NSW Blues enforcer Beau Scott is making no secret of a plan to resume targeting Queensland playmaker Johnathan Thurston in next Wednesday’s State of Origin opener.
Thurston was left fuming after coming in for heavy treatment as Scott helped Newcastle beat North Queensland in round two of the NRL season.
The superstar was crunched late three times and left with a black eye while Scott was charged with a dangerous throw on Thurston but escaped suspension.
Scott says he will again be out to unsettle the Maroons playmaker in Origin I at ANZ Stadium.
“It’s sort of the role of the people that play in my position – to shut down the halves and the five-eighths of the team and the ones that make the difference,” he said.
In the fallout from the Knights’ fiery meeting with North Queensland in Townsville, Thurston said he would expect Newcastle players to take more care not to tip players on their heads in the wake of the Alex McKinnon incident.
Newcastle great Andrew Johns described Scott’s late tackle on Thurston as a “cheap shot”.
With NSW’s Bash Brothers – Paul Gallen (hip) and Greg Bird (suspension) – missing, the Blues will look to Scott to provide extra defensive starch and put the Maroons off their game.
While Scott will be the side’s new chief enforcer, he predicted debutants Josh Jackson and David Klemmer would provide plenty of mongrel as well.
“I’m sure they’re both willing to put their hands up and they’re both big boppers,” Scott said.
MJB
Guest
Yawn. So Origin is likely to be another niggle fest because the refs don't have the balls to police cheap shots.
Renegade
Roar Guru
your'e using Third-man Thaiday and the ankle twisting, headbutting grub Myles as examples of what real players do..... HA! Classic.
Renegade
Guest
Yeah i'm glad somebody told him his dreaming.... If JT was to have actually done something like that, it would put other QLDer's like Third Man Thaiday and grubs like Smith, Myles, Parker and Hodges to shame.
Wolly
Roar Guru
I didn't actually say they didn't try for the full eighty minutes. Do I think NSW tried in Game 3? Yes. Do I think NSW tried their hardest in Game 3? No. It is not the same thing in my opinion. Think about it this way, I have been a long time reader of this forum and have only recently signed up, so I know you're a passionate Cowboys fan. Say the Cowboys were leading the competition by 4 points at the end of round 25. They have the minor premiership wrapped up regardless of results and as proven by the Rabbitohs last year and the Sea Eagles in 2011 winning the final game prior to the finals is not vital to winning the premiership. Would you want the Cowboys players to give that final match everything they've got, risking fatigue and exhaustion for the following match, or worse potential injuries?
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Maybe the word tanking was the incorrect one, but it was definitely better than saying they threw the game because they had won the series. Or in your words they didn't try for the full 80 minutes. Same difference in my opinion, but whatever floats your boat. I have played team sport and I cannot fathom anyone going into a game not expecting to win. Why bother turning up? I appreciate my views don't carry any weight with you, but you did make a statement and I was simply commenting.
Wolly
Roar Guru
Tanked the game? No I don't think that. There's a difference between tanking and not giving your absolute all. Have you played sport? Do you honestly think NSW players, knowing the series was already won, would have felt the need to put in every last bit of energy they had in the game and leave nothing left in the tank at the end of the 80?
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
I'd counter that NSW were faced with the awesome prospect of ending an 8 year losing streak with a 3-0 Bluewash. How brilliant a narrative is that, the stuff of Origin folklore. It would have been up there with the 95 Maroons effort that we're always hearing about. Personally, I think this would have far outweighed any club considerations. Anyway, it worries me that Qld scored more in one game than NSW did across the entire series. Depth always has a disproportionate effect on one side when compared to the other. Player for player, if a NSW halfback goes down, there's probably four or five reasonable contenders (something that fuels the neve-rending selection speculation in the Sydney media).However, if a Qld halfback goes down, there's one or two. This is why I get so frustrated with the NSW selction and development strategy. Twice the player depth but can't even win half the games? The Blues should have won at least two-thirds of the contests by now, given the resources at their disposal.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
If he does it legally I couldn't be any happier
Benedict Arnold
Guest
I find it hilarious that Beau Scott is being labelled an enforcer. He takes on the halves, not that much to brag about when they are usually the smallest guys on the park. People forget how useless he was when he played for Australia last year. The shining light for NSW will be David Klemmer. He took to the kiwis last year in the four nations and has a big future if he plays like that next wednesday. When he is out on the field he has that presence about him that hasn't been there since guys like o'meley and o'donnell played.
Don
Roar Rookie
hahaha
up in the north
Roar Rookie
So you honestly think that they somehow tanked the game to be fresh for their club sides? Psst: wanna buy a bridge? Only one owner, good location. You won't be sorry.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Don't have a problem with Scott hitting the playmakers hard and often. I do have a big problem with late and dirty hits though. JT is hard enough to cop his share without complaining. For Scott to come out with this line of dribble is just part of the drama leading up to the game . Of course he is going to try to shut down the halves. It's his job.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Too long. Didn't read.
Triga Hapi
Guest
Hey SQUID you're hilarious! I can't remember what SOO series it was but I can remember Jarryd Hayne starting the fight! I think he too got his arse whooped. In fact I think most of the Blues were "Bruised" from that brawl that day! Look it up! 'Cos I don't want to see how pathetic and humiliating that scene was "again"! But if I may this issue is not about being tough it's about "niggling tactics" 'cos sometimes they most certainly back fire in terms of penalties. Everyone knows that the toughest guys in team sports are the playmakers 'cos they know they're targets and most of the time they put their bodies on the line for their team, teammates, state and country. And you're right it was a dream and a damn awesome dream it was! FYI, I posted this message to say be careful when you wish to do harm to others 'cos it might come back to bite you in the butt. But you probably can't translate what it meant 'cos you're not as smart as you think you are!
Concerned Observer
Guest
Scott's scared of anyone that can match him, not that hard considering the only thing he brings to the table are cheap shots and above-forgettable impact in defence. Expect QLD to antcipate him then stick Thaiday or Nate Myles on him to show him what real players do
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Haha. Did you dream that up Trigger Happy?
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I don't think beau would be terribly scared of Greg Inglis
nopuritan
Guest
Next week he will be Beau Jest
djcooper
Roar Guru
I find it pretty amusing Beau Scott is referred to as a tough guy because he is renowned for his cheap shots on the playmakers. I will be dissapointed if QLD aren't ready for his tactics this year and as soon as he tries it I would expect thaiday or inglis to pull him into line.
Wolly
Roar Guru
Think about it for just one second. The series was already won for NSW. What would be the point of NSW players playing their hearts out risking injury and possible burnout towards the end of the season or having to be rested on the weekend for a dead rubber? Many of the clubs the NSW players play for were contending for spots in the finals and it would be a tad disrespectful for that not to be their main focus once the shield was won considering it is clubs who pay their salary.