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SYDNEY - New South Wales five-eighth Braith Anasta says the Blues need to forget the biff in Wednesday night's State of Origin rematch or risk losing sight of their main objective -- sending the series to a game three decider.
Much of the early pre-Origin two banter has
been dominated by talk of the NSW forwards trying to match the aggressive stance of the Queensland pack.
While Anasta conceded the Blues big men needed to stand up and be counted, the Sydney Roosters pivot said it was vital the Blues didn't get carried away with taking up the fight.
"Everyone's talking about the forwards and the aggression -- we're not too worried about it," Anasta said yesterday.
"It's not a really big issue for us.
"It can take you're focus away from what you really want to do in the game.
"It's a big game for us and if you're worried too much about about the aggression and everything else it can take the focus away from how you're actually going to win the game.
"That's probably one thing we didn't do enough is play enough football on them that second half."
The Maroons, led by the likes of backrow trio Tonie Carroll, Neville Costigan and Dallas Johnson, bashed the NSW pack into oblivion in Queensland's 25-18 win in game one.
They have an even more menacing look about them heading into Origin II with Cowboys enforcer Carl Webb back in the side after missing the opener with a hamstring injury.
But despite all of Queensland's brute force at Suncorp Stadium, it was the skill of halfback Johnathan Thurston that propelled the home side from a 18-6 halftime deficit to a thrilling seven-point win.
Thurston tormented the Blues with his pinpoint kicking and passing game, the Blues constantly finding themselves battling to get out of their own end in the second 40 minutes.
Anasta knows he and new halfback Brett Kimmorley, back in the sky blue for the first time since game one 2005, will have to perform a similar job to Thurston if the Blues are to maintain their unbeaten record at Telstra Stadium.
Having had to shoulder much of the organisational responsibility alongside Origin rookie Jarrod Mullen in game one, Anasta said he was looking forward to having more freedom with the experienced Kimmorley by his side.
"Noddy's been good - he's sort of come in and taken over," Anasta said.
"He's that experienced he can come in and feel comfortable straight away.
"He's put it out there and he's been dominant in everything that he's said and done since he's been in camp.
"I've just sort of taken a back seat and I've been looking after my job and my performance I suppose."
The Blues trained at a drenched Aussie Stadium yesterday with second rower Willie Mason taking part in light duties as he continues to nurse his injured hamstring.
The Maroons have some injury issues of their own with skipper Darren Lockyer making a tentative comeback to training just six days after suffering accidental knees in the back.
Try-scoring ace Greg Inglis was confined to his Brisbane hotel room under strict doctor's orders with a viral infection that has struck down some of his Melbourne Storm teammates.
- AAP