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Countless words have been written and spoken since the Kangaroos’ 26-12 defeat to the Kiwis at Suncorp last Sunday.
The bulk of the criticism pointed out the Australians were too old, there was a loud call for a changing of the guard.
True the Kiwis chalked up their first three wins in succession over the Kangaroos since 1953, but it’s also true the Kangaroos have won 36 of their last 41 internationals – the five losses all against the New Zealanders.
Stephen Kearney’s men played better than the Australians at Suncorp, they had more passion, and it was obvious playing for their country meant more.
That’s not for one moment suggesting the Kangaroos didn’t respect they were playing for their country, but come May 27 those ‘old’ Queenlanders will be vastly different players once they pull on that maroon jersey in the first Origin at ANZ Stadium.
Even more so this year having lost the series last year after winning a record eight in succession.
They have been hurting for nearly 11 months, and there’s no more dangerous sporting team on the planet than a hurting Queensland rugby league team – they grow an extra leg.
In my book the ‘old’ boys north of the border will start short-priced favourites.
Corey Parker’s the senior at 33, playmaker Johnathan Thurston is 32, and there are three 31s – skipper Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, and Billy Slater who didn’t play in the Test, but should be right for Origin 1.
Add three 29-year-olds – Matt Scott, Sam Thaiday, and Nate Myles – and 28-year-old Greg Inglis, and that’s one helluva nucleus of elite footballers.
Every one of them, with the obvious exception of Slater, will play well above their Sunday standard for two reasons – they are not playing the Kiwis, and they are well above Origin class.
And Origin is rugby league’s Holy Grail.
To underestimate them would be at NSW’s peril.
NSW coach Laurie Daley rests between a rock and a hard place.
He brilliantly mentored that great series win last season, but retaining the honour is getting harder by the week.
In the biggest loss of all, there’s no Jarryd Hayne. Inspirational skipper Paul Gallen has none and Buckley’s of playing in the series with his hip injury career-threatening. Greg Bird copped what he deserved from the judiciary last night with an eight-match suspension for his fourth dangerous throw in just over a season, so he’ll be an Origin non-starter. And Josh Reynolds’ poor form and hot-head reactions make him a liability.
All four were vital to the side, and despite Daley’s genuine wish to remain loyal to those who made it work last season, that loyalty will be denied him in the short and long term.
So what New South Welshmen out of last Sunday’s Test side can match it with the Queensladers’ top nine (who have 273 Origins among them)?
Luke Lewis (31) has played 17 Origins, Michael Jennings (27) has played 12, Trent Merrin (25) has 10, James Tamou (26) has eight, Josh Dugan (24) and Aaron Woods (24) have five each, while the 20-year-old winger Alex Johnston has played the one Test, but has yet to debut at Origin level.
That’s 67 Origins for seven Blues, a binocular distance below Queensland’s 273.
Too old? Hardly.