Maroons accused of ‘mind games' … and running scared of Spencer

The Age

a day ago

NSW enforcer Angus Crichton has accused Queensland of playing 'mind games' in naming their starting side and claimed kicking off away from Spencer Leniu in the opening encounter was a deliberate play from the Maroons.
The Blues experienced a minor hiccup in preparations for Origin II in Perth when Canterbury winger Jacob Kiraz was called into camp as cover for Brian To'o on Wednesday.
NSW officials are adamant the Penrith winger will be fit for Wednesday's kick-off, but want him to sit out Thursday's session as he recovers from hamstring soreness.
While the Blues have made only one change to the team that won the first game in Brisbane – Stefano Utoikamanu replaces injured Warriors prop Mitch Barnett – the Maroons have discarded their famed 'pick-and-stick' approach in a bid to level the series.
Captain Daly Cherry-Evans has been dropped, so too Beau Fermor, with Kurt Capewell being recalled and Kurt Mann shifting to No.14 following the elevation of Tom Dearden to halfback. Ezra Mam has also been called up as part of an extended bench.
But the biggest surprise for the Blues players was the suggestion that Pat Carrigan and Jeremiah Nanai weren't in the starting line-up.
'Surely Nanai's not on the bench,' Crichton said from NSW camp. 'Surely Paddy's not on the bench as well. I think they're trying to play mind games with us by naming those guys there. I can't see Paddy or Jeremiah not starting. [Nanai] was one of their best last game so they might be trying to play mind games, but we're more focused on ourselves.'
Origin is synonymous with big hits, as the game's most feared forward packs tear into each other. Spencer Leniu has a reputation for his fearless kick-off returns, but the Maroons seemingly didn't want to engage with the Roosters prop when he came off the interchange bench in game one.