Straight after Wednesday night’s Origin III, we were all scratching our heads at the prospect of a seventh straight series’ victory for Queensland after yet another defeat for NSW. Now we scratch our heads and think “What do we do now?”
It was our time and out moment for glory.
But it wasn’t to be.
The Maroons held on for a nail-biting 21-20 victory last night, extending the misery of their NSW neighbours.
If there’s anything that NSW fans can take out of the match, it is that the tide is definitely turning. The Blues are getting extremely close to regaining the shield, which has been eluding them for the past six years.
Last night was like a boxing match.
NSW was like a young fighter who relished the big stage, but just couldn’t deliver the knockout blow.
Queensland, like the experienced heavyweight, scratched and clawed to hold on for a points decision victory.
Having squandered the best opportunity to defeat the Maroons in years, the Blues camp is left with more questions than answers.
The most important: Where do we go from here?
NSW had the best preparation and lead up to the third Origin game. The players presented each other their jerseys, developing a bond and sense of team spirit in a close knit camp.
In the opposition camp Billy Slater ruled himself out of the Origin decider and was sorely missed.
The Queensland backline lacked fluidity at times and the try to Brett Stewart in the 47th minute would not have been conceded if Slater were at the back.
The Queensland team will only get stronger with Slater returning. The Blues will need to step it up a gear if they want to try and break the Maroons streak next year.
The Ricky Stuart – Paul Gallen combination has been instrumental in bringing back the pride and passion to the NSW jumper over the past two years.
They have taken the Blues to Origin deciders in the last two years and were minutes away from stopping a seventh series victory.
But with Ricky Stuart strongly linked to the Canberra Raiders, will he cut ties with the Blues side?
At the end of 2010, Ricky Stuart was appointed coach of the Blues because NSW wanted a full-time coach who had no club commitments.
The Blues modelled this selection on Queensland coach Mal Meninga, who has not lost a series since he took over in 2006.
Stuart has taken giant steps in derailing the Queensland juggernaut, should we give him a third and final crack at it?
If Ricky Stuart and the Blues were to agree to one more year, the debate would be raised as to whether a coach balance state and club commitments.
This ironically was the same issue being debated before Stuart’s appointment.
But if Stuart does not return as Blues coach who becomes a viable candidate for the job?
Is it Des Hasler?
He is arguably the best current club coach, but we would be hiring him in spite of the same reason Stuart left.
Is it Laurie Daley?
An experienced campaigner in and around the NSW Origin camp. Daley has coached the Country origin side but may not be ready to make the jump to State of Origin.
Or is it Phil Gould?
He is the best choice as NSW’s next coach but will he is willing to take the reins.
Turning our heads away from the administration side of things, it is the on-field decisions which will raise the most questions for blues supporters and coaches.
The halves were a major talking point in the Blues loss.
Mitchell Pearce and Todd Carney failed to deliver in the three Origin matches, which was a key factor in NSW’s demise.
But do we keep this halves combination and give it time to grow?
Keep in mind they have only been together for a year, although Pearce has had more than enough time and NSW is running out of patience.
Whatever the outcome, NSW cannot make hostile changes to their side like they have been doing in previous years.
Five players that were picked for Origin III in 2011 retained their jerseys in the first game of 2012.
There seems to be a lot of hypotheticals coming from this debate but the loss has rattled the NSW camp who were so sure they would win.
The Blues tried so hard but it wasn’t enough. There are some serious questions they need to ask themselves before they are celebrate an Origin win.
NSW, aus League birth place
Guest
I kind of want Sticky gone for the reason of his annoying persistence of that dud Pearce. I am willing to trade Sticky for the departure of that show pony. Stickys problem is that he is mates with these useless players like Pearce and Creagh. Dont get me wrong he is an awesome coach and has done wonders for NSW but in the end of the day what good has it all done? seriously QLD have sealed a minimum of 8 years in a row with a 3rd decider at suncorp in a row next year. I have given up on NRL anyway and i have thrown away my club season tickets and disconnected my foxtel. I cant support another team but Parramatta but i also cant put up with going to games and coming home to the missus pissed off every weekend, same goes with origin, with all the passion these QLDers say they have, im sure they can understand that the pain of 7 years in a row and 8 guaranteed next year is too much to bare. Along with masses of west syd league fans i have converted along with almost 30 of my mates from blacktown all the way to penrith have already booked and planned the next GWS game.
Andy
Guest
Firstly, poach a halfback that is born outside NSW (DCE/ Sinfield) to replace Mitchell Pearce. Secondly, bring in Des Hasler he would never take the two points against QLD in the first half. Lastly, convince Sam Burgess to play prop for NSW for 1 origin series (Minichello played for NSW and Italy).
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
dishes mate; everyone will be in the mix :P
dishes
Guest
Nope. Can you imagine the team Daley would put out on the paddock! He was sacked as a selector cos he has no idea how to choose a team!
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
Jimbo the home ground advantage did play a big part in the QLDers retaining their crown- i mean they went down by a point; they are so close! Thanks Steve B mate, you're right they can't afford to make hostile changes it will defeat the purpose of this campaign. Some changes are warranted the likes of Pearce etc. but they need to maintain a core group of players whether they are under Stuart or not...
Jimbo
Guest
Exactly right. This was a series that came down to a couple of crucial moments. The Qld team has been together a lot longer and has the stability this entails. Now the Blues have the nucleus of a decent side, they will have fewer brain fades at crucial moments. Given 2 home games this year, I suspect NSW would have won, and they have this advantage next year.
Real Deal
Guest
Your'e probably right but if Ricky Stuart is going to leave origin next year, I think Laurie Daley would do a good job. He seems like a good man manager.
steve b
Roar Guru
RD your wrong away from the cameras he he is one of the most passionate Blues their is,,but he is not the coach for NSW ,and Gould has made it quite clear he will not have anything to do with the NSW admin .....
Real Deal
Guest
For NSW to win, they must have someone like Ricky Stuart or Phil Gould coaching them. Brad Fittler is useless, he has no passion and just wants to be funny all the time.
steve b
Roar Guru
I hope Sticky stays,, the boys are right behind him and he has bought the passion back to the team..And i am so sick of hearing the so called experts telling us where we went wrong,,,, we lost by one point ,,it was a bloody armwrestle to the end and QLD potted the FG at the death..I just wonder what the so experts would have said if QLD lost by one point who would they be calling to be sacked ...And yes Pearce looked out of his depth ,Carney will be better for the experience and i think he should be their next year,Creagh who tried hard will not be their next year,,other than that leave the bloody team alone ..and to all the so called Blues fans that havent stopped bagging the team ,,follow bloody QLD because your attitude sucks ......Good read Tony
dishes
Guest
To me the next step is obvious- Brad Fittler in as coach to finish what Ricky Stuart has started, whether or not Ricky gets a full-time coaching role. I think Ricky has given it his all and has done a great job- but we were one-point short and it's time to move on. As far as the team goes, I think if Fittler was the full-time coach he would do a good job in selecting the team. My personal opinion is that the 2 weakest links were Mitchell Pearce and Ben Creagh, as long as they aren't wearing the sky blue next year, I'm fine with it. The other players played hot and cold (Bird, Gallen, and Farah were the best) but more or less showed enough to say they belong in the SOO arena, at least for now.