NSW centre Mark Gasnier has vowed to get flying winger Akuila Uate more quality ball when they reunite their fledgling combination in State of Origin II.
While Gasnier was held in check for much of the series opener by Queensland winger and St George Illawarra team-mate Darius Boyd, Uate showed glimpses of his power-running ability with a series of half breaks.
Now Gasnier wants his wingman to create even more havoc in next week’s rematch at ANZ Stadium, and he knows it is up to him to ensure it happens.
“I hope to get `Aku’ a bit more room and maybe a bit more space,” Gasnier said.
“He did a hell of a lot of work running from dummy half and one off the ruck – I’d like to give him a bit more space.”
Asked about the impression Uate created in his first game on rugby league’s biggest stage, Gasnier said:
“He looks built for Origin.
“He’s hard to handle – I’m glad he’s on my team.”
Gasnier claimed the inclusion of Jarryd Hayne on the other wing gave the Blues an added match-winner, with the Parramatta fullback possessing the ability to create something out of nothing.
Never was that more on show than when he marked his Origin debut in 2007 with a spectacular chip and chase try, while he also proved to be NSW’s most influential player from the wing in the 2009 series.
With so many players possessing the ability to bust a game open, Gasnier said the key ingredient for the Blues to turn that into onfield success was time.
“Great players don’t necessarily make a great team – you’ve got to bring a team together, you’ve got to get a structure there, you’ve got to get combinations,” Gasnier said.
“You see it at club level at the start of the competition, it takes teams three or four rounds to get going.
“Time’s the biggest thing and getting to know one and other first and foremost, so that you’re comfortable around each other.
“Then you slowly get to know the little instinctive things they do, their strengths and how you might benefit off that.”
It’s a recipe the Maroons have followed with great success over the years, in particular with the spine of the side with Billy Slater, Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith having been mainstays during their five straight series wins.
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