Memories of 2013 have convinced skipper Daly Cherry-Evans that Queensland can overcome a shattering State of Origin II loss and seal a series victory in Sydney.
Cherry-Evans admitted he was “gutted” after coach Kevin Walters called his side out for a lack of effort following NSW’s 38-6 game two rout in Perth on Sunday night.
However, the halfback has not given up hope of a 12th series win in 14 years after quickly casting his mind back to his 2013 Maroons debut year.
Back then, Cherry-Evans helped Queensland down the Blues 12-10 and clinch the series thanks to an heroic defensive effort at ANZ Stadium in just the playmaker’s second Origin game.
“That was my debut series and we won game three in a decider (in Sydney) which proves it can be done,” Cherry-Evans said.
“I was lucky enough to win a decider in Sydney so it is not foreign territory for Queensland to overcome that kind of adversity.
“I will make sure I am driving home that belief and make sure we improve on the training paddock during the week of training, first and foremost.”
Still, Queensland’s defence will need a radical overhaul in game three on July 10.
The Maroons missed a staggering 39 tackles as the Blues ran amok to lock up the series.
Yet Cherry-Evans still dared to dream.
“I take a lot from Origin games that I have won, and in 2013 in Sydney I still remember how well we defended,” he said.
“We were under wave and wave of attack from the other side and prevailed on the back of a defensive effort.
“If we can throw all our attitude and effort into defence in game three it will go a long way to winning that game.”
History is on Queensland’s side.
The Maroons have won the last two deciders in Sydney – in 2008 and in Cherry-Evans’ cherished 2013 series.
Overall, Queensland have won 13 series deciders compared to NSW’s four including the last seven.
The Blues haven’t won a decider since 2005.
Yet it remains to be seen if Queensland can appease cranky coach Walters and bounce back from their six tries to one shellacking in Perth.
The air turned blue at Walters’ press conference at times as the Maroons mentor dropped an f-bomb venting his frustration over their “two out of 10” performance, refusing to rule out team changes.
“We are bitterly disappointed with what we dished up. Even the kick-off f***ing pissed me off,” Walters said.
NSW dominated despite losing No.7 Nathan Cleary for the second half with a syndesmosis injury that could rule him out of the decider.
Centre Tom Trbojevic bagged a hat-trick while recalled playmaker James Maloney (two try assists) and No.1 James Tedesco (186 metres, two try assists) were the stars of NSW’s second biggest Origin win.
