Meninga's Maroons eye Origin hat-trick
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Homebush hoodoo? Queensland has recorded only one ever win at Sydney's Olympic stadium. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer, file photo)
Mal Meninga is poised to lead Queensland to a third consecutive State of Origin series win for the first time since 1989 in tonight's deciding match in Sydney.
The Maroons will start favourites despite a deplorable record at Sydney's Olympic stadium, a venue where they have won just once from 13 starts.
One of their 11 losses at Homebush was in Game I this year, but Queensland will take the momentum of a 30-0 win over the Blues in Game II into the decider.
Meninga played in the Queensland side that last clinched three back-to-back series wins over New South Wales in 1989.
Now almost 20 years later he aims to achieve the same feat as coach.
"Origin footy's about the head and I think we are in a good space at the moment," Meninga said.
"Things haven't worked out for us in the past at that stadium. We'll just take it with a grain of salt and get on with the job."
Meanwhile Meninga says the Blues' new halves pairing holds no surprises for his side.
Roosters duo Braith Anasta and Mitchell Pearce are playing their first match together at Origin level.
Meninga says his players have been well briefed and know what to expect.
"We see a fair bit of them anyway week in week out for the Roosters, so from the players' perspective, every time they play against the Roosters they'll get a video on those two," he said.
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