We caught up with NSW Blues and Pirtek Parramatta Eels assistant coach Matt Parish while he was in camp with the side in Coogee leading into State of Origin game 2 on Wednesday June 26.
With a solid preparation, Parish is confident the Blues can travel to Brisbane and repeat their game one success.
"Obviously Monday was a little bit disruptive but everyone's moved on since then, and Nathan Merritt's come in and fitted in really good," he said.
"He's been waiting a long time for his opportunity and hopefully makes the most of it; he's an accomplished winger and scores a lot of tries for the Rabbitohs."
Game 2 is, of course, at Suncorp Stadium where the Queenslanders have an incredibly strong record.
"We're not afraid of the Queenslanders, but it is a very hard place to win at, Suncorp; obviously them playing at home, and and certainly they'll be very determined after losing game one."
"But we've got to take a lot of confidence out of the opening game, and if we can play better than we did then we can win."
"I think we've got to go up there with the same sort of attitude and try and compete in everything we do, whether it's running or tackling."
"I think we out-enthused them and that attitude can go a long way to winning the game."
Eels fullback Jarryd Hayne is unfortunately sitting the game out due to his hamstring injury, and Parish admits it is a real blow to the team.
"I think it's a blow because if he wasn't our best player in game one, he was one of our top three, and as we know his form for the Eels has been terrific."
"But Josh Dugan gets the opportunity to play and his form since going to the Dragons has been terrific," he said.
"He's played one Origin for NSW and won players' player. So it's disappointing for Jarred but hopefully he'll be right and can be back on the paddock in game three."
Watch the full video above to see his score prediction for the second State of Origin next Wednesday!
Click here to support the Blue and Gold army at ANZ Stadium against the Rabbitohs on Sunday!
With a solid preparation, Parish is confident the Blues can travel to Brisbane and repeat their game one success.
"Obviously Monday was a little bit disruptive but everyone's moved on since then, and Nathan Merritt's come in and fitted in really good," he said.
"He's been waiting a long time for his opportunity and hopefully makes the most of it; he's an accomplished winger and scores a lot of tries for the Rabbitohs."
Game 2 is, of course, at Suncorp Stadium where the Queenslanders have an incredibly strong record.
"We're not afraid of the Queenslanders, but it is a very hard place to win at, Suncorp; obviously them playing at home, and and certainly they'll be very determined after losing game one."
"But we've got to take a lot of confidence out of the opening game, and if we can play better than we did then we can win."
"I think we've got to go up there with the same sort of attitude and try and compete in everything we do, whether it's running or tackling."
"I think we out-enthused them and that attitude can go a long way to winning the game."
Eels fullback Jarryd Hayne is unfortunately sitting the game out due to his hamstring injury, and Parish admits it is a real blow to the team.
"I think it's a blow because if he wasn't our best player in game one, he was one of our top three, and as we know his form for the Eels has been terrific."
"But Josh Dugan gets the opportunity to play and his form since going to the Dragons has been terrific," he said.
"He's played one Origin for NSW and won players' player. So it's disappointing for Jarred but hopefully he'll be right and can be back on the paddock in game three."
Watch the full video above to see his score prediction for the second State of Origin next Wednesday!
Click here to support the Blue and Gold army at ANZ Stadium against the Rabbitohs on Sunday!
