A Blue reckoning

BRISBANE: NSW have more than few mountains to climb. Racial slurs, a player walkout, a coaching resignation and judiciary dramas – it would be fair to say they have never experienced anything like Origin II’s horror build-up.
But NSW skipper Kurt Gidley has scoffed at claims the Blues will be like “lambs to the slaughter” when they try to avert a record fifth straight series loss at Suncorp Stadium tonight.
“That’s fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion,” he said yesterday.
“(But) training has been great for myself and the team – I can’t wait for the game.”
If NSW have been rattled by their nightmare countdown, there will be nowhere to hide at Suncorp Stadium when they receive what is expected to be a savage reception from the Maroons faithful.
NSW return to the Brisbane venue for the first time since their controversial game three win in 2009 when Maroons prop Steve Price was knocked out then manhandled while unconscious.
But NSW hooker Michael Ennis has shown no sign of backing down, saying the Blues will adopt a more physical approach in game two – even if that led to “fireworks”.
“Origin always brings the unexpected, I suppose,” Ennis said on the prospect of fisticuffs.
“If we go out there worrying about fighting they have too many quality players who will hurt us.
“But if it happens, it happens. I am sure we will stick together out there and handle it.”
After being bogged down at Sydney’s damp ANZ Stadium in Origin I, Ennis said NSW looked forward to showing what they had learned from the opening 28-24 loss when they run out on a dry Brisbane track.
“We certainly had to address defensive issues … but we probably didn’t have the right mind-set,” Ennis said.
“We have had a lot more physical approach to our preparation (for game two).
“I think the mind-set of the players, and the way we have addressed our issues from game one, that we are heading in the right direction for tomorrow night.”
And Ennis said they had also addressed their game two “issues” – namely the furore caused by Timana Tahu leaving over Andrew Johns’ racial slurs.
Voted the NRL’s No.1 sledger, Ennis reckons he knows a thing or two about saying something he may regret.
And the Blues No.9 could only feel for Johns, saying he was “very brave” to approach the issue head on.
“I certainly don’t condone what was said. I certainly feel that the Australian, the Polynesian and the Aborigines are a big part of our game – we have to respect that.” – AAP