State of Origin Game 2, 2007

Noddy the Key to NSW Firing, says Mini

NSW Origin fullback, Rooster Anthony Minichiello says returning NSW Blues halfback Brett Kimmorley will be the one to provide leadership and much needed experience in game two of State of Origin tomorrow night at Telstra Stadium.

Brett Kimmorley will play his first match for the Blues since his forgettable game one in 2005, when his spiral wide pass was intercepted by QLD fullback Matt Bowen who went on to score the winning try in golden point extra time.

Minichiello said the return of Kimmorley into the Origin squad had brought confident direction and leadership to the team.

"I've played with Brett a few times now, so I know what he's all about," Minichiello said.
"He brings a lot of talk to the field, which is what we need, so I'm sure he'll be pushing us around."

In other Origin news, NSW Blues interchange prop Luke Bailey said the NSW Blues would not rely purely on physical aggression alone to get over the top of the QLD Maroons tomorrow night.

Luke Bailey said yesterday that his team needed to play with much more spirit, but he warned his team-mates they need to do more than physically overpower the Queensland Origin side.

"I think there's been a hell of a lot of talk about that (us playing with plenty of passion) but I think you can talk too much about that, we can rely on our talent to win the game" Bailey said.
"We're not simply going to go out there and be crazy thugs and try to match it with them, we're just going to go out there and play our own game, and I think we've got enough talent and experience and skill to win the game."

The NSW Blues will train today at Telstra Stadium in Sydney in preparation for the big match, which they must win to level the series.