By Australia Correspondent Rachel Morton
Kick off in Origin three is just hours away with some calling it the biggest game in the history of rugby league.
Queensland are hoping to win a seventh straight series but the Blues say that won't be easy.
As they strolled through Brisbane today the Blues appeared confident and relaxed but it won't be so carefree on the field tonight in front of a Queensland crowd as they vie for their first series win in seven years.
But coach Ricky Stuart says this time things are different.
“We’re not intimidated anymore,” says Stuart
The game will be the 19th clash between Ricky Stuart and Maroons coach Mal Maninga - both as players and coaches.
Stuart has come out top 10 times to eight.
“Mal and I both want what Mal's got at the moment and that's where the rivalry is. I want something that Mal's got and he want to keep what he's got and doesn't want to give it to me,” says Stuart.
The Maroons are missing key player Billy Slater at fullback but Maninga says they can go all the way without him.
“We've got heaps of different plays but I can't tell you because we've got to put it on out there so if I did tell you now I'd have to kill you,” laughs Maninga.
The only debutant is New Zealand born Ben Te'o - the Broncos second rower brought in for his big hits.
“We're not going to be stupid about it, it's not about bashing people and things like that, it's about being really aggressive mentally as well as physically,” says Maninga.
The game has drawn more attention than any other in Origin's 32-year history.
“I'm very privileged to be in this position in what's probably one of the biggest games in rugby league history. It's about making a dream become a reality,” says Stuart.
A loss for the Blues would not only shatter a dream but put the Maroons in ‘seventh heaven.’
3 News
source: newshub archive
