Green remains confident

Sports

BRISBANE: Criticism of Queensland’s team culture may have “hurt” but coach Paul Green is confident it will galvanize the wounded Maroons and inspire a State of Origin game three upset.
Green conceded Queensland shouldn’t be surprised that the knives are out for the embattled team ahead of tomorrow’s dead rubber following their dire run.
The once-mighty Maroons are at risk of becoming the first Queensland side to lose a series 3-0 on home soil after Origin three was relocated from Newcastle to the Gold Coast due to the escalating Covid-19 outbreak in Greater Sydney.
Losing the first two games at home by a combined points aggregate of 76-6 was a bad enough look for Green in his first year at the Maroons helm.
More questions have been raised over Queensland’s leadership after the latest controversy caused by forward Jai Arrow being forced to leave camp following a biosecurity breach at the Gold Coast team hotel.
Green admitted Arrow’s actions were “not good enough” but believed the barbs aimed their way had stung.
His only consolation was a firm belief it would spur Queensland into action as they try to avoid New South Wales claiming their first whitewash in 21 years.
“When people do criticise your culture, yeah, that does hurt,” he said. – NRL