7th Tackle: NSW's north-bound change of plan

During their captain's run before Origin II in Brisbane last year, Blues coaching staff were furious to see video of Queensland’s greatest moments broadcast on the big screens.

Now they’ve snubbed training at Suncorp for this year’s two visits to Queensland, opting to have their final hit-out on the Gold Coast instead.

In previous years NSW have arrived on enemy turf three days before the game, and had to endure 72 hours of isolation in the team hotel – or face the abuse of locals on the street.

MORE 7th TACKLE:

• Cronulla on standby for Walker

• The move that could help Pearce win Origin

• Queensland's love and loyalty put to the test

• NSW's north-bound change of plan

• Players list demands in NRL pay fight

• Lussick a potential casualty in Manly civil war

• Kangaroos fly the coop to Fiji

This year team management is trying to mimic the routine of NRL clubs, who don’t normally hit Brisbane until the afternoon before a match.

The tactic should make for some interesting reading in the partisan press – we can already the see the Courier Mail’s ‘Running Scared’ headline.

In another change, the Blues have also drafted in a former Origin back-rower.

Anthony Lafranchi will assist with video analysis while in camp at Kingscliff, which is just a short drive from his office at Gold Coast Titans.