NSW coach Brad Fittler is relying on his staff and players to know how to prepare for a fly-in and fly-out State of Origin match in Brisbane.
The Blues will be forced to travel straight to Suncorp Stadium from the chartered flight after being denied time in a hotel to relax before the match by Queensland government.
They will then fly straight back to Sydney following the game.
It’s added another layer of difficulty to an already tough task of playing a decider in Queensland for Fittler, who is yet to win a game as Blues coach at Suncorp Stadium.
Sydney-based media will also be locked out of the event if they have not quarantined for 14 days.
It comes as the Queensland government is set to lift restrictions on crowds on Tuesday, allowing a full capacity crowd to flood into Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
“It’s fantastic, it’s a shame that we can’t get as many NSW people as we’d have liked, a lot of our families won’t be able to go up but they’ll be watching on TV,” Fittler said.
“What an experience for a lot of these players who haven’t experienced a 50,000 crowd at Suncorp so I envy them running out there.”
But in order to prepare for the decider, Fittler is taking advice from his players and staff who have dealt with odd travel arrangements all season.
The timing of training and rest periods will be most important for the Blues as they chase a third straight series.
After an already gruelling campaign, Fittler said the strain on the players has been tougher than he imagined playing over three consecutive weeks.
“They’re pretty battered,” he said.
“They do a lot of reporting and a lot of self-assessing the players and it’s not just bruises, it’s all sorts of things.
“It’s been gruelling. Watching them come out and work hard is extremely satisfying.
“For them, it’s a workout. Constantly.
“But that’s why you have the best staff around you so you get an idea about how they’re feeling and what they can do.
“The players give feedback too. They’re pretty professional.
“They want to be at their optimum and they know how to get there.”
Emcie
Roar Guru
I think we’ll have to just disagree on this one mate, given the article was about the difficulties of having to fly in and out for the decider it seemed pretty clear to me that the “campaign” was the Origin series so far.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
But that was preceded by “After an already gruelling campaign”. Meaning the NRL season. And I’d say that thought process relates to both squads. Tough year. They’ve all done well. “Are you not entertained”
Paul
Roar Guru
I think this is a beat up by a NSW based reporter, which makes Fittler's actual comments sound worse, thanks to the tale of woe the writer surrounds Freddie's comments with. The reality is, this SOO series is no harder than say a Kangaroo tour or a WC campaign, bar the quarantine rules, which the squads should be well and truly used to by now.
andrew
Roar Rookie
C'mon Barry, the showers are hot.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Don't know why Fittler's complaining about having to fly in and fly out. QLD had to do it in Sydney. Stop wining Bradley.
Tony
Roar Guru
And cold showers and blocked toilets in the dressing rooms no doubt
Emcie
Roar Guru
I dunno mate, the article states that "the strain on the players has been tougher than he imagined playing over three consecutive weeks". Seems a bit rich considering their opponents have had to travel twice (and further) while NSW are coming off a home game.
Nat
Roar Rookie
And we're gonna give them the crappiest, busted little bus as well. Straight to the stadium via Ipswich. Keary knows where he's going...
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I’d say he’s referring to the entire year. Not just this Origin campaign. Going from one bubble to the next. The mental side of things would be extraordinary on the players. “... it’s not just bruises, it’s all sorts of things”.
Emcie
Roar Guru
I'm sure there have been difficulties but can we really describe two games in two weeks after most players have had a couple weeks off as a "grueling campaign"? Surely playing mid-season and having to fly home after each game to back up for a club game a couple days later like they've been doing for years is tougher on the body.