QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters has delivered a pre-State of Origin III rev-up to his forwards, claiming his side have been “let down horribly” by their big men at times during the series.
Walters singled out prop Josh Papalii, who he accused of being quiet during the first two games.
NSW have dominated the middle battle so far this series, even during their Origin II defeat in which they ran for nearly 200 more metres.
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“As far as our middle is concerned, that was an area we were let down horribly in game one,” Walters told Fox Sports’ NRL360.
“We were better in game two it’s fair to say, but still not at a level (required). We know NSW are going to be very good.
Josh Papalii’s lack of effort for the Maroons has been singled out by Kevin Walters.Source:Getty Images
“They’re going to be pouring through there.” Walters described the performance of his forwards in game two as “lackadaisical” until Dylan Napa provided them with the go-forward they so desperately needed.
Papalii was switched from the edge to the middle in game two to provide more punch and support to rookie props Napa, Tim Glasby and Jarrod Wallace. Walters said Papalii’s game two effort, in which he ran for just 87m from nine runs, was lacking and they would need more out of him at the decider at Suncorp Stadium.
“Josh Papalii, we haven’t seen a lot of him in both Origin games but last year he was probably one of our better Origin forwards,” Walters said. “Josh is another one we’re expecting some big things from tomorrow night. “When the whips get cracking, we want him to be there.”
Originally published as Walters names and shames Maroons
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