PASSIONATE Blues legend Steve Mortimer wants to see greater hunger from NSW as they try to save the State of Origin series in Brisbane next week.
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Mortimer, his brother Peter and nephew Daniel returned to Wagga on Tuesday for the Riverina finals of the Mortimer Shield.
Mortimer, a Canterbury legend that played nine Origins for NSW during the 80s, is fed up with Queensland’s dominance in recent times.
‘Turvey’ believes if the NSW group want it bad enough, they will succeed.
“If you really want it bad enough, you will go out and get it,” Mortimer said.
“I can’t say any more than that really. If you want it, you’ll get it.
“It’s up to whoever runs out there in the second game, if they want it, they will get it.”
Mortimer’s one other opinion on the NSW team is that it is time to blood some fresh talent.
“I do like bleeding of new players coming in, maybe we could do a couple more, but I think if they want it bad enough, they will get it,” he said.
“The fact is, this is what Queensland did. They brought in (Billy) Slater, (Cooper) Cronk, Cameron Smith, 12 years ago and look at them now.
“You look at Jack Bird, we’ve got Valentine Holmes, the other blokes that haven’t been tried yet.
“I wouldn’t be too afraid to bring in some new players. They have got to be blooded some time.”
Meantime, Daniel Mortimer has set his sights on a return to the field later in the year.
The Gold Coast Titans utility underwent hamstring surgery last month and was on crutches in Wagga on Tuesday.
“I had to get it reattached, it was pretty big surgery about three and a half weeks ago,” Mortimer said.
“I did it against the Dragons and had a couple of weeks rehab and then it went again in training, I did a good job on it.
“I’ll be pushing for the last one or two games I reckon.
“I’ve got to aim for something.”
The Titans defied the odds early in the year and currently sit in 10th position on the NRL ladder, with only for and against keeping them out of the top eight.
Mortimer has been impressed with the team’s season to date.
“It’s been good, I’ve been impressed all year with us, the Titan boys, we have been in every game, no one has beaten us easy and we’re sticking in there,” he said.
“We don’t have the most glamorous roster going around but I don’t think teams are enjoying playing us at the moment, which is good.”
Mortimer has high hopes for the Titans’ finals chances – for more than one reason.
“Halfway through the year, we have found ourselves in the top eight – we just need to keep building up momentum but yeah that’s the plan definitely,” he said.
“The longer they can stay in it, the more chance I am of getting back.”
Mortimer, who enjoyed his 27th birthday on Monday, enjoyed his trip to Wagga.
“I love coming here – back to the family’s roots,” he said.