Blues hone defence in bid for series win

NSW have identified their line speed as one of the crucial areas they must improve on tomorrow night if they are to claim the State of Origin series.

While the Blues claimed the series opener earlier this month off the back of their quick-running middle and pacy outside backs, coach Brad Fittler left the MCG concerned by the Maroons’ ability to apply more pressure in defence.

“We’ve been working pretty hard on it,” Blues captain Boyd Cordner (above) said.

“It’s a massive part of Origin with field position because you

don’t get a lot of penalties or errors or anything like that. One way to do that is line speed and keeping them down their end to keep the ascendancy.

“We’ve been working pretty hard on different ways to nullify their opportunities to put us in the best possible position.”

The selection of Matt Prior as a replacement for the injured Reagan Campbell-Gillard is likely to play some role in that.

The 31-year-old is noted as having good line speed in defence, with that facet of his game being a regular talking point among Cronulla teammates this week.