Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, who was sent off in State of Origin I for a high tackle, has taken on a vital role in the New South Wales Blues' preparations for State of Origin II. Despite his suspension, Suaalii joined the Blues at their Blue Mountains Grammar School training base, playing fullback for Wentworthville to replicate the skills of Queensland's Reece Walsh. This unique training strategy allowed the Blues to simulate the threat posed by Walsh, leveraging Suaalii's talent and height to prepare effectively.
Blues coach Michael Maguire praised Suaalii's contribution, noting that his ability to mimic Walsh's plays, despite their difference in height, provided invaluable practice for the team. The involvement of the 20-year-old Roosters star was facilitated by a collaboration between Maguire and Roosters coach Trent Robinson, who agreed on the importance of supporting Suaalii during his suspension. This collaboration suggests that Suaalii could be in the mix for selection in game three, following the completion of his four-match ban.
As the Blues gear up for the second match at the MCG, they are focused on managing Reece Walsh's influence on the game. The strategy involves balancing effective containment of Walsh with avoiding overly aggressive tactics that could lead to penalties. Payne Haas, Walsh’s Brisbane teammate, emphasised the importance of reducing Walsh's time with the ball to prevent him from controlling the game, a tactic commonly employed by NRL teams. Despite understanding his coach Kevin Walters' protective concerns, Haas believes the challenge on Walsh in game one was an unfortunate accident rather than deliberate foul play.
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