Queensland team for Origin two announced (expert reaction)

Expert

7th June, 2011

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Ryan O'Connell

Expert

7th June, 2011

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Queensland's team for State of Origin 2011 game 2 announced (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

Working out the Queensland team for

game twoof the 2011 State of Origin series would hardly have been an all-night event. I’m pretty certain the Queensland selection table dialogue was short, sharp and swift. I imagine it would have gone something like this:

“Is Inglis fit?”
“Yep”
“OK, he’s in”
“Yep”
“That big unit Taylor has pulled his finger out over the last couple of weeks, shall we pick him?”
“Yep”
“Right. Done. Want a XXXX?”
“Yep”

Never has the adage “If it ain’t broke, then don’t fix it” been more appropriate, and as such, Queensland have made only two changes.

Superstar centre Greg Inglis returns to the line-up replacing the injured Willie Tonga, and David Taylor comes in for Jacob Lillyman.

The Queensland Maroons team for 2011 State of Origin game two:

Billy Slater
Jharal Yow Yeh
Greg Inglis
Dane Neilsen
Darius Boyd
Darren Lockyer (c)
Johnathan Thurston
Ashley Harrison
Sam Thaiday
Nate Myles
Petero Civoniceva
Cameron Smith
Matt Scott

Interchange:
Cooper Cronk
Corey Parker
Ben Hannant
David Taylor
Jacob Lillyman (named on an extended bench).

Whilst NSW earned praise for their defensive effort in Brisbane, and rightfully so, the fact remains that Queensland didn’t actually play all that well. You always got the feeling they were coasting somewhat, and when they lost the lead, you could almost feel them shift up a gear.

Within minutes, they had regained the advantage on the scoreboard, and had secured the victory.

It speaks volumes of the talent in this Maroons outfit. They can flick a switch and simply decide that they’ll win the game.

It’s what makes this side so dangerous – not only are they supremely talented from a physical point of view, but their mental toughness and confidence are of the highest standard.

Apparently in game one, after NSW had taken the lead, Lockyer summoned his troops on their tryline and calmly said: “We know what we have to do. We’ve done it before. Let’s simply get the ball back down their end, and score.”

Such confidence shows that the poise never wavers for the Queenslanders. They truly believed they were going to score, and thus win the game.

Any athlete of any level will tell you how important confidence is. Combine Queensland’s confidence with their ability, skill and athleticism, and you start to understand why this Maroons outfit is so highly regarded.

Which brings me back my point about Queensland not playing their best in game one.

I simply cannot see the Maroons putting in back-to-back below par performances. In other words, I expect them to be better in Sydney.

Which begs the question: if Queensland can win even when they’re not at their best, what chance do NSW have against them when they play well?

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Ryan O'Connell

Expert

Ryan is an ex-representative basketballer who shot too much, and a (very) medium pace bowler. He's been with The Roar as an expert since February 2011, has written for the Seven Network, and been a regular on ABC radio.