Blues fall short against the greatest Origin side
Roar Guru
By Alan Nicolea, 25 Jun 2009 Alan Nicolea is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Greg Inglis, Israel Folau, NRL, NSW Blues, Queensland Maroons, Rugby League, State Of Origin
After just twenty minutes of the first half in the second Origin encounter in Sydney, the Maroons were dominating a game which had hardly lived up to its billing as rugby league’s showpiece event.
Thanks to quick tries by Greg Inglis, Israel Folau and Darren Lockyer, Queensland found themselves 18 nil up against a NSW side that was literally gifting the Maroons their fourth consecutive Origin shield with a ribbon on it.
Indeed, it was one of the most uninspiring opening minutes of football ever seen by more than 80,000 supporters.
NSW debutant David Williams knocked the ball on twice in as many carries in his own half to gift the Maroons tremendous field position.
The Blues defence was non-existent at times, emphasised by the weak efforts of Justin Poore and Robbie Farah, who let Folau skip through the middle of the park to score under the posts for a 12-0 Maroons lead.
Queensland’s third try was also the product of horrific ball playing by the Blues, as Lockyer swooped up a bouncing ball in between Ben Creagh and Jarryd Hayne to put the Maroons well within reach of history.
While most Blues fans will have been tempted to turn of their television sets after just 20 minutes, they were thankfully reminded why Origin has become the jewel in rugby league’s crown.
Maroons centre Greg Inglis, who was dominating the game at will, was felled by a high shot by NSW half Trent Barrett while attempting to recover possession for his side.
In one of the rare sights of modern rugby league, Inglis was down and out thanks to an illegal play that nearly proved to be the match winner for the Blues.
From that moment on, NSW had a new lease of life at a point where the Maroons were wrongfully deprived of one of their true sparks.
Jarryd Hayne, who was by far NSW’s best player this series, intercepted a Billy Slater pass to run ninety metres and score the Blues opening try.
Controversy reared its head again for the Maroons as Ashley Harrison was denied a try moments later because of a Willie Tonga knock on.
Normal viewing suggests Tonga successfully passed the ball backwards to gift Harrison what looked a legitimate four pointer.
Video referees Tim Mander and Bill Harrigon, however, ruled otherwise in a decision that cost the Maroons dearly heading into halftime.
Hayne barrowed his way out of dummy half to score his second try with just seconds remaining in the first stanza to put NSW within eight points of their opposition.
Tthe Blues found themselves within striking distance, only made possible thanks to the constant norms that make Origin football so special – a close contest and a never say die attitude.
NSW came out firing in the second half, fuelled by the effort of their go forward, not to mention good fortune.
David Williams scored in the corner to put the Blues within four, thanks to some enterprising play by Barrett.
But for all of the Blues positives, there was just something about their opposition that had them primed to create history.
Making do without Inglis for the rest of the contest, the Maroons also suffered injuries to Ben Hannant, Ashley Harrison and Willie Tonga.
Not that it stopped the trio from staying on the paddock and doing just enough to allow the likes of Thurston, Lockyer and Smith to guide their team closer to glory.
It was Hannant of all players in the end that was responsible for tackling Luke O’Donnell in the in-goal area and forcing the mistake late in the contest.
It was the play that allowed Cameron Smith to score the winning try in an Origin series that has immortalised the 2009 Maroons side forever.
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Brett McKay said | June 25th 2009 @ 8:03am | Report comment
So where do we start with the dissection Alan??
Realistically, the score still flattered NSW, and at no time did they deserve to win the game, even when it looked like they might, MIGHT, have been able to draw level in the scond half..
Alan Nicolea said | June 25th 2009 @ 9:34am | Report comment
Brett
As in my earlier post this week, this Maroons side had a no mercy look about them and it showed in the first half. Three errors and three tries and game effectively over. If Greg Inglis managed to stay on the field, who knows what the score could have been. The highlight for NSW for mine were the performances from Jarryd Hayne, he is probably the only player in the blues backline that could play test football and incorporate himself in a kangaroos backline that looks set to have QLD blood for years. I would give him Blues player of the series which i think is the Brad Fittler medal if i am not mistaken.
Negatives – Peter Wallace had a series he would rather forget but he will be better for it, hopefully. NSW’s lack of determination to get to the 50/50 balls cost them dearly, while their forwards never emmited a fear factor to put the Maroons in their place.
As for the future, well i think the blues have two origin games in Sydney next year. Wait, the Maroons have won their past three matches there. Origin hoodoo? not anymore. It will be interesting to also see if Brett Stewart rediscovers his brilliant form from fullback for Manly. If he does by next season, he may take over Kurt Gidley who was the captain for the Blues this series. If he goes back to a utility role on the bench, who will be the captain then in the starting side?
Sportsmouth said | June 25th 2009 @ 10:09am | Report comment
Ok, so the blues didn’t play that well again & I believe that the selectors erred again, but for all the dominance of the QLD’s the games have been there to be won by NSW, we just don’t have the spit and polish of Lockyer, JT and friends at the moment.
Remember the scoreboard doesn’t ask how, just what!
Jameswm said | June 25th 2009 @ 10:14am | Report comment
Brett Qld were only in front because NSW gifted them 3 tries. Qld didn’t have to do too much to win. I didn’t think Qld were great, just NSW bad.
Brett McKay said | June 25th 2009 @ 10:25am | Report comment
Very true James, as has been said in plenty of other forums and reports, NSW just don’t have the ability to finish a game off. Don’t get me wrong, this probably is the best team Qld has ever assembled. It says plenty that even on a off night, they can still scrap a win.
jimbo said | June 25th 2009 @ 11:42pm | Report comment
Queensland always the better team and the result of the series was never in doubt.
NSW RL in disarray at the state level. No cohesion or direction and makeshift teams that try and cover up the mistakes. The coaching and administration is not up to international standard either.
So, not sure yet if this is the greatest Origin side ever – time will tell. There’s a lot of great sides before them. Winning four in a row is a noteworthy achievement, but the NSW opposition has been quite ordinary, to be frank.
The Qld side is very good and the majority of players are still young, so by the time they win their eighth series in a row, they might have more claim to being called the greatest Origin side ever.