Teenage Andrew Fifita "Clone" Brings Pain At Maroons Training

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Prop Jarrod Wallace believes the Queensland pack are ready for another Andrew Fifita onslaught in Wednesday night's State of Origin decider after his teenage "clone" Payne Haas lived up to his name at Maroons training on Sunday.

Queensland wanted a member of the Maroons under 20s team to play the Fifita role at their opposed session at their Gold Coast camp but got more than they bargained for with 17-year-old Haas. Watch video highlights of his career below.

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The 117kg, 194cm Haas made his presence felt at Queensland's main session ahead of Origin III at Suncorp Stadium, injecting plenty of venom into defence and requiring plenty to bring him down with the ball. 

Australian Schoolboy Haas - 18 in December - showed why he had been pursued by up to 10 NRL clubs before signing with Brisbane until 2019.

"He was a Fifita clone," Wallace said of Haas.

"That was under 20s? You've got to check their birth certificates.

"I tried to go high on him (Haas) a couple of times and he just kept pushing me off.

"I can't believe that is his name, Payne. He's a big boy."

Wallace believed it was the ideal tune up for them before Blues wrecking ball Fifita returns to the venue of his game one heroics with the series on the line.

"It's good to get that 13-on-13 opposed (at training)," Wallace said.

"To actually have bodies in front and make sure you're running the right lines in defence helps.

"They did a good job."

Queensland will be looking to repeat their defensive effort on Fifita from their come from behind 18-16 game two win in Sydney.

After inspiring NSW to a record 28-4 series-opening win, Fifita was limited to 77m in Origin II as the Maroons pack returned fire.

But Wallace insisted the Maroons pack weren't preoccupied by one man.

"All of their forwards really (are threats). They've got a role they play and a really good offload," he said.

"They are aggressive big boys.

"I don't think we're focusing too much on just one player.

"For us to get on the front foot and win the game we have to do a job right across the park."

- AAP

9 July 2017




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