DUBBO’S David Peachey knows all about the attitude required to succeed at the top level and he has urged NSW not to ease off despite heading into the year’s State of Origin series as the defending winners.
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The Blues finally broke an eight year drought last year when they defeated Queensland and won the series 2-1.
The 2015 series kicks off tonight at ANZ Stadium and Peachey said it is a whole different set of expectations on the Blues as they go into the match as the hunted, not the hunter.
“They’ve been chasing it for eight years and now the monkey is off the back and that’s meant they can settle without that pressure but now there is the other pressure to hold on to it,” he said.
Peachey represented NSW once, scoring a try in game one of the 2000 series before a hamstring injury ruled him out of games two and three.
The former Cronulla Sharks and South Sydney fullback was wary of Queensland’s low profile preparation, with much of the focus having been on the Blues’ team selection.
“Queensland have just been able to do what they like, sit back and let the pressure go on NSW and they do that so well,” he said.
“Every time you’ve seen Cameron Smith speak this week he’s just been so cool and calm.”
Despite the high stakes and huge amount of interest in Origin, Peachey said the players should soak it up and the Blues should see it as an opportunity to create their own piece of history.
“It should be exciting pressure, it’s an opportunity to really be part of a dynasty and create something for the next five to seven years of their career,” he said.
Two players who Peachey singled out were halfback Mitchell Pearce and front rower Andrew Fifita.
Much has been made of Pearce’s recall to the team while Fifita is expected to have a real impact when he comes onto the field from the bench.
“You look at a guy like Mitchell Pearce, it’s redemption and he’s come back and got a second chance and now he could play three or four Origin series and really cement his name there,” he said.
“A guy like Andrew Fifita has called himself the best prop in the world before but now he’s got to live up to that going up against a good test like Matt Scott.”
State of Origin time always brings plenty of debate regarding team selection and how the game span out but with only a few short hours until the game kicks off, Peachey said there was one thing all footy fans shared this time of year.
“If you love rugby league then this is the time of the year everyone gets excited,” he said.
