State of Origin Game II for 2011 is in the books. New South Wales grabbed a 18-8 victory that levels the series and sends it to a decider in a few weeks time.
These are a few of my miscellaneous thoughts from the game:
– Isn’t it interesting that when the penalty count is fairly even, that the game is as well? Penalties are crucial in the modern game, and NSW were able to assert themselves in this match by getting the rub of the green.
Also, it must be said that the handling, especially in the first half, was exceptional. ANZ Stadium is notoriously dewy during the winter, and the weather in Sydney over the past few days has been atrocious. The pitch was top notch as well. All-in-all, it made for an exciting match and an excellent advertisement for the game.
– Uate – he is a beast. Some really nice running from dummy half early in the tackle count took pressure off the forwards, and he was a slippery customer out on the wing. I’d have him in my side every day of the week.
– The use of the bench was interesting, but it paid off. Merrin was introduced quite early, on for Mannah. Gidley and Lewis followed soon after, as did Watmough. Queensland seemed to tire quite quickly, and Corey Parker was bought into the action very early on and played a bigger role than he did in Game I. I think he should be there, but the front row isn’t his go.
– “57th minute- Cronk on for Parker. Turning point?” I put this in my notes as a potential time where the game could change. Cronk was yet to get on the field and could have been the spark that Queensland needed. He seemed to have little impact, and the backline never really fired. It was unusual. Their only try came from a short burst out of dummy half from Cam Smith, and the centres didn’t get too much early ball. Possibly something to address for Game III.
– Paul Gallen is a man possessed. You can see how he loves being captain and rises to the occasion. A thousand hit ups, and a million tackles. Around the 62nd minute he made two consecutive tackles from marker. Summed his night up. Looks like he’s found his spot at Origin level, allowing close mate Greg Bird to play at Lock. It’s a shame there isn’t an Origin Dream Team… I can’t wait to see Gallen’s final numbers, the score would be massive!
– Greg Inglis – MIA. Had very little influence on the majority of the game. Seems injury plagued, which is bad news for both Queensland and South Sydney. Needs time out to get himself right. Shouldn’t have played, in my opinion.
– Luke Lewis was a fantastic inclusion, and his tackle on Cronk was legendary. He nearly took out a few of his team mates in the process, but it was well worth it!
– The inclusion of Will Hopoate raised a few eyebrows when the team was announced. He silenced his critics, and scored a ridiculous try. He’ll no doubt be there again in Game III.
– ‘Third man in’ Thaiday tried to kill Watmough. Thank goodness the NSW forward is a unit. Ennis won’t have a bar of it.
– Minichiello grabbed the last try. Fantastic story- a star player plagued by injury returns to Origin and seals the victory for his side. You can’t script that stuff… or can you? I managed to pick it as well, so I’m disappointed that I didn’t put any cash on that.
Finally, it was a ery good game. It seems that all NSW supporters were overjoyed, and rightfully so! I’m eagerly anticipating Game III.
Talk about big; Lockyer in his last game, at Suncorp Stadium…
As for NSW, surely they couldn’t lose six straight series?
Charles
Guest
Jameswm, your team is getting closer to the mark. well done! We really need to further strengthen the team! QLD will be like an angry bee! My choice with a couple of preferences; 1. Anthony Minichello 2. Akuilla Uate 3. Mark Gasnier 4. Jarrod Hayne 5. Brett Morris 6. Jamie Soward 7. Mitchell Pearce (still prefer Carney) 8. Paul Gallen 9. Kurt Giddley (leave him for the full game) 10. Tom Learoyd-Larhs 11. Beau Scott 12. Anthony Watmough 13. Luke Lewis (leave him for the full game) 14. Ben Creagh 15. Greg Bird 16. Michael Weyman 17. Ryan Hinchcliffe (need to bleed him in, plays in a number of positions including hooker)
jameswm
Guest
So NSW team for game 3 1. Minichello 2. Uate 3. Gaz (last Origin series) 4.Hayne (Hopoate out), or else Jennings back 5. Morris if fit again, or Hayne if Jennings plays centre 6. Soward 7. Pearce 8. Gallen 9. Gidley 10. Mannah 11. Scott 12. Lewis (start him - he was a beast) 13. Bird 14. TLL 15. Watmough (had a big game 2) 16. Idriss (gamebreaker) but they'd have Creagh 17. Carney I reckon that's a better team than the one that won Game 2 with Hayne at centre, TLL instead of Merrin, Gidley starting, Lewis starting and Carney on the bench. And they definitely have room for improvement.
Jimbo
Guest
Point taken but I didn't think either of the halves were that great. Certainly the NSW kicking game needs to improve a lot, most of the kicks were straight down Slater's throat. The 5th tackle options inside the Qld 20 were also poor, NSW didn't get enough repeat sets, and gifted easy possessin back to Qld. I think Soward and Pearce should have grubbered more as opposed to going to the air. Also young Will Hopoate is out for 6 weeks. Jennings is also apparently no chance of making a return, so that could pose a problem for NSW.
Charles
Guest
Beau Scott did an outstanding job. The right hand side of NSW did so well against the potent QLD players with the likes of Thurston, Boyd, Taylor and Inglis, who are no easy to task to defend against. Luke Lewis again outstanding in Origin football and should play lock for the full game on our next encounter. Same with Kurt Giddley, there is a big difference when he plays hooker to Ennis, so dangerous every time he touches the football and gives faster serves. He must be in at hooker for the full game. Hayne is wasted on the wing, he must be in the centre. Ennis and Merrin out, not up to standard in my view. We need to improve and strengthen again from game 2 as Qld will not allow what happened again.
Thenry
Guest
I think Matt Scott was the only person standing between Qld and a belting in the second half. Most of his runs he busted the line with ease. I reckon without Scott's 2nd half influence the Blues would have won by 3 or 4 tries, the rest of Qlds forwards were that bad. Case in point: Thaiday getting hammered by......Pearce, almost every time he ran it!
Al from ctown
Guest
M -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Al from ctown
Guest
Lol ah queenslanders... Got to love them... -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Stu
Guest
On Wednesday, QLD were under very little pressure to perform. Prior to Game II, their most recent loss in '09 was in Game III after a few nights out partying, they were not focussed having won the Games I & II. After a clean sweep last year and the fact they never looked troubled in Game I this year, it's easy to understand a slip in intensity after getting up 8-0 in pretty quick time. I don't know how much more NSW can lift for Game III. I can't imagine Gallen, Soward, Pearce etc playing any better yet the game was only sealed in the last few minutes. QLD will focus and lift, they don't need to do much more to win Game III but I get the feeling they won't be taking any chances. QLD by 12+. Actually, I remember a few 36-6 scorelines in times like these. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.