Origin lead can be ‘curse’: Scott

The odds are heavily stacked in Queensland’s favour ahead of State of Origin II – much to the anxiety of Maroons prop Matt Scott.

He is so concerned about a NSW backlash that he believes the “Queenslander” spirit forged over their decade of dominance will be put to the ultimate test in the game next week.

The stage is set for Queensland to seal their 10th series win in 11 years on Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium.

Only once in the past 11 years have NSW won a live match in Brisbane.

And the last time an Origin was played at Suncorp Stadium, Queensland enjoyed a record 52-6 romp.

But Scott believed the all-conquering Maroons would again have to find something special to extend their dynasty.

“It’s a great motivation for us, but it can also be a curse,” Scott said of holding a 1-0 series lead.

“It’s do or die for them. They (NSW) are the team that will be desperate, they will be the ones who fight harder in everything.

“It will be easy for them to find that extra effort.

“We have to find that extra level to match them.”

Scott said, thankfully, Queensland had plenty of experience in backs-to-the-wall Origin footy.

“That’s something we have developed over 10 years – working hard together as a team,” he said.

“And I think we showed that again in game one.

“From one to 17, I thought it was a marvellous effort to hold a great attacking side like that to just four points.”

Scott believed attack would be the best form of defence for NSW in the second game after Queensland held on for a grinding 6-4 Origin I victory.

“We didn’t see too much ball movement in game one,” he said.

“Only at the end of game one did they (NSW) start throwing the ball around.

“That’s a strength of their game. They can really rip apart defensive lines.

“I know as a team it’s an area we need to improve on.

“They have some real attacking weapons, so we will have to work harder in defence.”

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