STOP PEATS

Maroons focus on tiring out hooker

MAROONS captain Cameron Smith says Queensland have to do a better job at tiring rookie hooker Nathan Peats if they are to be keep the Origin series alive.

Peats was outstanding on debut in Game One, making a game-high 49 tackles and providing quick, clean ball to his halves and forwards.

The Gold Coast Titans rake suffered two bad corks to a thigh but managed to play out 80 minutes in an effort that is likely to bolster his confidence ahead of tomorrow night’s clash in Sydney.

Smith, the man rated the best hooker in the game and one of the best players of all time, was highly complimentary of Peat’s game.

“He handled his first game extremely well,” Smith said.

“He’s a tough competitor, he did a great job defensively — I think he finished with most tackles for the Blues in the game — and he had a couple of runs when he saw his opportunity.

“But I think his role in that side, for Game One especially, was to give good service to his forwards and whenever Maloney or Pearce wanted the ball, get the ball to them and he did that really well.”

Peats, acts as a conduit for quick ball from dummy-half and was allowed to thrive in Game One, with the Maroons forwards well beaten.

But Smith said the Maroons would have to make him work harder tomorrow night.

“He did a great job and we’re going to have to make sure we send a bit more traffic at him this time to make him more tired.”

Smith said Peats’ success was no real surprise, with the 26-year-old an experienced performer.

“I always knew he was going to play really well,” Smith said.

“He’s been around the game a long time and he’s been playing consistently for numerous years now.”

Peats, who remains in contract negotiations with the Titans, has admirers on both sides of the border, with former Blues rake Danny Buderus also lauding his effort on debut.

Speaking to the NSW rugby league website NSWRL.com.au, Buderus said while Peats’ defensive efforts had been well acknowledged, his service to the halves and ability to run were also crucial to the Blues success.

“He made no errors and took his opportunities to run, and more importantly he gave so much good ball to his halves,” Buderus said.

“In effect, his halves were giving good ball to their outside backs and back-rowers.”

But it was Peats’ on-field attitude that Buderus admires as much as any of his technical talents.

“He’s someone that steps out on to the field and you know what he’s going to bring.

“That’s some really good attributes to take him into the Origin arena.

“He played a huge role, and if he can replicate that (tomorrow night) then I’m sure we’ll be talking about Nathan Peats for a lot of years to come.”