What has happened to the NSW Blues?

This was the most pathetic first half of Origin I can remember seeing from a NSW team – and there have been some ordinary displays over the years.

Apart from Jarryd Hayne and Kurt Gidley, the rest should have been taken out the back at the break and told that they have neither the ticker nor the brains to play rep footy.

Here are some of the howlers:

David Williams – dropped the ball on first two hit-ups and passed in-field to a Queensland player after a break.

Paul Gallen – stupid flick pass off a break on 2nd tackle.

Trent Barrett – stupid swinging arm tackle on Queensland player after Williams brek. Deserves a suspension. Plus, the stupid pass to give Lockyer Queensland’s third try.

And in defence:

Queensland were always up in NSW’s faces – or around their legs, whereas NSW seemed in awe of the Maroons and played eagle tag instead.

How else to explain the first two tries where Inglis and Folau simply strolled through turnstiles?

Some other observations:

* Queensland always have at least one player supporting the ball carrier
* NSW often go one out
* Queensland are fast out of dummy half
* NSW often took 1-2 seconds to get a player into a dummy half at the start of a set of six
* Queensland always run hard and straight at the NSW line
* NSW stand around wondering who is going to do the hit-up
* Queensland have an intelligent kick and chase game
* Half a dozen times I was heard yelling ‘where are they?’ referring to would-be NSW chasers or tacklers as the TV screen showed nothing but Maroon jerseys. My 12 year old son made the same comments.

Where are the playmakers in NSW?

As much as I have been a critic of Anasta and Kimmorley in rep footy, I thought they could have played this series from the outset to add experience and stability. Or Barrett.

How is it that Cameron Smith can get a 50m kick away out of dummy half, under pressure, threading the NSW cover defence, but NSW, when not under pressure, can only kick 20m into touch or straight to Queensland players?

NSW’s effort was much better in the second half, perhaps because they knew Barrett had put Inglis into Disneyland. Or perhaps because they knew they were going to be shamed in the press based on their first half efforts.

All the while, Queensland were losing players to injury.

In the end, though, Queensland guts triumphed over NSW’s lack of brains – Lyon and Williams making tactical blunders down the right touchline in the last 7 minutes, and NSW dropping the ball inside their own 30m twice in the last three minutes.

To his credit, Watmough played his heart out – proving he can do more than assault girlfriends and sponsors. He was NSW’s best, along with Weyman.

Looking ahead, NSW need new selectors who recognise what the modern game is about.

And in the absence of hard heads, they need to pick some club combinations.

Think back to Roach-Elias-Sironen and Brasher-Jack, Daley-Stuart-Clyde, McGregor-Wishart, Davidson-Boyle, ET-McGaw, Sterling-Kenny-Price, Johns-Buderus.

Finally, credit where it is due. I reckon this Queensland side would beat Wally Lewis’ side of the 80s.

Lockyer is as good as Lewis, Thurston as good as Langer/Murray, the forwards equal – and then there’s Folau, Inglis and Slater. They’d shade Miles, Belcher and co.

Hats off.