State of Origin game 2: Aaron Woods has a target on his hairy head

AARON Woods has credited Dave Gleeson, his dog and “a hair tie from the missus” for an incredible rise to Origin stardom.

Aaron Woods arrives for NSW Blue's State of Origin training at the Pacific BAy Resort,Coffs Harbour .Picture Gregg Porteous

AARON Woods has credited Dave Gleeson, his dog and “a hair tie from the missus” for an incredible rise that now sees him marked as the most feared NSW Origin forward.

While no one from within the Queensland camp will say it publicly, Woods has been placed in their Origin II crosshairs after a blockbuster performance in the ANZ Stadium opener.

According to Fox Sports Statistics, the Wests Tigers prop ran for 143m in Sydney — an attacking effort that surpassed his first three Origin performances combined. In five previous outings for the Blues since 2013, Woods had never reached triple figures running: 36m, 20m, 74m, 74m, 51m.

Asked about his new role as Blues enforcer, the Leichhardt native shrugged: “Some guys like the niggle but I’m there to play footy.

“The game is that quick now and, even if you do try something, you’ll be binned for 10 minutes. And the impact that can have on your team is huge.

“I’m more concerned about the little things, doing all those shitty jobs my coach and teammates expect of me.”

Aaron Woods is fired up for State of Origin game 2. Picture: Gregg Porteous

Elsewhere, the 24-year-old said he likes to prepare for games listening to “old school” tunes — Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Pearl Jam, even Gleeson’s Screaming Jets — while conceding his mess of black locks are now a target for rival players.

“Oh, definitely,’’ he laughs. “The hair, the tape holding it, everything.

“But that’s fine, I’m a hairy person.

“I only started growing it long to piss my missus off, she hates it. Actually, please throw something in because the more media attention I get for it, the more upset she seems to get.

“Like the other week; because people kept ripping the tape off I decided to try a different tactic and used one of her hair ties to keep it back ... didn’t I cop a spray that night when I got home.”

Certainly Woods can expect a similar reception from the Maroons in Melbourne on Wednesday night.

“But my preparations are relaxed, I realise now how good I’ve got things,’’ he said. “Why stress about footy in your downtime? I walk the dog, go for coffee, catch up with mates from school. Whatever. I’m just having fun, man.”

Despite receiving criticism for his earlier Origin performances, NSW coach Laurie Daley has remained a staunch supporter of his Blues bookend.

With the hairy enforcer now pushing his case for No.1 prop on the planet, Daley played Woods for 55 minutes in Sydney, his most in any Origin game — and he responded in kind.

Apart from taking the first and third hit ups of the game, Woods also then chased downfield to smash Maroons fullback Billy Slater — the start of an equally impressive defensive effort where he amassed 41 tackles, without missing one.

Originally published as State of Origin game 2: Aaron Woods has a target on his hairy head