They may be 1-0 down in the State of Origin series but Queensland coach Mal Meninga reckons there is no place he would rather be.
Especially as the Maroons look to put their remarkable run of seven straight series on the line at their beloved home ground Suncorp Stadium.
The all-conquering Queensland side appear to have their backs against the wall ahead of Wednesday night’s must-win clash with NSW.
Meninga has been accused of everything from ditching loyalty to his players to attempting to influence the referees ahead of the crunch game two clash in Brisbane.
And NSW have a strut in their stride after ambushing a surprisingly lethargic Maroons 14-6 in game one.
However, Meninga said lining up at Suncorp Stadium could change everything in the series.
“It’s great being at home. They get the game. They understand when they have to pick the team up and put out that Queenslander call – it’s intimidating (for the opposition),” Meninga said.
“They can pick you up when your back is against the wall and you are feeling under pressure.
“I know the Blues will come here trying to shut them up but it (home crowd) is a huge bonus for us.
“But we have to play well to get the fans into the game.”
Yet Meninga was quietly confident of that despite admitting they were finally feeling the pinch after years of dominating the Blues.
“We have our backs against the wall and sometimes that’s the way we like it,” he said.
“I like that sort of stuff. I thrive on it, but I am not playing.
“(However,) they’ve won twice in game one before (during the current seven-year winning streak) and we’ve handled the pressure before.
“Six times we’ve gone one-all … (having) to win the third game.
“That’s pressure and I think we’ve handled that really well.”
Queensland captain Cameron Smith had blamed their slow start in game one on his side believing their own press.
A few choice words from Meninga during their Sunshine Coast team camp has changed all that.
“I think our heads are right. I think we will get the start right,” Meninga said.
“It will be a very interesting first 20 minutes I think.”