NSW Blues forward Liam Martin has declared his side will thrive off a hostile Suncorp Stadium reception as they look to claim back-to-back wins at the venue for the first time in nearly 30 years.
Thirteen players from the side that secured a historic victory in last year's decider have returned for tonight's State of Origin series opener, with Max King the only debutant in the NSW squad.
The Blues have taken plenty of confidence from the 2024 triumph, however, they have struggled in Brisbane throughout their history. Queensland has won six of the past eight games at Suncorp Stadium, and NSW has not won two in a row since 1997-98.
Martin's Origin debut came at a packed Queensland Country Bank Stadium in 2021, with his Suncorp initiation coming a couple of weeks later.
The Blues won both games, and he quickly emerged as public enemy No.1 north of the Tweed.
Rather than crumble under the pressure, Martin declared he thrives on hostility, and he's eager to silence a vocal crowd tonight.
NSW coach Laurie Daley has selected an experienced side in his return to the job, and he's hoping that will work in his team's favour at Suncorp Stadium.
It will be the first time every player in the Blues' 17-man squad has played more than 100 NRL games, and the combined total of 2647 first-grade matches eclipses their old record of 2597 games from Game One in 2014.
The Maroons still hold the overall record of 3528 NRL matches for Game Three in 2016.
The Maroons will face the Blues at 10.05 tonight in Brisbane.
Source : NRL
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