Phil Gould has explained why a “siege mentality” approach is the best chance of NSW opening this year’s State of Origin series with a victory over the Maroons.
Off the back of two-straight series losses, the Blues have undergone a changing of the guard in 2024 with new coach Michael Maguire making his mark on the squad.
Five debutants will take the field for NSW on Wednesday night, while the likes of Angus Crichton and Nicho Hynes have earned recalls for game one at Accor Stadium.
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However, according to one of the state’s greatest coaches, it will be Maguire’s intense approach and hard-nosed style of football that could be the key to an upset.
“I think this is a team with siege mentality – I think the coach is a siege mentality coach,” Gould said on Wide World Of Sports’ Six Tackles With Gus.
Michael Maguire in NSW camp. Getty
“This is a bloke that gets up at four in the morning and trains himself and punches himself in the gym. He likes hard people, he likes people that he can rely upon and that’s how he’s chosen his team.
“Cameron McInnes at this stage of his career, Jake Trbojevic as his captain, Reece Robson from the Cowboys – he has gone for these sorts of players.
“This is an all-out assault on the advantage line and busting through these Queenslanders and putting pressure on the edge players and I don’t think we’re going to see anything too flamboyant. We’re going to have to grind our way to a victory.
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“We’re not going to overwhelm the Maroons with ball movement and attacking flair.”
Gould did admit that he was “a little worried” about the side’s attack compared to their interstate rivals, who boast strike and speed all across the park.
The likes of McInnes and Trbojevic are classic toilers, while the same can be said for Robson despite the fact he will wear the No.9 on his back.
NSW Blues captain Jake Trbojevic. Getty
Another player who fits the hard-working mould that Maguire desires in his team is vice-captain Isaah Yeo, who has been a staple of the NSW set-up in recent years and has helped lead the Panthers to three-straight NRL premierships.
However, his selection on the bench – allowing McInnes to start at lock – could be another insight into how the former Rabbitohs and Tigers coach wants to play.
“I’m a little surprised Yeo is on the bench,” Gould said.
“One of the reasons I think Yeo is on the bench is because last year, Queensland were very good at closing down Yeo as a first-receiving lock forward.
“What the coach has done here is he wants Hynes and [Jarome] Luai to have the ball. He doesn’t want his forwards being ball-players … I hope so anyway.”
Hynes hasn’t played in the halves at Origin level before, with his only taste of the game’s toughest arena coming in the centres for a forgettable cameo last year.
Gould conceded there were concerns over the 27-year-old’s ability to handle the pressure moments, but urged the halfback to take control and get as many touches of the football as possible in the early moments.
“Nicho Hynes is best when he is getting first opportunity with the ball,” he said.
“We’ve seen in the past that his confidence can be shaken a little bit. I want him to come through it, we’re supporting him … but he’s got to do it for himself.
Nicho Hynes during State of Origin camp. Getty
“The last thing you want to be doing going into an Origin game is thinking you’ve got to protect one of your players – there is nowhere to hide out there. You’re here for a reason, you’re here to do a job and you’re going to have to stand up and do your job.
“I can only assume that Nicho Hynes will play the seven role … he’ll be getting first thought of the ball.”
Last year, the Blues lost the first two games against a red-hot Queensland outfit, before winning game three in the final game of Brad Fittler’s tenure.
And if they are any chance of regaining the Origin shield this year, NSW need to turn up in Sydney and take the early advantage.
“I don’t think NSW can win the series if they lose game one – but Queensland can win the series if they lose game one, so the pressure is on NSW,” Gould said.