The first thing you see when you walk into Brad Fittlers office is a giant photo on the wall with the words “Whatever it takes!”
State of Origin is won and lost in key moments and, in the one series that NSW has won in the past 12 years, in 2014, this image captures the biggest. Its game one, the Blues are clinging to a four-point lead and theres no time left on the clock. Queensland have been given a penalty after the siren and one, final play will decide it. If the Maroons score here, the courage the Morris boys showed to remain on the field while busted counts for nothing and another series is lost.
Words to live by: Brad Fittler announces the Blues team on Monday night and the mantra is hard to miss.
Photo: Brook Mitchell
Cameron Smith taps the ball, theres a spread left and Billy Slater, like he has done so many times before, dummies before launching himself at the try line. It looks like hes going to get there, too, before Beau Scott comes across in cover to make first contact. Seven other Blues converge to finish the job, all piling up on the Queensland fullback. That final effort secures NSW a famous victory and sets up a rare series win.
Those images left an indelible impression on Fittler.
“I was behind the line when they won in Brisbane,” Fittler told Fairfax Media.
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“I was a trainer in 2013 and 2014, I ran the water. There was a scene when, in the last tackle of the game, there were eight NSW players on top of Billy. Ive always loved that picture. It signifies that you do whatever it takes.
"Theres nothing pretty about it. You cant plan for how its going to go.”
Everything Fittler has done since succeeding Laurie Daley has been about capturing that spirit. Being selfless, putting your body on the line, being prepared to do everything required to get the result.
Whatever it takes.
When the NSW team was officially unveiled at The Star during the True Blues ball on Monday night, those three words were the backdrop. They are also the mantra for the team in camp as the southerners usher in a new generation.
Reminder: The image on Brad Fittler's wall.
Photo: Supplied
“Thats been the background to all of Freddys preparations, thats been his whole philosophy from the day he started,” said NSW Rugby League chief executive David Trodden.
“Shortly after he started he asked us to produce a big photo of that moment and to put that tagline on top of the photo.
“Every day when he walks in, thats the dominant feature of his office. Its a constant reminder to him and everyone else who walks into his office as well.”
Everyone is raving about the new-look Blues team. Eleven debutants, arguably the fastest back line NSW have assembled and a side that seemingly poses attacking threats across the park. While the Baby Blues are likely to feature in some of the highlight moments, the series will again be won by determination and grit. Like that final defensive effort in 2014.
“In that particular series, the only statistic that we exceeded Queensland on was try saves,” Trodden said.
“They ran more metres than us, scored more points than us. What it really came down to in that series was try saves, we had 10 and they had one.
“It was more than just eight blokes making a critical tackle, at a critical point in time, to win a critical game.
“If ever you wanted an example of doing whatever it takes to commit yourself to winning a State of Origin series, that was it.”
The only remaining Blue from that series is Boyd Cordner. The skipper knows the most selfless, desperate side will be the one that emerges victorious.
“Whatever it takes is a pretty handy phrase for Origin,” Cordner said. “Thats what youve got to do to get the win. To play well you have to do whatever it takes for the team. Its a really selfless way to look at it and thats what Origin is about.
“With that play, you had a lot of blokes doing whatever it takes, turning up to get the win.
“You can score tries, but its just as important saving them. Its a massive part of our game, defence, especially in the Origin arena. Youve just got to keep turning up for your mate, you cant stop.”
With so many new players in the NSW team, Cordner said it was important everyone immediately bought into the team-first ethos.
“We have emphasised the importance of going above and beyond if you want to get the win,” Cordner said.
“Whatever it takes, not for yourself, but for your teammates. Youve got to have that selfless attitude. Team first.”
Adrian Proszenko is the Chief Rugby League Reporter for the Sydney Morning Herald.
Chief Sports Writer, The Sydney Morning Herald
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