NSW kick-chasers might discover some fresh roadblocks in the State of Origin decider after Queensland forward Pat Carrigan promised his backs wouldn't endure another Matt Burton "nightmare".
The NSW inclusion was a key part of their game two turnaround, the centre complementing Nathan Cleary with his high, spiralling bombs that spooked Queensland's back three.
Rookie wingers Murray Taulagi and Selwyn Cobbo had four errors between them and at other times the ball was allowed to bounce, stopping any Queensland momentum to set the tone in a 44-12 flogging.
Carrigan, who has starred in his first two Origin appearances with long stints off the bench, admitted Burton's influence had been heavy in Perth.
"(Halfback Nathan) Cleary and Matty Burton gave our back three some nightmares," he said ahead of next Wednesday's Suncorp Stadium clash.
"Through the middle we didn't help out much by letting their kick-chase team through pretty easily.
"Off the ball we have to do a better job as forwards to identify it.
"He's going to get them (high kicks) away, but if we can help KP (fullback Kalyn Ponga) and our wingers in that regard I'll back them."
Carrigan also defended "spiritual leader" Josh Papalii, who has played limited minutes to begin and finish both games without doing his usual damage.
He had just five runs for 40 metres gained in Perth after four runs for 32m in their game-one victory.
Carrigan meanwhile registered 165m in his Sydney debut and was the only Queensland forward to crack triple figures in Perth.
"I'd pick Paps first in any team I play in," he said.
"He's definitely the spiritual leader, brings the forward pack together.
"The standard he's played at for so many years leaves him a bit unfairly criticised in that regard but he was one of my idols growing up and I'm excited to play with him again.
"He stands up in big games."
That mentality has been drilled into the side since fulltime in Perth by coach Billy Slater, who only made the one enforced change for the series decider.
"He was big on having the focus of not turning on each other, sticking together," Carrigan said.
The team spent Wednesday in Warwick, a two-hour drive inland from Brisbane, for their traditional regional fan day.
"Country people drive from everywhere; there will be people driving for hours and hours to see us on the school holidays," said Carrigan.
"If we can brighten some faces, see what it means to people in the bush and heart of Queensland, it'll put us in good stead.
"It'll be good to go out and see what the Queensland spirit means out there."
