‘It's not OK': Ali Brigginshaw takes heat for Maroons' State of Origin game one demolition
Ali Brigginshaw has taken ownership on behalf of the senior Maroons players for a crushing loss to NSW in the series opener, saying it's 'not OK' to perform like that in a Queensland jersey.
The Maroons co-captain fronted media in camp on the Gold Coast Monday as the team finalised preparations for Thursday night's must-win clash in Sydney.
The Maroons were thumped 32-12 at Suncorp Stadium less than a fortnight ago, and the heat has turned on the most experienced players in the side, including Brigginshaw, who also copped criticism for her performance at halfback.
'We didn't perform, especially the senior girls, so it's on us to make sure we tidy that up,' she said on Monday.
'We do have experience, it's not ok to perform like that in a Queensland jersey, and we took that to heart and I don't think we've actually gotten over that loss.
'I think we'll use that fire going into Thursday.
'You can't play a perfect game, we all make mistakes , but it's about what we can do for each other.
'It's been really big on encouraging each other, making sure they've got the confidence to go out and do the job, and that goes for the experienced girls too.'
Queensland coach Tahnee Norris has made changes to the pack ahead of game two, moving Cowboys forward Makenzie Weale into the starting pack and adding Origin veteran Chelsea Lenarduzzi to the rotation.
'Duzzi is a particular player who can be a leader, and that's probably what we missed, a bit of leadership in the middle,' Brigginshaw said.
'I don't think she's come in to take anyone's spot because they weren't doing it, I just think she's just come in to bring her leadership. She does have an offload and most likely got a try in her. '
Lenarduzzi was left out of the side for game one, but will come in to play her seventh game in a Maroons jersey.
Queensland were in a similar situation last year after losing the opening game at Suncorp Stadium, but levelled the series in a nail-biting 11-10 win in game two before retaining the shield in Origin III.
'This team is pretty relentless in striving to overcome those obstacles, so we'll be ready to go,' Lenarduzzi said.
'It does (give us confidence), for sure, but at the same time we're not last year's team and we can't rely on last year's result because the Blues are a different team as well. We're focused on the game without looking backwards.'
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