Emotional game for decider In Brisbane

Queensland forward Sam Thaiday said high shots on teammates Greg Inglis and Corey Parker were to be expected in Origin football after NSW set the scene for one of the most emotional games in State of Origin’s 31-year history at Suncorp Stadium next month.

Ricky Stuart’s desperate Blues delivered in front of almost 82,000 fans at ANZ Stadium but they will have to overcome a ferocious Brisbane sell-out crowd on July 6 in champion five-eighth Darren Lockyer’s 36th and final Origin to decide the series.

Inglis was stunned by a late and high tackle by NSW captain Paul Gallen while Parker was left dazed on the ground after also copping a high shot from Blues hooker Michael Ennis in the 19th minute.

“That’s Origin footy, it’s to be expected, it was a tough game,” said Thaiday, who had several run-ins with Ennis.

“They had to play 100 miles an hour and play for 80 minutes to beat us.

“I’m looking forward to going back to Queensland and winning the series up there.”

Thaiday, however, said Ennis was lucky to have Gallen dragging him out of the confrontations.

“I think he was very lucky out there to have Paul Gallen pulling his head in,” said the Brisbane backrower.

“He’s good at doing it and I got to laugh back in his face a few times.

“That’s Mickey Ennis and that’s how he plays.”

Meninga wasn’t as forgiving, referring Gallen’s “nasty” tackle on Inglis to the judiciary, which also looked at a lifting tackle by Lockyer on Blues forward Anthony Watmough late in the second half, without laying any charges.

“We’ve sent it (Gallen’s tackle) to the judiciary and also the hit on Corey (Parker),” said Meninga after the loss.

Inglis was always willing to let Gallen’s tackle slide.

“It is Origin,” he said, still a little groggy from the head shot.

“He didn’t miss me at all but you’ve just got to get on with the game, it’s the way it goes.”

Like all his teammates, Inglis was looking forward to going back to Brisbane to be part of something “very special”.

“We are all saying don’t do it for Lockyer, do it for ourselves, but the next game will definitely be emotional up there in Brisbane,” Inglis said.

Meninga was asked if he’d look at taking a leaf out of coach Ricky Stuart’s book and make changes for the decider.

“I have to be honest, that’s a silly question,” he said.

“I’ve got faith in my team and they’ll be playing game three in Brisbane.”

Brisbane centre Justin Hodges, who is expecting to return from a hamstring injury against St George Illawarra on Friday night, is the only expected change to Meninga’s third game line-up.