It's time for Todd Carney to make the running for NSW

If Todd Carney wants to be the rugby league rock star, it is time for him to play like one.

THOSE who have played alongside Todd Carney will tell you that while he laments the scrutiny placed on his life, he is often the first to read the litres of newsprint invested on him.

If Carney wants to be the rugby league rock star, it is time for him to play like one.

Ask champion Blues five-eighth Brad Fittler if Carney can be the dominant No. 6 that NSW craves, and he will tell you this: "He's going to have to be. For his second game, we can amp up the pressure, can't we? It was like Jamie Soward last year. We seem to be putting that much pressure on these inexperienced players. But that is the position that NSW is in."

No player trots out into the middle of ANZ Stadium, with the possibility of a seventh-straight series defeat against Queensland in the air, like Carney.

Fittler was less concerned about the errors he made in the opening match in Melbourne as the fact he did not play his natural game.

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Like Warriors five-eighth James Maloney, who was an early candidate for the five-eighth position, Carney is strongest when he is supporting his forwards and running the ball.

"I hope he just goes out there and plays," Fittler said. "They had a plan in the first game. He waited for that plan to happen. There were plenty of times, because our forwards did so well, where we could have just played off our forwards and supported but it didn't happen.

"Todd's a good supporter and hole-hitter. You just don't get situations where you get your nice backline plays like you do when you are at training. I really hope it's not too complicated for him, and he just goes out and plays. If he does that, he'll be really effective."

Some players blink the first time they play Origin. Others ease into it.

Asked how many games it took before he felt comfortable playing at that level, the legendary Darren Lockyer replied: "A few more than two, but Todd's played for his country and he's played in grand finals, so he knows what big games are about."

When Andrew Johns made his NSW debut in 1995, he came on as a replacement and took his position in the defensive line. The Blues were under heavy attack, right on their tryline, defending grimly.

He looked across at Fittler and smiled. "How good is this?"

Yesterday, Johns endorsed Carney to eventually nail down his position in the Blues side.

"I haven't really spoken to Toddy, I've had a few texts with him but he's going to be fine," Johns said. "I think he'll be a lot more relaxed for this one and I think he'll make a real impact."

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