Queensland plan to hit monster NSW forwards James Tamou and Andrew Fifita with as many bodies as possible in a bid to reduce their damage in Wednesday night’s State of Origin clash in Sydney.
While Kiwi-born Tamou weighs in at 113kg and a towering 194cm, 24-year-old bench rookie Fifita tops him in both categories at 196cm and 114kg.
Queensland’s biggest forward is Canberra front-rower David Shillington (194cm, 114kg), who will start in the position Petero Civoniceva’s called home for 33 Origins.
North Queensland prop Matt Scott (185cm, 109kg) knows he’ll be in for a bruising up against his Cowboys teammate Tamou and the raw Fifita.
Scott said the lines of communication were down with Tamou until after the game.
“I’m not speaking to Jimmy,” Scott said from camp Coolum on the Sunshine Coast.
“I sent him a message before last year’s series wishing him good luck.
“There won’t be any sledging, neither of us talk much crap.”
Scott, who will play his 12th Origin, said Tamou’s footwork for a big man and Fifita’s power would make them a challenge to control.
“We’ll have to defend our hearts out against Jimmy and stick in a line against him,” he said.
“If you try and handle him on your own that’s when you get into trouble.
“He’s got great footwork and like the rest of their pack he’s very dangerous with the ball in his hands.”
Fifita’s form this season had left Scott stunned, he said.
“I’ve seen a few of his games this year and couldn’t believe my eyes, he’s playing great footy,” he said.
“He gets through a lot of work and that’s the sort of player you need in Origin.”
Brisbane forward Corey Parker said all Queensland could do was turn up in numbers every time Tamou and Fifita ripped up the middle of the field.
“It’s like asking someone how you stop Greg Inglis,” when asked the best way to tackle Fifita.
“You’ve got to turn up and and apply yourself.
“For whatever reason you don’t stop him, your mate has to be there to do it for you.”
“He’s a big kid … I don’t know his size or stats but I don’t know if you’ve stood next to Shillo (Dave Shillington) at all.”
“The younger they are these days the bigger they’re getting by the looks of it.
“He a big young aggressive kid and he’ll be a handful.”
Queensland will head to Sydney on Sunday and hold a fan day at Moore Park.
