Tips & Tricks » etimes, we put one player on the post," Heaps

Kurt Gidley says the State of Origin games are the toughest that any player can be involved in. Gidley, who has quickly settled in at Warrington Wolves, is well placed to discuss the State of Origin series, having made 12 appearances for New South Wales, including captaining the region. With the opening match of the 2016 series on the horizon, the 33-year-old was open about just how gruelling taking part in one of Australias most intense sporting rivalries is. Id describe it as the pinnacle in Rugby League, he told Sky Sports. Theyre the toughest games that any player can be involved in, as far as physical and mental toughness goes. Gidley fending off close Queensland attention in State of Origin action Ive represented my country and theyre really tough and physical games as well, but I think that the Origin games that Ive played in have been the most physical and toughest that Ive ever played in.Theres so much at stake, its the highest-rated programme on Australian television every year and people who dont watch rugby league throughout the year watch State of Origin because it is such a big occasion. Aidan Guerra celebrates scoring Queenslands eighth try in State of Origin III last year Sydneys ANZ Stadium will host the opening Test and Gidleys New South Wales will know the importance of starting positively.The 2015 series ended in despair for the Blues as Queensland inflicted a brutal 52-6 hammering of their rivals. However, Gidley doesnt believe that will impact on Wednesdays opener.As a player, theres nothing that you can do the change the past, he said. For me, Im always looking towards my next game, whether Ive lost, drawn or won my previous game.So its almost 12 months between the last game of Origin 2015 and this one, its irrelevant what happened last year now. Gidleys Knights career in the NRL spanned over 15 years With the State of Origin stage being so large and the scrutiny that comes with that, the 33-year-old commented how it takes some time to learn how to handle the external pressures. Queenslands media and New South Wales media are both driving different agendas and trying to find different stories on opposing teams, players and coaches so its a crazy time, explained Gidley.As a young guy, it takes a bit of time to learn just to focus on training and your job in the game, because you dont want to play the game in your head before you do play it. So, that comes with a bit of experience.Once game day arrives and the build-up has come to an end, Gidley knows that every member taking to the field during the 2016 series, and in the years to come, will experience something extremely special and something that theyll never forget.The atmosphere is the biggest thing that most players remember, he said. Whether its in Queensland with 90 per cent of the crowd booing you, or whether youre in New South Wales and there are close to 90,000 people supporting you. State of Origin is one of Australias most intense sporting rivalries The atmospheres are amazing and when you run out for the game, its a feeling that you cant get anywhere else in your life.You train pretty intensely for 10 days in the lead up to it, and every day that you get closer to the game you get more excited. By the time that you run out of the tunnel and you hear the crowd, it is a pretty unrealistic feeling to describe unless youve experienced it.For the Australian, his focus is firmly on Warringtons trip to St Helens on Friday night, as the Wolves have the opportunity to build upon their nine-try victory over Leeds.But, like most, hell have one eye on the 2016 State of Origin opener to see if New South Wales can turn around a difficult 2015 finale and start the 2016 series on a winning note.St Helens v Warrington is live on Sky Sports 3 HD from 7.30pm on Friday night. Also See: State Of Origin 2016 Preview Saints v Wolves: Key battles Rugby League Set of Six Top Super League tries Nike Air Max 720 Rabatt .com) - The Pittsburgh Penguins will try to complete a sweep of the Washington Capitals when the clubs cap a quick home-and-home series Tuesday night in the Steel City. Nike Air Max Plus Rabatt . Brassard and Coyotes defenceman Derek Morris were battling for position in the crease when a nudge from Morris sent Brassard on top of Smith late in the third period. http://www.reaairmaxsverige.com/air-max-95-rabatt/max-95-herr.html .J. -- Kevin Gilbride retired Thursday as offensive co-ordinator for the New York Giants. Nike Air Max 98 Rea . For Sweed, a second round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008, this will be his second go around in the CFL after previously having spent time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Nike Air Max 90 Dam Rea . The 27th-ranked Austrian underwent surgery on a torn tendon in October and needs more time to recover, the Austria Press Agency reports on Saturday. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Andy Dorman and Kelyn Rowe scored in the second half to lead the New England Revolution to a 2-1 victory over Sporting Kansas City in the first leg of their Eastern Conference semifinals series on Saturday night. Dorman put the Revolution on the scoreboard in the 55th minute, while Rowe made it 2-0 in the 67th. Aurelien Collin pulled Sporting within one in the 69th. "I thought it was a hard-fought battle between two teams fighting for everything," Revolution coach Jay Heaps said. "It certainly wasnt a pretty game, but (rather) two teams pushing hard and two teams trying to get ahead in the playoffs." The Revolution, appearing in the post-season for the first time since 2009, entered the match with a 501-minute regular season goal drought against Sporting Kansas City, a streak that reaches back to the 2011 season. The Revolution spent much of the first half trying to find their rhythm and ending the streak. "We played with a lot of discipline, and we were very well organized," Sporting goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen said. "We forced their back four to play the long balls up to the striker, our centre backs won the ball, and our midfielders were good on the second balls. The Revolution had to survive an early scare before they were able to step on the gas. In the 18thh minute, Graham Zusis corner kick found Chance Myers, who headed the ball toward the goal before Lee Nguyen cleared it off the line.dddddddddddd "Some games, we put two players on the post and sometimes, we put one player on the post," Heaps said. "But tonight, we made the right call and put two players on the post." After a first half filled with erratic play from both teams, the Revolution were able to break through early in the second half. Diego Fagundez blasted a shot that was initially saved by Nielsen before the rebound fell to Juan Agudelo. The Revolution striker was able to direct on frame and Dorman tapped it through. Rowe made it a two-goal advantage 12 minutes later when Nguyen slid it toward him and his touch redirected it into the back of the net. Sporting struck back two minutes later. Amid a chaotic fight for the ball inside the Revolution box, Collin was able to steer C.J. Sapongs ball into the net. "I think we showed how strong this team is to come back, and that goal gave us a good life line," Nielsen said. The clubs will play the second leg of the series on Wednesday at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Kan. The team with the most aggregate goals in the two matches will advance to the conference finals against the winner of the New York-Houston matchup. ' ' '