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GOLD COAST - Queensland league captain Darren Lockyer has warned New South Wales rookie Jarryd Hayne to expect an aerial bombardment in State of Origin 1 as the Maroons attempt to shatter the teenage winger's confidence.
Hayne, 19, is one of five rookies selected in the Blues squad
for tomorrow's clash at Suncorp Stadium alongside Jarrod Mullen, Brett White, Anthony Tupou and Kurt Gidley.
Lockyer has been practising his trademark towering bombs at training on the Gold Coast this week and plans to test Hayne's nerve early in the sellout game.
"He's a player with the ball in the air ... I mean that [targeting him] is probably something that we should do," said Lockyer, who is close to fully recovered from a right-ankle injury.
"You've got a rookie on the wing. You're probably going to put some balls in the air to him just to test him out early."
Hayne, from Parramatta, is a player who feeds off confidence and Lockyer, Australia's test skipper, said it was up to the Maroons to unsettle him before he caused some serious damage to the home side.
"He's pretty laid back," said Lockyer about Hayne, who was part of last year's Kangaroos squad for the Tri-Nations tournament but didn't play a game.
"He's got talent and he knows his way to the tryline. He's lightning off the mark. Those sorts of players, you want to make sure you don't let them get some confidence but take it away from them."
It was revealed in a Sydney weekend newspaper that Hayne had been lectured about his attitude by Kangaroos coach Ricky Stuart and Eels mentor Michael Hagan twice in the past six months.
"He probably trained a bit harder with the Kangaroos than he had for a while," Lockyer said.
"It would have been a great experience for him and he's got his chance at Origin level. I'm sure that he's definitely a talent to be there for a long time.
"He'll want to make the most of his first one. He'll be nervous as well. I remember my first game [in 1998] - I couldn't sleep all week."
Experienced New South Wales fullback Anthony Minichiello is less likely to be put under pressure with high balls, although he has been struggling with a back injury this week.
"Anthony Minichiello is one of the best under the high ball," Lockyer said.
"What he's done at Origin level in the past has been pretty spectacular. He's played pretty well for the Blues. He's one player we have to do a really good job on."
Lockyer said it was crucial for Queensland to win Origin I before they travelled on June 13 to Telstra Stadium, where they have never won in 11 attempts.
"I don't think too many players would have thought about Telstra Stadium but in the back of my mind, game one is vital for us.
"We've got a good opportunity here in a team which hasn't got too many injuries.
"We're playing in front of a home crowd and it would be nice to take an early advantage in the series and go down to Telstra with a bit of confidence."
- AAP