State of Origin II: Paul Gallen says NSW must score at least 20 points at Suncorp Stadium

NSW SKIPPER Paul Gallen predicts a high scoring game for Origin II and warns the Blues must get at least 20 points on the fast, dry track.

Paul Gallen knows the Blues must delievr tries at Suncorp Stadium.

IT’S the State of Origin duel that Paul Gallen knows comes with a slogan straight out of Hollywood: the quick and the dead.

The Blues traditionally struggle to post a winning score on the Maroons’ home turf, but Gallen says scoring at least 20 points must be the goal on the fast, dry track.

“Game two will be high-scoring,’’ Gallen said. “Faster ground, dry track. ANZ Stadium is wet, slow and boggy. Everything up there happens a lot quicker.”

Fox Sports Stats reveal the Blues have only scored 20 points or more three times in their past 10 games at Suncorp Stadium.

The Blues average just 12.2 points a game in Brisbane and haven’t scored more than 12 points at Suncorp in their past four games.

NSW have won just two of those past 10 games up north.

“In club land, we feel as if we can get 20 points, we feel we can defend that amount,” Gallen told The Daily Telegraph.

“It’s different scoring 20 points in State of Origin. It’s a lot harder. Take game three from last year out of the equation then all the game have been tight and decided by one or two points.

“Look, if we can get up around 20 points, that would be nice. That’s what we want. At the end of the day, I just want to win. It’s do or die — it was always going to be that for one of us.’’

Wade Graham looks set to get the nod for NSW.

NSW coach Laurie Daley will announce his side at fulltime after Monday night’s match between Cronulla and North Queensland at Shark Park.

Ten players will compete for selection in Monday’s two games — Sharks v Cowboys (7pm) and Canterbury v Dragons (4pm).

Sharks back-rower Wade Graham is the frontrunner for Boyd Cordner’s vacant back-row spot although Daley may look at shifting Greg Bird to the left edge and put Tyson Frizell on the bench.

The big question will be whether Manly’s Dylan Walker retains his utility position on the bench. NSW will head to Coffs Harbour for camp on Tuesday before moving to Brisbane on Sunday.

There the Blues will be met with one-eyed Queensland fans desperate to taunt and tease NSW players.

“You get fans who have good, respectful banter, they’re passionate fans. They’re the type you like. But then you get a goose or two who just want to spray you because they can I suppose,” Gallen said.

“Walking the streets a couple of days before the game, you always cop it walking down the (Queen Street) mall. Most are pretty good about it.

“To go up there and level the series would be one of our best wins, I believe. It’s not a daunting place to go — it’s an exciting place.

“As a (NSW) rugby league player, we cop a fair bit but it’s always refreshing to see how passionate they are and how they get behind their side. It’s almost like the whole city stops for that day. It is unbelievable.

“It’s exciting to be a part of it — it’s not a stadium that you dread going to. There are some grounds you dread going to because it’s cold, windy and wet. It’s not one of those stadiums. I’m everyone else would feel the same.”

Gallen admits NSW fans may not harbour the same rabid passion.

“There’s probably more to do down here,’’ Gallen said. “I have friends that go up to the Caxton Hotel, Brekkie Creek Hotel, from 10 o’clock in the morning they’re packed in in their Queensland jumpers, and on the drink. Down in NSW, you wouldn’t see too much of that.”

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Originally published as State of Origin II: Paul Gallen says NSW must score at least 20 points at Suncorp Stadium