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By Matt Marshall
July 09, 2009 Master of niggle Justin Hodges can "get into the head" of apprentice pest Michael Ennis in Origin III and make him feel "one-foot tall".
That is the verdict of Queensland forward Sam Thaiday, who alongside backline bully Hodges is among a host of the rookie NSW hooker's former club mates in coach Mal Meninga's squad.
There is a belief in many NRL circles that Ennis can be unsettled by on-field sledging and taunts.
It is a perceived flaw in the Bulldogs rake's armour that Hodges could try to expose and exploit at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
"Hodgie can get into anyone's head, he's got some good talk on him," Thaiday said.
"You can feel 10-feet tall and then Hodgo can make you feel one-foot tall."
In the Sunshine State, Ennis has immediately taken the post of Public Enemy No. 1 ahead of his New South Wales Origin debut.
Maroons captain Darren Lockyer has compared his niggly, pesty game to NSW legend Benny Elias while Meninga tipped the crowd in The Cauldron to give him "hurry curry".
Hodges, who has made niggle an art form during his colourful career, welcomed any on-field flare-ups with the mischievous dummy-half as Queensland hunts a 3-0 series whitewash.
"If we come together, I'll be interested to see if he says or does anything," Hodges said.
"That's Mick, I can take it, it's up to him what he does.
"He's different. He's a bit cheeky. He doesn't mind talking. It's part of his game. He'll be good for them.
"Mick's got the same explosive game as Craig Wing. He's a great player, a great competitor. He plays hard and tough."
Thaiday turned the blowtorch on the ultra-competitive No. 9, who gets his shot after Robbie Farah's shocker in Origin II.
"Mick has his strengths but he's got his weaknesses as well," Thaiday said.
"It's always hard playing your first game. There's a lot of nerves there.
"That might be good for us."
Recently Ennis was exposed in Rugby League Week's annual players' poll as the game's biggest sledger and sook.
He also finished runner-up in the "dirtiest player" section behind injured Blues lock Paul Gallen.
Lockyer rejects claims Ennis plays dirty, labelling him an extremely driven player who "likes to put his game face on".
Utility Karmichael Hunt, who could play his final Origin game on Wednesday before a move overseas, also praised the Bulldog forward.
"Mick loves the physical aspect of the game," Hunt said.
"That's what Origin is about, and he'll relish in that."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25754670-5018993,00.html
July 09, 2009 Master of niggle Justin Hodges can "get into the head" of apprentice pest Michael Ennis in Origin III and make him feel "one-foot tall".
That is the verdict of Queensland forward Sam Thaiday, who alongside backline bully Hodges is among a host of the rookie NSW hooker's former club mates in coach Mal Meninga's squad.
There is a belief in many NRL circles that Ennis can be unsettled by on-field sledging and taunts.
It is a perceived flaw in the Bulldogs rake's armour that Hodges could try to expose and exploit at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday night.
"Hodgie can get into anyone's head, he's got some good talk on him," Thaiday said.
"You can feel 10-feet tall and then Hodgo can make you feel one-foot tall."
In the Sunshine State, Ennis has immediately taken the post of Public Enemy No. 1 ahead of his New South Wales Origin debut.
Maroons captain Darren Lockyer has compared his niggly, pesty game to NSW legend Benny Elias while Meninga tipped the crowd in The Cauldron to give him "hurry curry".
Hodges, who has made niggle an art form during his colourful career, welcomed any on-field flare-ups with the mischievous dummy-half as Queensland hunts a 3-0 series whitewash.
"If we come together, I'll be interested to see if he says or does anything," Hodges said.
"That's Mick, I can take it, it's up to him what he does.
"He's different. He's a bit cheeky. He doesn't mind talking. It's part of his game. He'll be good for them.
"Mick's got the same explosive game as Craig Wing. He's a great player, a great competitor. He plays hard and tough."
Thaiday turned the blowtorch on the ultra-competitive No. 9, who gets his shot after Robbie Farah's shocker in Origin II.
"Mick has his strengths but he's got his weaknesses as well," Thaiday said.
"It's always hard playing your first game. There's a lot of nerves there.
"That might be good for us."
Recently Ennis was exposed in Rugby League Week's annual players' poll as the game's biggest sledger and sook.
He also finished runner-up in the "dirtiest player" section behind injured Blues lock Paul Gallen.
Lockyer rejects claims Ennis plays dirty, labelling him an extremely driven player who "likes to put his game face on".
Utility Karmichael Hunt, who could play his final Origin game on Wednesday before a move overseas, also praised the Bulldog forward.
"Mick loves the physical aspect of the game," Hunt said.
"That's what Origin is about, and he'll relish in that."
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,25754670-5018993,00.html
