned that tactic could backfire.

“If they want to just focus on one player we have a lot of other strike across the field where we can hurt them,” he said.

Cordner was speaking ahead of game two with the Blues looking to take home the shield for only the second time in 12 series.

Fifita’s performance in Origin I backed his growing reputation as a big-match player after he was widely considered the best player afield in the 2016 grand final, despite being snubbed for the Clive Churchill Medal.

The Maroons know the kind of impact he can make on the field and are preparing for the likely event that he has a repeat performance tomorrow night.

Queensland have been training especially for Fifita, putting a reserve player in a white shirt then proceeding to scream Fifita before a squad of Queenslanders run at him and take him to ground.

They have also been heard screaming his name out regularly during defensive drills.

“He played unreal in game one,” Cordner said.

“To play week-in, week-out consistent good footy just goes to show how good of a player he is.

“He’ll be in for another big game on Wednesday.”

The men in Maroon have focused deliberately on tackling Fifita and why wouldn’t they?

He made seven tackle breaks in game one and ran amok at Suncorp in his breathless 48 minutes on the field.

The Sharks superstar had an almost perfect game and many expect nothing less at ANZ Stadium tomorrow night.

Cordner said game one was a high-quality game and that he expected no different in game two, especially if Fifita is on.