Rookie NSW skipper Boyd Cordner is facing an immediate test of his leadership as he seeks to quell the influence of master game manager Cameron Smith during State of Origin I on Wednesday night.
Statistics reveal that the Maroons have historically dominated when it comes to Origin penalty counts in Brisbane.
According to Fox Sports Stats, NSW have been favoured by the whistleblowers in just seven of the 52 matches played in the Sunshine State.
Smith, who is preparing for a record 40th Origin - the 19th as Maroons captain - is renowned for his communication with officials.
All up, Queensland have won 12 of the 18 penalty counts when he has led the Maroons.
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Smith has also never lost a penalty count as Maroons skipper at Suncorp Stadium.
"He's pretty good isn't he?" Cordner said when asked about Smith's influence with referees.
With just six Origin games worth of experience and one club game as on-field skipper under his belt, Cordner will have to find a way to get his point across to referees Matt Cecchin and Gerard Sutton.
Despite being the Blues' third youngest skipper behind NSW coach Laurie Daley and Brad Fittler, Cordner was confident he could do the job.
"All good. I don't find it too hard at all," Cordner said when asked about his relationship with the whistleblowers.
"I suppose when you're out there it's just more emotion and spur-of-the moment things.
"It's something you don't go out there thinking about. If something happens then you've got to make sure you get your voice heard."
The 24-year-old admitted on Monday he had felt "nervous like a schoolkid" in previous Origin camps but said that had all changed this series.
"I feel more comfortable, I don't know why," Cordner said.
"I just feel really relaxed. The big difference is having a bit more of a voice."
In previous years, longtime NSW skipper Paul Gallen was known for generating a headline by firing a shot across the bow of Queensland in his pre-Origin media conferences.
However, Cordner is far less outspoken and would only speak of his admiration for the Maroons, even apologising to journalists for not firing up.
"I've got no punchlines or anything for you today, sorry," he said.
