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Maroon enforcer Neville Costigan has warned NSW five-eighth Trent Barrett Queensland’s forwards will “put one on him” if they get the chance in next Wednesday’s Origin III at Suncorp Stadium.
And Barrett responded from the NSW camp on the central coast, calling on the Blues to turn up the aggression in a bid to avoid an embarrassing series whitewash.
“Whatever happens, happens, I’m sure we’ll handle it,” said Barrett.
Costigan’s warning continues the disdain Queenslanders feel over Barrett’s first-half cheap shot which put centre Greg Inglis out of the second Origin match in Sydney.
Inglis scored the first try and was carving the Blues to shreds before Barrett’s swinging arm knocked him senseless.
The Storm centre, who remains angry over the tackle which earned Barrett a two-game suspension, required dental work but was cleared of cheek and jaw fractures.
“I can’t control what the boys are thinking or doing,” said Inglis.
Fiery customer Costigan, recalled to Origin for the first time since 2006, admitted his blood boiled sitting on the bench as 18th man in Sydney and seeing Inglis cleaned up.
“I think it made every Queenslander a bit angry,” said Costigan.
“It would be good to return the favour,” he added before Queensland held their first training session at Langlands Park on Wednesday afternoon.
“I’d be thinking twice about coming around the forwards … I’m sure if any of the boys get an opportunity, they’ll put one on him.”
Costigan wasn’t suggesting Barrett would be cleaned up by any illegal play.
But his words were a reminder that Barrett was public enemy number one in Queensland and would face a torrid night from a sell-out Queensland crowd.
Bench utility Karmichael Hunt was the only player not to take part in the field session but his solo work with the team physio had the Maroons’ medical staff beaming.
Hunt stretched out at pace and also did some stepping and turning on his ankle, virtually dismissing any concerns about his fitness with seven days until the game.
“He did exactly what we wanted him to do and finished his work strongly,” said team doctor Roy Saunders.
“We were very happy.”
Queensland’s other injury worries, hooker Cameron Smith (shoulder) and back-rower Ashley Harrison (ribs), didn’t appear to have any concerns.
Fullback Billy Slater said it would take a lot to stop Smith playing his 17th Origin.
“He’s a pretty tough character and I’d be shocked if he wasn’t there on Wednesday night,” he said.
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