Blues plan another Origin grind - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Blues plan another Origin grind

By Todd Balym 01/06/2009 05:34:58 PM Comments (0)

NSW halfback Peter Wallace says the Blues won't be tempted into an all-out attacking brand of football just because they boast some backline flair this year.

Guilty of being too defensive and reliant upon their forwards in the past, NSW have called upon some of the game's most exciting players like Michael Jennings, Jarryd Hayne and Terry Campese to ignite their attack this year.

But Wallace says that doesn't mean Wednesday night's clash with Queensland's incumbent Test backline will lead to a point-scoring frenzy.

The young halfback insists the Blues won't be throwing caution to the wind but rather trying to wear down the Maroons as they did in Origin I last year.

"We're just looking for a win down here, that's what we're aiming for," he said.

"We're not going to be playing ad-lib footy.

"We're going to be in there for the full 80 minutes and grinding away.

"It could be (high-scoring) but I suppose it will depend on the defence. We've worked pretty hard on our defence so hopefully we won't be leaking too many points and scoring them instead."

Wallace wouldn't go into any detail about the Blues plans in attack, keeping a tight lid on the secret sessions assistant coach Andrew Johns has been running with key playmakers Robbie Farah, Terry Campese and himself.

However with strike power on the flanks provided by the likes of Jennings, Jamie Lyon and backrower Ben Creagh, Wallace says the Blues will look to create some opportunities for their key attacking weapons.

"We'll get (Jennings) the ball and let him do his thing and use his speed," he said.

"Hopefully he can get some good ball and show what he has got.

"We've done a bit of work with Benny and the other backrowers too. Both sides of the field we have got a good running game so we're looking to use them."

Wallace was also very secretive about NSW's plans to nullify his Brisbane teammate Israel Folau and the winger's aerial threat.

Ex-Richmond coach and former St Kilda fullback Danny Frawley came into the NSW camp last week to teach tactics on aerial defence, but Wallace wasn't sharing any information from the lesson.

"We've got a bit of a plan to try and stop (Folau), but once you're out there he is pretty hard to stop," he said.

"We just have to make sure we're on our game and we get our protection around the catchers to try and hinder him as best we can."

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