Westpac NSW Blues captain Jake Trbojevic has addressed his limited time on the field in Game One of the Ampol State of Origin series, saying he had no issue doing whatever was in the best interests of the team.
Trbojevic spent only 29 minutes on the field in the opening game loss in Sydney but still managed to bend his back for 26 tackles without missing one.
The NSW game plan was tossed on its head after centre Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was sent off in the seventh minute forcing coach Michael Maguire to revisit his approach with only 12 men on the field.
NSW fought hard to trail only 20-10, and looked to have the better of the running at times in the second half, before fatigue overtook them and Queensland ran out 38-10 winners.
“Any time you get to the play for the Blues is extremely special, it doesn’t really matter about the minutes, I’m just happy to be out there,” Trbojevic said.
“I think the way things worked out, being one down and we were chasing points, that’s the way it worked out and it’s completely fine.”
Trbojevic’s selfless approach is one of the reasons why Maguire selected him as captain. The Blues prop has always led by his actions on the field and has a team first mentality rather than focus on individual achievements.
Trbojevic said he was growing into the role as captain and that he was grateful to be surrounded by so many other leaders in the squad.
The NRL club captains in the Blues include centre Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), lock Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs) and Isaah Yeo (Penrith Panthers).
“They’re great players with a lot of experience in big games which puts me at ease aa bit, and I don’t have to try and be something I’m not which makes things a bit easier,” Trbojevic said.
“I’m just doing my best, that’s all I’m going to do and all I’ve ever done.”
Blues team-mate Stephen Crichton praised Trbojevic as both a leader and a player who has plenty of passion for the sky blue jersey.
“I’ve learned a lot about the Blues now through his voice,” Crichton said.
“The way that he gets the boys up for training gets me excited and gets me revved up to go out there and give my best.
“Because I know the way that he plays he gives his best for his family and the Blues jersey and the people of NSW.
“I’ve learned a lot about that the past two days here and camp one as well, definitely the way Jake talks to the boys, and the way that he delivers how we want to play and who we want to look like as a team as well.”
