The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Caryannis has criticised the Queensland Maroons for failing to promote game II of State of Origin in Western Australia.
The Maroons have completed most of their preparation in Queensland and leave for Perth on Thursday whereas the NSW team have been in Perth since Monday ahead of Sunday night's game.
Carayannis believes that the Origin sides must promote the game in a growth market area and that the Maroons staying in Queensland is a bad look for the game.
“It is surprising considering that this is a neutral venue,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“When you are taking the game to new markets, both sides need to be there for at least the whole week.
“It’s shorter preparation as well.
“You’d expect that the players are in and out of the community and are at least visible for the community.
“Get some excitement around the match.
“I don’t like that only one Origin side is there a couple of days before a game in Perth.”
The NSW Blues held an open training session on Wednesday and signed autographs for devoted Western Australian league fans following a brutal session.
SEN’s Michelle Bishop said that all in attendance were in awe of how intense the Blues squad is training ahead of a must-win Game II.
“They were just too nice (in Game I) and nice doesn’t belong in the Origin arena,” Bishop said on 1170 SEN Breakfast.
“Their session yesterday was out of this world.
“It was brutal.
“Some of the journalists walked away wondering what they had just witnessed.
“It was so competitive and it certainly didn’t feel like a training session.
“I’m surprised no one was injured.
“It was full-on.”
The Maroons arrive in Perth on Thursday night ahead of Game II at Optus Stadium on June 26.