The Hoff won"t be hassled up north

It’s common knowledge in Rugby League circles that Suncorp Stadium crowds are notorious for attempting to intimidate opposition sides, particularly around Origin time.

Even the most hardened of New South Welshmen have admitted to feeling a bit overawed by the atmosphere generated by 50’000 banana benders baying for their blood.

However, Blues enforcer Ryan Hoffman is not one of those players, saying that he’s excited by the prospect of entering the gladiatorial arena affectionately known as “The Cauldron” next Wednesday night.

“I love playing in Queensland,” says the 29 year old Melbourne Storm forward.

“It’s going to be a fantastic atmosphere and as a Rugby League player you have to embrace it.

“That’s certainly what we’re going to do on Wednesday night.”

While Hoffman admits that NSW has “quite a big job to do” to win in enemy territory, he is confident that the NSW VB Blues can seal their first series win since 2005 if they just block out the crowd and focus on the job at hand.

“You can’t control the crowd or what they’re going to do. All you can do is go out there and enjoy it and to be perfectly honest when the whistle blows and its kick off time you don’t really focus on the crowd, you just focus on what you can control and what all the boys in the blue jumpers can control.”

Coming into Game Two the Blues have four players who are yet to experience an Origin game at Suncorp but Hoffman is certain that they will all be able handle the job, particularly five eighth James Maloney whose Grand Final appearance for the Warriors back in 2011, Hoffman believes, will hold him in good stead.

“I don’t really think anything affects Jimmy Maloney to be quite honest,” Hoffman says.

“He’s played a Grand Final in Sydney for a (team from outside Sydney) and that can be intimidating.

“Personally, I think the hostile crowds build the atmosphere and the spectre that is State of Origin.”

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The Hoff won"t be hassled up north