World News Slater warns Suncorp won’t guarantee Maroons victory Blog

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It is the spiritual home of Queensland rugby league, but Maroons coach Billy Slater warned that the power of Suncorp Stadium alone will not be enough to win the deciding game of the State of Origin series.

The Maroons have only lost Origin deciders in Brisbane twice in Origin history – in 1994 and 2005 – winning ten times and drawing once.

All 13 of these playoff games were played at Suncorp Stadium (formerly Lang Park), with the exception of Queensland’s 40-12 win at QEII Stadium in 2001.

Slater is aware of the sacred significance of Suncorp Stadium to the Maroons, which is why he holds his press conferences in front of the behemoth to announce the Maroons team.

A provincial crowd will support the home team in Wednesday night’s Origin decider against NSW, but the Maroons will need to improve on their 38-18 loss from game two to win their third series in a row.

“This is the home of State of Origin. This is where it was founded in 1980 and it’s obviously a very special place for that football team, but it’s made special by the performance of that football team,” Slater said.

“One without the other is irrelevant and we need to make sure our performance is top class. We can’t put in the same performance as we did in the first half of the second game or the atmosphere won’t be what can be created at Suncorp Stadium.”

“It is important that we fulfil our part of the bargain, then the atmosphere will fulfil its part.”

The Maroons’ record at Suncorp in playoffs is excellent, but they showed in 1994 and 2005 that they are not invincible. “Nothing is guaranteed in life. You have to earn it,” Slater said.

“We know what the atmosphere is like in that (stadium) and it’s going to be a great event. Everyone knows there’s going to be a huge anticipation and we’re all looking forward to it. We have to show our football. That’s our goal.” Slater admitted that winning the playoff against a confident and in-form New South Wales side would be one of the biggest challenges of his short coaching career. “Yes. If it’s not a challenge then you’re not trying hard enough,” he said.

“If there is no pressure and you are not nervous, then you are not trying hard enough. You have to get out of your comfort zone, throw your hat in the ring and try. That is what the players will do and that is why we are here.”

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