Target Fifita at you peril: Cordner

NSW captain Boyd Cordner believes Queensland will free the Blues' other attacking threats if they focus their defence on Andrew Fifita in State of Origin II.

Boyd Cordner

NSW captain Boyd Cordner has backed his bench to replicate a State of Origin I performance. (AAP)

Queensland's attempts to target Andrew Fifita in attack will only come back to the bite them, according to NSW captain Boyd Cordner.

The Maroons have made no secret of their desire to shut down game-one menace Fifita in Wednesday's must-win State of Origin clash at ANZ Stadium.

Queensland players have been spotted piling four men into players representing the Cronulla prop at their training in the past week, regularly shouting his name in defence.

But Cordner said that the Maroons putting all their defensive energy on one player was fraught with danger.

"If they want to just focus in on one player, we've got a lot of strike across the field where we can hurt them," Cordner said.

The anticipated tactic follows a similar approach adopted by Melbourne in the NRL match following game one as they toppled Cronulla in Sydney.

The Storm, captained by Queensland skipper Cameron Smith, pushed multiple defenders towards Fifita every time he carried the ball in the round-14 clash.

And while they couldn't silence the NSW enforcer, they at least stunted his impact.

With Queensland debutant Tim Glasby in the forwards, the Storm held Fifita to just 7.5 metres per run - his second-lowest average output of the season.

Fifita's influence will be crucial to the Blues' attempts to claim just their second series win in 11 years.

The 27-year-old was the Blues' best in their 28-4 series-opening win in Brisbane last month.

He busted through seven tackles, scored one try and set up another in a man-of-the-match performance.

And Cordner said he couldn't see any reason why that performance wouldn't be replicated in Sydney.

"He played unreal game one," Cordner said.

"To play week in, week out consistent football for his club just shows how good of a player he is.

"He'll be in for another big game."

NSW enjoyed a day off on Monday, before their final captain's run at ANZ Stadium on Tuesday.

The Blues only have one injury concern, with Tyson Frizell to be needled up to dim rib pain.

Cordner also came into camp with questions over his knee after he missed the Sydney Roosters last-start NRL win against the Wests Tigers, but said it hadn't hurt his Origin preparations.

"I've been in full training this week," he said.

"Having the game off against the Tigers ... has given me an extra rest and allowed me to get into training as normal."


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world