Pat Carrigan plans to create havoc off the bench for Queensland in State of Origin II

Pat Carrigan’s demotion from the Maroons’ starting line-up came amid criticism Queensland’s forwards were soft in game one. See how he’s responded to his surprise relegation.

Pat Carrigan has hit out at suggestions Queensland’s pack is soft and lacks the mongrel to monster the Blues as the Maroons ironman pledged to wreak “havoc” in Origin II.

Former Queensland lock Corey Parker has implored Carrigan to “fire up” and revel in bench warfare with NSW enforcer Spencer Leniu to inspire a Maroons fightback in Perth this Wednesday night.

Statistically, Carrigan was one of Queensland’s best players in the series opener, chalking up a game-high 53 tackles to go with 16 runs for 139 metres in the 18-6 loss to NSW at Suncorp Stadium.

Pat Carrigan has revealed his plans for coming off the bench in Origin II. Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Despite his remarkable numbers, Carrigan was a shock demotion to the bench, relegated to interchange in favour of Melbourne rookie Trent Loiero, who will start at lock at Optus Stadium.

NSW’s greatest coach, Phil Gould, has lashed Queensland’s forwards and fingered them for the axing of skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, but Carrigan disagrees and says he is ready to rattle the Blues’ cage.

Asked if Queensland’s forwards took offence at the criticism, Carrigan said: “Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Forwards go a long way towards winning the games and it is an area we need to be a lot better.

“I won’t touch on it too much but I think it is about getting the best out of each other as a team and creating a bit of havoc when I get on the field.

“They (NSW) definitely won the ruck when you look back at it.

“Our discipline was pretty poor and I was there at the start of the events.

“When you give the opposition so much footy you make it hard for yourself.

“The effort was always there but it’s just our starts that let us down.”

Parker, a veteran of 19 Origin games, believes the Maroons need more from their forwards, Carrigan included.

Carrigan made 139m in Origin I. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“I’d like to see Patty fire up and make a difference,” Parker said.

“I don’t think any of the forwards had their best Origin games in game one.

“I’m sure Pat has a point to prove — he’s shown before he can have an impact off the bench in Origin.”

Some will question the demotion of Carrigan but there is a deliberate method to coach Billy Slater’s tactical madness.

A bench role agrees with Carrigan. In his Origin debut in 2022, the Broncos lock came off interchange and shifted the whole tempo of Game One with a series of stinging shots that set-up Queensland’s 16-10 ambush on Sydney soil.

The 27-year-old finished with a dream campaign - winning the Wally Lewis Medal as Origin player-of-the-series as well as the Ron McAuliffe gong as Queensland’s best-and-fairest.

Slater clearly wants more punch off the bench in Origin II and Carrigan says he has no issues being axed from the starting side.

“We’ve had some conversations with Bill and it’s all about what is best for the team and the balance of our team,” he said.

“I will play anywhere to wear this jersey and do Queenslanders proud.

“I know that the boys that start are going to lay the foundations for us.

Carrigan takes on the Blues by himself. Picture: Adam Head

“Coming off the bench it probably hasn’t been since that Origin game (in 2022) so I am excited.

“It gives me an opportunity to get into the game and make a difference.

“I just want to do my role for the team.”

Former Maroons lock Scott Sattler has urged Slater to make a late tactical switch and pitchfork Carrigan into the starting side.

“I find it confusing why he is coming off the bench,” Sattler said.

“I feel Patty’s ability to get offloads and create second phase could break apart the New South Wales defence.

“I’m not sure whether it is to combat Spencer Leniu because they are two completely different players.

“But the only conclusion I can come to is purely around his offload and his punch through the middle when everyone else is tired based on his ability to play with a lot of energy.”