NSW captain Simon Katich has made no apologies for potentially ruining the start of rugby league's centenary season, declaring his focus is on ensuring the Blues host this month's Pura Cup final.
Katich's men can lock in hosting duties with victory over South Australia in the four day match starting Friday, meaning Wests Tigers would have to move their NRL season opener against St George Illawarra on March 16 from the SCG to the SFS.
The Tigers' suggestions that the Blues play the decider against Victoria at North Sydney Oval or Drummoyne Oval was given short shrift by Katich.
"It is called the Sydney Cricket Ground isn't it," he pointed out.
"At the start of the season, if we get in a position to host the final then that's first and foremost (ahead of the NRL)."
"Hopefully we will do that but we've still got some work to do before that happens."
The Blues and Bushrangers are level at the head of the table on 33 points each, with NSW enjoying pole position on percentages.
It's an advantage Katich is desperate not to let slip in the final regular season match.
"We need to get the six points. We've worked hard all season to get to this position and I think it would be very disappointed not to host the final," he said.
"I know the Vics would be thinking exactly the same but it's in our hands."
"Our quotient is better than theirs ... if we get the six points we get to host it."
"We control our destiny."
Even a place in interstate cricket NSW history - Katich needs a further 137 runs to beat Michael Bevan's record (1464) for most runs in a season - can distract the Blues boss from the job at hand
"That (the record) doesn't really matter - all that matters is us getting the six points," he declared.
"My priority this summer has been as captain and the batting has been secondary to that. All I've been wanting to do is make sure we get six points."
"It's been nice to contribute to that, but the records are insignificant in this game because all I'm concerned about is getting six points and hosting the final."
NSW will welcome back experienced trio Grant Lambert, Stuart MacGill and Brad Haddin.