BLUES’ SECRET NIP AND TUCK

“VERY grateful to be back in that very tight blue jersey.”

It seemed like a throwaway line from NSW Blues centre Latrell Mitchell after demoralising Queensland on Wednesday night.

But dig deeper and you will find the Blues are stretching for every extra detail to win back the State of Origin shield.

The Blues have employed a private tailor to help win this year’s series. NSW coach Brad Fittler has revealed every one of his players had their Blues jersey nipped and tucked that bit tighter in a bid to decrease the chances of the Maroons making a tackle in Origin I in Townsville.

Queensland missed 44 tackles – the most in two years – as the Blues recorded their 50-6 victory.

“We’ve had a breathing expert come into our camp, we’ve had former referees work with us, we’re always looking for that 1 per cent difference,’’ Fittler said.

“And so this is something we did before the game. A tailor measured the waist, chest and width of every one of our players in camp and then we had our Puma jerseys taken in that extra inch.

“We can only guess if it made a difference, but I’d like to think it did.

“Like everything, if you never do it, you’ll never know. And I’m not about to die wondering.’’

Gone are the days of footballers wearing the loose jerseys of the 1980s, ’90s and 2000s.

Defenders making a tackle once found it easy to latch on to a rival’s jersey and fling him. But not any more.

“It’s the closest thing to me painting a NSW logo and a number on the players’ back with body paint,’’ Fittler said.

“Attention to detail is everything as Origin is the biggest arena with the best players so any advantage is key.”