GERRINGONG'S Tariq Sims is ready to protect Queensland's number one target Jarome Luai on Sunday night, but he doesn't think the cheeky NSW star needs his help.
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Blues five-eighth Luai has become the image of the enemy in the Maroons camp in the lead-up to State of Origin Two this week after a picture from the series opener in Townsville put a target on his back.
The photo was shared around Queensland camp and shows Luai in full celebration while looking down at a dejected Felise Kaufusi after Queensland's humiliating 50-6 loss a fortnight ago.
Luai is already bracing for the extra attention from a fired up Maroons side at Suncorp Stadium with left-side Blues second-rower Sims on duty as added protection.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again, he's big enough and ugly enough to look after himself," Sims told AAP.
"He's actually a really big body and he's not afraid to get dirty and make his tackles, which is nice, but if I can help out throughout the game I will.
"Every half has a target on his back, it's as simple as that.
"He's a confident player, he's got players around him that he can lean on and he knows we're all going to be there for him, no matter what."
Luai, 24, in his Origin debut was one of the main terrorisers of the Maroons in the historic game one victory.
It was a breath of fresh air for a player to give as good as he gets.
At one point, he raced in to protect fullback James Tedesco after he was hit by Joe Ofahengaue, calling referee Gerard Sutton "bro" when he was cautioned for it.
"He's a competitor through and through," Sims said.
"He's one of those players that you hate playing against and you love to play with.
"That's the scary thing, he's still evolving, he's still developing his game and he's so young.
"I feel lucky to be a small part of his career, which I'm sure is going to be a long one."
As left-side partners on the field, Sims and Luai are sharing a room in camp in Kingscliff this week.
While Luai is all confidence on the field, there's not a hint of arrogance in him off it.
"He's super respectful, very humble. He's such a gentle soul, has a very old head on his shoulders but once he crosses the white line he's got white line fever and all he wants to do is compete," Sims said.
"He's a perfect footballer.
"We're all trying to fit players into these moulds that don't suit them, and when they break their mould and do what they do everyone ends up falling in love with them."
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