Queensland selectors could fast-track raw-boned Canberra wrecking ball Josh Papalii’s State of Origin debut amid fears Origin II may turn nasty after Paul Gallen’s attack on Nate Myles on Wednesday night.
NSW skipper Gallen pleaded guilty on Thursday to a grade two striking charge for two big punches to Myles’s head which triggered a brawl seconds before halftime.
Rookie NSW coach Laurie Daley and Blues Immortal Andrew Johns defended Gallen’s actions immediately after the 14-6 win.
But a number of community action groups were outraged at the message the ugly incident sent to young kids.
Papalii and Brisbane prop Ben Hannant, back from injury against Papalii’s NRL club Canberra on Monday, are two players certain to come under notice for game two once selectors review individual performances.
Game one props Matt Scott (10 hit ups, 92 metres) and Dave Shillington (9 hit ups, 52 metres) struggled for metres against Gallen (20 hit ups, 188 metres) and James Tamou (7 hit ups, 52 metres) who dominated the middle, especially in the first half when NSW established a 14-0 lead.
Lock Ashley Harrison made 28 tackles but his 45 metres gained compared to Gold Coast teammate Greg Bird’s 113 metres could count against him with selectors searching for more impact and sting – something the 110kg Papalii offers.
Neither Queensland coach Mal Meninga or captain Cameron Smith were talking up changes on Thursday.
“They (players) will all want a second chance and I’ll make sure they get that,” said Meninga, adding there was probably no place in Origin any more for Gallen’s aggressive actions.
With history showing the first game winner has claimed the series 23 times out of 29, Smith called for calm saying there was no need for panic.
“We’ve done this before (come from 1-0 down 2006 and 2008),” he told AAP.
Daley warned how tough it will be to end Queensland’s seven year dominance at a packed Suncorp Stadium.
“They’re a different animal back in Brisbane,” he warned.
Smith felt Queensland weren’t far off the mark and had the team to win in Brisbane if they executed Meninga’s game plan better.
“They scored two tries, we scored one. (Dave) Shillington got held up, I got done for a double movement which was very close.”
He agreed Papalii wasn’t far off making his Origin debut.
“He’s a big kid and an aggressive kid whom I think would suit Origin down a tee,” he told AAP.
“I don’t think he is too far away but I think the team we’ve got is good enough to beat NSW if we execute our game plan better.”
A hot favourite to win hit of the year for his shuddering tackle on Manly’s Jamie Buhrer, Papalii watched Wednesday night’s Origin from the stand.
The 21 year-old said there were moments when he wanted to jump out of his seat and rip in.
“I was biting through the metal on the seat in front of me just itching to get out there to help the brothers,” he told AAP after his first Origin experience as 18th man.
“I was only on the sideline but I was sweating, it felt like I was playing.
“To make my debut at Suncorp Stadium in front of a big crowd would be awesome.”
Johnno
Guest
Gallen and Myles aside, I thought it was a good game. Speaking as a maroons supporter; and guys, we can't win forever
Tony
Guest
My QLD team for SOO 2 would be as follows: 1-Greg Inglis 2-Daniel Vidot 3-Brent Tate 4-Justin Hodges 5-Billy Slater 6-Johnathon Thurston 7-Cooper Cronk 8-Matt Scott 9-Cameron Smith 10-Martin Kennedy 11-Josh Papalli 12-Sam Thaiday 13-Corey Parker Reserves 14-Chris Mcqueen 15-Ben Teo 16-Ben Hannant 17-Ben Barba If Johnathon Thurston isnt fit put DCE straight in as his replacement
soapit
Guest
a bit dumb of myles to hit someone and not keep his hands up afterwards
Dribbler
Guest
Have u seen Papalii fight have u? Fighting on the field and in a gym is totally different to fighting in a ring with no mates around to help. Gallen gave a good account agst a bigger more experienced opponent last year. Who has Papalii fought? I suspect you know very little about fighting. Don't embarrass yourself princess.
James
Guest
Haha gallen would get dominated in a fight with Papalii... Lucky it's footy not boxing,Gallen hits a player with his hand down and defenceless. That's real tough. If Papalii did that too Gallen, poor Gallen would be counting sheep.
Bigjohn
Guest
If you get a stiff arm for giving someones gf/wife a friendly one, Thurston is in big trouble.
The eye
Guest
Sound like your taking this loss pretty bad,oikee.Youve got our sympathy and commiserations but that games gone and your not going to get it back-move on.As you've alluded to with your despair,this years pretty much shaping up for the maroons the same way it has for your broncos and cowboys,not even a first base.So,vent and snap all you like on Gallen and the other heartland clubs,good therapy, and hope to see your boys back here next year with the tails up and out from under the legs.
oikee
Guest
He only needs cheap shots to be right in Gallens class. Cheap dog shots and swinging arms, him Watmough and Matai must go to the same dancing classes. Gallen will always be remembered as nothing more than a cheap shot merchant, right where he belongs. Pinocchio, him and Jules make a good pair. What a role model NSW have in that classact, we all remember the bruise brothers and their dogacts, not much has changed.
Bluey
Guest
Finally someone else who actually watched the incident bet Papalii and Gallen. I thought it was a cheap shot and nothing more. A lot easier to blindside someone than stand toe to toe.
eagleJack
Guest
If the Maroons are relying on Papalii to rattle Gallen then it could get embarrassing for them. The one game (out of the 4 they have played against each other) where he did dominate him all I saw was a couple of late cheap shots. And good on him for getting away with it. But one of his hits on Gallen was identical to the Fa'aoso late hit on Harrison as he passed the ball with his back to the defensive line. The difference being that Gallen got up and played on, he wasn't stretchered from the field like Harrison. Gallen will not be worried in the slightest if Papalii gets picked. He would actually love for Mal to do it.
BRING IT
Guest
EXACTLY! I'm glad someone else actually watched the game and saw the 'owning' of Gallen as nothing but media BS.
BRING IT
Guest
Yeah let's see what happens when little 'Papa' meets big Papa Gallen for another square up. It's a bit different hitting Gallen from the back with a blind shot than face to face. just ask Myles ...LOL!
The eye
Guest
They had 40 mins. In the 2nd half to do something but went soft.Miles went looking for a bed to hide under,mates came rushing in,but not one was game enough to even look like throwing one.Papalli silencing Gallen is a myth,he hit Gallen on his blind side ONCE in that game..Gallen gave him a mouthful getting up,Papalli looked frightened and did nothing else for the match..So bring on Papalli,Gal will have him for breakfast.You dont want a bloodbath,EW,the maroon fan psyche will be damaged for life if the aftermath of game 1 is any reflection.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
We need to make a couple of changes. Papalli in, Hannant in, Harrison out, Gillett out. Parker to start at lock. Hannant into the starting 13 and Shillo back to the bench. I can smell a bloodbath at Suncorp. Players, knowing that the penalties for brawls are soft, will be looking to near kill each other. Honestly, I think Queensland will make the Blues pay for their Game 1 thuggery. 2008 repeating all over again.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
I hope to see Papalli in for Origin 2. He would rattle Gallen and would be a sight to behold.
Hey
Guest
Parker, Te'o, & McQueen all have footwork.
Clevo
Guest
Turn it up! 2 cheap shots 9 months ago isn't an owning
Hoy
Roar Guru
QLD backrowers offer no point of difference. Parker, Teo, Harrison and Thaiday are all very similar style of players. I can't recall McQueen doing too much. Gillett hasn't done anything at origin really to warrant his recalls. I want him to step up, but he hasn't yet. When you sub one off, you get another of similar stye entering, but there is no real impact. In saying that, Parker played very well for QLD when he came on, and Teo did as well. Harrison was missing, and Thaiday went OK, but not great. They need a point of difference off the bench. Either a hitter, or an elusive runner like what Lewis offers. None of our backrowers run like the NSW backrowers, and none have that footwork of Lewis, and Bird.
oikee
Guest
There is no way in the world NSW will win game 2, i found out why we even lost game 1. I was wearing my blue undies. I have my maroon undies on stand-by and wont ware them until game day. Get onto the maroons, they are across the line, plus i heard Tom was taking them on, big time. hehe.
turbodewd
Guest
Tamou didnt seem super impressive. Papali owns Gallen. If Qld dont make changes for game 2 they will lose at home. I think NSW will win game 2 anyway. They have more hunger.