Angus Crichton has accused Queensland of subterfuge by naming a hard-to-believe team list for State of Origin II, vowing to terrorise new half Tom Dearden regardless of which forward is beside him.

In a wide-ranging interview from NSW camp, Crichton also took a subtle jab at the Maroons for refusing to kick off to Spencer Leniu or Payne Haas in the Origin series opener.

One of the main talking points from Origin I was the Maroons’ decision to not send a kick-off in the direction of Leniu, who has become arch-enemy No.1 in Queensland.

Queensland kicked off to the left and away from Payne Haas for the game’s first two restarts, setting up Mitch Barnett and Max King for the return runs.

Spencer Leniu. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

They then sent the next two kick-offs to the right and away from an infuriated Leniu after he had entered the field, again setting up King for the returns.

Slater claimed this week it was a decision made “on the run” due to the Maroons being stripped for numbers, but Crichton suggested he knew it was a premeditated call.  

“I know it was a deliberate decision,” Crichton said. 

“I’ve heard that from people that were in there. They were told don’t kick it to Payne (Haas) or Spencer.

“Every rugby league fan wants to see (Leniu take the return), so hopefully they’ll do it this time.”

Crichton has also questioned the Maroons’ published line-up for Origin II in Perth next Wednesday by saying he finds it hard to believe after the  Blues’ series-opening 18-6 win in Brisbane.

Aside from axing captain and halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, Queensland coach Billy Slater has also dropped Jeremiah Nanai and Pat Carrigan back to the bench.

The changes leave Kurt Capewell listed to start at second row and Trent Loiero at lock, but Crichton is having none of the Maroons’ claims.

“Surely Nanai’s not on the bench and surely Patty’s not on the bench as well,” Crichton said. 

“I think they’re trying to play mind games with us by naming those guys there. I can’t see Patty or Jeremiah not starting. He (Nanai) was one of their best last game.

“They played all right in that last game. Jeremiah was a point of difference for them on the kick chase, and some of his defence was good. 

“Then Patty, he’s won the Wally Lewis Medal before, so it goes without saying … they might be trying to play mind games, but we’re more focused on ourselves.”

Angus Crichton. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Regardless of what the Maroons do, Crichton is looking forward to getting at Dearden.

The NSW second-rower earned man-of-the-series honours last year after the way he physically went after Cherry-Evans, and he plans to target Dearden in the same way.

“It’s my job as a back-rower to try and terrorise the opposition halfback,” Crichton said. 

“The more I can get into a physical battle with them, the less we see them. 

“Some of my best games have been when I’ve done that, so I’m looking to recreate that with Tommy. I really like him, but it’s different when you’re playing.

“He is a strong little bastard, so he will be running hard. It’s a big call for Queensland, he is stepping into the No.7 jersey for the first time. 

“I know he will be able to bring his best. I just have to make sure I am bringing better.”

Aloiai may retire

Sea Eagles veteran Josh Aloiai may have played his last match in the NRL with fears that the 29-year-old forward will need to be medically retired.

An ongoing shoulder injury has limited the Samoan international to just five matches this season and he was forced from the field early into his comeback match against Brisbane last month.

The former Wests Tigers prop is under contract for another two years and Manly could get salary cap relief from the NRL auditors if he is forced to retire due to medical reasons.

According to a Daily Telegraph report, there is still around $1 million left on his contract.

Aloiai has made 74 appearances for the Sea Eagles since controversially switching from the Tigers at the end of 2020 after playing 90 times for Wests. He has represented Samoa in five Tests.

Capewell not fussed by horror stat

Recalled Queensland second-rower Kurt Capewell has the most missed tackles in the NRL this year but neither he nor NSW counterpart Angus Crichton is reading anything into it.

NRL statistics reveal that the 31-year-old has missed 75 tackles in his 13 games for the Warriors this season, 20 more than Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau (55) who is next on the list.

Capewell has played nine games in the back-row and four at centre this year but was not fazed by those defensive numbers ahead of game two of the State of Origin series in Perth.

“I am not aware of that stat but we are winning games at the Warriors so it obviously doesn’t mean too much,” he said.

Missed tackle stats can be somewhat misleading, given players who make an effort to stop an opponent are negatively marked as opposed to those who make no contact and no effort.

“Probably a lot of them are effort plays where you are pushing someone across field or trying to make a cover tackle,” Capewell said.

Kurt Capewell (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

“I don’t read too much into the stats and I just do what I can for the team to win.”

Crichton, who does not believe the Maroons will run out as their team list suggests, has no interest in Capewell’s defensive statistics.

“I just don’t care about their stats,” Crichton said. 

“I don’t care about their team. I don’t care about their changes. 

“All I care about is our team and how we’re going to get a better performance out of this side that I know we can produce.”

Capewell was overlooked for the 18-6 loss in game one of this year’s series but played the last two matches of 2024 that the Maroons lost.

He was a key man in 2020 and 2022 series wins for the Maroons and is highly regarded for his leadership, attacking instincts and push supports.

Capewell has helped the Warriors surge into the top four this season after missing the finals in 2024. He was asked if he thought his Origin career had passed him by before getting the call-up for Perth.

“Obviously it crosses your mind but I just worry about my form at club level and luckily the club has done really good and that has helped me play better,” he said.

with AAP