Inglis respects Jennings' footwork
Queensland hooker Cameron Smith says electrifying NSW centre Michael Jennings could spend much of his second State of Origin match tackling rather than showing off his attacking genius.
Jennings has shifted sides for Origin III and will now oppose Maroons magic man Greg Inglis - the Storm star having a score to settle with the Blues after being taken out in the second game in Sydney by five-eighth Trent Barrett whose "cheap shot" earned him two weeks on the sidelines.
Stopping either Queensland centre, Inglis or Justin Hodges, is no easy defensive assignment.
Jennings though will strike Inglis in a mood to "finish the job" after he had his teeth loosened and jaw bruised in the first half of Origin II just as he was threatening to take the Blues apart.
Asked about the tactical switch after Blues coach Craig Bellamy was forced into late changes by injury, Storm hooker Smith said Jennings would be in for a busy night up against his clubmate.
"They're both great players but I think everyone knows when they come up against Greg they're going to have a busy night in defence," said Smith.
"Greg's played really well for us in the two games, or the time he had in the second game, and if he brings that form into this game, I'm sure Jennings will be having a hectic night."
Inglis, who has never lined up on the same side as Jennings, had nothing but respect for the dynamic young Panther and his ability to make his opponents look silly.
"He's there for a reason. I'll be well aware of him and he does have very good footwork," said Inglis who could interchange with right winger Willie Tonga during the game.
"I haven't gone up against him before. Hopefully he won't get a break and I will. I just hope he doesn't run me down."
Smith has no doubt Inglis was headed for a special Origin in Sydney had he stayed on the park.
"He'd only had a few runs, scored a try and scattered five defenders on a 50 metre break," Smith said.
"That's the sort of thing Greg can do.
"We need to keep giving him some early ball and keep giving him time with the ball in his hands."
Smith conceded NSW could target Inglis again on Wednesday night.
"We can't control what's going to happen on the field. If someone gets targeted, they get targeted. It's Origin and you have to take those things as they come," he said.
Queensland forward Neville Costigan said last week Barrett could expected to "have one put on him" if he ventured anywhere near the forwards.
But Smith said Inglis wasn't the type to seek retribution with his fists.
"Greg's not a bloke who looks for revenge in a physical way and neither are any of the boys in our team," Smith said.
"We'd rather go out and put some points on the NSW team than start some fights.
"We're not thinking about what happened in game two because that's gone now."
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