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Queensland must defy history to win Origin

3 minute read

Queensland have to become the first Maroons team in State of Origin history to bounce back from having 30 points scored against them to win the series.

DALY CHERRY-EVANS.
DALY CHERRY-EVANS. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Queensland must defy 40 years of State of Origin history if they are to rebound and clinch the series on Wednesday night.

Last week's 34-10 defeat at the hands of NSW marked Queensland's equal-fourth biggest loss in Origin.

But most concerning is the fact that teams rarely recover from such beatings in Origin.

No Maroons side has ever won the series in a year where they have conceded 30 points or more.

The only NSW side to have done so is in 2014, but their 32-8 loss to the Maroons only came in a dead rubber after they had already won the series.

It again shows that the best defensive teams win Origin series.

"Obviously we were a bit off last week," Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans said.

"And that's not to take anything away from NSW, they played really good footy and put us into corners and took away our expansive footy.

"We need to be a lot better, we need to be a lot smarter.

"We were probably 10 per cent off last week but we don't have any excuses to be off this week, we're playing a decider at Suncorp.

"We're looking to turn the tables this week."

The Blues are however bracing for a bounce back.

It has been hammered into them all week that this will be a different game, with Suncorp Stadium a far different prospect for travelling teams.

They also have the distinct disadvantage of travel, with teams who have had to fly on match day in 2020 winning around only 40 per cent of games.

It's something Queensland legend Cameron Smith claims can't be discounted when considering the Maroons performance last week and their hopes on Wednesday night.

"For those that have been involved in the game this year in 2020, travelling day of the game, it's a challenge," Smith said.

"It takes a lot out of you and the Blues had the luxury of being down in New South Wales for game day.

"Let's hope that the tables are turned here.

"The boys are up here in camp and they're going to be well settled and NSW have to travel day of the game to be up here to play."

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