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Blues ganging up to stop Fifita in Origin

3 minute read

Cameron Murray has enlisted the help of NSW defenders around him with the Blues see ganging up on David Fifita as the only way to stop him in State of Origin.

DAVID FIFITA.
DAVID FIFITA. Picture: Jono Searle/Getty Images

How does Cameron Murray solve a problem like a rampaging David Fifita?

Not alone is the simple answer, with the NSW second-rower calling on his Blues brothers for help during the State of Origin series opener in Townsville.

Murray came back from an ankle injury just in time to be picked for Wednesday night's clash, but his reward is being marked up against the hardest man to stop in the NRL.

At 90kg, Murray gives up a sizeable 17kg to his Queensland counterpart in the second row according to the NRL's official records.

And while the South Sydney forward is one of the best defenders in the game, Fifita has already broken through 81 would-be tacklers in 10 games this season.

"We're looking to handle him together," Murray told AAP.

"Everyone knows if you try and go one out on David Fifita he is pretty strong and hard to handle.

"But we're pretty confident we can do the job on him.

"Him being my opposite number I will have to drive it a little more and identify his threats a little more. But it will be a job we try and handle together."

Fifita looms as Queensland's biggest x-factor after missing last year's series through injury.

Along with Cameron Munster on their left edge, they loom as the most dangerous combination on the field for the Maroons.

Even just playing in Origin this year shapes as a just reward for Murray.

He went down with a hamstring injury within five minutes of getting on the field in last year's Origin opener, and missed the remainder of the series.

He then looked shot for Wednesday's Game I when he injured his ankle against Canberra in late April, leaving him in a race against the clock to be fit in time.

Then on return he was put on report for a crusher tackle but escaped being charged.

"It's been different to what I am used to," Murray said.

"Coming off the back of an ankle injury and racing the clock to get back as soon as possible so my preparations and routine are a little different."

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