League: Thaiday out to end mini slump

Queensland forward Sam Thaiday says he is determined to end his mini-form slump and stake his claim at a test recall by leading the Maroons to a record fourth straight State of Origin series title.

The Broncos hardman hasn't been happy with his NRL form for Brisbane in recent weeks but can sense a breakout performance is just around the corner, hopefully against NSW at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.

"I have been a bit hard on myself but you need to be hard on yourself," Thaiday said yesterday.

"I started the season off really well and was happy with the way I was going. I'm kind of headed into a mid-season low at the moment and I just need to get over that and I'll be right.

"I just need to get a bit of confidence back and play some good footy and the good games will roll from there."

Thaiday's mid-season progress hasn't been helped by the major break in routine over the past few weeks.

He spent almost 12 days in Melbourne for Origin I, including an NRL game for the Broncos, and was then forced into a 72-hour quarantine period amid swine flu fears among the Brisbane squad.

"The last start for the Broncos was a bit hard. We were in isolation for 72 hours which is always hard to try and get your routine right," he said.

"But I've had my routine pretty spot on this week.

"I've prepared really well during the week getting all the little things right that I need to get right so that I'm fully prepared for Wednesday night.

"Usually if I prepare really well, I can play pretty good as well."

With Queensland chasing an historic fourth straight Origin series win, coach Mal Meninga has led the call for a greater Maroon influence in the end-of-season Kangaroo tour to the UK.

Last year's 24-man Australian World Cup squad featured 12 Queenslanders, but none of them were backrowers.

Australia's most recent test side had 10 starters from Queensland, including the entire backline, but Thaiday is determined to win back his Kangaroos jumper.

He admitted he was disappointed to miss the World Cup squad last year and, along with Maroons lock Dallas Johnson, the Queenslanders want to show Test selectors the Queensland back row deserves higher representative honours.

"I was disappointed I didn't even get a look in," said Thaiday of the World Cup squad.

"(The Four Nations tour) would be a good tour to go on. It's an overseas tour and I haven't really travelled too much so it would be good to get on that tour and see the world."

Johnson, who has yet to add to his one-off Test match at the end of 2007, says he'd love to work his way back into the green and gold but knows the test selection is many months away.

"Everyone wants to play rep football and go as far as they can. It's just something that is way down the track," said Johnson.

"I don't really look at that to tell you the truth. I'm here to play for Queensland and when I go back to the club I'll play for the club."

- AAP