QUEENSLAND coach Mal Meninga has
turned up the heat on his side ahead of the Origin decider by admitting
he has not been completely satisfied with the Maroons' performances in
the first two games.
The Maroons have struggled with their execution this series without
the cool-headed organisation of former skipper Darren Lockyer, putting
pressure on his five-eighth replacement Johnathan Thurston to fire in
the Suncorp decider next Wednesday night.
Emboldened by their
16-12 win in Origin II, the Blues are growing in confidence and believe
they have finally struck the right formula in team balance and attitude
to end Queensland's six-year interstate dominance.
While praising
his side's commitment and desire, Meninga said the major lesson he has
learned from the opening two matches is Queensland's need to be more
clinical across the board.
Meninga's warning came as the Maroons
prepared to launch their preparations for Origin III with the first
training session at a rain-soaked Stockland Park on the Sunshine Coast
today.
"We have always talked about preparation and the effort has been
there but we have let ourselves down a bit in execution," Meninga said.
"We
have to come up with the right formula, the right plan and the right
team to get on with the business of winning the decider.
"It is
getting more difficult each year. Ricky (Stuart, NSW coach) has a very
good side, they believe they are more desperate than us and they
understand the cauldron of Suncorp Stadium.
"It's a challenge
each game we play. It's different to club footy, you have to focus
intensely on each game and you only have three games so every time you
put the Maroon jersey on you have to be at your best.
"It's about how we handle it all. The side has to realise NSW are coming to our home and we have to start well."
While
the Maroons are sweating on the fitness of injured fullback Billy
Slater, Queensland hierarchy do not expect Blues hitman Glenn Stewart to
take a knee injury into the decider.
Asked about how the Blues
were shaping up after naming another extended squad, Meninga said: "I
don't really care to be honest with you, it will sort itself out.
"We
have had to endure this before in regards to their make up. We will
plan around what to expect, we don't expect Stewart to play but we have
to make sure we are settled to prepare as best we can."
Maroons prop Petero Civoniceva said he was not concerned that Queensland's 20-man squad could derail their preparations.
"It's not disruptive at all," he said.
"It's something we have to deal with week in, week out with our own (club) teams.
"You get guys who are carrying injuries into games every week and it's a process.
"The
core of our team is our strength and we've got some great combinations
that has brought us a lot of success over the years.
"I'm sure that familiarity will help us in our preparation."
