NSW players have backed Andrew Fifita to repeat his State of Origin I heroics to deliver the Blues a series-deciding win at Suncorp Stadium.
Fifita was the hero of the Blues' upset of Queensland in the series-opener in Brisbane but was kept quiet by the Maroons in the second match in Sydney.
But his teammates are confident the NSW prop can rediscover the magic that drew comparisons to Origin legend Arthur Beetson.
Front-row partner Aaron Woods admitted Queensland found a way to reduce Fifita's impact in a game two display that resulted in Fifita complaining about his lack of chances with the ball.
Woods said his teammates needed to listen to Fifita's calls and feed him the ball.
"They attacked him pretty hard when we were attacking the ball. Big Fifi, he's ready for a big game. He's probably disappointed he didn't get enough ball like he said," Woods said.
"But I'm sure he's ready to go."
Woods suggested the Blues could opt to send the Cronulla star away from the trenches in the middle of the ruck and focus on the smaller targets out wide.
"You can tip onto him as well, get him a bit wider at the same time," Woods said.
"It's something we'll sit down and talk to (coach Laurie Daley) about, how our game plan is going to go and the structure we're going to play."
Blues coaching staff have shielded the 28-year-old Fifita from the media this week after a dramatic build-up that included the prop calling out a Brisbane pub for an alleged racist Instagram post.
Fifita hinted at visiting the pub to discuss the incident, while he is also expecting the addition of another child to his family this week, and recently re-signed a long-term deal with the Sharks.
Second-rower Josh Jackson backed Fifita to deliver on Wednesday.
"He's a big game player. He played really well for us game one and he's there for the big stage. I'd imagine he'd be ready for a big game," he said.
Share
