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Maroons plot response for Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium
By
AAP
Queensland mostly have their current coaching staff to thank for an incredible record in State of Origin deciders.
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But Harry Grant knows Maroons legends Billy Slater, Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Greg Inglis can only do so much from the sideline at Suncorp Stadium on July 13.
That quartet have been a thorn in the side of NSW as Queensland chalked up an incredible eight wins from the past nine series deciders.
Their standing as Origin greats and the knowledge Queensland will be playing at home, soothes some burns after NSW beat them to a pulp in a 44-12 Perth domination on Sunday.
The Blues made seven changes for that game, something hooker Grant doesn’t think Queensland need to follow to get a similar response in Brisbane.
Instead, they want to get the errors out of their game and vacuum as much up from their all-star coaching staff’s collective rugby league IQ to swing the tide.
“If anyone’s to sit in our meetings or listen to our coaches, we have a wealth of knowledge that’s been through everything in our game, especially in Origin and in deciders,” he said.
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“They know what it’s like. A lot of us will be looking at them, trying to get as much out of them as we can.
“They’ve probably been the ones playing them (the deciders). It’s good to have them in our corner but it won’t just happen because of that stat.
“We’ve got to make it happen.”
Grant again came on early but this time shared the field with starting hooker Ben Hunt in a tactical shift from game one forced by the injury to Reuben Cotter.
Josh Papalii again was used briefly to bookend the game, while bench backrower Jeremiah Nanai was quiet in his second game.
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A shoulder injury for Cameron Munster and Kalyn Ponga’s concussion that will keep him out of Newcastle’s NRL clash on Friday are also issues for Slater.
Grant felt like Queensland were in the game though before errors mounted and weight of possession told in a five-try second half for NSW.
“It was a few small moments that accumulated,” he said.
“I don’t think you can question our efforts. They just played a good brand of footy.
“That’s (the prospect of changes) for Billy and the coaches but we have a really close group here and everyone’s earnt that jersey.”
