Billy still the man to inspire state

GREG Inglis believes Billy Slater will have an enormous influence on Queensland’s fortunes tomorrow night, as the star fullback prepares for his 30th Origin match.

The Maroons veteran will make his comeback at ANZ Stadium after missing Origin I with a hamstring injury.

It’s almost a case of déjà vu after Slater also came back in Game Two of last year, following a Game One omission.

Along with Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston, Slater inspired Queensland to the win the game that saved last year.

And Inglis believes his return in Origin II will have a similar effect, with the Queensland skipper saying Slater will help “enormously” with guiding the team in Sydney.

“It’s been said that in Game One we lost over 100 games experience,” Inglis said, following the injury to Slater and retirements of Smith, Thurston and Cooper Cronk.

“People don’t realise what Bill brings to the side. Last year it was a massive mistake on Queensland’s behalf in Game One (to leave Slater out). “He came back in Game Two and you could see the difference he made to the team.” MOEAKI Fotuaika’s football education has hit warp speed after the teen was called into camp with Tonga and one of the most fearsome forward packs in international rugby league.

The 18-year-old Titan is 18th man for Mate Ma’a behind a pack containing NRL heavyweights including Dally M medallist Jason Taumalolo, former Kangaroo Andrew Fifita and Maroon-in-waiting Joe Ofahengaue.

And while he won’t run out at Campbelltown Stadium tonight, the week in camp with some of the best forwards in the game has given Fotuaika almost as much as a maiden Test cap.

“(I look up to) all the forwards in this team — and Jason (Taumalolo), Andrew (Fifita), a lot of the older boys,” he said. “What they do week-in, week-out for their clubs, I’m trying to learn off them.

“It’s been really good trying to learn off them in training.

“I was really surprised (to get a call-up), it’s been really good being in camp with the boys and I’m really enjoying the experience,” he said. “The main reason I wanted to come into camp with the players we have was to learn as much as I can.” NSW want to take the referees out of the equation in Sunday’s State of Origin game at ANZ Stadium, declaring their intention to dominate the ruck with their up-tempo style.

Queensland have spoken this week about the need to limit Blues hooker Damien Cook, after his runs out of dummy-half helped dismantle the Maroons in the Blues’ Origin I win.

Just five penalties were blown in the series opener after both teams entered the match with the belief no leniency would be shown.

That count – coupled with NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg’s call last week for referees to stop “nitpicking” – could leave both sides coming into tomorrow with a different expectation on penalties.

It’s prompted fears from the likes of former NSW half Matthew Johns that Queensland could deliberately slow the ruck down and push the boundaries with the markers being square to limit Cook’s opportunities.

But Blues forward Jack de Belin said the team had to take it upon themselves to ensure the Maroons don’t nullify their advantage through the middle.