Green backs Blues to pack a punch
The State of Origin finale is in danger of turning into a farcical night of spite with world boxing champion Danny Green - who will address NSW before they run out on Wednesday night - warning the Blues to get stuck in before Queensland get their chance.
With the series already decided and little more than pride on the line, the fiery final minutes of last year's rugged dead rubber look set to be repeated for 80 minutes at ANZ Stadium as the rival outfits look to settle old scores.
Maroons veteran Petero Civoniceva on Monday revealed Queensland players had prepared a dossier of roughhouse tactics from the opening two games they would seek retribution for, with the northerners seemingly struggling for motivation on the back of five straight series wins.
The Blues were gagged from responding to Civoniceva's taunts, as they let Green - who will present the players with their jumpers at the team dinner on Tuesday night - take up the fight.
"My message to the boys on Wednesday night will be 'you've got to go out there and strike first and dominate them and instil your will against them, and if they start trying to fire back, shut them down'," Green said.
"When the siren goes they're going to really want to have a crack ... and if a stinks on, get in there, one in all in and I think Craig's (NSW coach Craig Bellamy) going to give them those instructions too.
"They've (Queensland) got a spreadsheet, they think they're going to get a bit of payback.
"I'm sure whatever they're going to throw at them the boys are going to be able to handle."
Green gave the entire squad and coaching staff a close-up look at his wares as he sparred for six rounds in the ring at Parramatta Stadium ahead of his July 21 bout with Paul Briggs, where he will defend his IBO cruiserweight world title.
The Blues players were noticeably impressed with the power of the display, Green left hoping the likes of NSW firebrands Anthony Watmough and Paul Gallen had take a few pointers.
"There's a couple of loose ones in there, Choc's in there, I'm sure he's going to have a dig and my message is one in all in," Green said.
"Tonight was really just showing them what I go through and what I do in preparation for a world title and really Wednesday night for them, it's as good as a world title fight for these guys."
Asked if he would have a private rev-up session with Watmough, Green said: "I don't think I have to - guys like Choc, they don't need a switch to turn on, they need a switch to turn off.
"Once they get over that line they like to go for it and I think the game needs guys like that in the team, it lets the opposition know that there's a bit of fire there."
The venture out to watch Green's session was the only commitment for the Blues on what was a rest day on Monday. The team will hold their final training session on Tuesday afternoon.
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.