Dubbed one of the nicest players in Rugby League, Westpac NSW Blues captain Jake Trbojevic was never going to be drawn into a slanging match with the Queenslanders on the eve of Game One in the 2024 Ampol State of Origin series at Accor Stadium.
“I don’t have any messages of hate,” he told the Sydney media at Tuesday’s Captain’s Run.
“We’re just going to go out and compete really hard tomorrow night and do NSW proud.”
He also doesn’t feel any awkwardness around having former NSW captain James Tedesco back in the side as the replacement for the injured Dylan Edwards.
“I’m really good mates with James so to see him get his opportunity to come back in has been awesome.
“Obviously I feel for Dylan who has been a great performer the last four to five years. So it’s devastating for him.
“But to get someone like James, is a pretty handy replacement … having him there will really help me but as I’ve said we’ve got lots of great leaders in this side.”
Trboejvic said he wouldn’t be the one making the majority of on-field calls.
“The halves will lead us around. Nicho (Hynes) has been in great form the last few years, Jarome (Luai) has won three premierships … we’ll just feel it out there.
“I’m not going to overdo anything.”
Blues coach Michael Maguire said Trbojevic has grown into the role during the week.
“He’s been really good. He was obviously taken aback and nervous when I first told him.
“To see him around the players and how they are so invested in him, it’s just the way he is as a person.
“They really look to him and have enjoyed the conversations Jake has been talking about, when it comes to what Origin means.
“I just want Jake to be the player we all know he can be.
“We’ve got a lot of players in the team who can help guide where we need to go, so as long as Jake is Jake I’m really pleased with what he’s shown us.”
