NSW hooker Damien Cook has revealed he followed advice from fellow Blues star James Tedesco ahead of his crucial role in their State of Origin triumph on Wednesday.
One of the stars of the prestigious three-game rugby league series, the South Sydney forward was among the Blues leading tacklers and scored a spectacular solo try on the hour.
He scampered out of dummy half and showed great footwork and speed, beating three men and standing up fullback Cameron Munster to score a try which set up a 20-8 Blues lead on the hour.
"I don't really know what goes through my mind when those things happen, I just play whats in front of me and a bit of instinct and I try to back myself," Cook told AAP.
"And I had Teddy (James Tedesco ) come to me before the game and said 'if you see something, just to back myself and to take it on."
"Thats what I probably haven't been doing lately and it was good to get into some open space."
Fullback and player of the series, Tedesco notched a last minute try as the Blues survived a fierce Queensland fightback to secure a series-clinching 26-20 victory at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.
Cook scored his first Origin try in his sixth appearance.
The 28-year-old hooker is adamant his game is continuing to grow and improve.
He has played in successive series wins for NSW after breaking into the team last year.
'It was very special to get the jersey again this year, to show being consistent and I''d like to think I've improved my game," he said.
"It's not all just about running, I understand playing my role a bit more now and trying to bring a few things into my game this year so I definitely feel like I'm growing as a player.
"It's always good to keep improving in defence and I really feel like thats come a long way, I feel like I'm getting a lot stronger there.
"Game management, running with tempo as well, everything doesn't have to be at 100 miles an hour."
