State of Origin 2024: Queensland legend calls for Pat Carrigan to ‘Rip Haas’ f**king head off’

A Maroons legend has urged Pat Carrigan to “whack” rival NSW enforcer Payne Haas into submission as he backed the Maroons lock to be Queensland’s hitman in the decider.

Corey Parker has urged Pat Carrigan to “whack” rival NSW enforcer Payne Haas into submission as he backed the Maroons lock to be Queensland’s hitman in the Suncorp decider on Wednesday night.

The stance from 19-game Maroons warhorse Parker came as Carrigan vowed to step up as Queensland’s standover man and inspire the Maroons to a hat-trick of Origin titles.

Queensland’s pack is under siege following their 38-18 loss in Game Two at the MCG with legendary NSW hardman Mark Carroll claiming the Maroons’ forwards “wouldn’t scare kids in a creche”.

Haas produced the greatest performance of his NSW career in Origin II with a 166-metre demolition of the Maroons and Parker says someone in the Queensland team must bully the Blues enforcer.

That man, according to Parker, is Carrigan - Haas’ long-time great mate at the Broncos.

“It’s time for Carrigan to take on Payne Haas. Rip his f***ing head off. Seriously,” Parker said.

“In Origin, the friendship gets put aside for 80 minutes.

Pat Carrigan has been urged to go after NSW’s pack. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

“I remember playing against my best mate Michael Ennis in Origin.

“With my first run, he hit me with a swinging arm across the nose and the next run I did, I said, ‘Cop this’ and hit him with my forearm.

“Pat should make a statement.

“Fly out of the line and level Payne. Whack him. They are best mates, but that’s what Origin is about, mate versus mate.

“Payne Haas is their big dog, so Pat should take it upon himself to go after Payne Haas.

“Forget all the jargon about completion rates and defensive systems.

“Someone needs to send a message in this Queensland team.

“From the first minute, Pat Carrigan should go out there and whack Payne and send a statement to NSW that yes, we’re here to play.”

Pat Carrigan will go head-to-head with Broncos teammate Payne Haas.

Carrigan famously set the tone for coach Billy Slater’s Queensland regime in 2022.

In his Origin debut at Accor Stadium, Carrigan came off the bench and belted a NSW ball-runner with his first tackle of the game. It lifted the tempo instantly.

Inspired by Carrigan’s 165-metre, 27-tackle shift, the Maroons conjured a 16-10 boilover and now, with question marks hovering over a soft underbelly, the Queensland No.13 vowed to inject a hard edge in the decider.

“I know I have to go to a new standard, I know I am capable of it and we are just going to have to find out on Wednesday night,” Carrigan said.

“We have one more game to go and I’m keen to get it on.

“You do whatever you have to do in that arena to get the job done for your teammates.

“We got beaten in the middle in Game Two, that’s no lie. The way I play the game is similar to a lot of the NSW guys - tough, fast and I love the pace and challenge that Origin brings.

“As a forward pack, we’ll back our ability. With all the build-up, people can talk as much as they want, but it all comes down to actions on Wednesday night.

“I can’t wait to run out with Lindsay (Collins), ‘Rubes’ (Reuben Cotter) and Mo Fotuaika.

“I know we are eager to work hard for each other and make amends for what happened.”

Carrigan is traditionally renowned for his high workrate but Parker - the legendary ironman Carrigan was groomed to succeed at the Broncos - believes the 2022 Wally Lewis Medallist also has a mean streak.

“Pat’s consistency and work ethic is unbelievable,” he said.

“In game two, he ran for 135 metres in a losing team. We all know the effort he brings, but I want to see his aggression go to another level.

“This NSW doesn’t fear the Maroons pack. They would respect them but there wouldn’t be any fear, nor should Queensland fear them, so that’s why we need a Pat Carrigan to stand up and rip in.

Corey Parker enjoyed many battles in the Origin arena. Picture: AAP Image/Dave Hunt

“I remember the last decider in 2022, Matt Burton had an opportunity to sidestep Kalyn Ponga and he ran straight into him.

“Dane Gagai (Maroons teammate) grabbed Burton and said we’re not having any of this and punched him in the face.

“That’s the mindset Queensland need. Do not be bullied by NSW. Do not stand for their crap.

“Sam Thaiday loved taking it to the Blues. It would piss off the Blues no-end when Sam would come racing in, they would call him third-man-in Thaiday.

“But no-one from NSW messed with him.

“Let’s stick it to the Blues.”

Originally published as State of Origin 2024: Queensland legend calls for Pat Carrigan to ‘Rip Haas’ f**king head off’