Blues Origin predicted team: Maguire set to overhaul squad in search of winning combination
New coach Michael Maguire is considering as many as 50 players for the State of Origin series opener with not even captain James Tedesco…
NSW prop James Tamou believes he is playing for his State of Origin future in game three.
Tamou endured his worst Origin performance in the series-losing game two defeat and feared he would be dumped from the Blues side for good.
The North Queensland star said on Wednesday he was determined to make amends in next Wednesday’s Origin III at ANZ Stadium and keep his interstate career alive.
“I know I need a big one to cement anything further ahead of this game,” Tamou said at the Blues Coffs Harbour base on Wednesday.
“Coming off the field I looked at my numbers, I knew I didn’t get many hitups but it was just a bit depressing seeing the numbers that I saw.
“I wanted to make a difference in other areas of the field whether it be first in the tackle or kick-chase. I know what I have to do coming into this game, I want to make a difference. I have to get more involved.
“I have to get in there and get my hands on the ball.”
Tamou managed just four hitups for 40m and 20 tackles in the Blues’ series-ending game two defeat in Brisbane.
“I am not going into game three thinking I have to do 20 hitups I just have to do my job,” he said.
“I have to make my presence a bit more, Laurie said I want you to play like you do at the Cowboys and I get my hands on the ball a bit more at the Cowboys.
“I was upset game two could have been my last game, so I want to have to have a big one in game three.”
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