How NSW will have to beat history in Brisbane

NSWRL

Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler has challenged his players to own a slice of history by becoming the first NSW State of Origin team to win the opening two games of the series in Queensland.

Fittler and the Blues left Sydney for Kingscliff today to continue their preparations for Game Two at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday 27 June after winning Game One in Townsville.

The last time NSW played the opening two games of an Origin series in Queensland was in 1982 when it was played over three games for the first time. The Blues won the opening match 20-16 but lost the next two 11-7 and 10-5 to lose the series.

“They haven’t played two games in Queensland since 1982 to start a series so that makes it exciting and makes it a great challenge,” Fittler said.

“We’ve got a really good group here, it’s a really good footy team without a doubt and it’s something they should aspire to.

“They didn’t do it in 1982, NSW, so there’s a little challenge there.

“That’s what State of Origin is about. The history has been the thing that has been a huge part of the success of State of Origin and we try to make sure the players know as much about that as possible.”

The Blues have not won at Suncorp Stadium since 2017 when they beat Queensland 28-4 in the opening game of the series.

Fittler named his team yesterday which has Junior Paulo starting in the front row for the injured Jake Trbojevic while Angus Crichton has been added to the bench.