Forget stopping Inglis, just stop the rot
Roar Guru By Steve Kaless, 17 Jun 2010 Steve Kaless is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Andrew Johns, Greg Inglis, NRL, NSW Blues, Queensland Maroons, Rugby League, State Of Origin
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It must have been the most public game plan in the history of Origin football from the NSW Blues last night. “Gentlemen, we must fortify ourselves and use the appropriate measure of physical aggression to stop Gregory Inglis”….or words to that effect.
What a pity everyone bailed after that because perhaps Andrew Johns might have actually enlightened NSW as to how the hell that what was going to happen.
Flying up into the defensive line and waving your hands in the air like you are trying to be spotted by a helicopter probably isn’t the best way to go.
Johns has proved a number of things this week, but the latest was talk is cheap.
As I spoke with my brother prior to kick-off he made one telling observation. Inglis would be the most motivated man in the 30 year history of this state rivalry.
It then took just three minutes for the man mountain to steamroll over the line.
I cursed myself from not supporting Anthony Mundine’s call for a boycott of the match. Ah, once a New South Welshman always a New South Welshman, Choc clearly felt the best hope for the Blues was if Queensland were forced to select strike breakers for the match in Brisbane.
As it stands we’ve got Buckley’s of knocking over this mob.
All change for the Blues? Bugger that, it will largely prove academic anyway so I say leave the side as is and let them fight (perhaps an odd choice of word) their way back into the contest.
Stability might also bring cohesiveness which is a commodity the Blues aren’t burdened with at present.
The other thing for NSW fans to factor is that the selectors seem obsessed with picking blokes from Newcastle and Canberra at present, so we have perhaps the best ever Maroons side against the off-cuts of the Knights and Raiders.
If my numbers are right the next blokes in line for a call up are Joe Picker, Glen Buttriss, Dan Tolar and Scott Dureau.
At the end of the match I had to sit back and smile. As kids, my brothers and I would cry ourselves to sleep cursing Wally Lewis if the Maroons got a victory. But this team is so good that as a league fan you can’t help but enjoy watching them play.
Full credit; this is indeed the golden generation for Queensland.
There was one other bonus for NSW fans, a Lang Park packed to the rafters and not a single vuvuzela within a bull’s roar.
You have to take what you can get.
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- Explore:
- Andrew Johns, Greg Inglis, NRL, NSW Blues, Queensland Maroons, Rugby League, State Of Origin
June 17th 2010 @ 11:24am
sheek said | June 17th 2010 @ 11:24am | Report comment
Firstly, this talk of dynasties & dominations is just that – talk.
It wasn’t that many years ago, in fact when NSW won their 3rd origin series in a row in 2005, there were fears they would dominate SOO for many years to come.
So what happened?
Instead, Qld has won the past 5 origin series. Who knows, next year NSW could easily win it back again….. ???!
NSW have the talent, they simply have to pick the best ‘mix’ of players, rather than simply the best player in each position. NSW has no evident team spirit. If the captain is not good enough for the run-on team, he shouldn’t be captain, simple as that.
Bellamy is an outstanding coach, no doubt about that. Two premierships, 4 grand finals, 3 minor premierships – he’s a proven performer. However, perhaps his personality doesn’t gel with enough players from other clubs at the state level.
Bellamy’s other problem is that too many of his club players are with the opposition Qld team. This must surely affect his ability to function effectively as NSW coach.
It’s obvious to me the NSW selectors are making some monumentally dumb decisions, which is strange considering their calibre & experience.
Change of coach, smarter selections, pick a team that gels together with team spirit, & the result could easily be different next year.
June 17th 2010 @ 1:11pm
Boydy said | June 17th 2010 @ 1:11pm | Report comment
Sheek, Bellamy an outstanding coach, what the!!!!!?????? Who wouldn’t wouldn’t have a record like his when you get to coach a team that’s nearly 2 million dollars over the salary cap!!!! For God’s sake did you watch that pathetic display last night? Bellamy’s half time talk should have gone something like this: “Well boys I’ll tell you what to do in the second half, go out there and do whatever you like. Just go and play your own game because I’ve got NOTHING!”
There was no direction, no new set moves, and a dumb kicking game. The players were un-motivated and the defensive patterns were non-existent. I think a lot can be read into Bellamy’s mind set when he showed up in the coach’s box at the Storm game Monday night. To leave the Blues to go and watch his “Toyota Cup” side do battle in a game that even if they somehow manage to win, cannot get any points for was totally unacceptable. Good God, the man should be fined for breaking origin camp.
Aside from Learoyd-Lahrs and Nathan Hindmarsh the rest of that rabble should never wear a blues jersey again. What were the selectors thinking (what am I saying? obviously they don’t think) when they picked Joel Monahan???!!! Why wouldn’t you go for a Jennings or a Lawrence or someone who can actually play the game.
When I think of the players of the past who have spilled blood, sweat and tears for NSW, it breaks my heart. For them to have to sit through that debacle last night must have been excruciating.
Bellamy must resign now for the sake of NSW ‘s future. The board must not fall for the inevitable “give me one last chance to redeem myself”, because no matter what team plays in game 3 NSW will likely win, only because Qld won’t care. They’ll probably still be partying in a fortnight’s time knowing full well that NSW will continue to pick duds with no ticker or commitment.
I for one will not watch another SOO until the Blues start to show some pride. They don’t have to win, that just have to show some PRIDE and have a fair dinkum dig!
June 17th 2010 @ 11:27am
sledgeross said | June 17th 2010 @ 11:27am | Report comment
The only forwards I would keep ar Tommy LL, Hindy and Gallen. Fair dinkum, in the last fifteen minutes Gallen was doing two hit-ups per set, Hindmarsh gave 100% and Learoyd Lahrs tried hard. The rest I wouldnt care if they played again.
I would include Snowden, Douglas, Mannah and Bird somehwere.
June 17th 2010 @ 11:35am
True Tah said | June 17th 2010 @ 11:35am | Report comment
Sack Daley as a selector – the man is unable to take his Dragons bias away, how else could a muppet like Weyman play Origin?
Jennings needed to be in that team, sure his defence might not be up to par, but NSW really struggle to break the line, Jennings would certainly assist there.
June 17th 2010 @ 11:55am
JimC said | June 17th 2010 @ 11:55am | Report comment
Weyman was woeful.
I agree with World’s Biggest – pick some pace and have a go.
Not sure what Beau Scott added to the mix.
June 17th 2010 @ 1:16pm
Gob Bluth said | June 17th 2010 @ 1:16pm | Report comment
To be fair to Scott I actually thought he was far from the worst player for the Blues. If that is some sort of compliment.
June 17th 2010 @ 5:11pm
Gilbank said | June 17th 2010 @ 5:11pm | Report comment
I thought weyman did his job and took a hammering – and he kept coming back. They need a line bender.
June 17th 2010 @ 1:17pm
bazza said | June 17th 2010 @ 1:17pm | Report comment
Beau Scott stopped the Queensland back line with his defence … oh wait …
June 17th 2010 @ 12:03pm
The Link said | June 17th 2010 @ 12:03pm | Report comment
A perfect storm of the golden generation of QLD and the worst NSW sides in history.
Its hard to remember such a lopsided SOO match.
Root and branch clean out of NSW needed, preferably before game 3.
QLD never out of 2nd gear.
Izzy has had his last real stink for the next 4 years.
June 17th 2010 @ 1:13pm
Gob Bluth said | June 17th 2010 @ 1:13pm | Report comment
It’s as sure as night follows day.
NSW lose, every NSW fan wants a team with the caveat they stick with them, a disjointed performance, NSW lose, every NSW fan wants a team with the caveat……
June 17th 2010 @ 1:15pm
Worlds Biggest said | June 17th 2010 @ 1:15pm | Report comment
In addition to the backline I picked my forwards would be,
Snowden
Gidley
Ben Cross
Gallen
Idris
Lewis
Bench forwards – Tim Mannah, Tim Grant, Bird & Carney as utility. Luke Douglas 18th man.
Tough to leave out Hindmarsh however it’s time for the youngsters. Idris may seem an odd selection in the 2nd Row but he is a giant and tough to bring down. He would provide much needed go forward.
June 17th 2010 @ 1:18pm
Gob Bluth said | June 17th 2010 @ 1:18pm | Report comment
So you are picking idris in a position he has never played at NRL level? I thought that way of thinking was the problem with NSW selectors. Surely backrow is one position the Blues should not struggle.
I’d go Watmough.
June 17th 2010 @ 5:04pm
Jeff said | June 17th 2010 @ 5:04pm | Report comment
No thanks.
June 17th 2010 @ 1:26pm
Worlds Biggest said | June 17th 2010 @ 1:26pm | Report comment
Good point and perhaps not for Game 3, maybe next year. It’s not unusual for a Centre to end up in the forwards see Luke Lewis. Our forwards have no go forward hence Idris being the man to give us that. I understand Watmough is injured and out for Game III. If he’s fit I would have him in the squad.
June 17th 2010 @ 1:30pm
Worlds Biggest said | June 17th 2010 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
I’d also give Leoroyd Lahrs another run at the expense of Mannah or Grant. I didn’t pick O’Donnell as no doubt he will be out suspended.
June 17th 2010 @ 1:43pm
James said | June 17th 2010 @ 1:43pm | Report comment
NSW needs to pick the best possible team and STICK with it…let them GROW as a team TOGETHER over the next couple of years…..
1 – Jarryd Hayne
2 – Brett Morris
3 – Josh Morris
4 – Jamal Idris
5 – Michael Jennings
6 – Jamie Soward
7 – Mitchell Pearce
8 – Willie Mason
9 – Robbie Farrah
10 – Tim Mannah
11 – Nathan Hindmarsh
12 – Trent Waterhouse
13 – Luke Lewis
Bench
Anthony Watmough
Tom Leoroyd-Lahrs
Josh Dugan
Beau Champion
Coach – Phil Gould
Assistant Coach – Laurie Daley
June 17th 2010 @ 2:10pm
Gob Bluth said | June 17th 2010 @ 2:10pm | Report comment
So Daley actually gets promoted?
If Gould is a shout as coach what about Sterlo as assistant. I know we shouldn’t just go with blokes from the telly, but if Gould can push his wagon from TV why not give Sterlo a shot. I always get a lot more from his analysis, which is a up a level from “This is Origin, baby”
June 17th 2010 @ 3:27pm
BennO said | June 17th 2010 @ 3:27pm | Report comment
Does anyone else find it a bit creepy when Gould calls Rabitts, baby?