Mini out to win fourth Origin series
Anthony Minchiello believes the mood in a State of Origin camp tells a lot about how a team is going to fare and he likes what he's sensing.
The veteran NSW fullback should know what a successful Blues Origin camp feels like - he's played in three winning series.
And he says there are close comparisons between the current squad and the Blues team he was part of that dominated Queensland from 2003 to 2005.
The 31-year-old, who scored the match-winning try in game two after four years in Origin exile, will be lining-up in his 11th Origin in Wednesday week's series decider in Brisbane.
"I was in the squad of 2003, 2004 and 2005 when we had that good run and this is a very similar feeling to what I'm feeling now," Minichiello said.
"All the boys have been texting and ringing each other all week getting ready to come into camp.
"I think the mateship that we've created and the bonds that we've created are for life ... they are a great bunch of blokes.
"It definitely helps when the heat's on out there. You don't want to let your mates down."
Minichiello said it was important not to get too emotional about the game and to concentrate on doing his job.
And with three of the best tactical kickers in the game in Queensland trio Darren Lockyer, Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith firing kicks at him, Minichiello knows he'll have to be on his game to repeat his near-perfect effort from game two.
"That's the toughest part for me, two left-footers and one-right footer. Us guys in the back three have a massive job to do trying to defuse their kicks," he said.
"It's going to be a massive challenge but we're up for it."
Minichiello's only losing Origin series was in 2007 when he was called up for one game for the injured Brett Stewart.
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.