Queensland legend Corey Parker has called for Pat Carrigan to “take on” Payne Haas in Wednesday’s Origin decider and put “friendship” aside at Suncorp Stadium.
However, for The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio, Felise Kaufusi is set to be the man to spark the Maroons’ faltering forward pack and could be in line for a late switch into the run on side.
Billy Slater’s forwards were dominated by the Blues in Game II, allowing Michael Maguire’s side to run in six unanswered tries which secured a series-levelling victory.
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Speaking to The Courier Mail, Parker explained he believes Carrigan must be the man to make a statement and stop Haas, who was impressive at the MCG, in his tracks.
“It’s time for Carrigan to take on Payne Haas. Rip his f***ing head off. Seriously,” Parker said to News Corp.
“In Origin, the friendship gets put aside for 80 minutes…. Pat should make a statement.
“Fly out of the line and level Payne. Whack him. They are best mates. but that’s what Origin is about, mate versus mate.”
For NRL360 host Braith Anasta, he believes Parker means “a Queenslander needs to make a statement” and to “come out of the line and put a shot on”.
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While Carrigan has previously shown he can match it with any forward in the game, Riccio believes Kaufusi has shown in the past he’s the man to inspire the Maroons’ troops.
Kaufui has played 16 Origin games to date and has won 50 per cent of those clashes.
The 32-year-old has been named on the bench, but Riccio was of the belief Slater was plotting a forward pack shake-up that would see Kurt Capewell or Jeremiah Nanai ride the pine.
“He should be starting, he’s the statement guy, he’s the hitman and he’s the sniper,” Riccio said on NRL360 on Tuesday night.
“If I’m, and I’m not (coaching Queensland), Felise should be starting this game. Capewell and Nanai are on the edges, I’d swap one of those guys.
“Play Kaufusi, he’s you’re statement guy… we’ve seen it all before. He’s started in 14 of 17 Origin matches and he’s playing off the bench.
“It’s the same reason they went down the path of considering Josh Papalii, they needed a hit man and Kaufusi is the guy.”
Rugby league legend Gorden Tallis also pointed to the brutal shots Kaufusi put on his former teammate Brandon Smith in the Dolphins’ debut NRL game.
Despite the pair spending a long period together at the Storm, Kaufusi showed no mercy and levelled the Roosters hooker.
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“He’s brutal right, it goes back to playing against his old mate in Brandon Smith when he hit him, and I know it’s a while ago,” Tallis explained.
“But all these old warriors, they still think they have one more fight left in them and that’s the chance he’s got.”
He also urged the Queenslanders to refrain from being sent off, highlighting the impact Joseph Suaalii omission had for the Blues in the series opener.
Meanwhile, he also highlighted another player he believes needs to have a big game for the Maroons on Wednesday night.
“I wouldn’t say take his head off…. but certainly stopping Payne Haas. He was absolutely outstanding,” Tallis said.
“If it’s a targeted question, I think it needs to be Lindsay Collins. You’re the big dog now, the biggest in the team, he’s six foot four.
“You’re our leader, take our first carry and you lay the platform and (they) will follow.”
Source link: ‘He’s the hitman’: The man to make QLD ‘statement’ as late Slater pack switch emerges