‘They didn’t play to their potential’: Maroons great tipped to fire after quiet start to the State of Origin series

It’s rare for Ali Brigginshaw to have a quiet game, which is why the Blues should be on high alert after Queensland’s heavy loss at home in the Origin opener.

Maroons coach Tahnee Norris is excited to see what skipper Ali Brigginshaw and the other senior leaders can produce in Thursday’s must-win Origin encounter after a surprisingly underwhelming performance from the star spine in game one.

Queensland was completely outplayed by the Blues who ran away with it in the second half to take a 1-0 series lead in Brisbane, with the home side’s key players kept quiet in attack.

Brigginshaw, Tamika Upton, Tarryn Aiken and Lauren Brown have been stewing on that loss for two weeks and have vowed to be better as they look to keep the series alive.

Ali Brigginshaw got one final training session in before Thursday’s crucial game two in Sydney. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

“We know we didn’t perform, especially the senior girls, so it was on us to make sure we tidied that up and we do have experience, so it’s not OK to perform like that in a Queensland jersey,” Brigginshaw said.

“We took that to heart and I don’t think we’ve actually gotten over that loss.

“I think we’ll use that fire going into Thursday.”

It’s one thing talking about it and another thing going out there and doing it, and Norris is backing her inspirational skipper to come out firing at Allianz Stadium.

“Ali is one of those players that when the chips are down, she’ll stand up,” she said.

“She owns her performance from the other week and she knows that they didn’t play to their potential. They are a much better spine than what was shown.

“They know how they can play, and we’ve just got to concentrate on us now. Ali is one of those people who is a true leader in this sport and has shown so many times that she can turn it around and have a good performance tomorrow night.”

The Maroons must win in enemy territory after a big loss in game one. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The Maroons were also well beaten up front, which is why the experienced Chelsea Lenarduzzi has been brought into the squad for game two, with Queensland keen to win the forward battle to take away Jesse Southwell’s time with the ball.

The NSW halfback was sensational in Brisbane with two try assists and a couple of forced line dropouts, with Norris conceding her side allowed the young playmaker to dictate terms.

“We’ve got to be better at that,” she said.

“We gave her too much time with the ball in hand, so it’s something we have to hunt after tomorrow night.”

Jesse Southwell is coming off a brilliant performance at Suncorp Stadium. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Still only 21, Southwell showed plenty of character in her return to the Origin arena after she was overlooked for last year’s series.

“She’s been unreal,” NSW captain Isabelle Kelly said.

“I’ve absolutely loved having this time to play alongside her but also learning off her and training with her.

“She’s quite young, but she’s very experienced and she’s learning a lot. I knew she’d flourish in this environment having the right people around her, and that’s exactly what she’s done.

“She changed the game with her kicking game and got us on the front foot, so I’m excited to see what she can do tomorrow.”

Originally published as ‘They didn’t play to their potential’: Maroons great tipped to fire after quiet start to the State of Origin series