Laurie Daley, be careful what you wish for.
The NSW mentor has challenged his players to “embrace the hate” and engage the Queensland public ahead of Wednesday night’s State of Origin game two clash at Suncorp Stadium.
And Maroons captain Cameron Smith reckons he knows the perfect way – drive down Caxton Street before kick-off.
Crowds almost rioted, sparking player fears their bus would be toppled the last time a team was allowed to complete the pre-match practice down the notorious party strip in 2010 – and they were the home team.
Smith cheekily suggested on Tuesday the Blues should be forced to do it as Queensland prepared to battle back from 1-0 down and keep alive hopes of an eighth straight Origin series.
Smith was a member of the last Queensland team to complete the ritual three years ago – and he still seemed to be shaking.
“It was enjoyable and terrifying at the same time – and we were the Queensland team,” he said.
“So maybe we should chuck the Blues down there.
“I sat in the front seat just to see the crowd swell as the bus came down.
“They were smashing the bus, trying to rock it. I thought it was going to tip over. There were police everywhere.”
Not that Smith reckoned Queensland needed something to motivate them ahead of game two.
While he lamented their slow start in their 14-6 game one loss, Smith said Queensland did not have to change much to their pre-match ritual to lift for their must-win showdown.
So, no face slapping or nailing an ox’s heart to the wall a la left-field ex-coach Tommy Raudonikis?
“There will be none of that,” Smith laughed.
“The networks have the cameras in the dressing sheds so I don’t think too many viewers will be enjoying that.
“But we have quite an intense warm-up. It’s fairly short but it’s intense. We can’t use it as an excuse to say we weren’t ready for the game.
“We won’t be changing that, it is something that has worked for us for a long time.
“It’s about getting our mental preparation right.”
In what would scare NSW more than a Raudonikis motivational tactic, Smith hinted that the team camp vibe suggested Queensland were ready to produce something special on Wednesday night.
“There is a different feeling in the game,” he said.
“Everyone is confident what we need to do on the night, and our game plan.
“When everyone is confident that’s when you know everyone is ready to play.”