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I’ve often stated here that the only difference between NSW and Queensland over the last seven series has been class. Forget motivation, “spirit” or “will to win”.
The team with the most talent – not desire – usually wins the premiership (the existence of a salary cap proves this point) and it is no different in Origin.
New South Wales took advantage of the flat performances of Queensland’s more talented spine in Origin I.
I tipped the Blues in that game due to the subdued play of Queensland’s big guns – Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith and Jonathan Thurston – in preceding club games leading up to first Origin match.
But that was never going to repeat itself.
Having said that, it seems that no one in the media wants to be blunt about certain aspects of Origin 2.
Let’s start with one of the most pathetic performances by a forward pack in Origin history.
One unmentionable is that Aaron Woods has been overrated for over a season now. As much as I love Ray Warren, he has been talking this young man up since he debuted for the Tigers.
I put Aaron Woods in the Mitchell Pearce class: good first grader. That’s it.
Andrew Fifita was my starting prop for Game 1. Luckily the Blues had James Tamou (who will be there in three weeks and is sorely needed).
Without the heavy-drinking, unlicensed North Queenslander, it was imperative to have someone with Fifita’s power and legdrive starting the game.
Laurie Daley swung and missed by picking Woods and then whiffed again by not injecting Fifita sooner once it became clear that none of the NSW forwards wanted to charge onto the ball in an effort to gain the Blues any kind of field position.
Woods was an abject disaster, looking like a shy teenager at the school dance.
His two opening runs (the only two of his first stint) reminded me of my wife hugging me after I’ve put on a newly ironed shirt- extremely delicately so as not to leave creases.
But the young Tiger wasn’t the only problem. Let’s mention another unmentionable: Paul Gallen has been past his best for some time and has been getting picked on reputation.
“Total metres” is one of the most misleading stats in our game. Yes, Gallen’s work rate with the ball is usually high but that factor must be combined with an assessment of the quality of his runs.
He has been down on speed and power the last two seasons, not making much of a dent. Starting him at prop with Woods was a huge mistake you could see coming.
NSW had no one to turn to when coming off their own line. Added to that was the refusal of Robbie Farah and Mitchell Pearce to organise their players for spreads early in the count.
I couldn’t believe how often NSW was bunched in its own territory.
The Queensland defence must have been giddy.
There was absolutely no pressure on any Maroon players to space themselves and make reads. They simply closed in and with no NSW forwards except Fifita willing to move forward with power and speed, it was a mismatch.
NSW must pick Jorge Taufua for game three with Jarryd Hayne returning at fullback. Dugan had some good moments but the Blues need Taufua’s dummy half running in their own territory.
“Metres after collision” is an example of a useful statistic and in this Nathan Merritt falls into the Brett Stewart category of being a soft tackle for defenders. Kind of like Woods.
Tamou and Hayne back. Taufua in. Gallen replaced by Fifita in the starting line-up.
And one more thing. No disrespect to Josh Reynolds, who’ll have other days, but it’s time for NSW to select my bench man for Origin I.
Ladies and gentleman, meet Albert Kelly. He is one man who could hurt Queensland late in each half and maybe nudge the Blues over the line in game three. If they pick the right men in the middle to give him a chance.
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