STATE OF ORIGIN: Queensland pack will fire up, Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans says

Queensland’s forwards have been ridiculed and provoked but Maroons skipper Daly Cherry-Evans says that will just inspire them to fire in the State of Origin series decider at Suncorp Stadium.

Former NSW firebrand Mark Carroll wrote in his column for The Nightly the Maroons pack as a collective “wouldn’t scare kids in a creche” after their 38-18 loss in game two at the MCG.

“I’ve got so much confidence that all those things that are getting said are going to fire those boys up,” Cherry-Evans said.

“They’re focused on what they need to do for us and all those words just add to your motivation as a player.

“I’m sure they’ll take that on board and use it accordingly.”

The Maroons have lost middle forwards Thomas Flegler, Tom Gilbert and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui for this series due to injury but the likes of Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter and Pat Carrigan have all done the job in the previous two Origin series wins.

It is not just defence that will define the series result, but that will be a good start.

“When you have 34 points scored against you in a half of footy you probably should be working on defence, but it is the cycle of the game,” said Maroons coach Billy Slater, while reflecting on game one.

“Attack well ... and that helps your defence. We weren’t at our best down in Melbourne. We are the first to admit that and that is what we need to change.”

Former Maroons lock Corey Parker called for a more aggressive mindset from the forwards, asking them to “fire up”.“It is a collective. It is a 17-man team game and everyone has got to do their job,” Slater said.

“We all missed our mark down in Melbourne. We understand that. We need to rise to the occasion. NSW were great.

“Their standard of football was far superior to us down in Melbourne and that is what we are going after, with the intent to be our best.”