There have been solutions the Blues may change Brian To’o and Josh Addo-Carr on the wings at Suncorp Stadium however Alexander was giving nothing away as he finalised the Blues’ media commitments forward of a must-win sport for the state.
It has been recommended the Blues could transfer To’o to assist negate the specter of aerial specialist Xavier Coates.
“No scoops,” he mentioned.
“I apologise for that. They’ve each performed left and proper (wing). Josh performed proper in 2021 once we received that sequence, Brian performed left.
“Josh performs left for his membership and Brian performs proper for his membership. To allow them to deal with each. In ’21 Brian performed left and Xavier Coates was on the appropriate.
“So Brian marked up on Xavier Coates the final time Xavier performed, So it wouldn’t be for that cause, if actually it does occur.”
Alexander mentioned he anticipated a brutal sport in the identical vein as the ultimate match of final 12 months’s sequence at Suncorp Stadium.
“Simply solid your thoughts again to sport three final 12 months,” he mentioned.
“That was essentially the most brutal opening to a sport I can keep in mind. Each groups need to win desperately.
“I’m assuming that tonight might be as brutal because it was in sport three final 12 months. It’s do or die, easy as that.
“They know what’s on the road however Freddie (coach Brad Fittler) will speak to the gamers earlier than the sport. What is required isn’t misplaced.
“The gamers are skilled and all of us count on one of the best gamers within the sport to be completely able to do no matter it takes to win tonight.”
Alexander additionally dismissed any suggestion the Blues’ preparation had been disrupted following the withdrawal of centre Latrell Mitchell – half Nathan Cleary and hooker Api Koroisau had been already ignored attributable to harm.
Mitchell Moses and Damien Cook dinner have been recalled at half and hooker.
“We as a training workers had been ready to present Latrell as a lot time as wanted,” Alexander mentioned.
“Latrell’s harm simply wasn’t bettering as shortly as we’d have appreciated.
“I do know there have been some gamers dominated out by means of harm – Nathan and Api. But it surely has been nice having Mitch and Cooky and Reece Robson as a part of the camp.
“Though it looks as if it’s disrupted and there might be some on the market who will say the Blues are confused, that couldn’t be farther from the reality.”
CAM SMITH’S MESSAGE FOR DISRESPECTFUL MAROON
– Peter Badel
Queensland hierarchy have put Reece Walsh on discover about bagging the Blues as fired-up NSW gamers put together to take revenge on the Maroons fullback in Origin II tonight.
Maroons assistant Cameron Smith has revealed Walsh obtained “suggestions” from staff bosses after the Origin debutant blasted the Blues following Queensland’s 26-18 win within the sequence opener.
Walsh was excellent in his Origin debut and later rubbed salt into the Blues’ wounds with some verbal uppercuts in response to claims the 20-year-old Broncos younger gun could be focused in his maiden Maroon outing.
“They suppose they’re higher than everybody down there in blue,” Walsh mentioned in Queensland’s dressing room after Origin I.
“Everybody thinks I’m not a troublesome footballer. The place I come from is a troublesome space, mate. I’ve acquired greater brothers. It’s been robust my entire life.
“Come out right here and bash me. I’m up for it. I’ll be able to go once more and I’m trying ahead to it.
“After all I (needed to show a degree). They thought I wasn’t prepared and wasn’t as much as it.”
Queensland coach Billy Slater has no real interest in giving the Blues pointless ammunition and is cultivating a Maroons ethos underpinned by respect and the traditional African time period ‘Ubuntu’ – exhibiting humanity to others.
Walsh has grow to be an Origin villain to the Blues.
It’s understood Blues gamers are filthy on Walsh making ‘shoosh’ gestures along with his finger after Queensland’s win in Recreation One. The NSW camp additionally took word of Walsh doing a karate-style mid-air kick catching a bomb and pulling Jarome Luai’s hair.
Smith mentioned the Maroons have spoken to Walsh about his adrenaline-fuelled feedback in regards to the Blues.
“We noticed these feedback, yeah,” he mentioned.
“I feel Reece acquired a bit of little bit of suggestions and he has learnt from that.
“He received’t make that mistake once more.
“I noticed Reece within the lobby this morning and he had a giant smile on his face, so he is able to go.”
Walsh final week spoke of his remorse at criticising the Blues, admitting feelings acquired the higher of him in Adelaide.
“The feelings had been excessive coming off a win,” he mentioned.
“There was a number of stuff mentioned about me in the course of the week and I most likely let that get too far forward of myself.
“On the finish of the day, I like Queensland and I like placing on this jersey. I like going to battle.
“I’ve acquired a number of respect for anybody that places on a jersey, goes on the market and places their physique on the road for his or her teammates, state and households.
“I’ll look ahead to the challenges. That’s what comes with being a fullback and doing my job.”
Smith mentioned the Maroons had been 1-17 “at this stage”, however hasn’t dominated out a late change that might see Reuben Cotter pitchforked into the beginning facet forward of Jeremiah Nanai, who’s tipped to start out from the bench.
MUNSTER HAS SOME HORRIBLE ORIGIN HISTORY TO OVERCOME
– Peter Badel and Travis Meyn
The brand new King of Queensland is again at his citadel and able to lead the Maroons to State of Origin glory.
Cameron Munster will play his first Origin match at Suncorp Stadium in two years when the Maroons look to clinch back-to-back sequence victories towards the NSW Blues on Wednesday night time.
A sea of Maroon among the many 52,000 screaming followers at The Cauldron is a world away from the rental home Munster was curled up in in the course of the Covid isolation which dominated him out of Queensland’s epic decider win on house soil final 12 months.
Now he desires redemption after lacking out on the 2022 Suncorp soiree.
Munster, 28, was sitting in an Airbnb with patchy web on the Sunshine Coast after testing optimistic to Covid together with teammate Murray Taulagi simply days earlier than the decider.
The Maroons had been written off with out their champion five-eighth however conjured an unlikely 22-12 victory with debutant Tom Dearden starring in Munster’s absence.
However Munster should rewrite the historical past books if Queensland is to wrap up the sequence earlier than a visit to Sydney on July 12 for the finale.
The Maroons have misplaced sport two in the entire previous 5 sequence – with Munster the one present Queenslander to have featured in each a type of defeats.
“I’ve received each sport I’ve performed at Suncorp, bar one,” he mentioned.
“I don’t thoughts Suncorp so hopefully I can go on the market and rewrite historical past and show all of the critics incorrect that I’m not only a sport one or sport three participant.
“The Blues are just about enjoying their grand ultimate when you concentrate on it.
“I actually need to ensure I can go two-nil up in a sequence. That’s one thing I’ve by no means had earlier than.
“We don’t need to put strain on ourselves in sport three in entrance of a hostile crowd.”
THE MAN TASKED WITH KEEPING THE NSW BLUES SAFE ON CAXTON ST
– Dean Ritchie
Meet the smiling safety guard tasked with defending $12m price of NSW rugby league expertise.
Koniseti Liutai – or just Koni to gamers – is the person who retains the State of Origin Blues secure and away from hassle.
When you spot a NSW participant, Liutai received’t be far-off.
Greater than only a hardened safety guard, Liutai has grow to be a buddy and confidant to many gamers, who typically name him “uncle.”
The 53-year-old has been a much-loved member of NSW’s behind-the-scenes household for the previous 9 years.
“I’m all the time searching for the gamers and ensuring once we exit they’re secure and that they hold picture for the sport,” Liutai mentioned.
“As their safety, I mainly escort them in every single place they go and keep watch over them once we’re out in public or socialising.
“I’ve been lucky that the blokes give me some respect and maintain me in a class of having the ability to speak to. Generally I get to share their triumphs and troubles.
“I’ve grow to be a shoulder to lean on now and again and somebody to have a giggle with. Among the boys name me uncle.
“I drop every thing to be right here. If I used to be abroad, I might bounce on a airplane to be right here. I adore it. I’m near all of the gamers.”
COWBOY UP: CLUBMATES PROMISE TO TARGET LONE BLUE
– Travis Meyn
Queensland’s Cowboys contingent have vowed to present Blues debutant Reece Robson a brutal welcome to the Origin furnace.
Robson is predicted to be thrust into NSW’s beginning facet in Wednesday night time’s sudden-death Origin blockbuster towards Queensland at Suncorp Stadium.
Robson, 25, will grow to be simply the fourth Cowboys participant to drag on a Blues Origin jersey within the membership’s 28-year historical past.
Tim Brasher was the primary in 2000 adopted by Origin madman Luke O’Donnell (2006) and Kiwi convert James Tamou (2012).
He’ll confront 4 of his Cowboys teammates in Reuben Cotter, Valentine Holmes, Murray Taulagi and Jeremiah Nanai – and so they received’t be doing him any favours in league’s hardest area.
“He’s constructed for this sport. It’s been a very long time coming for Robbo,” Holmes mentioned.
“He’s labored actually exhausting on his craft and I’m excited to see how he goes.
“I used to be very glad for him to get chosen, however he’s on the opposite facet. He’s not my mate for that 80 minutes.
“There’s 4 Cowboys on this staff and certainly one of him. He’ll have just a few of us to look out for.”
Recreation one man-of-the-match Cotter will come face-to-face with Robson within the center third and vowed to get caught into his Cowboys teammate.
“He’s an amazing participant, I’m excited to see how he goes,” he mentioned.
“It’s well-deserved and has been a very long time coming for him. He’s bodily and I like that about him. I attempt to be as bodily as I can, enjoying within the center.
“He does rather a lot for our staff defensively and works more durable than anybody else.
“If he runs at me I’ll be eager to get underneath him.”
EXPERTS TIPS: WINNER, MARGIN AND MORE
Pamela Whaley
Queensland by 14
Why: Historical past alone says NSW can’t beat the Maroons at house with a sequence on the road, however no Mitchell, Cleary or Koroisau makes it even more durable.
Man of the match: Cameron Munster
First strive: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Michael Carayannis
NSW by 1
Why: In one of many nice Origin moments, NSW a primed to do a Queensland on Queensland to maintain the sequence alive.
Man of the match: James Tedesco
First strive: Tyson Frizell
Dean Ritchie
NSW by 8
Why: Dismissed, condemned and criticised, the NSW facet have united in a bid to drag off one of many nice upsets in Origin historical past.
Man of the match: Junior Paulo
First strive: Josh Addo-Carr
Peter Badel
Queensland by 16
Why: The Blues will sorely miss Latrell Mitchell and Nathan Cleary. Maroons aces Cameron Munster and Reece Walsh will weave their magic to wrap up the sequence.
Man of the match: Reece Walsh
First strive: Xavier Coates
Phil Rothfield
NSW by 6
Why: That is most likely a tip extra from the center. Nevertheless, if the Blues can get some 50/50 calls go their approach, if Mitchell Moses steps up and if Payne Haas can dominate within the center, who is aware of? An upset is on the playing cards.
Man of the match: Payne Haas
First strive: Tom Trbojevic
Fatima Kdouh
NSW by 8
Why: Like he’s accomplished earlier than for Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium, Payne Haas will assist carry the Blues to victory in a breakout Origin efficiency.
Man of match: Payne Haas
First strive: Stephen Crichton
David Riccio
NSW by 6
Why: Historical past beckons. The Blues bombed three sure tries in Adelaide. Even a marginal enchancment might be sufficient to sq. the sequence.
Man of the match: Mitchell Moses
First strive: Xavier Coates
Travis Meyn
Queensland by 6
Why: I made a idiot of myself tipping the Blues in Adelaide and I received’t make the identical mistake twice.
Man of the match: Cameron Munster
First strive: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Paul Crawley
Queensland by 8
Why: As a lot as I’d like to see the Blues hold the sequence alive I simply can’t see it taking place at Suncorp Stadium with out Nathan Cleary and Latrell Mitchell.
Man of the match: Cameron Munster
First strive: Xavier Coates
Brent Learn
Queensland by 2
Why: The Maroons might be backed by a crowd of fifty,000 screaming Queenslanders and that needs to be sufficient, together with the category of Reece Walsh, to get them over the road.
Man of the match: Reece Walsh
First strive: Xavier Coates
Initially revealed as State of Origin Recreation 2: QLD Maroons v NSW Blues, staff information, begin time, how one can watch, dwell stream