'The atmosphere is unrivalled here': Queensland's dominance in deciders at Suncorp

Eight wins from the last nine deciders paints the picture of Queensland’s State of Origin dominance with the series on the line.

But Maroons coach Billy Slater doesn’t want to hear about it ahead of Wednesday night’s final instalment with NSW at Suncorp Stadium.

The rookie coach and former champion fullback says that record only exists because Queenslanders of the past earned it in the “biggest occasion of their career”.

“The atmosphere is unrivalled here, especially if you’re wearing a Maroon jersey,” Slater said on Tuesday ahead of his first coaching experience at the venue he once dominated in the No.1.

“But they’ve got to go out and do that justice.

“It’ll be a very unique environment these players will remember for the rest of their lives. But you’ve got to play well, you’ve got to earn that.”

Queensland have a 14-5 record with two draws across all game three deciders and have won nine of the last 12 game threes, whether alive or not.

They have scored 20 points or less in a record 14-straight Origins but have held NSW to that same mark in their past six game three contests in Queensland.

While NSW now boast a 142-28 points edge in game two results over the past four games, Queensland have beaten the Blues by a combined 164-64 across the past six game threes.

With the scratching of Cameron Munster and Murray Taulagi due to COVID-19 it shapes as another backs-to-the-wall triumph if Queensland find a way.

“They know it’s an opportunity (to etch another chapter in Origin history) but it doesn’t matter what’s happened in the past,” Slater cautioned.

“Our focus is on playing our best footy, not where it sits.

“We can look back at history as much as we want, but it’s not going to determine how we play.”

Particularly without Munster playing, the Blues’ prospects of claiming their first win in a game three decider in Queensland since 2005 couldn’t be stronger.

But coach NSW Brad Fittler issued a word of warning as he seeks to upset the Maroons’ dominance at Suncorp Stadium.

“I’m aware that they’ve got some really classy players,” Fittler said.

“Not only that but I’m assuming they still have more experience than us.

“It’s not as though we’re playing a bunch of rookies.

“They have a lot of players who can create points and opportunity so I’m totally aware of what they are capable of.”

Fittler’s side have been here before, having played the 2020 decider in Brisbane against a Maroons team dubbed one of the worst in Origin history only to lose.

The coach described NSW on Monday as a side who “haven’t been great winners” and said his players would want to “shake that tag”.

“We’ve been through it already,” Fittler said.

“We’ve been through winning as underdogs, and also then being the favourites and winning and being the favourites and losing.

“I’m confident that we can play well and do what we’ve trained.”