Blair gets chance to shine in big one

The food doesn't change much at the NRL grand final breakfasts reckons Melbourne Storm prop-come back rower Adam Blair.
"The food on the table is not that great," he said, but the occasion made up for it.
It will be the third grand final appearance for the 23-year-old from Broadwood, near Kaitaia, since joining the club in 2006 but is all the more important because he has yet to earn a winner's medal.
The final is the Storm's fourth consecutive shot at the premiership.
"I missed out on being named in the one they won in 2007 ... so I'm doing everything to prepare myself for this one and put my body out there," he said.
The Storm's definitive 40-10 win over the Broncos last weekend at Suncorp Stadium gave the versatile player added confidence at his relatively new position in the back row.
For the majority of the regular season, Blair played prop but became frustrated.
"I didn't go too badly last week - I like running out wide where you have a bit more space.
"The front row  restricts you from doing what you know you can do and want to do."
Nerves were yet to rattle Blair when the Northern Advocate chatted to the genial giant yesterday, as he was passing time, relaxing on a day off before the team's last training session tonight.
"I haven't really thought about it yet but I guess when we get together for our last training before the game at the stadium (ANZ Stadium), they'll start to kick in," he said.
"The team is pretty relaxed and not feeling too much pressure - they're doing their own thing, trying not to think about the game - they've been there many times before."
Controlling the tempo of the game will be vital against the fast-running Eels backline which, as always, starts with containing the forwards.
"If we slow them (front row) down and restrict the metres we'll stop the forwards getting the ball out wide."
Slowing down the front row would allow Greg Inglis and Billy Slater to weave some magic of their own in the Storm's backline and possibly add another premiership title.
If there were some nerves, Blair hid them well, but he could not hide his excitement ahead of the game, and seeing his grandparents and uncle from Whangarei who were crossing the ditch to watch the match.
"It's going to be a great game," he said.
Melbourne Storm kick off against Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium in Sydney, tomorrow, at 7pm (NZT). The New Zealand TAB has the Melbourne Storm as favourites to win the grand final, paying $1.55, while the Eels are paying $2.40.