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Watch for a really special performance from Paul Gallen in tomorrow night’s Origin game at ANZ Stadium.
The Blues’ skipper has produced many inspirational efforts for NSW over the years, but I’ve got a feeling this one could top them all.
Played at the Blues’ home in front of 70,000-plus fans, this game could be Gallen’s grand final, the crowning moment of his great career. It seems doubtful the Sharks will win a NRL title while he is playing, and surely he can’t go on for too many more seasons playing the way that he does.
MORE ORIGIN:
>> State of Origin Central
>> [WATCH] Highlights from Game 2 2013
>> State of Origin fixture
>> Roar Preview for Game 2
>> [WATCH] Highlights from Game 1 2014
So, Wednesday’s the night. For a change, Gal is not going into battle under an injury cloud. He was a standout performer in Origin 1, especially when the Blues were under the pump in the final 20 minutes. He will be primed to do it again, even more if needed.
The skipper says NSW is treating this game as the series decider, and why wouldn’t they? One-all going into game 3 at Brisbane would be a very scary prospect.
Looking at everything in the build-up, NSW isn’t over the line by any stretch of the imagination but the Blues have momentum from that stirring win in the opener, and their preparation looks to have been a lot more comfortable than Queensland’s.
NSW has its spine intact from Game 1. Being able to field the same 1, 6, 7 and 9 is pleasing. The Maroons are having major problems with the vital halfback position. They also look as though they’ll be taking some under-prepared players (Greg Inglis, Daley Cherry-Evans) into battle and that is always a major concern in a game of such magnitude.
Still, NSW will have to improve their attack to get the verdict. Laurie Daley’s men only had a couple of shots at the Queensland line in the second half of the opening game and spent the last quarter on the back foot, defending their line.
Scoring chances must be taken (including goal-kicks) and I think they will. Most of the nerves and anxiety from the Brisbane game will have disappeared and another full week in camp should have helped the Blues fine-tune things.
Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith were both down on their usual games at Suncorp – NSW won’t be as fortunate this time around.
Blues’ fans are entitled to approach tomorrow’s game with plenty of confidence but I still remember two clear-cut scoring chances butchered by Queensland two weeks ago.
Just before half-time, Matt Gillett dropped the ball cold when Billy Slater would have had a three-on-one if the pass had successfully travelled out the back. Then in the second half, with Queensland surging, JT threw a pass that went to ground and 20 metres backwards with Slater again on the boil.
Teams need their share of luck to win any Origin contest. The Blues had some at Brisbane and I’m not expecting any hand-outs from this desperate Queensland team.
My predictions
NSW 18-12.
Man of Match: Paul Gallen
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