Four observations about State of Origin 2013 game 1

The New South Wales Blues have won the opening game of the State of Origin series for the first time since 2008, settling up a titillating return encounter in Brisbane, against a Queensland Maroons that will need to lick their wounds and bounce back.

>>The Roar Origin special: Ryan and Brett’s player rankings

The match had it all: superb football, intensity, drama, skill, punch-ups and a tense finish. Thankfully, the one aspect missing from the game – and one that has been a hallmark of recent series – was controversial refereeing decisions.

While the Blues should be ecstatic with the victory, the Maroons showed more than enough to suggest that any notion that their dominance is over is extremely premature. They’ll be better at Suncorp Stadium.

Following are my four main observations or talking points from the game:

James Maloney silenced any critics
Upon being selected in the NSW team, Maloney had his doubters.

Many pundits, myself included, thought the incumbent at five-eighth, Todd Carney, deserved another Origin jersey. Not only was Carney in pretty good form for the Sharks, but if loyalty was going to be shown to his halves partner last series, Mitchell Pearce, then it surely should have been extended to Carney as well, considering he arguably played better than his halfback last year.

There were also calls for John Sutton, who has his Rabbitohs sitting atop the NRL ladder, to be rewarded with the number 6 jersey. Likewise, many felt that Josh Reynolds toughness deserved a place ahead of Maloney.

Yet it took less than five minutes for Maloney to show he belonged at this level.

A nicely weighted kick to the left side of the field, with good chase pressure, saw Brent Tate knock-on – at least in the eyes of the referees – and in the ensuring set of six, Jarryd Hayne went over for the first try of the game. Maloney converted, and the Blues were away.

In that one sequence of events, Maloney provided everything that the Blues have been missing in previous encounters: astute tactical kicking, confidence, skill and then composure.

Maloney was absolutely sensational for the Blues all night long. He didn’t try to do too much with the ball in his hands, he simply guided his team around the park, gave his outside backs plenty of quality ball, and kicked to open space. He even made 20 tackles.

An absolutely great game, on debut, for the Roosters five-eighth.

However, NSW had more than one star
As great as Maloney was, he was far from a lone hand. NSW had plenty of players who performed sensationally in game one.

I said this last year, but Jarryd Hayne deserves a Blues jersey for as long as he wants one. He just always performs at a high level for NSW, regardless of the form he’s in. He was absolutely outstanding last night, once again.

Going into the game, the one concern I had about him was his defensive positioning, but it was perfect last night. He was brilliant at the back for the Blues, and always in the right place for the Maroons’ kicks. He also ran the ball strongly.

Luke Lewis was a machine. Incisive runs, hard defense, and even a lovely inside ball – that had a real Queensland feel about it – for Jarryd Hayne for the opening try of the match. Lewis was everywhere all game and deserved man-of-the-match.

Greg Bird monstered the Maroons on several occasions, and came up with some game-altering tackles. He made 23 in total, and combined with his 113 meters gained and his intensity, he was one of the Blues best players on the night.

Robbie Farah made 46 tackles, the most of any Blue, and his kicking out of dummy half was absolutely superb. Paul Gallen made a whopping 177 meters, and led by example all night.

Andrew Fifita and fellow debutant Blake Ferguson looked right at home at Origin, and had plenty of impact on the game.

Brett Morris and Michael Jennings played like extra backrowers, often taking the first couple of hit-ups, and earning a breather for their forwards. And Jennings try was brilliant.

Even perennial whipping boy Mitchell Pearce did his job well. He was the solid halfback that the Blues simply need him to be, and he even showed off an improved short passing game.

However, is Pearce in love with Billy Slater pectoral muscles? How often does he hit him on the chest with kicks? And that shocking pass to Luke Lewis, which led to a knock-on, is just unacceptable for a halfback.

But fair’s fair, the number 7 played well for the most part, and played the role required for a NSW victory.

Everywhere Laurie Daley looked in the changeroom last night would have made him smile, for it was a great team effort.

What was wrong with Queensland?
In the last quarter off the match, the Maroons finally got into the game, and finished very strongly. NSW fans would have had their heart in their mouths, along with thinking that they had seen this movie before, as Queensland threatened to once again come over the top of the Blues at the death.

However a crunching tackle by Greg Bird – unofficially his fifth of the night – on Sam Thaiday forced a knock-on and halted the Queensland momentum, all but sealing the game for the Blues.

NSW had prevented yet another Queensland heart-breaking win, with the Maroons running out of time with their comeback.

But what took them so long?

I mentioned in the podcast that Brett McKay and I did straight after the game that I wouldn’t be surprised to learn the Maroons camp had battled a flu outbreak, such was the lethargy and lack of intent early in the game. It really did feel like Queensland were completely out of sync.

Much of this may have to do with injury. Darius Boyd seemed to lack his usual explosiveness; Ashley Harrison was either carrying an injury, or sustained one in the match; while David Shillington lacked any impact or energy.

But without a doubt, the most noticeable player, in terms of something not quite being right, was Johnathan Thurston.

JT was out of sorts all game, and whether it was an injury, or not quite having recovered from his illness, or simply being preoccupied with his fiancee’s pregnancy, Thurston was well down on the high standards he has set for himself.

Combined with Cooper Cronk’s not being at his best – his tactical kicking was quite poor – it meant that the Maroons lacked any cohesion in attack. And it certainly showed.

Thankfully, there were still plenty of positives for the Maroons, none more so than their bench who were all sensational. In fact, considering how slow and sluggish Queensland started, one change they could make for game 2 is inserting a back rower into the starting side, and removing one of their four props from the starting pack.

Paul Gallen Nate Myles fight

The punch-up
Well, we kind of have to talk about it, don’t we?

First up, Paul Gallen should have been sent to the bin for 10 minutes.

As much as everyone enjoys a bit of biff, along with an understanding that Origin rules should be a little more lenient, the fact is that a series of punches like that cannot go unpunished during the game.

The initial swinging arm by Gallen going on report is fair enough. I didn’t think there was too much in that, even if the intent was on the side of foul play. But a penalty and the judiciary being asked to look at it is sufficient for me.

The couple of cheeky punches probably should have seen the NSW captain in the changerooms for a while, even if I was happy that the referees didn’t march him.

Just on Nate Myles though: it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving Maroon. His attempted headbutt on Jarryd Hayne was appalling, and it is far from an isolated occurrence. He certainly is partial to leading with his head in tackles, and it could certainly do some damage. It wouldn’t surprise me if Gallen’s hands actually came off worse, such is the hardness of Myles’ melon.

All I can say, in closing, is bring on game two.