Inside Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin’s pre-game speech to Queensland Maroons before Origin III

Queensland legend Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin has delivered his pre-game speech to the Maroons, saying they must dig deeper than they ever have before if they are to beat the Blues and create Origin history.

Queensland legend Paul Vautin has delivered his pre-game speech to Billy Slater’s class of 2025 - urging the underdog Maroons to dig deeper than ever to create State of Origin history.

The Maroons will attempt to become the first Queensland team in Origin’s 45-year existence to clinch a series victory with two wins on the road after losing Game One in Brisbane.

Staring down the barrel of back-to-back series defeats, Queensland conjured an unlikely win in Perth three weeks ago to send the series to a decider in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Now they must produce another upset win on enemy soil against the star-studded Blues to bring the Origin shield home to Queensland.

Maroons legend Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin says Queensland will need to dig deeper than ever to beat the Blues and create Origin history.

The Maroons have been rocked by the sudden death of captain Cameron Munster’s father Steven this week and Slater made two selection shocks – recalling retired enforcer Josh Papalii and debuting journeyman centre Gehamat Shibasaki.

But if there is one man that knows how to create an Origin miracle it is Vautin – Queensland’s coach in the famous 1995 series victory.

‘Fatty’s Neville’s’ defied the odds to record 3-0 clean sweep of the Blues and on the 30th anniversary of that famous series win Vautin has created a rousing speech to inspire the Maroons of 2025.

When asked what he would tell the Queensland team before they run out at Accor Stadium, Vautin said the Maroons had to go to the depths of their soul and believe they can win.

“Club footy is hard but Origin is definitely the hardest rugby league you will ever play,” he said.

“You’re up against the best of the best but it’s not just the opposition you’ve got to worry about. It’s your fitness, how you’re thinking and mental fatigue during the game.

“Origin will take you to the end of the earth and it will try to rip your soul out. It will go to the depths of your soul and you’ve got to be strong enough to stave it off.

“If you make three tackles and you’re at marker then you have to chase again.

“Your arse is hanging out, you can’t breathe, you can’t raise a spit in your mouth and you’re bleeding somewhere. But mate, you’ve just got to do it, for that jumper and for your teammates.

“Origin makes you do things that you’d never do on any other football ground in a club game. It just lifts you. It makes you play better.”

Fatty’s Neville’s’ defied the odds the beat NSW in 1995 and he believes they can do it again. Picture: Getty Images

Having surrendered the shield to NSW last year, the Maroons were written off after losing the series opener in Brisbane but hung on for a gritty 26-24 win in Perth to level the series.

Vautin said the Maroons had to find their inspiration and play for the people of Queensland.

If they had the belief, like the Maroons of 1995 did after winning Game One 2-0, then Slater’s team can rewrite the Origin history books.

“Think about what you’re playing for and who you’re playing for. You’re playing for the jumper and you’re playing to win a series,” he said.

“I actually wish I was playing, even despite the fact I’m nearly 66, and all the ex-players feel that way.

“The message is just keep going. Origin footy, when you’re playing for what you’re playing for, makes you keep going and if you don’t then that’s when you’re going to fall by the wayside.

“If you don’t move up, every single ruck, you will fail. In club footy you might have a ruck or too where you think ‘I’ll just have a rest here’ but if you do that in Origin footy then you’ll pay the price.

“You have to be on alert, you have to be ready to go every single play. Origin made me do that.

“If these guys invest enough in that jumper, and they’ve done it before, then they’ll win.

“There’s nothing better than winning 3-0, but the next best thing is winning a decider.

“We’ve definitely got the team, we’ve got the power, we’ve just got to get that willpower.

“Our players are not soft but we played soft in that first game. I’m talking about simple things like putting the other blokes on the ground. Don’t stand around and have a dance with them. Put them on the ground.

“I’m telling them ‘listen, you’re talented enough, you’ve got the ability, but have you got the guts and the courage to play 80 minutes?’

“Go out and show me and do it. Do it for your family and your fans in Queensland.”

Vautin believes the tragic death of Cameron Munster’s father will inspire the Maroons. Picture: Getty Images

Vautin said the tragic death of Steven Munster would inspire the Maroons regardless of whether Slater spoke about it openly.

But at the end of the day the players would decide the result.

“I would ask Cameron first if he didn’t mind me speaking about it with the team,” Vautin said.

“If he was okay with it I’d say ‘there’s one more incentive tonight. We’ve lost a great Queenslander and one of our own. Let’s play for him.’

“I reckon Cameron will be running out with a tear in his eye which will be good for us and bad for New South Wales.

“Cameron slipped into the captaincy like a glove. He led them and he ran a lot and I love it when he runs the ball.

“It doesn’t matter what the coach says, if you go into those games and don’t believe then you’re not going to win.

“Having played Origin has helped me through my whole life in everything I do.

“I know that if I can do battle on that field and come out of it knowing I’ve given it my best then I can do anything.”