State of Origin: Elias urges NSW to rediscover Queensland hatred

June 15, 2023 1:28 pm.by Wayne Heming

NSW Origin great Ben Elias — Ben Elias, who played 19 games for NSW, believes the Blues need to show their disdain for all things Queensland ahead of Origin II next Wednesday. (Picture: NSWRL)

NSW great Ben Elias has called on Brad Fittler’s Blues to rediscover their hatred of Queensland and create State of Origin history with a win at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday night.

With the Blues trailing, Fittler is feeling the heat to not only save the series but also his Origin coaching job.

No NSW team has saved the series in game two at Suncorp after dropping the opening game.

A NSW victory would set the stage for one of the greatest Origin battles in its 43 years in Sydney next month.

A fiery player who wore his heart on his sleeve, Elias was involved in some spiteful Origin clashes with Ipswich brothers Kerrod and Steve Walters when they represented Queensland through 1980s and early ’90s.

Iconic images of his mother, Barbara, running onto the playing field and mopping blood from his face while he was being interviewed following a brutal game in 1992 are part of Origin folklore.

Elias, now 59, has never lost his passion – nor, it seems, his hatred of Queensland come State of Origin time.

The Balmain legend, voted in the top 25 NSW Origin players of all time, wants the Blues to play with unbridled passion with the chance to create a piece their own very special history at the Cauldron.

Speaking on NRL 360 this week, Elias didn’t mince his words when talking about what it would take for NSW to save the series.

“We (NSW) have got to stop saying how good Queensland is and start to hate them as much as they hate us,” declared Elias, who pulled on the sky blue jumper 19 times during his career.

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Elias ripped into former Queensland stars Gorden Tallis and Billy Moore, claiming he was sick of constantly hearing how great Queensland is and how great Billy Slater is as coach after just four games.

“I don’t even know why we are playing game two, Queensland have already won it,” he said.

“You’ve got the greatest coach whose coached what, four State of Origin games, and you’ve got him as one of the greatest all-time coaches.

“For goodness’ sake, Queensland suck us in every year, I’m sick and tired of it.

“What about Brad Fittler, what a great player, what a staunch State of Origin player and coach he has been for us, and he is surrounded by legends like Joey (Andrew) Johns.

“I’m just sick and tired, sick and tired of being told how good Queensland are.

“We were 10 minutes away from taking game one.

“I’m telling you, get on the Blues. When we are down and out and you think that we are gone, that’s what makes Origin the greatest spectacle watched all around the world.”

Moore responded to Elias’ outburst by agreeing NSW had a great football side and warned it would be dangerous for Queensland to rely on the venue or the sellout crowd to win them the game.

“We won’t disrespect you (NSW),” Moore assured Elias.

“We know the magic of Lang Park doesn’t carry anything if we don’t put the effort in on the park.

“If we disrespect the NSW side, we’ll get beaten.”

The Blues’ build-up is being hampered by fitness doubts around Penrith forward Liam Martin, who is on concussion watch, and strike centre Latrell Mitchell, who is receiving around-the-clock treatment for a calf injury that ruled him out of the first Origin game in Adelaide.

Along with Manly star Tom Trbojevic, they will be on limited training with no contact until match day.

“We’ve got our backs against the wall up there in hostile territory, so we are just going to have to do whatever it takes to win,” said Martin, whose progress from a head knock last weekend is being monitored daily.

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