Run hard. Tackle hard.
It is basic but it is the game plan which worked for Queensland’s Lindsay Collins on his State of Origin debut last week.
The Sydney Roosters prop came off the bench alongside Jai Arrow to play a key role in a second-half fightback as the Maroons overcame a 10-0 halftime deficit in game one in Adelaide to claim an 18-14 victory.
Collins made 104 metres from 11 runs and 17 tackles to justify the faith shown in him by Queensland coach Wayne Bennett.
The veteran mentor played a key role in preparing Collins for his debut, giving him simple direction on what he needed to do against the Blues.
“The game is really simple if you just break it down into attack and defence,” Collins said.
“Run hard. Tackle hard. I think that’s what Origin is about.
“I haven’t had too much experience obviously but just that one game it’s run hard, tackle hard, complete sets, kick them into corners.
“It’s a real simple game and yeah I think just keeping it simple, knowing my role, and going out there and doing that is just what I need to do.”
Collins admits the build-up before kickoff as he ran onto the field in a Queensland jersey and lined up for the national anthem was emotional. But by the time he got on to the field in the first half he had settled any nerves.
The platform laid by starting front-row pair Josh Papalii and Christian Welch in their opening stints had also given him the inspiration to give it all he had.
“The biggest thing is you don’t want to let anyone down,” he said.
“When Welchy and Paps are doing their job, the last thing you want to do is come on the field and not live up to that expectation.
“They set the platform, which was really good for us and sort of gave me an idea of what I needed to go out and do.
“It was awesome watching them set up the game for us.”
And do not expect anything much to change in the 24-year-old’s approach to Wednesday’s game two in Sydney, where another Maroons victory will seal the series.
“Just repeating that effort. That’s the main goal now, doing what I did last week and doing what I can for the team.”