Former Blues Graeme (left) and Peter Wynn were back in Werris Creek on the weekend before heading back to Sydney for tonight’s second State of Origin game.Photo: Grant Robertson 090612GRB01
WERRIS Creek products and former NSW Origin legends Peter and Graeme Wynn say the Blues need to find the kind of spirit that Queensland thrives on if they hope to win tonight’s second game in Sydney and threaten the six-year dominance of the Maroons.
The boys were back in the Creek for the weekend’s 100- year celebrations but were already looking forward to the must-win game two.
Peter Wynn returned to Sydney to join his fellow 1985 NSW team members, who were in camp with the current Blues on Monday night.
The 1985 team was the first to beat Queensland in a series and coach Ricky Stuart wants the spirit of that team to rub off on the 2012 squad.
“Maybe he can draw on that,” Peter said.
“If we can go to Queensland 1-all it’s anyone’s.”
Graeme Wynn played alongside another local product, Tamworth’s Jim Leis, in the very first Origin game in 1980.
The younger of the Wynn boys said the Origin concept has become massive but the seeds were sown in that first game.
“No one knew what it would be,” he said.
“It’s just exploded.
“What it brought out was the passion Queenslanders have for their state.
“That came to the forefront in Origin.
“They wanted it more.
“They did everything to win it and we need to do that.”
Peter Wynn said the approach to breaking Queensland’s grip on the shield was to be more
professional.
Up until 1985, Queensland had taken the series more seriously.
“They’d been suppressed for so long, for nearly 100 years,” Peter said.
“They wanted some of their own back.”
“We got more professional.
“We went into camp for the first time and we went out there and did the job.”
He said NSW has to do the same.
The key, he says, is for every individual in a blue jumper to play to their best and feed off the effort and commitment of their teammates, especially when big moments happen in the game.
Graeme said breaking the Queensland will to win was a tough ask but this year’s Blues had a lot to gain if they could be the ones to topple the Maroons.
To do it they need to land some knockout blows, which they failed to do in game one.
“We couldn’t score points,” Graeme said.
“They have a knack of hanging in there.
“They hang in and hang in and hang in.
“They’re a star-studded side, but Origin has made them a star-studded side.
“Our boys can become a star-studded side if we win.”
The Wynn boys and many other former Blues legends like Steve Roach and Steve Mortimer are all behind the Blues and have offered advice.
But advice and support only go so far.
“Once they walk over that line they have to do it themselves,” Graeme said.
