NSW forward Liam Martin has declared he will not take a backwards step amid a desperate Queensland attempt to contain the Blues enforcer.
The edge forward ran rampant over the Maroons defensive line in a Game Two demolition in Melbourne, with coach Billy Slater forced into a selection shake up to prevent a repeat in next week's decider.
Dragons forward Jaydn Su'A has been dropped, with Kurt Capewell to start on the edge after being promoted to the starting side.
Martin knows Capewell well from their time together at Penrith but that doesn't mean he take it easy on his former teammate.
"I've played a fair bit of footy with him and against him," Martin said. "I'm glad he's got this opportunity again to be in the side and I'm looking forward to it.
"We always have good match ups. I know how passionate he is about representing his state and so am I so I'll battle it out with him."
Match: Maroons v Blues
Game 3 -
home Team
Maroons
away Team
Blues
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Slater's decision to select Capewell in the starting side was seen as a sign of panic from many in NSW, with fans of both sides shocked the coach overlooked Titans star David Fifita for the third-straight match.
Martin led the way as the Blues physically dominated their opponents in Game Two to ensure star backs Reece Walsh and Daly Cherry-Evans were never comfortable.
Gagai and Burton sent to the bin
NSW have been accused of bullying the Queenslanders, prompting a chorus of Maroons legends to urge the current squad to beat the Blues to the punch in the decider.
The verbal barbs have prompted fears next week's match will erupt at a heaving Suncorp Stadium, with some predicting a throwback to heated contests of Origin's past.
The Blues are focused on keeping 13 players on the field for the full 80 minutes, but Martin said there will be no repeat of the scenes in the 2022 decider when Matt Burton found himself surrounded by four Queensland players.
"We've all got one another's back and we don't take a backwards step," Martin said.
"We won't be pushed around, we'll be chasing the physicality and just doing whatever it takes as a team."
The Blues held an open training session at Blue Mountains Grammar School on Wednesday morning, with around a thousand fans watching the team train.
Centre Bradman Best warmed up on his own was an observer for most of the session as he continues to nurse a hamstring complaint.
Best was cleared of a serious injury after scans on Monday and the Blues remain confident he will be fit to play next week.
Burton trained in the centres on Wednesday and will come into the side if Best succumbs to the injury, with Isaah Yeo confident the Bulldogs utility can slide seamlessly into the starting lineup.
"He’s done it there before in the centres, he’s got the ability to play in the halves," Yeo said. "He’s a wonderful player, we’re pretty lucky we’ve got so much depth in NSW that he’s 18th man.
"I’m sure Bradman will be fine, but we’ve got someone waiting in the wings who’s been there and done it before"
