Former NSW stalwart Steve Simpson says the Blues must feed off the hostile environment at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday if they are to have any chance of ending a run of six straight State of Origin series defeats.
The hard-running former Newcastle forward was part of the last Blues side to win a series in 2005 following a 32-10 victory in Brisbane and believes Ricky Stuart’s side won’t have a better chance of ending the Maroons’ dominance.
“There is no place better in the world to play than Brisbane for Origin,” Simpson told AAP.
“The crowd, the atmosphere, the hatred from the Queensland fans make it an experience you never forget as a player. I used to love it.”
Stuart, who also coached NSW in 2005, has been drumming home to his players this week the importance of not letting the emotion of the Brisbane crowd affect them.
And Simpson, who played 13 times for the Blues before retiring due to a knee injury in 2009, said there is no better man than Stuart to get the players ready for the biggest game of their careers.
“We were 1-0 down in 2005 as well and, after winning the second game in Sydney, we went to Brisbane full of confidence,” he said.
“NSW will be feeling the same and Ricky will have the boys so focused and full of belief.
“But he will be telling them to play off the crowd, relish the occasion and don’t be intimidated.
“They can’t expect to get refereeing decisions go in their favour and the crowd will be against them. They just have to work hard for each other.”
Simpson said having a largely settled side for most of the series will also favour the Blues.
Stuart has only used 21 players this year and the former Knights skipper said that bond should not be under-estimated.
“The bond they would have built is so important when you are playing in front of a hostile crowd,” he said.
“Ricky will have them so pumped. I think they’re a massive chance.”
Blues assistant coach Trent Barrett, a veteran of 11 Origins as a player, says the current side is the tightest he’s known.
“We have a group of players that are very close,” Barrett said.
“It’s good for us and makes our job a lot easier. It’s one of Queensland’s big strengths that they are such great mates and we have that.”