A minor shift in the Blues’ attacking strategy could provide the winning formula needed to rattle Queensland in the State of Origin series decider, according to Andrew Johns.
No changes have been made to the starting side for the hosts, despite five players entering the team’s camp under a cloud of doubt due to injury and illness.
The Blues scored more tries than Queensland in game two but still lost the game due to some errant goal kicking.
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Nonetheless, Johns believes NSW is yet to get the most out of its attack, and says the game plan needs to focus on getting early ball to the edges on Wednesday night.
“We need to play to our strengths,” he said on Wide World of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour.
“If you have a look at the team, there are strengths all over the park.
Latrell Mitchell of the NSW Blues runs out in game one of the 2025 State of Origin series. Getty
“For me, you’ve got Angus Crichton and Latrell Mitchell on the left and Liam Martin and Stephen Crichton on the right. We have to play to them, we have to get them more quality ball, (know) where to get them the ball and when to get them the ball.
“In Perth in horrible conditions (in game two), Latrell put three tries on for Brian To’o just with his skill, but when he got the ball the defence was there (in his face). If we can get him more ball, look out.”
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Mitchell’s limited time with the ball during that match was noted by coach Laurie Daley, who cited the Maroons defence as a barrier for the halves to find the centre.
Johns believes the success of the edges will be determined by the middle forwards.
“You have to get him the ball in unstructured defence and how you do that is getting offloads,” Johns said.
“How do you get offloads? Your halves are up in the advantage line supporting the big boys.
“When the offloads come, just throw it straight to Latrell or Critta (Crichton) on the edge because the defence is all staggered. If you give Latrell little pockets… Latrell can beat a bloke on the outside. You can’t tackle him one-on-one.
“In game one we made 15 offloads and in game two we only made five offloads.
“When you are attacking on the halfway line, defence out wide are not as aggressive. Wingers are able to drop back so it gives Latrell and Critta even more time.
“The halves have to realise that it is really good to go in the line and hold up these defenders but the longer you go into the line and closer to the ruck, the less time you are giving to (the edge attack).
“The real strength of the team is in the edges. I’d just love to see them use the ball more,” he continued.
“The spine can not expect their forwards to get a quick play of the ball and say ‘go there’. You’ve got to get in and around, which creates one on one tackles, quick play the balls and offloads.
“If NSW do that they will get Latrell not one-on-one, but one-on-two, and he will still pull your pants down.
“We saw Angus last year in Melbourne, no one could tackle him. It is the same with Critta, then you’ve got the psychopath that is Liam Martin.”
Angus Crichton and Latrell Mitchell in action during game one of the 2025 State of Origin series. Getty
However, for NSW to get the strategy right, all players must learn to break away from the systems they use with their teammates at club level.
“I’d encourage them to get forward, support more and play more offloads,” Johns said.
“It can be hard because a lot of these players play in systems and they stay to those systems. But if you’ve got the Ferrari’s and the Mack trucks out (wide), you’ve got to use them.
“The nucleus of the team have been together for five or six years now, and if they get it right it is a real special team.”
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