Qld aim to keep Maloney quiet in Origin

By Laine Clark

COOLUM, Qld May 29 AAP - Keeping latest NSW playmaker James Maloney quiet may be easier said then done for Queensland.

The Maroons have targeted the Blues' new five-eighth ahead of next week's State of Origin opener in Sydney.

They even claim a Maroons-laced Melbourne Storm provided them with a "blue-print" for that mission in their last round 26-18 NRL win over Maloney's Sydney Roosters.

Champion Queensland five-eighth Johnathan Thurston was initially surprised to be facing Maloney instead of incumbent Todd Carney but he believes the debutant is an Origin natural and shutting him down will be a key to the game.

"He (Maloney) has got that niggle in his game," Thurston said on Wednesday.

"I was a bit surprised. I thought they would go with Toddy (Carney).

"But Jimmy is made for this arena.

"He loves the contact, loves to run the ball and he's got a fair bit of lip on him as well.

"We need to get a bit of pressure on him."

Thurston hoped the last round win by the Storm - armed with Queensland stars Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater - would provide them a "mental edge" over Maloney and his Roosters and NSW halves partner Mitchell Pearce.

The pair managed only a combined 29 metres in just four runs with only one try assist against a suffocating Storm defence.

"State of Origin is different but no doubt that shows what can happen if you put some pressure on them," said Thurston.

Maloney lashed out at Storm and Queensland captain Smith with his foot at a scrum during that match.

"He missed me so he's okay," Smith said with a laugh.

"He was probably getting a little frustrated.

"But he's a character. He was at our club for a couple of seasons and we got on really well.

"He's a good selection along with Pearce but it's his first game, he will be a little bit nervous."

Queensland halfback Cooper Cronk was happy to back his combination with Thurston against the Blues' pair despite their club understanding. "Both Jimmy and Mitchell have been playing at a high level together," Cronk said.

"But Origin tests your character and your ability.

"You can do all the preparation in the world and have that on-field relationship (with Pearce) but it comes down to being prepared to have a crack for 80 minutes.

"This team has been able to do that and I am confident we can do that again."

Maloney is the latest off the NSW five-eighth production line.

The Blues have not started an Origin series with the same halves combination since Brett Kimmorley and Brad Fittler backed up in 2001.

NSW have now had 15 halves combinations since 2006.