NSW backline to make their Origin point

22 May 2012, 5:05 pm   -   Source: AAP

NSW will attempt to go point for point with the start-studded Queensland side in a fresh attempt to end their six-year Origin series victory drought.

They've tried bashing them and even boring them - now NSW will attempt to beat Queensland at their own game in State of Origin I.

Having realised that nullifying the brilliance of Johnathan Thurston, Greg Inglis, Billy Slater and co. was an exercise in futility - the Blues are now preparing to go point for point with the Maroons at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne on Wednesday night.

"I think we needed to do something different to beat these guys," Blues skipper Paul Gallen said.

"We know how good they are."

Indeed with a backline that was also the Australian backline just a few weeks ago bar veteran winger Brent Tate, the point-scoring potential of the Queensland side needs little explanation.

In past years the Blues have attempted to clog up their space with defensive specialists out wide, while the plan to keep Slater out the game with Jamie Soward's boot in last year's series didn't quite come off either.

And while the perception is Blues coach Ricky Stuart has taken a punt on the likes of Jarryd Hayne and dumped Penrith centre Michael Jennings, statistics reveal the pair are part of a NSW backline which has had more success than their Queensland opposites so far in 2012.

The Blues outside backs have combined for 28 tries compared to just 18 for the Maroons, with struggling Queensland and Newcastle winger Darius Boyd the only player yet to cross the stripe.

"You just have a look at the (NSW) team, the players have all got points in them," Gallen said.

"Brett Stewart scores a lot of tries, Michael Jennings, the wingers score a lot of tries ... it's more of an attacking team I think just sheerly by looking at the players that are named.

"That's clearly Ricky's focus, to score more points."

The Blues now just have to ensure they get their backs plenty of ball, which will be a tough enough ask in itself.

They will line up against a massive Maroons pack who then have the luxury of calling on Test trio Ben Hannant, David Shillington and Dave Taylor from the bench.

"We've got a good, strong forward pack and I'm looking forward to playing on the back of that," hooker Robbie Farah said.

"I'm sure the boys will get me some good go-forward, which will allow me to get out and play a bit of footy as well."

Such has been the precision of Stuart's preparation that even the final training run at Etihad Stadium was pencilled in for Tuesday night to go as close as possible to replicating match conditions.

"We couldn't have been any better prepared going into tomorrow night's game," Farah said.

"We think we've got a game plan that can go out and trouble them.

"It's up to us now to go out there and implement what Ricky's told us."

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