Frizell, Blues determined to avoid State of Origin mistakes of 2017

The St George Illawarra forward is one of just six players remaining from last year’s capitulation, in which the Blues let slip a 10-point lead at halftime of game two at ANZ Stadium before being blown off the park by the Maroons in a deciding game three. 

Having experienced the heartbreak of 2017, Frizell is determined to ensure the Blues close out the series this weekend.

“In game two last year we should have wrapped up the game in the second half, but we didn’t,” Frizell said.

“But it’s a new team, a lot of fresh new faces and it brings a new culture and a new sense of belief. 

“We can take a bit of confidence out of game one, but we need to be better this week.”  

While the two sides were relatively evenly matched for large portions of game one, NSW executed when it mattered most to close out the game in the second half. Frizell is bracing himself for a much improved Queensland performance on Sunday. 

“We just need to prepare better than we did in game one. We need to be better in everything that we do and we know that Queensland are going to be better as well.”

Blues captain Boyd Cordner admits the side played within themselves in game two last year as they attempted to protect a lead and he’s confident the team has learnt from those mistakes.

“Probably the biggest lesson to take out of last year, we went away from what worked so well for us at the start of that series,” Cordner said.

“That was going after the game and I thought late in that second half we just turned and tried to save the game instead of going after it.

“There are some lessons to be learnt and we know that the challenge is in front of us. We know Queensland’s going to be stronger and hungrier than ever.

“It’s definitely going to be a tougher task trying to shut the series out here in Sydney, but we’ll be preparing well and we’ll be up for it.”

The fallout from last year’s series defeat was long and difficult, with coach Laurie Daley axed and new coach Brad Fittler implementing sweeping changes to the side. Reports that filtered out of camp indicated some players had prepared as if the series was already wrapped up. 

Given what went down last year, Cordner is confident the side will remain focused on achieving their sole goal, a State of Origin series victory. 

“I don’t think complacency will be an issue. We can take a lot of lessons from last year’s game two. Just coming into camp already and knowing the feeling, the boys are probably hungrier than what they were in game one.

“That’s a good sign with it being a short week as well. We haven’t got many training sessions, so we have to make them count.”

The Queensland cause has been bolstered by the return of fullback Billy Slater and the inclusion of Kalyn Ponga in their squad. Like this year, Slater missed game one in 2017 and his impact on the squad in the second and third matches was significant. 

“Billy Slater brings so much experience to that team,” Cordner said. “He’s been there and done it before, everyone knows the quality of player he is, we’ll be wary of him.”