NSW prop Junior Paulo has warned Queensland the Blues won't be 'nice' this time
NSW prop Junior Paulo has warned Queensland the Blues are no longer prepared to play the role of ‘Mr Nice Guy’ as they aim to square the State of Origin series in Perth on Sunday.
The words of Blues assistant coach Greg Alexander hit home for Paulo when NSW were described as being “too nice” in the 16-10 loss to Queensland in this year’s series opener in Sydney.
The Blues weren’t willing to test the patience of referee Ashley Klein, who will also officiate game two, by lying over Queensland at the ruck.
But after a stern reminder, Paulo said the Blues were under no illusion as to what they needed to do at Optus Stadium.
“Brandy’s right, we came into camp and reviewed that first game and it’s definitely around the ruck where we can improve,” Paulo said.
“We gave Queensland a lot of opportunities to attack and we’ve got to find ways to slow them down.
“You always do (take criticism personally) and want to use it as motivation heading into a game.
“His words were right and you want to own your job in the middle.”
Queensland were so dominant in game one only one Blues forward – Payne Haas – clocked up more than 100 metres with the ball in hand.
Paulo, usually one of the best forwards at setting the tone at club level with Parramatta, only managed 27 metres from five carries.
“We lost the game in the middle and you’ve got to take ownership when that’s your position,” Paulo said.
“You’ve got to be able to put the team on the front foot by laying a platform.”
Part of that may revolve around Paulo’s implementation as an impact forward in game one by NSW coach Brad Fittler.
Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has usually started Paulo, allowing him to set the tempo and bust through opposition defences with the added threat of a deft offloading game.
None more so was that evidenced than in their win over the Sydney Roosters on Saturday with Paulo clocking up a season-high 230 metres.
Since his second stint at the Eels began in 2019, Paulo has only started off the bench on three occasions.
“It’s the role I’ve got to play and I’ve got to nail my job,” Paulo said.
“I’ve got to find ways I can be better heading into this game. You want to address that straight away and get your mind focussed on owning your job.
“You’ve just got to want to get out there and have an early tackle or touch to get yourself into the groove.
“You’ve got to generate ruck speed and that comes from running hard.”
Comments on RugbyPass
What a sad way to end a glittering career. Somebody should tell him to delete his social media accounts and face the consequences of what he's done. Then he should slip away quietly into obscurity. This isn't likely to happen, something tells me he'll be back in The Sun / Daily Mail sooner rather than later.
2 Go to commentsguys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
2 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
228 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
3 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
86 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
19 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
30 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
228 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
228 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to comments