League: Lillyman reveals Maroons' fear

Jacob Lillyman is one of only a handful of players selected for Queensland from the Warriors. Photo / Greg Bowker

They've won six consecutive State of Origin series but recalled Warriors prop Jacob Lillyman has revealed the champion Queensland side is driven by fear - fear of losing.

"There is that pressure of thinking I don't want to be part of the first team to lose," Lillyman said.

"New South Wales have so many quality players. Our coaching staff have been drilling it into us how hungry they are going to be and how much pressure is on them. It is going to make for a cracking series."

Lillyman's last Origin appearance was in the first-game defeat in the 2008 series, so he will have his own demons to conquer on Wednesday night in Brisbane.

Queensland went on to win the series, but Lillyman was dropped for the 30-0 victory at Suncorp Stadium and the series-clinching 16-10 victory in Sydney.

With two seasons having passed since, he had, he admitted, pondered the fact that he might have played his last match for the Maroons.

"You do think that. But you always hope you can turn things around and get back in there.

"I'd always looked at a player like Ashley Harrison, who did the same thing. He didn't play for a good few years but now he is one of the first players picked every year.

"He was a bit of an inspiration. But you do wonder and you do doubt yourself a wee bit."

Those doubts would certainly have crept in during a tough opening season with the Warriors, who he joined in 2009 after he began his NRL career with 62 games for the Cowboys.

The Warriors were expected to contend in 2009 but ended up finishing a dismal 14th.

The biggest problem was a lack of offence and Lillyman, a workhorse defender rather than a ball-player, was fingered by fans as one of the culprits.

But the gritty former rodeo rider was a big part of last year's bounceback season. He packed on extra muscle and began bending the defensive line with his direct running.

He was tagged by coach Ivan Cleary as a future prop, and this year has made the switch permanent with impressive results, his initial reluctance to leave the back row now a distant memory.

"I guess in hindsight it is the best thing I've ever done," he said. "I'm not looking back. I'm comfortable to call myself a prop now."

Being back in camp with Queensland has banished any lingering doubts.

"It's just a massive buzz," he said. "It has been a couple of years in the wilderness so I guess that makes you appreciate it that much more. It's just good to be back among the boys and the legends of the game again."

Earning Origin selection while playing for the Warriors - only achieved by a handful of players - made his recall even more satisfying.

"I think the selectors really concentrate on the Queensland teams because that is where most of the guys are picked from.

"So to be [in New Zealand] and be off their radar a bit, it is very pleasing and very rewarding."

Although he was still feeling the nerves yesterday, Lillyman knows he is in the best shape of his life. He also been there and done it before, so knows what to expect.

"The body feels awesome. I guess all the work I did in the pre-season with our strength and conditioning coach [Craig Walker] is really paying off. I feel strong and I feel fit and my weight is good.

"This time of the year you are always carrying niggles - but I am fine. I am ready to go.

"I know what is going to happen, how fierce the game is going to be. It is another step up from NRL but I am really looking forward to the challenge."

State of Origin I
* Queensland v NSW
* Wednesday, 9.30pm
* Sky Sport2