'He tore us to shreds': Murray tasked with Operation Fifita

He may be facing a size mismatch but Cameron Murray is confident the Blues will have enough defensive firepower around him to bring down David Fifita in this year's Ampol State of Origin campaign.

Murray will be tasked with the job of containing Fifita in the series opener at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in a match-up that could dictate the game after the Maroons enforcer's blockbuster start to the NRL season.

After missing last year's series with an ankle injury, Fifita is ready to wreak havoc running off Cameron Munster on the left edge, and it's Murray who'll find himself in the firing line.

Fifita scored a first half hat-trick against Murray's Rabbitohs in round seven with his powerful running game on show as he busted his way through 11 tackles to score tries.

"He tore us to shreds," Murray told NRL.com.

"We talked about him throughout that week but we weren't able to handle him.

"We won the game but he was really hard to stop and will be tough again on Wednesday night.

"I'm not sure how we're going to approach him but in good time we'll come up with a suitable game plan.

"The best way to handle someone like David Fifita, who is so strong and powerful especially through his upper body, is handle him in numbers and get him around the legs when you can.

"But sometimes it's easier said than done with a guy like him. He's a very dangerous player on the edge. You can't underestimate him, you need to respect him with the footy in hand."

Murray returned from an ankle injury in last week's big win over the Eels just in time for Origin I and now finds himself on the edge with the Blues light on in the back row.

The 23-year-old is predominantly a middle player but has spent time in the second row at times throughout his career.

"I'm confident to play there and connect with the halves and my edge," Murray said.

"I would've played anywhere. I was just more relieved to be back. It's been touch and go for the last few weeks to see if my ankle was going to be right.

"But it has pulled up sweet. I dealt with it pretty well. I just made sure I did everything I could to get myself back on the field."

Murray said the agony of lasting just five minutes in last year's Origin series was also a motivating factor to help the Blues exact revenge.

The Mascot product tore his hamstring to compound the side's game one loss in Adelaide last November and missed the remainder of the series.

"It was really disappointing," he said.

"I couldn't help but feel helpless and responsible, even guilty that I couldn't be out there to try and make a difference.

"It was hard having to leave camp early and watch us lose the shield so there's definitely a little bit of extra motivation for me this year."