Daley takes stock of Suncorp hoodoo ... doesn’t rate it
NSW will have to write history and overcome a Suncorp Stadium hoodoo to win back the State of Origin shield.
The Blues have not won back- to- back State of Origin games at Suncorp Stadium in 20 years but coach Laurie Daley has declared: “It certainly doesn’t hold any fears.”
NSW last won consecutive matches at the famous stadium back in 1997 and 1998.
Since then, all Blues tories have been one- offs.
The crusade to end their Suncorp curse, and with it Queensland’s Origin dominance, will continue today when Daley names an unchanged line- up for the decider, despite injury concerns.
NSW won game three 8- 6 in the 1997 series at Suncorp vic- before backing up with a 26- 10 game one victory in 1998.
After winning two of their past five Suncorp matches, including a comprehensive 28- 4 in Origin I, Daley said the Blues were not daunted.
“It’s actually exciting to go up there and have the opportunity to try and win it on their home ground,” he said.
After a smooth run in the first two games of the series, the Blues have injury concerns ahead of naming an extended squad this morning with questions around captain Boyd Cordner ( calf), James Tedesco ( ankle), Josh Dugan ( knee), Jack de Belin ( calf) and Tyson Frizell ( ribs/ back/ ankle).
Tedesco was ruled out of Wests Tigers’ win over Newcastle yesterday afternoon.
Cordner and Frizell are presenting the most concerns.
Daley said Blues’ medical staff will assess all five players when they go into camp today.
Penrith’s Trent Merrin and Matt Moylan, Manly’s Tom Trbojevic and Melbourne’s Jordan McLean are on standby for any withdrawals.
Should Cordner be ruled out, Wade Graham would come into the starting XIII with prop Aaron Woods the new skipper.