Granty
21-05-2006, 01:38 AM
http://www.thesundaymail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,19200379%255E39678,00.html
Facing rookies doesn't make us smug
21may06
MAKE no mistake. Anybody who thinks the Blues just have to show up to Telstra Stadium on Wednesday night to claim Origin I is kidding themselves.
We can't take anything for granted and we certainly can't expect that just because we have more players to choose from that it guarantees success.
At the end of the day, it is still 17 blokes in blue jerseys taking on 17 blokes in maroon jerseys in the hardest, toughest and fastest game of rugby league imaginable where anything can, and usually does, happen.
The pressure is on us to perform because this will be the only home game we get to enjoy in the series with "away" games in Brisbane and Melbourne to follow.
History shows that if you win the first game it really does set you up to claim the series – so I'm sure both sides will be desperate to win on Wednesday. Having lived in Queensland for the past five years, I know you can never write off the Maroons and the fact they have picked seven rookies doesn't mean we can suddenly drop our guard.
I can assure you that there is no complacency in the NSW camp at all. We know we have a battle on our hands. I know only too well what the likes of Cowboys players Johnathan Thurston, Matt Bowen, Carl Webb and Matt Scott are capable of.
Sure, I coach them at club level but there is no such thing as a secret in rugby league and nobody in the NSW camp needs me to tell them what their strengths and weaknesses are.
I've got a bit of an insight into what it must have been like for my good mate Michael Hagan when he was in charge of Queensland and he had to counter his Knights' stars Andrew Johns and Danny Buderus at Origin time.
He said he slipped every now and then, using their nicknames in Queensland team meetings, but corrected himself and focused on the task at hand – winning the game for his state. I know that's exactly how I'm approaching it and it's been a thrill to be a part of rugby league's biggest showpiece.
The NSW side has developed some great passion over the past couple of years and it's been fantastic to see first-hand how much it means to the players to don the sky blue jersey.
Queensland has always had that passion and with Mal Meninga in charge this year I'm sure the Maroons will be bursting with pride by the time hostilities get under way.
I know, when I was City Origin coach for five years, we had fewer players to pick from but there was always a tremendous spirit among the players and we certainly drew on that to get away with a few victories.
Yesterday was a day off for the players but once the boys arrive for training this morning, the entire focus is on producing the best 80 minutes of football possible when it matters most.
Sometimes the big games don't always live up to the hype but I've got a feeling that both teams will do rugby league proud.
Facing rookies doesn't make us smug
21may06
MAKE no mistake. Anybody who thinks the Blues just have to show up to Telstra Stadium on Wednesday night to claim Origin I is kidding themselves.
We can't take anything for granted and we certainly can't expect that just because we have more players to choose from that it guarantees success.
At the end of the day, it is still 17 blokes in blue jerseys taking on 17 blokes in maroon jerseys in the hardest, toughest and fastest game of rugby league imaginable where anything can, and usually does, happen.
The pressure is on us to perform because this will be the only home game we get to enjoy in the series with "away" games in Brisbane and Melbourne to follow.
History shows that if you win the first game it really does set you up to claim the series – so I'm sure both sides will be desperate to win on Wednesday. Having lived in Queensland for the past five years, I know you can never write off the Maroons and the fact they have picked seven rookies doesn't mean we can suddenly drop our guard.
I can assure you that there is no complacency in the NSW camp at all. We know we have a battle on our hands. I know only too well what the likes of Cowboys players Johnathan Thurston, Matt Bowen, Carl Webb and Matt Scott are capable of.
Sure, I coach them at club level but there is no such thing as a secret in rugby league and nobody in the NSW camp needs me to tell them what their strengths and weaknesses are.
I've got a bit of an insight into what it must have been like for my good mate Michael Hagan when he was in charge of Queensland and he had to counter his Knights' stars Andrew Johns and Danny Buderus at Origin time.
He said he slipped every now and then, using their nicknames in Queensland team meetings, but corrected himself and focused on the task at hand – winning the game for his state. I know that's exactly how I'm approaching it and it's been a thrill to be a part of rugby league's biggest showpiece.
The NSW side has developed some great passion over the past couple of years and it's been fantastic to see first-hand how much it means to the players to don the sky blue jersey.
Queensland has always had that passion and with Mal Meninga in charge this year I'm sure the Maroons will be bursting with pride by the time hostilities get under way.
I know, when I was City Origin coach for five years, we had fewer players to pick from but there was always a tremendous spirit among the players and we certainly drew on that to get away with a few victories.
Yesterday was a day off for the players but once the boys arrive for training this morning, the entire focus is on producing the best 80 minutes of football possible when it matters most.
Sometimes the big games don't always live up to the hype but I've got a feeling that both teams will do rugby league proud.