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AAP
AAP
Sport
Ed Jackson

'Fun' Suncorp holds no fear for Blues

Nathan Cleary and his NSW side will go into their Suncorp Stadium Origin decider full of confidence. (AAP)

It's been the graveyard of many NSW State of Origin dreams but the prospect of attempting to win a series at Suncorp Stadium doesn't faze Blues halfback Nathan Cleary.

The Blues will have to defy history if they're to defeat the Maroons on enemy territory in next Wednesday's decider.

NSW have won just 20 of the 58 Origins played at Suncorp Stadium and those figures become even grimmer when talking about game three deciders.

Of the 12 deciders played in Brisbane, the Blues have only won two - in 1994 and 2005.

NSW coach Brad Fittler has invited members of both of those victorious teams to join his squad in their camp this week to provide inspiration and know-how to his players.

For many of the current squad though, Suncorp Stadium is a ground with plenty of happy recent memories.

The Blues won last year's Origin clash in Brisbane to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in a series which was played entirely in the Sunshine State.

Fittler's team also includes seven players who were part of Penrith's NRL grand final triumph at the venue last October, including Cleary.

"I've never really looked at Suncorp as a scary place," Cleary told AAP.

"I see it as a great opportunity and a great challenge every time we go there.

"It's a great stadium. It's super loud there and it's just a fun place to play footy at.

"The experiences maybe help a little bit but there's going to be a whole different ball game.

"It's a great challenge, but also a great opportunity."

Ex-Blue Greg Alexander, who is now part of Fittler's coaching staff, firmly believes last year's series triumph will go a long way to nullifying Queensland's home advantage.

After belting the Maroons in Townsville, NSW wrapped up the series with a 26-0 flogging at the home of Queensland rugby league.

Not only was that the first time in Origin history the Blues had won back-to-back matches in Queensland, it was the first time the Maroons had been held scoreless at their home ground.

NSW were unable to complete a clean sweep, losing game three at CBUS Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, but Alexander says those wins will be fresh in the memory banks of the Blues.

"I know it wasn't game three last year but it was game two at Suncorp Stadium and that was after playing in Townsville in game one," Alexander told AAP.

"They know what it will take it and history is always important to look back and see what has happened but history sometimes doesn't impact what you do.

"These boys, I think they're ready.

"They know what they need to do to win."

After losing on home soil in game one, NSW bounced back in emphatic fashion with a 44-12 win in Perth last month.

Alexander expects a Maroons response and says it's up to the Blues to raise their game once more to complete another historic comeback from a 1-0 deficit.

"It's an extraordinary challenge, there's no doubt about it, even though they have had big games at Suncorp in the past," Alexander said.

"We'll have to be better than we were in game two to beat Queensland up there."

The Blues held their first contact session in damp conditions at Kingscliff on Wednesday with centre Matt Burton sitting out due to a calf complaint.

The Canterbury star is expected to resume training on Thursday however.

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