NEW BLUES HAVE CLUES FOR A WIN
FORGET about the four failed Origin deciders among some of NSW’s key players, this Blues team no longer fears Queensland in the big moments.
That is the message from Maroons assistant coach Michael Hagan who has seen this NSW team develop into a far stronger outfit under the guidance of Laurie Daley.
Skipper Paul Gallen (2012, 2011, 2008 and 2006) and five-eighth Mitchell Pearce (2013, 2012, 2011, 2008) have not won a decider in four previous attempts, while winger Brett Morris has also endured heartbreak with three straight defeats (2013, 2012, 2011).
Most pressure tomorrow night though will fall on the shoulders of Pearce.
In his four losses in deciders, Pearce has racked up nine errors and no try assists.
But Hagan said past failures would not weigh upon this Blues team because of the belief Daley had instilled in and around NSW.
Pearce has since won a premiership with the Sydney Roosters and NSW have a team who finally believe they have measure.
“They’re a bit more confident and they’ve probably got some new players,” Hagan said.
“It’s unknown territory for them and they’ve got nothing to fear.”
The Queensland side, on the other hand, is stacked from top to bottom with players who know how to get the job done with the trophy as the major prize.
Only four players – Will
the
Maroons’ Chambers, Aidan Guerra, Michael Morgan and debutant Dane Gagai – have never won a decider.
Veteran forwards Sam Thaiday and Nate Myles have a perfect 5-0 record, while Cameron Smith (5-2), Johnathan Thurston (5-1) and Corey Parker (3-2) are the only Maroons ever to taste decider defeat dating back to the 2005 and 2004 series losses.
The combined decider tally for the Maroons is 44 wins and five losses, while the Blues tally is zero wins and 26 losses.
Hagan said the decider certainly intensified the pressure the players felt during the game but pointed to Queensland’s two-point win in 2013 and one-point victory in 2012 as proof that these clutch games are decided by the smallest of margins.
“As much as it’s talked about and written about the real innate sense within the group here is they understand where that is at and how good you need to be in front at the end,” Hagan said.
“I know how close and how competitive this thing is and they’ve got better. You don’t take too much for granted.”