Play or not play, that’s Mal’s question

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QUEENSLAND coach Mal Meninga has a big decision to make about Daly Cherry-Evans and it is a call he will need to discuss with his senior players.

Players are always confident of their ability and would never put themselves above the team.

The question for Cherry-Evans, and the one which Mal must consider too, is whether he can get through the entire 80 minutes.

WHY HUNT IS NOT SUCH A BIG PUNT

WHY MAROONS 'LOVE' TO BE UNDERDOGS

Daly Cherry-Evans at training. Source: News Corp Australia

Queensland had their final session at ANZ Stadium and I believe much of the decision with Daly will depend upon how he pulls up from that run on Tuesday.

I am sure Daly has done everything possible and gone above and beyond what has been asked of him this week to be ready to play.

If you take the field in Origin you have to be confident you will be there at the end regardless of what niggles you take into the game.

Origins are not won in 20 minutes, or 40 minutes or 60 minutes, they are always decided in 80 minutes. Most games come down to the last play.

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Daly needs to be confident his knee will be as strong on that last play as it is on the first.

We have all played with injuries and I think if this was a club game Daly probably would not be considering playing. With knee injuries you tend to always give it another week.

If Daly plays you can rest assured Cam Smith and Johnathan Thurston will do all the kicking. Queensland are smart enough to keep Daly protected from players diving at his knees when kicking the ball.

It's fair enough for NSW to tackle and target DCE, but if they adopt illegal tactics then the referees need to be on to that immediately.

WAYNE BENNETT'S NEW ORIGIN BLUEPRINT

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If Cherry Evans is ruled out, the question is whether Ben Hunt is up to it.

There is only one way to find out and everyone has made their debut at some stage and his club form certainly suggests he is ready for the challenge.

What could be the bonus for Queensland is all the attention NSW will give however wears the No.7 jersey.

If they target Daly because of his knee, or focus on Hunt on debut, it just might provide the breathing space Thurston has been craving.

CHERRY-EVANS 'CONFIDENT' OF STARTING

MAROONS PLAN BLITZ ON BLUES HALVES

Will Queensland win and level the Origin series?

Thurston has been the one player NSW have always targeted but if the Blues are intent on putting pressure on the other half it could give JT the breathing room to cause some damage.

I wrote last week that this game was Mal's biggest challenge and from the times I've spoken to him since he has always come across really relaxed and I'm sure that has rubbed off on the players.

Billy has been declared fit earlier than expected which is good news, GI has trained strongly and that is even better.

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Regardless of who plays halfback, you don't have to be Wayne Bennett, Phil Gould or Laurie Daley to figure out that Josh Dugan is going to get some traffic at him.

Laurie could put the best defender ever to play for NSW on that right edge but with Inglis playing and Darius Boyd outside him, the Maroons are going to come down that flank all night long.

It was a big call from the Blues to put Dugan at centre and trying to expose him defensively would be a major focus for the Maroons in training all week.

Daly Cherry-Evans at training. Source: News Corp Australia

NSW were lucky that they had a club coach willing to help the Blues by trialling Dugan at centre in NRL games in recent weeks.

Origin is a different level altogether.

It asks bigger and tougher questions of players than what you ever encounter in the NRL.

It is why some gambles pay off and others are too risky to consider.

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Kent: Blues heading for an ambush

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ON TUESDAY Queensland's spiritual leader, the Reverend Billy Moore, said the Blues were "on the cusp" of winning the Origin series, in the best position they had been for years, and with that little statement of overkill the ruse was finally up.

All the language heading into Wednesday's game has an air of inevitability.

NSW is "on the verge ..."

The Blues "are set to end ..."

DCE TRAINS STRONGLY DURING CAPTAIN'S RUN

Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston during a training session. Source: News Corp Australia

"Queensland's eight year Origin streak ...", spoken about as if it is an absolute, a number to grow no higher.

If Rev Moore is talking like all the Maroons can do is turn up and play their part in NSW's coronation, then as sure as bananas are served in Bowraville the Blues are heading for an ambush.

The poor old Blues are trying hard to stay clear eyed.

Over the weekend NSW vice-captain Robbie Farah revealed there was a different mindset in camp this preparation. Aware they have been caught planning their parade before, Farah told Triple M that they were approaching Wednesday's game as if it was a decider.

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Forget about there being a third game in three weeks. The Blues know how difficult it will be to win that game and want to make the most of the opportunity they earned on Wednesday night with their tremendous win over Queensland at Suncorp Stadium last month.

Wednesday's approach is all or nothing.

Should the Blues expect an ambush from the Maroons in game two?

Only problem is, Queensland has been too quiet. Oh, some will argue the daily injury updates and debate over Daly Cherry-Evans and Billy Slater and Greg Inglis, and whether Ben Hunt will find himself in the game and was Brent Tate really put in a dangerous position, all add up to a whole lot of noise.

But it's just white noise, really. Not a bit of it means anything once the game starts.

More importantly, when was the last time we heard from Johnathan Thurston? Or Cameron Smith?

Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston have been very quiet in the lead up to game two. Source: News Corp Australia

For Blues fans, that is terrifying. While the conversation has been going on Thurston and Smith sit in the eye of the storm, barely distracted. They have had nothing more taxing demanded of them than to prepare for their game. There is no worse place NSW could ask them to be.

Thurston's performance in the final 30 minutes of Game I was every bit as dominant as Jarryd Hayne's game for NSW, he just fell on the wrong end of the scoreboard.

History remembers the winners, and all that.

In the first 50 minutes Thurston had 16 touches. In the final 30 he had 41.

Most players are hard pressed to have 40 possessions in a game. Thurston did that in the final half-hour as he demanded the ball time and again and taunted a Blues defence that was heroic in its execution, which it needed to be.

QLD SHOULD STOP UNDERDOG ACT

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Smith was playing injured most of this time, his ankle hindering him.

No player has the control to his game like Smith, though, and no player regularly has a greater influence on the result.

Often we hear the good judges talk of the Smith's greatness and for all us laymen here, conditioned to watching the great ballrunners, we struggle to pick up the subtleties they speak about.

Smith controls the entire game from dummy-half. The speed and strategy all lie with him. And he is good enough that if you game plan to shut him down, closing down the routes he likes to use, he adjusts his game to find another way.

Few players in the game can change their entire game, on the run, to fool their opposition.

Billy Slater. Members rides a bike during a Maroons training session. Source: News Corp Australia

On top of that, Slater will be his very best. He hurt his knee in last year's World Cup and the professional diagnosis was he was that he was gone for six weeks.

This was a terrible inconvenience for Tim Sheens and his Australian side, as the World Cup final was a fortnight away.

Yet Slater not only got himself right, but scored Australia's first try with one of those high leaps and then went on to score another as he starred for Australia.

He can play with injury.

This is what the Blues contend with on Wednesday night, an opponent who for all the stones being kicked after Game I still matched them at two tries all, and who go into game two with a spoonful of hope, more than a dash of underdog, and the prayers of Rev Moore.

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Why’s the Hayne Train so hard to stop?

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BLUES sensation Jarryd Hayne is officially the toughest player to tackle in Origin history.

Maroons players on Tuesday night conceded they are almost powerless to stop the Hayne Train steamrolling Queensland's eight-year dynasty in Origin II at ANZ Stadium.

Fox Sports statistics show Hayne is Origin's most destructive ball-runner with 109 tackle busts from 18 Origin appearances, eclipsing Maroons trio Greg Inglis (106 in 22 games), Billy Slater (74 in 23) and Justin Hodges (67 in 19).

MAROONS MUST SNAP DAUNTING ANZ HOODOO

Jarryd Hayne of NSW tackled by Billy Slater. Source: News Corp Australia

The Blues custodian produced a man-of-the-match display in Origin I and Maroons players are on guard for a blockbusting Hayne encore in the return bout on Wednesday night.

"He is starting to realise what he is capable of," Maroons winger Brent Tate said.

"He has threatened to do it the last few years and he has done it a couple of times but week in, week out he is just sublime at the moment.

"I don't know ... I don't think we're ever going to stop him."

Jarryd Hayne takes on the defence. Source: News Corp Australia

Hayne has been the thorn in Queensland's side ever since he entered the Origin arena and it is no coincidence NSW have won three of his past four Origin starts.

Former Queensland lock Billy Moore warned the Maroons the loss of injured Blues brothers Josh and Brett Morris could make Hayne even more potent on Wednesday.

WHY HUNT IS NOT SUCH A BIG PUNT

WHY MAROONS 'LOVE' TO BE UNDERDOGS

Will Queensland win and level the Origin series?

"Before Game One, I feared he would be the danger and unfortunately I was correct," Moore said.

"If anything, Hayne will be even more important because the loss of the Morris boys are huge blows and they will look to Jarryd at every opportunity in attack.

"Hayne fatigued Queensland by constantly challenging the line and asking questions of their defence.

"Hayne is someone they will definitely look to nullify."

Ask Queensland players why Hayne is the toughest man to bring down and they talk about his size, speed, vision and footwork. Most of all, they talk about his size.

CHERRY-EVANS 'CONFIDENT' OF STARTING

MAROONS PLAN BLITZ ON BLUES HALVES

Jarryd Hayne makes a break. Source: News Corp Australia

Hayne is officially listed as 100kg, but Queensland think he is bigger than almost every forward in the Maroons pack.

"He is a pretty big human, I think he is 106kg or something," Maroons forward Matt Gillett said.

"He is a big fullback with his size and is pretty strong and hard to handle with his good footwork.

"If we can cut him down and everyone does their best on him it will help us a lot and probably slow them down a bit.

"In that first game I came out a little bit ahead of the line and he was straight through the hole. You just don't know what he is going to do.

"He is probably a step ahead of you every time."

Jarryd Hayne celebrates the win in game one. Source: News Corp Australia

HURRICANE HAYNE

Most tackle busts in State of Origin since 2002.

# Busts # Games

Jarryd Hayne # 109 # 18

Greg Inglis # 106 # 22

Billy Slater # 74 # 23

Justin Hodges # 67 # 19

Johnathan Thurston # 60 # 28

Source: Fox Sports Stats

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McKinnon to inspire the Blues to victory

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OF the 84,000 faces at ANZ Stadium, one special individual has the influence to lift NSW towards State of Origin supremacy.

In an inspiring show of support for the Blues, Newcastle's Alex McKinnon will attend the Origin II blockbuster with his fiancee Teigan Power.

McKinnon, who is fighting an heroic battle to overcome spinal injuries which has left him in a wheelchair, is a passionate supporter of the Blues, many of whom he has played with.

Alex McKinnon in the sheds at ANZ Stadium for a Knights clash. Source: Supplied

NSW and Newcastle Knights forward Beau Scott has kept the fighting spirit of McKinnon close to his heart throughout the Origin series, penning the words 'Alex' to his wrist during Origin I in Brisbane.

While one of the first people to visit McKinnon when he was originally hospitalised in Melbourne, was Blues forward Greg Bird.

But McKinnon will take a well-earned break from his rigorous rehabilitation in hospital to join with the rest of the state, who are desperately hoping that NSW can eight years of Queensland Origin dominance.

Is this the Blues side to finally end Queensland's dominance of Origin?

Alex McKinnon will attend game two with his fiance Teigan Power. Source: Facebook

The invitation to witness Wednesday night's clash up close and personal, was extended live on air by legendary Channel Nine commentator Ray Warren during his Triple M radio show two weeks ago.

Warren called on his contacts at Channel Nine and also his close mate 2GB radio host and fellow Nine commentator Ray Hadley to ensure McKinnon's Origin experience came to fruition.

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And despite the logistical exercise of getting to and from Sydney Olympic Park, it was an offer the rugby league mad 22-year-old was hardly going to knock back.

Hadley has become a close confidant of the McKinnon family during the most tumultuous period of their lives. The popular talkback host has visited the former NRL star in hospital on several occasions since the accident to offer his support and was influential in helping McKinnon arrive at Wednesday night's game.

In a fitting gesture, Hadley is planning to introduce McKinnon to 'Rabs' Warren prior to his live call of one of the most anticipated matches in Origin history.

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Mal won’t walk away from coaching post

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MAROONS coach Mal Meninga has declared he will not resign if a NSW victory on Wednesday heralds the demise of the most successful dynasty in Origin history.

Meninga plans to lead the Maroons for a 10th campaign next season, regardless of whether he suffers his first series defeat in Origin II at ANZ Stadium.

Meninga is Origin's greatest coach and there is a belief a Blues triumph could convince the Maroons mentor to pass the baton to assistant Kevin Walters.

WHY HUNT IS NOT SUCH A BIG PUNT

WHY MAROONS 'LOVE' TO BE UNDERDOGS

Mal Meninga and Cam Smith. Source: News Corp Australia

On the eve of his 26th game as Queensland coach, Meninga says Wednesday's result will have no bearing on his QRL contract, which expires after next year's series.

"My tenure will not driven by the result," Meninga said.

"If we do happen to lose this year, well I don't think that should play any part in whether I retire or not, simple as that.

"Whether I'm doing a good job or not is the key.''

Should Mal Meninga resign as coach if Queensland lose the series?

Meninga, who has won a record 17 of 25 Origin games as coach, is facing greater off-field demands now than when he accepted the Maroons post in 2006.

The 32-game Origin veteran turns 54 next month and admits the birth of his two sons in the past three years has added to family responsibilities away from football.

But Meninga says his passion has not been eroded and will chalk-up a decade as Queensland coach if the players want him on deck next season.

CHERRY-EVANS 'CONFIDENT' OF STARTING

MAROONS PLAN BLITZ ON BLUES HALVES

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"My family situation makes things a little bit harder, but I'm still passionate about what I do and I wouldn't do it if I wasn't," he said.

"I have always maintained that if I believe that I have something to offer, I will keep going, but I will be guided by the players.

"I have had a lot to do with this fantastic group over a long period of time and if they are getting tired of me and I'm not doing a good job in their minds, I'll move on.

"I understand it's important you move on at the right time. But I want to go on. That will be guided by not only how I feel, but how the players feel."

Cam Smith and Mal Meninga at training. Source: News Corp Australia

Meninga has a succession plan in place, adding Walters to his coaching staff this season.

But Walters said he would be surprised if NSW's first series win since 2005 forced Meninga into retirement.

"Mal's as relaxed as possible but everyone is aware of what's at stake," Walters said.

"Regardless of what happens (tonight), I don't see this being the time for Mal to move on.

"He loves it and the boys love working and playing under him. Mal will decide when he feels it's right to go, not when someone else thinks it.

"It will be his call to decide when he's had enough."

WAYNE BENNETT'S NEW ORIGIN BLUEPRINT

Mal Meninga at Queensland State of Origin training. Source: News Corp Australia

Queensland forward Chris McQueen urged Meninga not to walk away.

"I hope he goes on," he said. "He's very passionate, very intense about what we do at Origin level.

"I didn't have a lot to do with him before he came to this team, but he puts the drive into the players to go out and perform for the state."

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Sole Power scores history win

Did it again ... Sole Power, seen here winning the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, has made history Source: Supplied

ENGLISH sprinter Sole Power has continued a remarkable association with Royal Ascot, becoming the first horse in 80 years to win successive Group 1 King's Stand Stakes.

Contesting the feature sprint for the fourth time, Sole Power came from last to blow away 16 rivals to emulate Gold Bridge, who claimed consecutive King's Stand victories in 1933-34.

The seven-year-old automatically receives an invitation to contest the VRC Sprint Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 8, a leg of the Global Sprint Challenge.

South African Shea Shea, the only international contender in a race previously won by Australians Choisir, Takeover Target, Miss Andretti and Scenic Blast, finished 11th.

Medicean Man, trained by England-based South Australian Jeremy Gask, finished a close fourth and is likely to back up in Saturday's Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m).

Tornado outclassed quality opposition to win the Queen Anne Stakes (1600m), leaving 2013 Cox Plate contender Mull Of Killough (eighth) and MacKinnon Stakes winner Side Glance (ninth) in his wake.

Frankie Dettori, 43, notched his 48th Royal Ascot success when The Wow Signal kept favourite backers in command with victory in the Coventry Stakes (1000m).

A son of Victoria-based Starspangledbanner and a grandson of Choisir — both Australian winners at Royal Ascot — The Wow Signal was Dettori's first winner at the meeting since 2012.

Still hindered by a broken toe, Dettori has struggled to regain momentum after being suspended for six months in 2002 after testing positive to a banned substance, said to be cocaine.

The first two winners were owned by the Qatari Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani.

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