State of Origin: Maroons ready to muscle up in Suncorp decider

Queensland’s forwards were dominated by their NSW rivals in Origin II, and one of the Blues’ best has taken the opportunity to remind the Maroons middles of that fact.

MELBOURNE, JUNE 26, 2024: Game Two of the 2024 Ampol State of Origin series at the MCG. Melee in the second half. Picture: Mark Stewart

NSW front-row legend Mark Carroll has accused the Maroons pack of being a bunch of Origin powderpuffs, declaring: “These Queensland forwards wouldn’t scare kids in a creche.”

But Queensland prop Mo Fotuaika has hit back at ‘Spudd’ Carroll, insisting the besieged Maroons forwards will not be embarrassed again in the Suncorp decider on Wednesday night.

Queensland’s midfield was destroyed in Game Two with Pat Carrigan the only Maroons forward to register more than 100 metres as a Payne Haas-inspired Blues pack ran amok in a 38-18 MCG massacre.

Pressure is on the likes of Fotuaika, Carrigan, Lindsay Collins and Reuben Cotter to muscle up, but Carroll – who went toe-to-toe with Shane Webcke and Gorden Tallis – says the Blues have nothing to fear.

The Blues won the physical battle in Origin II. Picture: Mark Stewart

Carroll believes Queensland coach Billy Slater has made a series-deciding blunder by omitting blockbusting Titans back-rower David Fifita.

“These Queensland forwards wouldn’t scare kids in a creche,” said The Nightly columnist Carroll, who played seven games for the Blues.

“Without (David) Fifita, there’s just no fear factor.

“I thought Fifita would be brought in to play a role like Spencer Leniu does for NSW, a power forward who skittles defenders.

“They’ve got plenty of workers such as Lindsay Collins, Rueben Cotter and Pat Carrigan, but no X-factor.”

Carroll’s stinging assessment comes after former Queensland Origin lock Corey Parker implored the Maroons pack to “f***ing stand up to these blokes” and “not let NSW bully us”.

Led by Haas, the Blues ran for 1558 metres in Origin II compared to Queensland’s dismal collective output of 1095m, underlining just how dominant NSW were as they rumbled through the middle third.

Moeaki Fotuaika is confident the Maroons middles will lift for the Origin decider. Picture: Getty Images

The Maroons have lacked a genuine midfield enforcer this year following injuries to forwards Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert, which has seen the trio miss the entire series.

Fotuaika has been made aware of Carroll’s savage critique of the Maroons and dismissed suggestions Queensland’s forwards have a soft underbelly.

“It definitely gives us fire in the belly to go out in Game Three and put a better performance in the middle defensively,” the Maroons prop said.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but the team Billy has picked in this forward pack, everyone does their job, everyone has their role.

“We have reviewed Game Two and we know what we have to fix up.

“Individually, everyone in that forward pack wants to put in a better performance in Game Three defensively.

“We definitely need more aggression. We will be looking to do that Wednesday.”

The Maroons ramped-up preparations with a drama-free session on Saturday at Sanctuary Cove. Bench hooker Harry Grant, carrying a sternum injury, ran well and took part in the whole session to confirm he is a certain starter for Origin III.

Maroons selector Darren Lockyer backed Queensland’s underfire forwards to make Carroll eat humble pie.

“They have to somehow flip the contest in the middle from Game Two,” Lockyer said.

“On paper we are a smaller team but we didn’t win any ruck momentum in Game Two.

“When they had the ball they were getting through the tackles and we need to flip that.”