Maroons women not in the mood to talk up the Blues either
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Queensland coach Jason Hetherington considered following a similar path to Kevin Walters in blocking out the words New South Wales during Origin camp but insists he hasn't had to bother ahead of the women's Holden State of Origin on Friday night.
The Maroons are seeking revenge for their six-point loss to NSW in last year's clash at North Sydney Oval and began preparations at their training base on the Gold Coast last week.
Chasing revenge of their own in the men's side of things, Walters opted for a unique approach to the opening game of the series, banning his players from speaking about their opposition and hiring a coach whisperer in a bid to chase a psychological edge going into the clash.
"I haven't gone down that path but let me say I haven't heard the girls mention their opposition once this camp yet," Hetherington told NRL.com.
"I'm half thinking about doing it now because it worked in Game One for the men and we've only got one game to get it right. A lot of it here is about not already playing the game in our minds by Wednesday but rather time ourselves right for Friday."
Hetherington appointed Australian Jillaroos and Brisbane Broncos halfback Ali Brigginshaw as captain of the side for the interstate clash, the second under the official Origin banner.
Match: Sky Blues v Maroons
Round 1 -
home Team
Sky Blues
away Team
Maroons
Venue: North Sydney Oval, Sydney
Brigginshaw replaces Karina Brown in the leadership role, a move that Hetherington said was difficult but required for the state moving forward.
"I came in last year and took on the Queensland side and didn't make a great deal of change because I was quite inexperienced," Hetherington said.
"Browny was disappointed and that's only natural. I wouldn't expect anything less. She did a wonderful job but I thought we needed to move in a different direction.
"I thought it was fitting that Ali leads our state, she responds well and in her position on the field she has a good feel for the middle and what's going on.
"Every decision I make has got to be for the better of the Queensland side."
Hetherington will also blood four debutantes, while two players in Jenni-Sue Hoepper and Chelsea Lenarduzzi return to the Maroons fold after not playing in last year's clash.
A total of 11 players remain part of the side that was defeated 12 months ago and Hetherington indicated no one north of the border had forgotten about the result.
"That is something we've touched on. We have to turn this around by seven points," Hetherington said.
"I think the occasion of last year it all was a bit of a celebration and first. It's still a massive occasion this year but the mentality needs to be different, it's on now and we're out to turn these results around.
"I think we focus a lot around that going into this game. It's important to us, Queensland and women's rugby league."
Tickets for the Holden Women's State of Origin clash are on sale now
