State of Origin 2015: underdog status no worry, says Farah

NSW skipper Robbie Farah has played enough State of Origin to know there's nothing he can say to prepare his young teammates for the onslaught they will face from a Queensland team bent on redemption on Wednesday night.

That's why, just a day out from Origin I, he hasn't given any thought to the message he will deliver in the sheds in the moments before kick-off.

While Queensland have the luxury of sticking with experienced superstars, the Blues are without a wealth of experience including skipper Paul Gallen, Greg Bird and Brett Morris, as well as the man most instrumental to their 2014 series triumph, Jarryd Hayne.

It leaves Farah as stand-in captain of a side short on experience for game one but he's avoided overloading his young side with too much information.

"You're in camp for eight days and you don't want to play the game too early," Farah said.

"I think being relaxed is very important and something that Loz [coach Laurie Daley] is very big on. You switch on when it's time to switch on.

"The two boys who are on debut, David Klemmer and Josh Jackson, have been great at training and guys like Fifita, who's back in this arena after a year off ... they obviously can't wait. It just excitement for them.

"We need to enjoy the moment and start well. Queensland will be coming at us from the start, so we need to start well and match that. I won't say much other than that."

In contrast to the Maroons, the Blues have enjoyed a seamless preparation but Farah is aware that can often count for nothing.

"It's been pretty good but preparation's one thing," Farah said.

"The younger boys who haven't been there ask 'what's so different about Origin?' and you try to explain to them that when you think you can't go any more you just have to find something. All the games in last year's series went down to the wire.

"You can have all your fancy plays and you can train all you want but when things are tough out there, you've got to defend your line five and six times in a row, or the penalty count goes against you ... do you quit or do you keep going?

"That's what makes an Origin player and that's what will separate the teams on Wednesday night."

The battle for underdog status has become a yearly tradition.

Daley and Queensland skipper Cameron Smith both made a pitch for it on Monday. Farah is not fussed about who's favourite for the clash but insisted last year's breakthrough series win hasn't put a dent in his side's respect for their rivals.

"They're a great team and you always have to be on your guard against a team like that," Farah said.

"It's not fear, but we respect them and we know what they're capable of. No team wins eight [series] in a row for no reason.

"That loss will be hurting from last year and we're going to have to be wary of that.

"Last year's gone now and we know they're going to want to bounce back."