Nine straight series wins may be in their sights but Queensland can no longer “risk” relying on home-ground advantage against a hungry NSW, Maroons legend Darren Lockyer warns.
After Queensland veteran Justin Hodges admitted they were lucky in 2013, Lockyer says the Maroons cannot assume a rabid home crowd will prove the difference in 2014, despite hosting two games.
The Maroons appeared to have the upper hand when the NRL announced Suncorp Stadium would host the series opener on May 28 and game three on July 9.
But former Queensland captain Lockyer was not so sure.
“Queensland will probably go in favourites with two games in Brisbane,” Lockyer in Brisbane on Thursday at the launch of the countdown to Origin’s 100th game on May 28.
“But there’s always that element with Queensland where they rely on home-ground advantage and I think that is sometimes a risk for us.
“NSW have really come a long way. You can sense the hunger below the border is getting more and more each year.”
Hodges knows all too well that NSW are rapidly closing the gap, despite Queensland’s eight years of dominance, saying only a handful of “cool customers” proved the difference in 2013.
“Last year we were lucky to get away with it,” said Hodges, who is racing the clock to overcome an achilles injury to be considered for Origin I.
“And this year will be even tougher. Two games up here will help but I expect NSW to play better than last year.
“The last few seasons NSW have been fantastic.
“It comes down to a mind game.
“We have been lucky to have guys like Cam Smith, JT (Johnathan Thurston) and Coops (Cooper Cronk) who are cool customers and got us over the line.
“Last year was probably the toughest we have played in. This year will be no different.”
NSW coach Laurie Daley believes luck has nothing to do with Queensland’s 2013 series triumph.
“Champion teams like Queensland find a way to win when the going gets tough. We still need to learn that,” he said.
But NSW captain Paul Gallen believes a drama-free preparation will prove the difference.
He revealed just how disruptive the pre-game two arrests of Blake Ferguson (indecent assault) and James Tamou (drink-driving) had been for NSW in 2013.
“Hopefully we can pick the best side we can and have no dramas like last year,” said Gallen, nursing an ankle complaint.
“We played really well in game one and then had dramas with Fergie and Jimmy Tamou.
“We just want to get that side of things right.
“If we do that, there is no reason we can’t get up here and get some wins.
“I love playing here (Brisbane).”
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