NSW captain Kurt Gidley is well aware the pressure is on like never before as his Blues side look to level the series in Sydney next Wednesday night and avoid an embarrassing record fourth series loss in a row.<br><br>“There is pressure but there always is in these big games, we just have to focus on what we’re doing, get off to a good start and play our game the way we want to.”<br><br>Getting off to a good start would appear to be paramount. Despite a spirited comeback in Game I, the Blues were staring down the barrel of a huge defeat when the Maroons took an 18-0 lead after 20 minutes.<br><br>NSW seemingly collapsed after video referee Bill Harrigan controversially ruled Blues winger Jarryd Hayne had put his foot on the touch line as he attempted to score the game’s opening try, while stopping short of criticising Harrigan, Gidley reiterated it was a game changing moment.<br><br>“We must get off to a good start and we can’t let them get off to a good start or a lead. We got off to a good start in game one and Jarryd Hayne’s no try was a bit of a turning point because they then put three on us, so we want to start well again and continue on for the rest of the half.”<br><br>A key component to that good start will be the forwards laying a platform for the Blues as they look to establish some go forward against a Queensland pack which - like bookends Petero Civoniceva and Steve Price - has stood the test of time. <br><br>The stats from Game I also back the fact that the Maroon juggernaut continues to provide a bigger impact than the Blues pack.<br><br>Luke O’Donnell ran all day in Game I making more metres than any other forward on the park, he had 22 hit ups which made an average of 6.9 metres a run. Justin Poore and Luke Bailey made decent yards with their hit ups making 9.2 and 9.1 metres respectively. Whilst for Queensland Steve Price made 140 metres at an average of 8.8m per run, Petero Civoniceva made 9.9 metres on average per carry, showing NSW selector Laurie Daley he certainly wasn’t past it.<br><br>Despite all this Gidley believes they can overcome the legendary Maroons pack and set the game up for new five eighth Trent Barrett, who comes back into the fold for the first time since Game I, 2005.<br><br>“The Queensland team, they’re well known for their forwards and are an experienced bunch of blokes but the guys we have picked up front are as keen as anyone.”<br><br>“These games are about giving everything you can by the time you walk off the field and I have no doubt these guys will walk off the field having done that.”<br><br>Despite the weight of a whole state on his shoulders, Gidley doesn’t think Barrett will have a problem handling the pressure.<br><br>“I don’t think there is too much pressure on Baz, he’s a great ball player and that’s why he is here. Trent’s been there and done this before, he’s played in these big games. He has a great passing game and will fit in well so I look forward to it.”<br><br>While Gidley has talked down the pressure on Barrett, he knows he will face some of his own as he looks to erase the demons of Game I from his mind, when two uncharacteristic errors towards the death all but sealed the Blues’ fate.<br><br>“It was a disappointing end to the game. I enjoyed the experience of being captain but am looking forward to an improvement on the back end of that game. That’s for sure!”<br><br>If those errors don’t happen and Gidley can again dominate with his running game (he made a game high 266 metres in Game I) then the Blues may just be a chance of levelling the series next Wednesday night at ANZ Stadium.<br>