State of Origin 2017: Queensland to bring Storm’s wrestling tactics to Origin II

FOUR Melbourne Storm players will lead the charge to slow down State of Origin II with figures showing the quartet are masters at wrestling tactics

Queensland have gone south in a bid to stop the Blues. Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

IN the Maroon corner, hailing from Bleak City Melbourne, are the four Queenslanders threatening to turn State of Origin II into WrestleMania.

Tim “The Grappler” Glasby, Cameron “Cobra Clutch” Smith, Cooper “Chin lock” Cronk and Will “Elimination” Chambers will lead the Maroons’ charge to slow down NSW for 80 frustrating minutes on Wednesday night as they attempt to wrestle their way back into the series.

Fox Sports Stats reveal the Storm quartet all feature in the top five among Origin players for wrestling tactics.

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Queensland have gone south in a bid to stop the Blues. Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

The Blues dominated game one three weeks ago in one of the most frantic and expansive contests in Origin history after referees Matt Cecchin and Gerard Sutton, who will call the shots again on Wednesday, allowed for an open match.

But Queensland have responded, drafting in Glasby to bolster the Storm’s influence in tackles and end any hopes of a fast, energetic game.

New boy Glasby heads all 34 Origin II players when it comes to the percentage of tackles where the attacking player ends up either on his back or is turned sideways.

The 28-year-old is by far the most effective wrestler, keeping opposition attackers from finding their front in 66.12 per cent of tackles.

That’s ahead of Smith (61.09 per cent), NSW’s Tyson Frizell (58.68 per cent), Cronk (58 per cent) and Chambers (57.14 per cent).

Tim Glasby will only add to Melbourne’s influence on the game. (AAP Image/Craig Golding)

Blues prop Aaron Woods has warned about Glasby’s potential influence on the game.

“Playing against him, he’s a really good wrestler. He just slows that ruck down completely,” said Woods, who ranked ninth among Origin wrestlers at 53.38 per cent.

“He’s also got a really good hit and bump where he drops to the ground and finds all fours, finds his front.

“Just his effectiveness as well. Where he makes his tackles and how he slows it down.”

NSW captain Boyd Cordner said after the Blues dominated Queensland through the middle in the Origin opener, he expected the Maroons to throw everything into fixing the soft centre.

“With all this talk that they got rolled through the middle, we’re expecting a bit more wrestle. Maybe them trying to slow the game up a bit,” Cordner said.

NRL referees boss Tony Archer warned the Maroons that wrestling at the play-the-ball would be closely monitored.

“If there are infringements in the play-the-ball, I would expect the referees to take the appropriate action, regardless of which team is infringing. If the actions of a player or players warrants a penalty, they should be penalised,” Archer said.

NSW coach Laurie Daley is hoping for similar conditions for his unchanged side, but admits he’s bracing for Maroons spoiling tactics.

“That’s a concern,” Daley said. “I think the referees did a really good job in game one.

“My fear has been a slow game. We want a fast game, something we have always wanted. And we’re sure we will.”

Dylan Napa and Tim Glasby arrive in Sydney. Photo: Peter Wallis

Woods meanwhile rejected talk Glasby had modest stats this year.

“I don’t really go off stats too much. Look at his play-the-balls, his play-the-ball speed is really good,” Woods said. “He has got a little pass in him as well. I think he just tightens up the middle.

“I haven’t played with him (Glasby) but he could be a really good talker on the field. He gets everyone in their positions, little things like that. They’re the things that go unnoticed when it comes to stats.

“Most games are won upfront — you want to play with a lot of energy through the middle.

“Queensland have a lot on the line and they are going to come out really hard. The combination between Cronk, Smith, Thurston and Slater, they have played 10 years at this level.

“Smith still has two or three years at rep level left in him. He is only getting better with age and the way he controls the game.

“Cronk is looking as fit as ever and Thurston, he’ll be that excited to get back after missing the first game. They have a lot on the line and will come out really hard.”