Former NSW coach Tommy Raudonikis gives his verdict on this year's Origin series.

Sun-Herald: How's Peter Wallace going to go at halfback?

Tommy Raudonikis: This kid has to go out there like he's William Wallace, not Peter. Get out there and get ready for a war. He has to throw caution to the wind and trust his instincts. He can't listen to too many people before the game. If there's someone in front of him, he has to back himself to knock them over. He has to take the line on. He has to do what the coach tells him. Craig Bellamy will know how to get him going. He just has to do the same things that got him in the team. He has to remember he is as good as any Queenslander. That's what he has to tell himself: "I'm better than these fellas." That's the attitude he has to take. He can't get overawed. I think the kid will do good. I don't think it's any more complicated than him trying to play to the best of his ability. Just play your natural game, son.

S-H: What about Greg Bird at five-eighth?

TR: Aw, I like Greg Bird. He's got that toughness in him. He might have gone all right in my era. He looks after himself but the good thing about Bird is that he'll be keeping his eye on the little fella Wallace, too. He'll look after him. Bird is just a no-nonsense player and that's what we need. We've got to remember that Queensland are a great side and I'm telling you, we need tough players like Bird and his mate Gallen to beat them. Bird and them have to get out there and bustle, bustle, bustle. Just give it to Queensland for 80 minutes.

S-H: Who's the key man for NSW?

TR: Willie Mason is one bloke who has to aim up. A few of our blokes have got to zip up their lips and lead by example. I'm talking about Willie here. We've got some very good forwards in there. I like the look of our pack. We've got to put the acid on their forwards and Willie has to show the way. Don't worry about mouthing off in the paper, Willie. Go out there and do it on the paddock. It's no good mouthing off when it comes to this Origin caper. You don't get your respect in the papers. You earn it on the field on Wednesday night. That's what it all boils down to - those 80 minutes. I'm telling you that Willie is one bloke who has to show the way. Don't worry about the other forwards in your side, Willie, worry about yourself. I don't think at this stage that he's shown us enough. It's up to him to stand up and I think he can do that. He needs to get his act in order and if he does that on Wednesday night, it will go a long way towards us getting victory.

S-H: So Willie hasn't aimed up in the past?

TR: Let's get Wednesday night over with and I'll let you know what I think of him then. I'm just being honest here - I don't think he's shown us enough in the past. I want to see him crawling off the field because he's so buggered. He's always saying this and saying that. Well, Willie, mate, how about doing it.

S-H: Can you see any weaknesses in the Queensland team?

TR: I still think there's a question mark over Carl Webb. Is he really that tough? I think we can put pressure on a few of their players, including Webb. Let's test a few of their forwards out.

S-H: Pretend you're the Blues coach again. What are you drumming into them this week?

TR: Rip in. That's what I'm telling them - get ready to rip in like you've never ripped in before. I'm telling them to get ready for some casualties. People are going to get busted, and you have to be prepared to get busted for the blokes beside you. Trust each other. If everyone does their own job, they will win the football game. They're going into battle. Everyone says this but it's true - it's war, war, war. It's a rugby league war. We've got a few blokes in there like Bird and Gallen who are made for that. We've got a very good and tough fullback. Kurt Gidley got injured and that's unfortunate for us but we've still got a very good side here. We've got a very good coach. If I can't be coach, he's the bloke who should be. It will be back to the cattledog days with him, and he's got some good cattle on his hands. Bellamy is tough and he's a great leader. He's got that old-style passion for it. You know any side he sends out will have aggression in it. Bellamy is a big plus. I'd be telling my blokes to get out there and be tough and work your arses off for 80 minutes of relentless rugby league.

S-H: And just before kick-off?

TR: I'm telling them to do your job without worrying about anyone else. That is what it all comes down to. Everyone does their job, and everything will just fall into place. Don't worry about Joe Blow. You don't have to worry about anyone else. The blokes beside you are the pick of the litter. You've got to trust them and they've got to know they can trust you. Don't let them down. I'm more hyped up for this series than I've been for a while.

S-H: The full-time score?

TR: 24-14, NSW.

S-H: How is league travelling at the moment?

TR: Piss the video ref off. And there are too many tries scored off kicks. It can get a bit boring but then you get games like last Monday night, Melbourne and Newcastle, that was a real tough game of footy. One of the early games this year between the Broncos and the Roosters - that was a great game of rugby league. But it can get boring, running it up and kicking it. I don't want them to make any more rule changes to the game. We don't need the video ref, so piss him off, and bring in proper scrums.

Interview by Will Swanton