Onus on forwards to lift Qld: Green
He's sure Reece Walsh is up for the occasion but Queensland coach Paul Green has made it clear it's not the rookie fullback's job to turn the tables on NSW.
The 18-year-old, seven-game NRL bolter has been the focal point of the build up to the Maroons' must-win game on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium.
But Green was happy to hear returning pack leader Josh Papalii had vowed to "take it personally" after suspension meant he was a helpless bystander in the Game I rout.
Blues centres Latrell Mitchell and Tom Trbojevic were at their best thanks to the platform laid by their bigger men and Green knows that must change in Brisbane.
"We're not going to stop him (Trbojevic) doing that (roaming on both sides of the field); it's what he does well but being a bit more physical through the middle will help us handle those guys," he said.
"It's an area, the middle part of the field, where it's fair to say we were beaten in game one, so one we need to tighten up.
"It's about controlling the play-the-ball better and if Josh said that (he'll take it personally) that's a good thing for us.
"It depends what you mean by (mongrel), but he wants to make sure our forwards are in the contest."
Papalii will reunite with Christian Welch, who was an early casualty in Townsville thanks to a head knock.
Jai Arrow and Felise Kaufusi will start on the edges, with David Fifita moved to the bench in a move Green hopes will provide defensive starch early and offensive punch late.
Frank Molo will also make his Queensland debut under his former North Queensland coach, while another change Ben Hunt is a proven performer in the tricky No.14 role.
Five-eighth Cameron Munster should also be a greater threat after a foot injury muddied his preparation for game one.
Munster sealed an unlikely series win for Queensland the last time he stepped onto Suncorp Stadium in maroon.
"A lot's been said about his game one but we all know what he can do and I'm confident he can do it," Green said.
