NSW back-rower Greg Bird says he will take it upon himself to ensure greenhorn State of Origin props James Tamou and Tim Grant are ready for what they’re going to face in next week’s series decider.

Bird credited the work of the towering front-row combination for getting the Blues on the front foot in the series-levelling win in Sydney, but admitted their task would be even tougher in the Suncorp Stadium cauldron.

“It’s going to be the other boys’ job – me and a few of the senior guys – to get in their ear and really make sure they’re prepared for the onslaught, which at Suncorp can be quite intimidating,” Bird said.

“The decider at Suncorp, Queensland are going to be firing and we’ve got to be pretty sharp to compete.”

Tamou and Grant have come from nowhere to suddenly give the Blues an imposing presence, but it is the effect they are having on some of their teammates which Bird claims has been just as significant.

Skipper Paul Gallen, who produced one of the most amazing Origin displays when picked at prop during last year’s series, has been freed to return to his more natural position of lock as a result of the pair’s emergence.

“I think they take a lot of pressure off Gal, who can be found doing too much,” Bird said.

“He’d like to play 80 and doing everything, make 30 hitups, but at this level, you need him doing some real quality stuff rather than quantity.

“Timmy and Jimmy have been doing great stuff for us. I expect them to really step it up for the decider.”