Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii has gone from knocking Reece Walsh out of State of Origin I to mimicking the Queensland flyer at training ahead of game two, as the Blues prepare for the Maroons' danger man.
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Still banned over the high shot that led to his sending off in the Origin series opener, Suaalii was on Saturday back training with NSW at their Blue Mountains Grammar School base.
The 20-year-old spent time playing fullback for Wentworthville in an opposed session, running sweep plays while acting as a much taller version of Walsh.
One of the most talented outside backs in the game, Suaalii's presence in Ron Massey Cup side Wentworthville's backline was a gift for the Blues.
His skill-set offers the kind of preparation most teams could only dream of, offering the speed and game smarts Origin sides struggle to find when preparing against lower-grade outfits.
"He's definitely handy to have around," Blues coach Michael Maguire said.
"He played out the back and ran different things for us.
"He's 196cm compared to (Walsh), but he did mimic him and was sweeping out the back.
"I wanted him in the opposition because the other (Wentworthville) players would lift."
Suaalii will return to Sydney over the weekend, but will rejoin NSW for Origin II at the MCG on Wednesday night.
His presence also suggests the Sydney Roosters star could remain in the selection discussion for game three - potentially his return from a four-match ban.
"It was more about him being with us and supporting us," Maguire said, revealing he had asked Roosters coach Trent Robinson for Suaalii to be involved.
"Because of the circumstances, he had time off (through the suspension), I said to Robbo, 'I want to bring him up and support him'.
"Potentially he is available for the third Origin."
NSW remain adamant suggestions from Queensland that they illegally targeted Walsh in game one will not change the way the Broncos fullback is treated in Melbourne.
The Blues are aware they must tread a fine line between limiting Walsh's time and roughing him up, without going overboard and hitting too late or high.
But even Walsh's Brisbane teammate Payne Haas said it was important for NSW to go after the Queensland No.1.
"That's the game play for every NRL team when they play against him," Haas said.
"You have to take time away from Walshy or he is going to carve you up ... If you do that, you go a long way to stopping him.
"There would be so many teams saying that. It would be top of the tip-sheet.
"You have to take his time away and try and stop him. He's so quick."
Haas said he had no mixed emotions over NSW's tactics, but could understand his Brisbane coach Kevin Walters pleading with the NRL to do more to protect the Broncos No.1.
"That's Kevvy, he's like a dad to all of us," Haas said.
"You don't want to see that to one of your players, but (Suaalii's game-one challenge) was just a tackle gone wrong - Kevvie and Walshy know that."
Australian Associated Press
