Unattached Stuart is NSW's key: Ennis
NSW hooker Michael Ennis claims single-minded coach Ricky Stuart looms as the secret weapon to the Blues finally bringing an end to Queensland's State of Origin dynasty.
With no NRL club ties to hold him back, Stuart has been able to devote all his energy hatching a plan to dethrone the Maroons, much in the same way Queensland coach Mal Meninga has been able to do throughout his five-year reign.
It's a factor Ennis believes will be crucial in having his side as prepared as possible for next week's series opener at Suncorp Stadium.
"Walking into camp yesterday, there was a different feel and Ricky is a coach not in the NRL," Ennis said on Tuesday.
"... you could just tell that over the six months or so that he's had the job, that him and his staff have put in a hell of a lot of preparation and I think us players are going to really reap the benefits of that in the next eight days.
"He's got no contact to clubs, he's been able to draw a lot of information.
"If he was working at the Sharks and he was ringing the Dragons asking for feedback on their players, they wouldn't have given him a lot because it's giving the enemy information."
Now the only enemy Stuart has is Queensland, and with his squad finally all together after Greg Bird's arrival following Gold Coast's loss to Manly on Monday's night, it was hard not to notice the air of confidence surrounding the NSW camp.
What is also clear is that the Blues couldn't care less what their rivals north of the border are doing, with Queensland's hyped up team naming - complete with music accompanying each player - barely raising an eyebrow within the NSW squad.
"They're entitled to do what they like, they've got the trophy there," Ennis said.
"... I think at times we put too much emphasis on what Queensland are going to throw at us.
"It's important that we ensure that we get our game right and go there and play the way we want to play rather than worry about what Queensland are going to do in their preparation or how they're going to play.
"The next 10 days is about us and what we're going to do.
"With their success and the amount of media hype around the Queensland side and how good they've gone, people tend to get caught up on what they're going to do and how they're going to turn up."
While he said he would be keen to play the entire 80 minutes at Suncorp Stadium next week, Ennis said he didn't know too much about his role within the squad.
Waiting on the bench is St George Illawarra utility Dean Young, who will no doubt spell the Canterbury hooker at some stage but can also give some minutes in the back row.
Young's club combination with Dragons teammates Jamie Soward, Mark Gasnier, Beau Scott, Brett Morris and bench forwards Trent Merrin and Ben Creagh was seen as central to his selection in the Blues squad, and he is sure to figure prominently in Stuart's planning.
"I'd love to (play 80 minutes) but Dean's there for a reason and Ricky sees a role for him too," Ennis said.
The Blues on Tuesday called in Bulldogs centre Jamal Idris as 18th man, and he'll act as cover for the outside backs and back row.
While no NSW players are in any doubt for the match, centre mark Gasnier has revealed he may be a late scratching due to the imminent birth of his first child.
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