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Yow Yeh expecting to be targeted

By Wayne Heming 11/06/2011 12:20:05 PM Comments (0)

Marking up on freakish NSW winger Jarryd Hayne is scary enough but having both the `Hayne Plane' and rampant rookie Will Hopoate bearing down on you is a frightening thought.

Hayne has a point to prove to NSW coach Ricky Stuart, having being overlooked for State of Origin I, while Hopoate will walk away from rugby league at the end of the season to do missionary work.

And in an intriguing match-up in Wednesday's game two at ANZ Stadium, the pair are set to come up against Queensland's right-side pairing of Jharal Yow Yeh and Dane Nielsen, playing in just their second games for the Maroons.

While Yow Yeh, who's enjoyed a stunning rise to Test and Origin honours this season, admits it's a daunting task, it's also one he is relishing.

"I'm pretty excited by it," Yow Yeh said.

"I like a bit of a challenge and Haynesy being on the wing, he's been there before and you see what he can do.

"He's going to bring the best out of me hopefully with his best footy."

Yow Yeh didn't know whether he was marking a train or plane but had no doubt his rival in blue on Wednesday night was a magician who could pull something out of his hat with his exceptional flair.

"I'm not sure if he (Hayne) is a train or plane, you can call him whatever you want," smiled Yow Yeh.

"All I know is he can make something out of nothing and you have to try and shut him down as quick as you can because, if you don't, he'll pull something out the hat.

"I'll watch a bit of video on him and see what I can do and work hard to keep him quiet."

Hayne wasn't Yow Yeh's only concern, with fresh memories of 19-year-old Hopoate working him over when Manly steamrolled Brisbane a fortnight ago.

Hopoate made 19 runs for 172 metres, scored two tries on the left side and busted four tackles in a dominating display.

Yow Yeh believes the son of controversial former Manly winger John Hopoate will want to grab his Origin opportunity knowing he won't be around for a few years.

"He's a star in the making and he's going to be missed next year when he's not playing," said Yow Yeh, who is only 20 himself.

"I think he's going to go out there and show fans what he's got because he knows he won't be playing footy next year so this is his big opportunity.

"I know what it's like. You grab the opportunity when you put on your state jersey, you step up a notch."

Yow Yeh, who has been working hard on the defensive side of his game, has kept an eye on Hopoate's progress and has been very impressed.

"I've watched a couple of his games and when he played against us he got over me a couple of times which I was a bit down about," he said.

"Obviously I have to get up on his fast and not give him a lot of room because he's got a bit of footwork and he's very strong."

Queensland trained at Coolum on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday morning with star centre Greg Inglis stepping out in public for the first time.

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