Fittler Believes Blues Are in 'Good Place' Ahead of State of Origin Game 2
Last updated: Jun 15, 2023, 6:01AM | Published: Jun 15, 2023, 2:56AM
NSW coach Brad Fittler believes the Blues are ready to make history ahead of State of Origin Game 2.
The Blues face a must-win clash at Suncorp Stadium on June 21, with NSW needing to defy State of Origin predictions of a Queensland win in order to stay alive in the series.
Speaking to the media, Fittler said his side is relishing the opportunity to create history at Suncorp Stadium after the Blues lost State of Origin Game 1 at Adelaide Oval.
"It's a good place to be, fighting out of a corner," he said.
No NSW side has ever gone on to win the State of Origin series after losing the opening game at a neutral venue before playing the second in Queensland, and our predictive model's State of Origin Game 2 prediction gives the Maroons a higher winning probability on home soil.
"We're in a position where we've got to win," Fittler said.
"We start today.
"We got them (the team) in today, made sure that we watched every game (of the NRL in Round 15), we were out there yesterday just to see how the Parramatta and Canterbury players went, just to make sure we got the team we wanted."
Brad Fittler concedes he's gambling on some injured stars for Origin II, but it's a risk he's willing to take. 🎲#9WWOS #NRL #Origin pic.twitter.com/TDKaLK5W2Q
— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) June 13, 2023
Fittler admitted that a number of players will come into State of Origin 2023 Game 2 under injury clouds, including Liam Martin (head knock), Latrell Mitchell (calf), and Cameron Murray (groin), but according to the coach, the challenge is "going to be mental."
"We're going to have (some) players not train during the week, so a lot of it's going to be mental and how we go about it," Fittler said.
"He (Latrell) assured me he's alright today; we've been working very closely with South Sydney. Given where Latrell sits in our plans, he'll be given every chance.
"Liam's different; Liam can do some sort of training today, but contact's the big thing, so he won't be doing any contact leading into the game."
QLD vs NSW Game 2 kicks off on Wednesday, June 21 at 8:05pm from Suncorp Stadium.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
