Blues Need to Defy History to Claim 2023 State of Origin
Last updated: Jun 13, 2023, 11:30PM | Published: Jun 7, 2023, 1:55AM
New South Wales players say they are ready to make history and secure the 2023 State of Origin series following their Game 1 defeat at Adelaide Oval.
No NSW team has ever lost the opening game of State of Origin and subsequently triumphed over Queensland in Brisbane before winning the decider.
After losing Game 1 in Adelaide, where Stats Insider's State of Origin tips favoured NSW, the Blues must now do what no NSW team has done before.
"The belief is still as strong as ever, and I am really keen to get it back out there and make amends for it," NSW second-rower Liam Martin said.
"We have obviously given ourselves a big job, but I am really looking forward to it, and we are all going to embrace it."
Despite some State of Origin predictions suggesting a challenging rest of the series for NSW, back-rower Tyson Frizell says the team is geared up.
"It's definitely going to be a tough ask to go up there and beat them, but there's no reason why we can't do it," he said.
"Origin is three games for a reason, and there's two games to go, so that's what we need to look forward to."
Frizell further added that the Blues will aim to seize the moment when the time comes, despite Stats Insider's State of Origin Game 2 prediction favouring Queensland.
"The game's not over until it's over. It's different to your regular footy; it's Origin footy, and these things happen," he said.
"You only need one moment to be able to clinch a lead or change momentum. That's why it's the toughest game and why everyone wants to be a part of it.
"The wins are hard to come by no matter what position you are in; whether you are in front or you have all of the momentum, it can just switch."
State of Origin Game 2 is on Wednesday, June 21 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. QLD vs NSW Game 1 was played on May 31.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
