James Maloney is no stranger to what a different beast State of Origin footy is, and reckons this time round he’s better prepared for it.
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In Coffs Harbour for the Blues’ Origin camp, the Sharks five-eighth concedes having a week to form a combination with Origin debutant Adam Reynolds isn’t ideal, but they’ll gel as best they can.
“A week will have to be enough time, won’t it? That’s all we’ve got,” Maloney said.
“We’ll get done what we need to do and make sure we’re ready to go Wednesday.”
Having played all three games in 2013 – becoming the first NSW five-eighth to win on debut – Maloney claims this time round he’s better prepared for what Origin holds in store for him.
“I come in now knowing what to expect, what lies ahead,” he said.
“That puts me in a better frame of mind.
“I’m more experienced and I’ve learned a little bit more about footy in the last two years and I’m probably in the best position I can be coming from a club side that’s in winning form; all of that adds up to really help in these situations.”
While Maloney has only spent limited time with Reynolds – the Souths half was recently asked if he’d played with Maloney growing up and said, ‘‘no, he’s about 10 years older than me’ – he’s impressed with what Reynolds brings to the side.
“He brings a top class kicking game, everyone has been talking about it – it’s probably one of the better ones in the NRL - so that’s going to put us in a really good position and I’m just looking forward to learning his style of play.
“He’s had experience in big games. Origin is a little bit different, so he probably won’t fully understand it until after the first game but he’ll be right.
“The more we can get together and play together, especially with Matty Moylan as well, the better we’ll be.”
Playing to their strengths is something the two halves have already spoken about, having faith in the reasoning behind coach Laurie Daley’s selections.
“Adam and I have already spoken about needing to play to our strengths because we’re the ones that are going to get hammered if we lose,” Maloney said, as relaxed as a bloke can be with the weight of a state’s expectation on his back.
“It’s part and parcel of being in the halves.
“Hopefully next Wednesday there’s some praise and not such a hammering.”
