Every way I look at it, New South Wales beat Queensland at their own game with their masterly 14-6 triumph in the 2013 series opener at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night.
Laurie Daley’s Blues out-thought, out-muscled and ultimately out-played the Maroons in a tough and uncompromising performance in front of an 80,00-plus gallery.
I’m a Kiwi and have no allegiance to either state but this was riveting stuff and I loved every minute of it.
All the hallmarks of Queensland’s incredible seven successive series wins were shown by the men in Blue. Did someone switch jumpers before they ran on? Was this really NSW dominating one of the best rep teams ever assembled over 80 minutes?
NSW were on their game from the opening seconds and except for a brief Queensland rally in the second half, they were never in serious danger of defeat.
Everything the Blues did was achieved with speed and precision we haven’t seen from them in many, many seasons.
They smashed the Queenslanders time and again. Superstar category players were made to look like run-of-the-mill journeymen.
The footwork and agility shown by the NSW forwards really caught my eye.
Luke Lewis, for mine the standout player of the match, had a whale of game. This guy was inspirational in attack and defence and the Blues sure followed his lead.
Anthony Watmough wasn’t far behind him and I really liked the efforts of Paul Gallen, James Tamou, Robbie Farah and Greg Bird.
Out in the backs, the spotlight was well and truly on Mitchell Pearce and debutant James Maloney. Both excelled, I take my hat off to both of them.
Jarryd Hayne at fullback, the Morris twins, Blake Ferguson on the wing, Michael Jennings at centre – everyone in this NSW team performed superbly. Where will all the critics be hiding as this emphatic result sinks in?
This was no one-off performance. There is a new toughness, a new mindset, to the NSW Blues and they’ve got the team-work and firepower to bury Queensland over the next two games.
Well done to Laurie Daley for a top notch Origin coaching debut. Tactically, he didn’t miss a beat and his interchanges were spot-on throughout the contest.
Queensland have problems they probably didn’t see coming.
Most of their superstars were out-enthused and out-muscled on the night. There were occasional flashes from the likes of Justin Hodges and Cooper Cronk but for the most part Billy Slater, Greg Inglis and Johnathan Thurston weren’t sighted.
I cannot see NSW making any changes for Origin 2 in three weeks time but Mal Meninga might have to change things a little to get his men back on track.
Ben Hannant, if fit, would probably come into the picture. And I’m wondering if he’d consider switching Inglis to fullback to get him more involved in the action.
The pro-NSW crowd was a mighty factor in the Blues’ stirring win and the Maroons are going to need something similar at their backs if they are to turn the tables on this fiercely committed and well-drilled NSW combination up at Suncorp.
I think the Blues of 2013 are no flash in the pan. I saw enough tonight to suggest Queensland’s brilliant Origin run could come to a shuddering halt.
George Bowen
Guest
Gary Freeman was the first person I heard add an extra syllable to the name of our country and mispronounce it as Oss-tray-lee-uh. Unfortunately he appears not to have returned whence he came, but he has no credibility at all in respect of State of Origin.
Meesta Cool
Guest
Hey Rad, glad you said that, I was beginning to think that I hadn't seen Slater 'blocked' after EVERY kick!. I wonder what will happen to the next players that think punching is OK?. NSW pack were great and with that strength came the downfall of talented backs, The pack that Queensland fielded last night was never going to match it for aggression and go forward. roll on game #2
fishes
Guest
QLD are a bunch of sooks, lose one game and they always claim that Origin is dead or coming to an end, bunch of sooks there's nothing more to say
Boomshanka
Guest
And overseas, the so called pinnacle of any sport would not be broadcast in SD to its home audience. Bet Harvey Norman would love to keep selling us you beaut tv sets to watch such quality sport in 80's fuzzyness.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
It's Origin, a player hasn't been sent off in over 10 years. Get over it.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
No one cares about how the tries were scored. They are there in the record books. There's no point going into what-if scenarios. Actually, hang on a second, you sound like us New South Welshmen at the end of Game 1 last year. What if Farah's foot wasn't there or Jennings didn't throw the haymaker? Go cry me a river.
dubblebubble
Guest
The Hayne try was a set play, the Jennings one was more of an individual effort.
Scott Minto
Guest
You dont think NSW could have some improvement? Perhaps not dropping the ball every 2nd set, or giving away penalties cheaply, fading in the 2nd half? NSW played well, but I think they've got a lot of improvement in the too.
BleBloods
Guest
Ridiculous call Wiz. It's only one game and we've been here before. It's complacent to think that the Blues will win just because the home game is
Renegade
Guest
I've openly declared prior to the series that NSW will win Origin this year and based on last night i still very confident they will. I have a slight feeling that they may get touched up at Suncorp though....hope i'm wrong, can't wait for Game 2!
Renegade
Guest
Maybe in QLD.....you guys are miserable and always sinking the boot into anything you get a chance to :P
Radelaide
Guest
Gallen should have been sent off for at least 10 and the first try was set up by the wrong call for giving the ball back to NSW and Billy Slater was blocked from running numerous occasions but other than that NSW deserved to win.
rae1
Guest
Bit too soon to declare reign ending remarks Wiz! Stop making foot in mouth remarks so early in the series. You are just helping Queensland with silly headlines like that.Maybe discuss the maroons reign if NSW win the next game but a bit premature to state it now.
Lemur
Guest
Come to a shuddering halt?I think more respect is perhaps due to one of the greatest sporting teams in Australian history. Gary you may be a Kiwi but your allegiance is obvious. When will NSW stop treating origin as if it is their unalienable right - that every year they lose, it is some great travesty to "the game of rugby league". Channel 9 too are disgusting. Rab's the great profesional caller, frequently and unashamedly lets his bias govern his calling. Look at other more sports in the world, NBA, NFL, Premier League - such ridiculous commentating is not allowed.
Boatman of River Styx
Guest
With players peeing on the field and the unbridled violence, maybe the authorities have to give rugby league an M rating and warn viewers at the start of the show that children shouldn't watch it, etc. Gallen should have been sent off.
oikee
Guest
Gee the game is taking a bashing this morning. Maybe your headline should read "origin is coming to a end". The public are sinking the boot into Johns, Daley's and Gallens skullthuggery. The code is being knocked down with 2 black eyes every step.
Dayer
Guest
LOL, NSW should hang him for this.
Dayer
Guest
sorry blues not this year ... blues will win the series next year BUT not this year. both teams were on a par, NSW scored two tries off great individual brilliance by Hayne and Jennings, without those two tries they would have lost 6 -2 to Qld. So Blues stop bragging about NSW being the better team, they were both good but not great. Congrats for winning Game 1.
sunshine
Guest
I really think the deciding factor is coming down to the coaching. I mean did anyone see assistant coach for the blues Treant Barrett handing out the beers to the boys last night. Saving his hands by opening the VB's with his teeth. A leader most men will follow..haha
Top Secret
Roar Pro
Wait a minute... isnt this the same guy who tipped NZ to win the test match vs Australia and they lost by 20?