‘It's mad’: How a few seconds at training each day are bringing the Blues closer together

It happens so quickly that you’d probably miss it if you weren’t looking. But an important act at the end of every training session could be the secret to inspire NSW to victory.

Blues players have embraced the cultures of their teammates this week, with every training session finishing with an Indigenous war cry. Picture; Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Culture is a word that gets thrown around a lot in sport, but it’s something the Blues are embracing ahead of the State of Origin opener, with players from all backgrounds coming together as one.

The Blues are a cultural melting pot with links to Europe, Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, while there are several Indigenous superstars in camp who have brought something special to end each training session.

Fans will know the Indigenous war cry that has featured in the build-up to All Stars games, and players have embraced it this week to highlight just how united this team is under coach Brad Fittler.

Latrell Mitchell has led the war cry before at All Stars games, and Blues teammates have adopted it at training sessions ahead of the Origin opener. Picture; AAP Image/Dave Hunt

“The number of different cultures we have in the team, everyone gets around each other's culture,” Blues rookie and proud Indigenous man Nicho Hynes said.

“When we had our dinner and team drinks we were singing some songs and then that came about.

“Romie (Jarome Luai), Bizza (Brian To‘o) and Critta (Stephen Crichton), they’ve got their own culture but they love our culture as well.

“We just randomly did it again in the team huddle and we've just stuck with it. It’s really cool to represent our culture.

“It's mad. Even at the Sharks, we have the same thing, we have all the Samoan, Tongan boys, Kiwis and Maoris. They love our culture, we love theirs, and we just spread the love.

“It's cool to come in and they (the Blues boys) are the same as well. Everyone’s proud of their own culture and I love when they represent ours too.”

Jarome Luai has loved learning from Latrell Mitchell, Josh Addo-Carr and Nicho Hynes in camp. Picture; Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Luai says it’s only natural for everyone to support each other and hopes that the bonds they’ve formed in camp will lead to success in Adelaide on Wednesday.

“It's just a bit of love, showing a bit of love to ’Foxxy’ and Trell,” he said.

“They're a big part of this team and I think having Foxxy back in camp is a big energy boost for the boys. We gee the boys up just to be themselves and spread that good energy. Big Nicho as well is part of that. We love hyping up the boys.

“It's just a natural thing. Whoever fills in just chirps in. It’s a team bonding sort of thing.

“We've got a good connection, this Blues team here. Hopefully that helps us this Wednesday.”

Something so simple that only takes a few seconds may not seem like much, but Hynes says team chemistry can be a powerful thing.

The Blues appear closer than ever just days out from the series opener. Picture; Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“For sure, that's what you try build in these camps, the connection and the love, and getting to know each other and who you are and where you come from,” he said.

“I guarantee you want to tackle for your mate next to you if you know more about him and you respect him.”

Hynes has immersed himself in other cultures and has learned a lot from his Maori teammates over the years at the Storm and the Sharks, especially the significance of the Haka.

“I would love to do it one day,” he said.

“I love what it means and how they go about it and how emotional it is and how invested everyone is about it. I've got to practise it a few more times before I do it publicly but I love it.

“All the Maori boys know how much I love and I want to see them do it all the time.

“When I was at the Storm, the boys would do it sometimes at team piss-ups or celebrations. I watched really carefully and learned it. At the Sharks, in our multicultural round, we had a Maori fella come in and teach us the Haka.”

Originally published as ‘It's mad’: How a few seconds at training each day are bringing the Blues closer together