Injured New South Wales superstar Tom Trbojevic says the Blues can’t afford to be “too nice” in the State of Origin decider, as they were in game one.
Trbojevic has been forced to watch the series unfold from his couch, nursing a serious shoulder injury that ended his NRL season early.
The gun utility back – who was instrumental in NSW winning last year’s series – didn’t exactly like what he saw as the Blues lost the series opener by six points in Sydney.
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“Disappointed. We were probably too nice and let them get away with too much,” Trbjoevic told Wide World of Sports from the Ampol Little Origin clinic in Brisbane.
“They got ahead, and we fought back, but it was too little too late.
“Obviously it was much better to watch game two, and hopefully that can continue into game three.
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“I think Queensland were the side to break in game two, and we broke in game one. (The Blues) were definitely better (in game two), but they had to be.”
NSW fought back to win the second tie convincingly. Tom’s older brother, Jake, was one of several players called into the team to inspire the series comeback.
Unfortunately for the injured Manly gun, he won’t be on hand at Suncorp Stadium this week to cheer on his teammates.
Trbojevic flew back to Sydney after his Little Origin duties to focus on rehabilitating his shoulder, while the rest of his family – bar his other brother, Ben – fly to the sunshine state to cheer on Jake.
“He’s very excited obviously, it’s a great opportunity, a game three decider at Suncorp,” Trbojevic said of Jake.
“We lost one a couple of years ago. You don’t want to be losing deciders.
“I know it’s a tough place to win, but the reality is you have to win. They are excited for the opportunity. Hopefully they can take it up.”
It’s notoriously hard for NSW to win at Suncorp Stadium, let alone an Origin series decider.
Trbojevic believes Blues coach Brad Fittler will make a point of it during camp leading up to the game.
“I think they would talk about it. You’ve got to bring it up and look at it as an opportunity to rewrite history,” he said.
“It’s a massive challenge, but you’ve got to believe you’re big enough and good enough to take it on.
“I think Freddy is definitely the type of bloke to talk about it and embrace the challenge.”
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