Maloney to become target
JAMES Maloney has been exposed as a big-mouth turnstile masquerading as a NSW Origin player.
Maloney claimed there isn’t much to do in Brisbane ahead of tonight’s State of Origin series opener at Suncorp Stadium, but he must have forgotten he could always learn how to tackle.
Maloney is the NRL’s worst defender and the Maroons will send a barrage of traffic at him knowing he is NSW’s weak link. The Sharks five-eighth has missed 59 tackles this season – the most in the NRL.
He has also conceded 21 penalties this season, nine more than the NRL’s next worst offender, Manly’s Brenton Lawrence.
Maloney, 30, has had two cracks at the Origin arena during his six-game career and Queensland know he is a defensive liability.
“Maloney can be the guy we exploit,” former Maroons forward Billy Moore said.
“We need to play at his edge and that’s where a guy like Josh Papalii should target Maloney and (Anthony Milford) needs to be around there.”