Nothing is more certain than the bleating Blues post a close Origin defeat. Of course the Blues didn’t lose the match, the referees conspired to steal it from them.
Just like every other defeat since they started caring about Origin.
Sure Hayne punching Thurston is perfectly acceptable and of course NSW were allowed to grab Cooper Cronk as he attempted to race back to the 20 for a quick restart and pull back Billy Slater as he ran in support of a break.
There were mistakes that went both ways and it is amazing how selective the memory of a poor loser is.
Let’s ignore the Greg Inglis try for a second, which I’m sure NSW would be defending if the roles were reversed and pretend we are at 12-10 with seven minutes to go.
Yes the match has a different complexion, but why is there this great faith that NSW would have found a way to pick up the points in the next seven minutes from their own end?
All game, NSW seemingly had no plan to actually convert pressure into points other than hope QLD made an error. Their philosophy seemed to be “let’s wait till Billy Slater screws up”.
They got two tries out of it, but was this supposed to be some grand master plan to unlock 30 points?
Gallen laid the platform but his team seemed incapable of producing anything that would pierce the line and deliver points ball in hand. Frankly, I think he was the real man of the match and that NSW selectors are doing Gallen an injustice with this claytons forward pack.
There were some sweeping movements for Jennings and Hayne but those came with the knowledge that it allows the defence to cover and either needed a ball inside or some kind of structure for the next tackle.
Neither were forthcoming.
Even when T-Rex was introduced and caused nightmares for the QLD pack, where was the straight runner off his hip to take advantage?
At one point, I think he sent an offload to a QLD player out of pure exasperation.
This is where I look at Gallen’s decision to let Carney take the shot at goal and ask was it a brain explosion or just pure desperation after being repelled time and time again.
The whole approach of the Blues in attack just seemed very odd given this was supposedly a team selected to rack up points faster than new fly buys.
Instead, we were treated to the new stage production of ruck. Kick, Pray
As a Queenslander, I certainly hope they continue to focus on their attention of the great injustice of a 50-50 call going against them.
Much better than focusing on why they were trailing 12-10 anyway, despite a very poor performance from Slater, horrible tactical kicking from Cronk and Gallen having one of his best matches in a sky blue jersey.
Stan Morris
Guest
Ricky Stuart is a serial whinger. He has a history of blaming referees and is a disgraceful example to younger players. Don't forget, this is the coach who blamed the ref (Ashley Klein) for Australia losing the World Cup in 2008. And it wasn't in the heat of the moment, post game - it was in the hotel lobby after Sticky had the chance to sleep on it and calm down. It was all a conspiracy against Ricky! Now he's put together some videos of incidents that he wants David Gallop to sit down and watch. I can just imagine Gallop rolling his eyes, looking at 100 text messages from Ricky demanding "Have you watched the footage yet?"
Ronnie the Eel
Guest
Well said eagle Jack! I've also had enough of the ungracious QLD supporters (read 99% of them) and their need to continually talk up their team after they win. They must need to find reasons to raise their collectively low self-esteem or they still have resentments about being set up as a penal colony for the "worst of the worst' and thrown out of NSW, and now continue to have a strong resentment toward us. Also, in their media, they will grab anyone who has any from of success and call them a "Queenslander" even if they might only have lived there for a month, just so they can jump on the winners bandwagon... we donlt hear much about the great successes over the past few years in the NRL of the Broncos, Cowboys, Titans, do we? Oh, that's right, because there hasn't been any! So much for the one-city wonders (the Broncos) and all their money, sponsorship and large supporter base..... And who was up in Brisbane helping them when their little river overflowed last year? Lots of New South Welshmen and a few of the sydney-based teams... that's who... if the shoe was on the other foot I wonder if we would see anyone from the Broncos or Titans rushing to our aid?
Ronnie the Eel
Guest
I wonder why biased QLD supporters are allowed to have a role in the media? E.g. Lewis, Fatty, and now the new kid on the block, mushi. 50-50 decisons going against us... that's an almost laughable comment... a good role model for you (and others) would be Sterlo, he is an Eels and a Blues great and shows no bias in his commentary, etc. Gallen's decison was a brain explosion pure and simple, and Stuart was seen pulling out his hair in the box after the decison was made. Don't give us that mumbo jumbo about the NSW philosophy being waiting for Slater to screw up. I've lost count of the times that QLD have waited (for the invariably occurring) Blues brain explosions that occur when QLD just capitalise and score points off the back of. A few have cost us the series in crucial matches to decide origin series - the Brett Hodson fumble to hand Lockyer the winning try as an example that springs to mind. You are correct in stating that the Blues attack lacks potency and they couldn't score enough points. QLD are a great side with the majority of their players making up the nucleus of the Australian side. But they aren't the superhumans they are made out to be... QLD don't win as many games as you think, NSW just LOSE them.... QLD also out-think and capitalise on NSW errors- that is the crux of the difference between the two sides for the past few years as well as the fact we haven't had stars to pick from like the old days of Daley, Fittler, Clyde and Johns, for example. it's a shame that the T-Rex wrecking ball won't be available for the rest of the series, Watmough seems to be a logical replacement and Soward for Carney as his confidence was shot in Game 1 and asking him to kick for that penalty goal from 40m was an inconceivable decison by Gallen. I was impressed with GI and Dave Taylor though on Friday night for the Rabbits as they were almost unstoppable and looked to be playing better than they did for the Maroons on Origin night...!
Roy
Guest
JT was 23 in 2006. Even back then, he was miles better than Pearce is now or ever will be.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Which parts are wrong oikee? You think the defences were advancing in the last half hour? Or you don't think the quality of the Maroon backs took advantage of that fact better? Help me out mate, don't just tell me I'm wrong and point out a different facet of play - which I agree with by the way - think NSW could pace themselves a lot better.
WobbliesFan
Guest
I can tell Okiee's a man of honour ansd passion and class..........a TRUE QLDerrrrrr!
Johnny Bracken
Guest
Hold on a minute! You aren't allowed to write articles from the Queensland point of view!
WQ
Guest
Charles, I agree on the Pearce issue however I think it may be to early to dump Carney. NSW need to attack with the ball in hand and I think that Carney would do a better job of this than Soward. Soward has a superior kicking game to Carney however they have Farrah and potentially Wallace to carry that load. I think Wallace - Carney would be worth a shot
Charles
Guest
NSW is crying out for an attacking half back that knows what to do to score points The problem with the Pearce - Soward combination they both faied to run at the defence line With the Pearce - Carney combination nerves got the better of Carney and again Pearce failed in his role Peter Wallace will attack till the cows come home and Jamie Soward will do the same with his pinpoint kicking game. We need both of them with their weapons of attack and together with a hooker who shows much more flair and a very strong forwad pack we can and will beat QLD. That is if we have the right game plan in action including defending our right flank!
mushi
Roar Guru
I’m not a broncos fan and I’ve also got no problem with tries from the boot. My concern if I was close to NSW would be that the tries from kicks weren’t manufactured. Both weren’t placed for the chasers but two Slater errors let the kicker off the hook. Are they worth 4 points yep. but if you're looking forrward to next match do you say - hey slater will play just as poorly. Or do you say hey we need to find another way to score.
WQ
Guest
Here Here oikee, he plays hard that PLANKO
WQ
Guest
jeznez, I think Peter Wallace is the answer. He potentially is not as good a defender as Pearce however he offers plenty more in attack and that is the area that NSW suffered on Wednesday night. On the point you make about the halves, behind these guys is Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Barba just waiting to get their chance to torment NSW as well.
oikee
Guest
Planko mate, dont go away, we dont mind your banter mate,.
oikee
Guest
Why is everyone commin down on Planko, he is full of passion, unlike ricky and his mob of thugs. :)
Charles
Guest
You really don't get it Pot Stirrer! Mtichell Pearce in his role as 1/2 back is supposed to be the general, the one who sears his team around the park! He does not have the football brains for this role and no matter how hard he tries he will never improve to this level! Peter Wallace will do a better job!
oikee
Guest
Sheek, Queensland are carrying a 36 year old legend around to victory. You say Hodges is lazy, well he hit Glen Stewart all night and put NSW off their game, plus he never missed one tackle, while Ingils terrorised your mob. I watched the 2011 game 1 at Suncorp, i thought this team was not far off the prise, this is the team Ricky disected like a rat at highschool. You really want to know what NSWales proiblenm is, Ricky, the guy is a lunatic, posessed. he knows Mal owns him, and he is hell bent on showuing him up. While Queenslanders have breath in their bodies, this will never happen. Yes i bleed maroon.
oikee
Guest
Jeznez, mate you have no idea, no really, at least your honest, you only watch 3 games of league a year. Listen mate, and at least take advice from my wife. She notices this every year. NSW come out like bull at a goat every year, she said this, i stopped and thought about it, correct. They throw everything at Queensland in the first 10 minutes, ware themselves out, and we come a knockin. This year we had the extra bonus of thugboy Jennings, coming in like a wild animal. So we got on top. Look mate, i am a Queenslander, i sit on the edge of my seat, i live breath (well try to breath) until Queensland start to get on top. 2 try's to Boyddy, and we had them licked, licked i tell-ya. So what i am trying to say, your way off son. even my Mrs has more knowleadge about the game than you,. :) And she is a union gal.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
I am tired of the constant bagging of Pearce, sure hes not as good as cronk and thurston BUT the bloke is only 23. I cant think of one halfback in the past that was playing the way people want pearce to play when hes only 23. He is improving nicley and if can keep his confidence he will be the next big thing as far as halves are concerned in 2 or 3 yrs time. He is still our best option now.
jeznez
Roar Guru
WQ, who do we have that would be an improvement at halfback? I'm jealous that your lot can farewell a legend like Lokyer and turn around and say alright, now our halves are Thurston and Cronk. Bloody nice guys to follow on from a true great. I simply have no idea - is there a NSW halfback who can do a better job?
Toddy
Guest
I think you will find that Brett Stewart also steals space he get the ball runs a diagonal, does not draw a players and shovels the ball to the centre and winger leaving no space. I just don’t think he is up origin anymore. He may still look good at club level but in the heat of origin he does not have the pace he used too and offers little. He backs up well but has no passing game and struggles to beat the man anymore.