Another Origin opener, another win from a Queensland team which now threatens to storm its way to an unprecedented sixth straight series. Here’s a look at the single stat which told the story for each player in the Maroons line-up.
1. Billy Slater – 5 tackle breaks. Another Origin nailbiter, another pivotal try from Billy Slater in the last 10 minutes. Always dangerous in centrefield, Slater steamed on to a textbook inside ball from Lockyer, shrugged off Paul Gallen and again came up with the telling play.
2. Darius Boyd – 4 one-on-one tackles. Although he didn’t see any open space in attack, Boyd’s stellar work in defence kept Queensland on top in key moments in both halves.
Of his seven tackles (no misses, no ineffective tackles), four were one-on-one – including a couple of bellringers on Dragons teammate Mark Gasnier when the Blues were threatening the Queensland line.
3. Dane Nielson – 19 tackles. A busy night in defence against NSW’s favoured left-hand attack for the Maroons centre debutant saw him rack up by far the most tackles of any of his backline teammates.
4. Willie Tonga – 80 minutes. Somehow managed to labour through an entire 80 minutes of Origin footy despite partially dislocating his shoulder early in the first half, with some brave defence against Gasnier and co late in the piece.
5. Jharal Yow Yeh – 1 try. Added a telling try on debut for Queensland after doing the same in the green and gold last month. Looked solid at the back and set for a long career at this level.
6. Darren Lockyer – 11 tackles. For all the predictable talk about working Darren Lockyer over in defence, the Maroons pivot was only called upon 11 times in Game One – less than in any game last year.
Queenslands 58% share of possession may have helped. Either way, he was fresh as a daisy to come up with the matchwinning play in a representative match – just like in the Ashes 2003, Three Nations Final 2006, Origin game three 2006 and countless other big games over the years. Legend.
7. Jonathan Thurston – 2 goals from 4 attempts. Another solid game from the Queensland number seven could have been remembered for all the wrong reasons after his Croker-esque miss on a penalty goal right in front with 20 to go saw NSW recover possession and steam back into the game.
8. Matt Scott – 15 runs (154 metres). Whatever this guy is on, we want some. Another unbelievably strong performance carting the ball up from the Cowboys prop, capped off with the half-break and quick play the ball on Mick Ennis which preceded the match-winning Slater try.
9. Cameron Smith – 121 receives. Man of the match, and with good reason. Smith had his hands on the ball a whopping 121 times for Queensland, expertly steering his forwards around the ruck, darting out for 10 dummy half runs (one of which produced a try) and feeding his backline with customary aplomb.
Between them, NSW’s hooking duo managed zero dummy half runs and no breaks from only 70 receives. The difference in direction up the middle told on the scoreboard, as it has consistently over recent series.
10. Petero Civoniceva – 16 runs (143 metres). Petero. Price. Scott. Webcke. Hannant. Enough already.
NSW have completely given up on matching the excellence of the Maroons up front, to the point where they are now selecting starting and bench props who consistently contribute single-digits on the hit up front.
11. Nate Myles – 28 tackles. Produced 10 fewer tackles from the same amount of minutes in the corresponding game last year, with Queensland completely dominating possession wise, making a whopping 82 fewer tackles than NSW.
12. Sam Thaiday – 13 runs (104 metres). It was Origin-vintage Thaiday again last night, with the Broncos battleaxe terrorising the NSW left edge defence with the ball and as a decoy – helping Lockyer and co set up for the big right-to-left sweeps.
13. Ashley Harrison – 34 tackles (2 missed). Combined the highest tackle count for his side with the busiest attacking performance of any of Queensland backrowers.
14. Cooper Cronk – 1 try asist. Kicked for the crucial Yow Yeh try and looked dangerous every time he touched the ball after being injected from the bench – the wonders of having an interchange player who can offer some legitimate gamebreaking ability.
15. Corey Parker – 7 runs (58 metres). Produced some important work late in his limited minutes as the other Queensland forwards tired. Made more hitups than any of the NSW prop rotation bar Tim Mannah, despite being on the field for less time than all of them.
16. Jacob Lillyman – 2 errors. Produced two fumbles as ugly as his grotesquely enlarged hamstrings. Has done well to re-earn his Origin stripes after a few years in the wilderness, but will have to hope that Big Mal is feeling generous at the selection table before Game Two.
17. Ben Hannant – 13 runs (120 metres). Got through a mountain of quality work in his 33 minutes.
The kind of guy NSW would kill to have on the bench – although given the Blues predilection for churning through about 10 props every year, Hannant would probably miss out unless he was playing for whatever team happened to be topping the table right now and / or Manly.
Blazza
Guest
People don't realize Cronk wasn't a halfback when he started his career for Melbourne. He was a utility player coming off the bench and when Bellemy an Co. down south decided Matt Orford wasn't the future for the club transformed super cooper into a top 10 player in the NRL. I respect most things Wally Lewis has to say but to put in Scott Prince into the maroons team will make no sense. Prince is showing no form at all this season, his defense his horrid and hes not the leader he was. Cronk is arguably one of the best defensive halves in the game. Id have Thurston 6. Cronk 7. and Ben Barba in that utility bench role
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
It's all conjecture really - depends on injuries and whether the players are at the top of their game come rep season ... Look at Hayne - he could have been/but wasn't - Did you see how well Brett Stewart played last night? Could he be an inclusion in the NSW side on that effort and then where does that leave HAYNE and/or DUGAN, who has revealed he was going to be bigger and better than SLATER ... So back to CRONK and that Queensland side, and along comes, DALY CHERRY-EVANS the #7 from Manly, a young fella who hails from Sarina, where names like BELLA, SHEARER, SAILOR AND CAMPION are revered ... It's great for the game that there is so much talent to choose from and the fans a lot to discuss ...
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Firstly Forget about numbers. Cronk will play on the right and Thurston on the left. They will share ist and 2nd receivership. The reason why it has taken Cronk so long at rep level is very simple. He has always had Thurston and Lockyer in from of him and to be honest he is not as good as them and never will be. His biggest asset is that he is a great organiser. I believe Souths would win the GF with him calling the shots.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
That should read that Cronk would wear the 7 and Thurston the 6 ... Lewis wants Prince (the boy from Mount Isa) to wear the 6 ... These things happens when your fingers are faster than your feet !!!
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
Correct me if you must, but I've been watching league for 50 years ... Cooper Cronk's run for representative duties has taken a lot longer then it has for Slater and Smith ... I believe he has felt a little left out and not quite up to his mates respectful standard, but he is growing in leaps and bounds now he has joined them on representative duties more than once ... Cronky is probably the most competitive and super-sensitive of anyone player at the Storm, and he works harder then any other player... As you would know, today's Courier Mail has a story on Cameron Smith's discussions with Darren Lockyer about who will replace him after this year ... Cam's calling for Cronk (makes sense) ... Locky agrees with Thurston that he should wear the 7 and Cronk the 6, while Wally Lewis says that Scott Prince should replace the outgoing Queensland and Australia captain ... There's no denying Cooper Cronk is a good player, his kick for the corner try on Wednesday night and his defence proves he is talented, but his journey as a rep player has been a lot harder slog and there's no denying he plays with an aura of and uncomfortable need to prove himself - hanging onto those representative shoe laces like his life depends on it ... I LIKE THE BOY !!! ACTUALLY I LIKE ALL THE BOYS WHO WHERE THE COLOUR PURPLE !!!
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
I'masterstormtrooper Why do you think Cronk has ever been under rated? Thats incorrect, he has always been held highly from the day he walked into the Storm. He and JT will be the 7 and 6 for Aust and Qland next year.
I'mastormtrooper2
Guest
The Queensland coach would be silly not to include Cronk in the mix after Locky retires - his versatility was the reason he was the #14 in Game 1. Cronky has been very much underated in the past, but his inclusion in the Australian team for the 4 Nations proved his worth and of course his outstanding ability at the Melbourne Storm and that re-knowned and respected Smith, Slater, Cronk combination, takes some beating by any of the NRL teams. Not sure the 2011 season has seen them at the best, yet, so all league fans should look forward to that come the finals ... It should be a given that Cameron Smith is the Queensland and Australian captain - I've often thought it should have happened sooner ... He's not just a great, but a committed and gracious league player - he plays his 200th game for the Storm tomorrow ...
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Sam In my view NSW would have won Game 1 had Ennis not played. He made 3 major errors at crucial times, just not good enough at this level. Im still not sure where Cronk played when he came on but he seemed to play both ist receiver and 2nd which makes u wonder where the real 6 and 7 where. Cronk did not play hooker as Smith always stays there when the game is in the balance. Gillett is a potential champion and must come in at some stage especially as he can play in so many positions. Cronk will be 7 next year and Thurston 6. I wud have Barba on the bench next year but they may think of him like they do Bowen and leave him out.
Sam H
Roar Pro
Cheers Scott. On Cronk, he's pretty versatile as far as halfbacks go. I think he's been good for Queensland in recent series, and he can cover most backline positions in a pinch. Gillett might be a better option - he's still got another few weeks on the sidelines though doesn't he? And T'eo looks to have re-injured his arm tonight. The composition of the bench is interesting. Quite apart from issues of who you would prefer at starting hooker (Farah any day of the week for me), I can't believe NSW picked both Dean Young and Mick Ennis for Game One. Despite the predictable praise of Ennis from the Ch 9 guys I don't think he changed the game that much for NSW when he came on, despite the Queensland forwards obviously tiring. Compare Gidley carving the Maroons up around the ruck in Game Three last year. The Blues just didn't try it this time around. Maybe with Gidley back for Game Two they'll take another look. Equivalent write up for NSW here if anyone is interested: http://www.footyfootyfooty.com/2011/05/origin-one-nsw-stats-that-matter.html
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Sam Very well put together, well done. Not sure if Hodges will be available for Game 2, but Inglis should play this round so we can expect he will replace the injured Tonga. Neilson may get another game if Hodges does not make it. David Shillington should come in for Lillyman. It wont happen but I would want someone on the bench who could cover for Inglis and or Hodges as the Maroons made a mistake keeping Tonga on injured. Lucky Gasnier was not able to test him. The ideal person to cover is the emerging rep player Matt Gillett or if he is not ready Ben Teo. Both these guys would impact off the bench but if need be they are just as comfortable at center. I know Cronk kicked for Yow Yea' try, but 2 halfbacks is not the ideal balance.
oikee
Guest
Dont change a thing, all done their jobs wonderfully, you mighty Maroon beauties.