“You have to go out and perform for 80 minutes each week and that comes from getting the team off to a good start by laying the platform early. We’ve got good strike power out wide, but if we’re not going forward first, they’re not able to do their job.

“That’s Origin footy. If we’re thinking pass first, you’re second-guessing yourself. You just run hard into the line, scatter the line and play footy off the back of that.

“You have to be able to switch the mentality and focus on carrying hard through the line, getting quick play-the-balls. The game now is all about ruck speed, and you have to generate that to allow the sharp guys to jump out of dummy half and play eyes-up footy.”

Paulo has long established himself as a starting prop and this year Eels coach Brad Arthur handed him the co-captaincy. However, Brad Fittler used him as an interchange weapon in game one, marking the first time he has come off the bench since round 16 of last year. It’s a role he is set to reprise for the rematch in Perth.

Loading

“It is what it is, I just have to play footy,” Paulo said. “You have to be able to adapt to different circumstances.

“It obviously hurts to lose that first one, especially being at full capacity back in Sydney. If I could change things, it’s about bringing that run-first mentality, just being able to bring that impact off the bench.

“Whatever our role is, heading into this next game it’s about laying that platform and letting guys like Teddy [James Tedesco] and Damien Cook to play footy, to be sharp out of dummy half. That’s when we can play our expansive style out wide.”

Watch the State of Origin exclusively live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now.