We need a big show for Game 2

There is no better place for Queensland to turn around a State of Origin series than at Suncorp Stadium.

Especially tomorrow night with news that a couple of thousand Sydneysiders can’t make it due to COVID restrictions.

The ground that brings out the best in the Maroons may now be more Queensland than ever, which is timely given the heavy loss in Game 1 earlier this month.

But the Maroons can’t just rely on the crowd – they have to bring them into the game from kick-off and that requires playing with aggression. To do that, Queensland needs a big performance from its leaders.

In the backline, that means halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Munster. And, in the forwards, it’s props Christian Welch and Josh Papali’i.

If those players lead the way, the others will follow. That can be the spark for Queensland to get back on the path to defending the Origin title they won at this ground last November.

The leadership should already have begun in the Queensland camp. It’s not about switching on when the game starts, it’s about the little things in the preparation that set the tone for the rest of the squad.

If those players see the leaders setting the standards, they will want to follow.

Queensland coach Paul Green doesn’t have to go too far to recall a similar moment in his playing career.

Paul was playing halfback in 2001 when we bounced back from the dreadful 56-16 loss in the final game of the 2000 series.

More time had transpired between games but we had 10 debutants that night and the key to victory was the same as required tomorrow night.

In the forwards, Gorden Tallis and Shane Webcke led the way. In the backline, Wendell Sailor was the experienced hand who was central to our performance.

Carl Webb was one of our debutants that night and his unforgettable try when he bulldozed past five Blues defenders was possible because Webby knew what the leaders of the pack wanted.

Paul Green threw the pass to Webby that night so he will remember that well.

When Queensland won eight consecutive series, there were leaders everywhere.

Cameron Smith, Nate Myles, Steve Price and Petero Civoniceva were among the forward leaders. In the backline, there were the likes of Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and others.

Those guys set the benchmarks from the start of Origin camp and took those into the game. There was clarity over what was expected on the field.

The Blues will still be hungry tomorrow night. They used the very strong Maroons crowd in Townsville in Origin 1 as a motivation.

They will take the same approach in this game but, unlike Townsville, some of the Blues players have tough memories at Suncorp Stadium. It may not be as easy for them to use this crowd as a motivation. Many of the fans in the stands tomorrow night were there for the Maroons’ 20-14 win in the series decider last year.

Queensland needs a good kicking game tomorrow night. It was one of our weaknesses in Game One.

The backline leaders in Cherry-Evans and Munster will be crucial to that kicking game. You can’t win field position if this part of your game is below standard.

If they can improve that aspect of Queensland’s play, the Maroons will be on the way to a better showing.