Pragmatic NSW skipper Danny Buderus has put an immediate stop to any emotion surrounding his final game for the Blues, telling team-mates to put all their energies into beating Queensland in next Wednesday's State of Origin decider.
The experienced hooker will play his 21st and final game for NSW at ANZ Stadium, but won't hear of any 'Do it for Danny' rally calls.
Buderus knows the Origin stage is not the place for sentiment and wants his players focused on beating the Maroons and snatching back the Origin crown.
"It's not about me. You can't afford to waste that sort of energy doing it for somebody else," he said.
"It's too hard a game. It's for yourself. You don't get these occasions too many times to win Origin series."
"You've got to do it for yourself, the team and state."
Buderus has allowed himself to briefly dream of leading NSW to a series victory for the first time in three years, but is wary of looking too far into the future.
"I'll be very content if things go the team's way on Wednesday night," he said.
"This would be right up there (as a career highlight). It would be a huge thrill to do that but I'm not getting carried away."
"A lot of work has to happen."
"But I haven't got that much time to think about it and it only makes you nervous."
Buderus insisted the Blues had put the Origin II result - a 30-0 win to Queensland - behind them and ready to make amends at a ground where the Maroons have struggled in the past.
Queensland has tasted success just once in 13 visits to Olympic headquarters.
"Game two is done. It's over. I'm more concerned about this game," Buderus said.
"They now have to come down to our home and beat us."
"We've got to make sure they know they are at our home and make things as difficult as possible for them."
The experienced hooker will play his 21st and final game for NSW at ANZ Stadium, but won't hear of any 'Do it for Danny' rally calls.
Buderus knows the Origin stage is not the place for sentiment and wants his players focused on beating the Maroons and snatching back the Origin crown.
"It's not about me. You can't afford to waste that sort of energy doing it for somebody else," he said.
"It's too hard a game. It's for yourself. You don't get these occasions too many times to win Origin series."
"You've got to do it for yourself, the team and state."
Buderus has allowed himself to briefly dream of leading NSW to a series victory for the first time in three years, but is wary of looking too far into the future.
"I'll be very content if things go the team's way on Wednesday night," he said.
"This would be right up there (as a career highlight). It would be a huge thrill to do that but I'm not getting carried away."
"A lot of work has to happen."
"But I haven't got that much time to think about it and it only makes you nervous."
Buderus insisted the Blues had put the Origin II result - a 30-0 win to Queensland - behind them and ready to make amends at a ground where the Maroons have struggled in the past.
Queensland has tasted success just once in 13 visits to Olympic headquarters.
"Game two is done. It's over. I'm more concerned about this game," Buderus said.
"They now have to come down to our home and beat us."
"We've got to make sure they know they are at our home and make things as difficult as possible for them."
