‘They’re interesting numbers’: Blues aware of lopsided penalty counts in Qld as they prepare to make own history

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‘They’re interesting numbers’: Blues aware of lopsided penalty counts in Qld as they prepare to make own history

For all the chat about the Blues’ poor record in deciders played in Queensland, perhaps the most startling number to emerge is that NSW has won just nine penalty counts of the 60 matches played north of the border.

Blues coach Michael Maguire is fully aware of the “interesting numbers” which is why he’s done everything in his power to ensure his side gets a good whistle at Suncorp Stadium where referee Ashley Klein will be encouraged by the home fans to penalise the visitors at every opportunity.

“I’ve done all the things in the background that I need to do about that. I know what our team needs to do in and around how the game is going to be played,” Maguire said on Tuesday.

“I guess the numbers don’t lie, but we just have to deal with what we have to.

“How we control that is up to us. They’re interesting numbers, but we have to control what we can.”

History shows that only the 1994 and 2005 Blues teams have gone to Brisbane and won a decider, with the Maroons hoping that trend continues as they seek a third series win in a row.

The Blues will start as narrow outsiders but they take plenty of confidence into the Cauldron on the back of their dominant win in Melbourne where they monstered the Maroons with a flurry of first-half tries.

The significance of winning a decider in ****** territory hasn’t been lost on Blues skipper Jake Trbojevic, who has the chance to do something very special against the Maroons who are led by Manly teammate Daly Cherry-Evans.

Camera IconThe Blues have only won two deciders in Brisbane. Credit: News Limited

“It’d be extremely special. We have a lot of confidence coming from Melbourne, and it’s a great opportunity for us to play up here,” he said.

“You want to test yourself on the biggest stage, and the way it’s all worked out is really exciting for us.

“It’s a great test and moment of our careers to play in a decider up here, so hopefully we can go out and make a good account of ourselves.”

The hostile atmosphere that awaits them at Suncorp Stadium hasn’t been felt in Brisbane so far this week, with Trbojevic unfazed by what’s to come.

“It hasn’t been (bad) so far, it’s actually been really nice, but I’m sure tomorrow night it might change,” he said.

“It’s the same dimensions wherever you play, so it’s a game of rugby league and we’ll go out and compete to the best of our ability.”

data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///ywAAAAAAQABAAACAUwAOw==Camera IconThe Blues won’t get the chance to drive down Caxton St as they have done in the past. Credit: News Corp Australia

The Blues wanted to travel to the stadium down the famous Caxton St but those plans were shot down pretty quickly. However, they did have dinner there on Monday where they escaped any heckling on what turned out to be a quiet night.

Maguire doesn’t want to imagine what winning might look like, but he has leant on the past throughout his time in charge, with the Blues coach turning to former legends to instil what it means to do the impossible up north.

“Everyone talks about it (the hate) but it’s really about what we’re trying to do and what we’re trying to create,” he said.

“Way back when we first started, I was fortunate enough to talk to a number of the old guys that have played in this space to get an understanding of what it means to a lot of people – not just the players – but also the people of NSW.

“We’ve probably hung onto that more than anything around what the players want to create and how they want to play for the people of NSW.”

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