If they choose to hand you a Maroon jersey, they expect 100 per cent effort in all aspects of training, team culture and game-day performance. They then expect you to go back to your club and give 100 per cent of yourself to those coaches and the teammates who helped you make the Origin team in the first place. You didn’t make this Origin team on your own. It’s not just about you. Plenty of people helped you along the way. These Queensland players today play for the same reasons that motivated the first Queensland Origin team in 1980. They also strive to uphold a standard created by their predecessors. They don’t want to let anyone down. This year, Queensland's fiercely held State of Origin culture and ethos has again come to the fore. It’s undeniable. It’s hard to beat. Their never-give-up, never-die-wondering approach is a hallmark of Queensland teams through the years. It overwhelmed the Blues. It actually started with their success in game three last year. Having already lost the series to NSW, they found a reason to make game three important. Winning that match was the springboard into their 2019 campaign.

The way they fought back from 8-0 at half-time in game one of this year's series was typical. They could easily have thought it wasn’t going to be their night when several try-scoring opportunities went begging. Instead, the setbacks only served to galvanise them, steel their resolve and motivate them to greater heights. Their never-give-up, never-die-wondering approach is a hallmark of Queensland teams through the years. It overwhelmed the Blues in that second half. For a NSW fan, it was painful to watch. Sometimes NSW show such qualities. They just seem to find it too difficult to maintain for any real length of time. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video NSW coach Brad Fittler has tried valiantly to instil such values into the Blues. When the NSW team for Origin II is finally announced later today, I think one thing will be extremely obvious: Fittler is sticking by his beliefs.

From the beginning, he explained the values and standards he wants from those who wear the NSW jersey. Let me assure you, he is not wavering. I applaud his stance and so admire him for having the courage to see it through. This is real leadership. However, in trying to uphold these values and establish a mission statement that will serve the Blues long term, it could well impact on their ability to keep this year’s series alive by winning this week. Give 100 per cent of yourself. It’s an unambiguous philosophy. I sincerely hope I’m wrong. I desperately want to see the Blues win. But as with the build-up to game one of this year’s series, I’m sensing the balance of power has well and truly shifted to the Maroons. The pressure they have applied to NSW has revealed weaknesses. You can feel that the pressure of losing game one of the series is now impacting on the Blues camp. Mind you, I don’t think Fittler is too influenced by the scoreboard. Losing doesn’t scare him. Losing with people who gave 100 per cent of themselves is never scary. Losing with people who didn’t give their best, for their state, for their teammates, for the common cause?

Under pressure: The Blues are worried about the form of Latrell Mitchell heading into Origin II. Credit:AAP I think that hurts him. It hurts everyone. I think he knows how much it hurts the NSW fans. He’s travelled the length and breadth of NSW to talk to them. Fittler knows who he represents. He wants the players to know it, too. It’s not about always playing your best either. That’s impossible. Footballers are human. They are not robots. But it is about preparing, and endeavouring, to the best of your ability. Keep coming to the game. Keep putting yourself in the action, giving it everything. Pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone. Give 100 per cent of yourself. It’s an unambiguous philosophy. It’s a philosophy that’s helped Queensland dominate Origin football for 11 of the past 13 seasons.

It’s a standard that will also help build a better and stronger NSW team in years to come.

It’s not easy to do. If it was easy, anyone could do it. They can’t. The Origin player is a special breed. I think Fittler is still searching for a core group of like-minded players to form the foundation of the Blues culture going forward. He is getting close, but there is a way to go. This is still a young group of players. Fittler took a huge gamble in picking such a large number of talented rookies last year. The players rewarded the coach with an inspiring series victory. These young players, and their courageous efforts, captured the imagination of NSW fans. This is the effort that Fittler believes the fans deserve. However, as we often see, success comes with its own challenges. NSW doesn’t handle losing well at all. It would appear that some have even more trouble handling success. I’m sensing there will be several changes to this NSW team when it’s announced tonight. Obviously some through injury. Other changes will come because players just didn’t get it right in game one.

Loading It will be a team that’s defined as much by those who don’t make the side as those who are awarded the honour of wearing this sky blue jersey. For those selected, it will be another opportunity to prove to themselves and their fans that they are Origin players. For those who miss out, particularly those who were a part of the success last year, it’s a time for personal reflection. What’s happened in the past 12 months? You will find plenty of people to make excuses for you. You can play victim if that dulls the pain a little. But the more truthful answers lie deep within.