'Crazy what I learned': Nanai credits Slater video tips

There was a hit song in the 1980s by The Buggles called Video Killed the Radio Star but screen time with Billy Slater gave Queensland starlet Jeremiah Nanai a new lease of life at Suncorp Stadium.

The 20-year-old second-rower came off the bench and defended superbly in the Maroons 32-6 win on Wednesday night after a audio-visual tutorial from Slater about the finer points of edge defence.

The only thing Slater's video killed was NSW's hopes of squaring the series.

The Queensland coach held similar sessions with other players and it was his attention to detail that proved decisive in the Maroons taking an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

In camp on Saturday, Nanai and Slater sat down for half-an-hour together in front of a screen, with the North Queensland player all ears.

"To listen to him for half-an-hour ... it was just crazy what I learned," Nanai told AAP.

"It is crazy how many hours Billy pours into individual players.

"He was one of the best players in the game and he is one of the best coaches.

"Billy gave me a lot of tips on the areas I needed to work on. It was mainly on defence, and it was advice I took on board in camp.

"There was a lot of detail to it but when I was playing in the game it came back into my head.

"When I listen to him I get confidence in myself, thanks to Billy. He gave me the opportunity again and I am very proud to be here."

Nanai, who played all three matches of last year's Origin series, was unavailable for 2023's game one in Adelaide - won 26-18 by Queensland - due to a four-week suspension.

Slater called Nanai to discuss some of the things the second-rower needed to work on and it reaped rewards in a strong comeback display for the Cowboys in a 45-20 win over Melbourne.

When forward Tom Gilbert suffered a season-ending injury in Adelaide it opened the door for Nanai's return to the Origin fold.

"That call made me realise that Billy has always got my back," Nanai said.

"I didn't think I was going to get picked but he talked to me about defensive stuff I needed to work on.

"For him to call gave me full confidence to perform well against Storm but I had to come back into this (Maroons) team and prove myself.

"This jersey doesn't come easy. You've got to earn it, like Billy says."