Blues’ Ferguson ready for aerial raid

NSW winger Blake Ferguson is confident he and fullback Matt Moylan have overcome their aerial jitters ahead of the Blues’ do-or-die State of Origin encounter in Brisbane.

Twice the duo failed to defuse Queensland bombs in their tense game one loss in Sydney and while the mistakes didn’t cost them the game, the Maroons are likely to test their communication again on Wednesday.

Ferguson revealed the pair immediately addressed the issue in the sheds after the game in Sydney, and then worked feverishly on their communication again during the past week in Coffs Harbour.

“We spoke about it on the night and we’ve spoke about it since. That’ll be rectified by Wednesday,” Ferguson promised.

The reborn Blues star, playing in just his third Origin match after making his debut back in 2013, said the team’s back three had also emphasised the need for making metres out of their own end.

Ferguson, Moylan and Josh Mansour made plenty of in-roads into the Maroons defence in the latter stages of their game one defeat, and believe they can create more opportunities in Brisbane.

“We need to improve on just trying to get out of our end as best we can and trying to take the opportunities when I get them,” Ferguson said.

“It’s about getting the set rolling for the forwards so they don’t have to run back as far.”

The Sydney Roosters star embraced a re-match with towering Brisbane flyer Corey Oates, who scored seven tries in the Broncos’ first five home games at Suncorp Stadium this year.

Oates has nine tries overall.

And while he is five years Oates’ senior, Ferguson said he wouldn’t try to get in the head of his younger counterpart in one of the biggest games of his career.

“I used to, back when I was a kid, but not anymore. I’ve matured a little bit now. I’m a little bit older than him, but hopefully we’ll go good,” he said.

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