Daniel Lane on Steve Roach

Barrett eager to thrill despite Stuart's criticism game is going backwards

Daniel Lane As Parramatta coach Ricky Stuart warned rugby league was regressing to a game of ''hit the defensive line and surrender'', Trent Barrett said his Country Origin team would aim to thrill against City...

Bring mongrel, be ruthless: Tamou in running to become top of the props

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 13: James Tamou of the Blues celebrates winning game two of the ARL State of Origin series between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons at ANZ Stadium on June 13, 2012 in Sydney, Australia.. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) tamou.jpg

Daniel Lane NSW prop James Tamou is eager to live up to his promise to add ''mongrel'' to Wednesday night's decider in Brisbane and to take the mantle as the game's top prop from Queensland's Petero Civoniceva...

Bird tips 'freak' Hayne to ignite and help Blues turn the tables

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 17: Greg Bird of the Blues high fives school students during a New South Wales Blues State of Origin skills clinic at AAMI Park on May 17, 2012 in Melbourne, Australia.  (Photo by Mark Dadswell/Getty Images)

Daniel Lane NSW forward Greg Bird says the ''compacted'' nature of a State of Origin series makes it easier for players such as besieged Parramatta star Jarryd Hayne to go out and ''explode''.