State of Origin is built on rivalry but the burgeoning battle between Payne Haas and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui won’t need much stoking on Wednesday night.
The 20-year-old rivals clashed in game two in Sydney and were both sent to the sin-bin late for the fisticuffs.
But before the decider there’ll be no words of advice or warnings to temper emotions coming from either camp.
“Haven’t said much to him actually,” Maroons coach Wayne Bennett on Tuesday.
“He’s not someone that you’ve kind of got to talk to because he’s pretty well motivated. He’s a pretty easy to coach guy.
“He wants to do his best for you.”
In his first Origin series, the Titans-bound Fa’asuamaleaui has impressed Bennett with his impact and aggression at lock.
Fa’asuamaleaui made more metres than any other Queensland forward (106) in game two as well as four tackle breaks.
“He’s 20 years of age, and we’ve got a decade of him, it’ll be good eh?” Bennett said.
“I’m looking forward to that. He’s only going to get better.
“He’s not going to be intimidated by anybody, so let’s get out there and see what happens tomorrow night.”
On the other end of the rivalry, Haas won’t be getting anything but encouragement from his Blues skipper James Tedesco.
“Just go out, run hard and tackle hard,” is his advice for Haas.
“He does that anyway, I don’t need to give him much advice but I’m sure he’ll be fired up.
“He doesn’t need much inspiration.”
In his second Origin series Haas has been huge for the Blues.
He was moved to starting prop last week and helped power the Blues to victory in Sydney and has been retained in the starting side for game three