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NSW Origin skipper Paul Gallen is happy for Queensland to put a target on his head – particularly if the extra attention helps return the State of Origin shield south of the border.
Tagged ‘Public Enemy No.1′ after unleashing a flurry of punches on Nate Myles in the Blues’ series-opening win, Gallen says he would welcome the Maroons playing the man rather than the ball in seeking retribution.
Gallen admitted to being surprised at the lack of hostility from fans in the lead-up to the game, and believes the Maroons could play into the Blues’ hands if they make him the focus on Wednesday night.
“That’s fine, if they want to target me I’ve got 16 other blokes behind me that are going to be right there with me,” Gallen said at Tuesday’s match-eve press conference.,
“If they want to concentrate on me, there’s a lot more strike power on the field than me.
“If they just want to worry about me I’ll be happy with that.”
The opportunity for Myles to exact some personal revenge has been negated by the NRL’s new crackdown on fighting, with any playing throwing a punch facing the prospect of a stint in the sin-bin.
While admitting “nobody likes not being liked”, Gallen has been surprised by the lack of abuse he has received since arriving in Brisbane late Sunday night.
Local radio station Nova unveiled a light-hearted ‘Paul Gallen Punch’ water bottle which carried the slogan ‘It’ll let you go for Myles’, while the Courier Mail newspaper published a number of photos from game one depicting Gallen committing illegal plays.
The report claimed Gallen was guilty of hypocrisy, given he stated the reason he unloaded with a series of punches on Myles was because the Maroons enforcer had been guilty of niggling tactics.
Gallen failed to shy away from his no-holes-barred approach.
“I’ve never said I’m an angel,” Gallen said.
“I just go out there and play the game.
“I don’t think I was penalised for any tackles in game one besides the fight.”
Whether he is targetted or not, Gallen knows he has to be a focal point of an inexperienced Blues front row if NSW are to win their first series since 2005.
Starting front-rower Aaron Woods is making his Origin debut, while Andrew Fifita is playing just his second game in the sky blue and Trent Merrin his sixth.
“I’ll be doing my best to play with a lot of energy and to get good line speed and some good touches early,” Gallen said.
“Hopefully the boys can feed off that.
“Like we did in game one, we feed off each other.”
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