‘We won’t let this slip’: Blues vow to pile more misery on Maroons
One of NSW’s most experienced players, Damien Cook, has warned the Blues won’t show any mercy to embattled Queensland and will learn from mistakes of the past as they seek a historic series clean sweep.
Less than 24 hours after being told they will need to win all three games in enemy territory for a first whitewash in 21 years, Cook has given an insight into the determination of Brad Fittler’s NSW to embarrass the Maroons.
Damien Cook has promised to put the foot on the throat in the State of Origin series finale.Credit:Getty
Game three has been moved to Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium after the NSW government told the NRL on Saturday it wouldn’t allow for crowds at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium.
It means the Blues will only have a short bus ride across the Tweed before the match, which will herald the NSW debuts of halfback Mitchell Moses and interchange player Api Koroisau. Koroisau has been the Blues’ 18th man for the first two games of the series.
How Fittler uses Cook and the Penrith hooker will be one of the more intriguing subplots with Moses and Dally M Medal winner Jack Wighton to form a new halves pairing.
“We’ve been doing turn for turn, sharing the role at training,” Cook said of his partnership with Koroisau. “It’s been great to have him here and watch each other and tip each other up on certain things as well.
“We’re different hookers so it’s good to learn from each other. He’s got great perception around the ruck. He plays a bit slower and a lot more deceptive around the ruck compared to me. I’m trying to learn off him and maybe I’ve taught him something too, I don’t know.”
Storm veteran Dale Finucane has been handed the vice-captaincy by Fittler despite not having played a game in the series to date.
He will come into the 17 in place of Saifiti and then be asked to make a call on his future with number of clubs throwing their hat in the ring for one of the most respected players in the game.
NSW trained at Kingscliff on Sunday and will finalise their preparations with a captain’s run on Tuesday.
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