North Queensland's Valentine Holmes has credited the State of Origin wisdom of Queensland assistant coach Josh Hannay for helping to galvanise the Cowboys' edges in a 31-6 thrashing of South Sydney.
Hannay has been juggling his role as an assistant at Cronulla with Queensland duties since Billy Slater became head coach of the Maroons last year.
He has been tasked with supervising the outside backs' defence, which was rock-solid in the 32-6 defeat of NSW last Wednesday that clinched back-to-back series wins for the Queenslanders.
A former Cowboys centre himself, Hannay was previously an assistant to the late Paul Green at North Queensland, and thus has a long history with Holmes and fellow Cowboys Origin representative Murray Taulagi.
Slater was quick to praise Hannay post-match, and Holmes said his work in Origin camp had translated back to the NRL.
"He's a really smart coach," Holmes said.
"He played centre, which really helps, so he knows what it takes to defend out there.
"With guys running inside your shoulder and then guys running out the back, it's a hard place to defend but he always gives me confidence in what I do."
The Rabbitohs' right edge has been a deadly source of strike this season, with centre Campbell Graham and second-rower Keaon Koloamatangi both in career-best form.
On the left lurks Souths' all-time leading try-scorer Alex Johnston and the league's leader in try assists Cody Walker.
But the only try Souths scored at Accor Stadium on Sunday came from a scrum play in the middle of the park, which pleased Holmes and his colleagues on the edges.
"A team like Souths, you don't want to give them too much time because they can pull you apart with their silky passes out the back with Walker and (Isaiah) Tass there," Holme said.
"We try to be aggressive with them and make them push past us or hold the ball when we're coming in. I learned that from Hannay and also (Cowboys assistant) Dean Young."
Hannay worked with Taulagi in his teenage years, when he was selected for Queensland in the Under 18s State of Origin match in 2017.
He said the coach had a strong understanding of his players.
"He's been really good, giving me tips. He's watched my game and told me where I can be better," he said.
"We get to work when I go into camp and it helps having him and Billy there, they obviously pick up my strengths and weaknesses.
"It's also a credit to our defensive coach here at club land, Dean Young. I don't think I'd be where I am now without him. He's definitely come in and changed our mindset in defence."
