After watching the Game 2 three times, here’s how NSW ended up beating themselves – by the clock.
It was a case of error after error, and a complete lack of offensive potency. Here is the summary of the fatal NSW errors which cost them the game:
00:32 Maloney strips Thaiday and is penalised. Queensland now deep in NSW territory.
1:40 Maloney fails to tackle Thaiday – Queensland try! (Big man beats small man)
7:43 Maloney tackles dummy-half Slater but failed to mark up properly, penalty, 2 pts to Queensland.
16:24 Merritt comes off wing to Inglis (already covered by Morris), Thurston passes to Boyd – Queensland try!
24:40 Farah kicks deep on the fourth from Queensland 40m. Queensland now in bad spot, but why not a bomb on the fifth instead. NSW are losing 14-0. Poor choice by Farah.
28:23 Farah finds touch on fourth tackle from Queensland 30m. NSW are losing by 14-0, what on earth was Farah thinking?! [Wally Lewis and Peter Sterling are baffled by this]
32:01 NSW 40m, fourth tackle, Farah kicks downtown. Why not wait until the fifth and try a bomb to land on Queensland 20m? Yet another baffling decision by Farah. NSW are losing by 14-0, they need points!
32:22 Merritt rushes up on Inglis, woeful miss, Queensland break but they cough it up.
34:33 Maloney, fifth tackle, cross-field kick to Queensland 5m, barely contested, goes dead off Queensland.
40:52 First set of second half, Farah downtown kick is charged down, Queensland recover.
47:15 Merritt again rushes in to Inglis who is clearly marked by J.Morris, overlap created and Boyd scores Queensland 3rd try!
49:04 INTERCHANGE – J.Reynolds ON, Farah OFF. This makes sense, Farah has been terrible.
49:53 Maloney grubber on fifth near Queensland line, hopeless, Queensland recover.
51:01 [Phil Gould tellingly comments that Pearce and Maloney have generated the least dropouts by any NRL club this season.]
53:18 Tate modestly shoves Gallen. Merrin punches Tate, melee ensues, Queensland penalty. NSW are losing 18-0, madness by Merrin!
55:00 Cronk cross-field kick to Inglis – Queensland try! Merritt too small to stop Inglis.
63:07 INTERCHANGE – J.Reynolds OFF, Farah back ON. What?! What is coach Daley thinking?! Why was Reynolds put for 14min for…why is Farah back after so many crap decisions?
64:32 Farah, fourth tackle, at dummy half tries to score 2m from Queensland line, easily stuffed.
69:11 Good cross-field kick by Farah, B.Morris scores for NSW!
70:55 Farah kicks deep on second tackle. Why?!
The evidence is damning folks. Farah must be dropped for J.Reynolds and Albert Kelly must be added to the bench for his offensive potency. Similarly, Merrin should be dropped for Idris who leads the league in break assists. Phil Gould has been trumpeting Idris’ form all year, as he has been hustling on every single play.
Lastly, Maloney must exit for Sutton. Sutton is far more dangerous and wouldn’t get steamrolled by big Queenslanders. Sutton’s team is on top of the ladder after all.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Bring back Mick "The Grub" Ennis!
josh
Guest
I'd bring in Hayne in for Merrit, Carney for Maloney, Grant for Reynolds and Tamou for Woods. Also Can someone tell me what Hoffman adds to the side, maybe I'm not watching as intently as others. I'd bring in G.Stewart for Hoffman.
Dee
Guest
hj
Meesta Cool
Guest
He just gave the ball to his captain.. he does it at training so thought it was the right thing to do...
Meesta Cool
Guest
Meesta Turbo, that was a reasonable account of NSW 'fails' in game 2, HOWEVER', I believe that part of the NSW game plan was to kick early and have Queensland battling to come out of their own half (It worked in game one, but it should have been pretty obvious that Cronk, Thurston, Smith and Slater could not play as woefully as the did -- not twice!.. So was it misjudgement of Farah's performance or The coaches instructions?. At least you didn't take the 'easy out' and blame the guy with the whistle... Farah is amongst my top ten dislikes in our game, Not because he is brilliant, Not because he is a grub, Not because he plays for Tigers -- BUT because of his incessant appealing and whining, This time I will give him credit for a reasonable game playing to poor instructions. I would love to see your chronological assessment of Queensland's 'fails' in game one, that would show a few superstars were way down on skill and judgement. Roll on game 3
Cameron
Roar Guru
Haha Farah has a good game in game one, plays bad in game two and.you want him gone... Cameron Smith played woeful in game one, we didn't even contemplate dropping him for game two... You NSW folk, you really know how to show your support.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Interesting autopsy. However, one thing your conclusions don't take into account is the lack of go forward and grunt by NSW's pack. It also doesn't take into account Daley's game plans and tactical decisions during the match nor the effect other players had on your top three 'causes of death'.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I like players who take on the line and players that follow them.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Josh Reynolds is clearly not a dummy-half but he played well when he was first or second receiver. NSW seemed like they were 'doing things' when he ran like that and took on the defence. Farah should not have been taken off. To bring Josh Reynolds into the match, Daley only needed to take off Maloney or Pearce. I was very surprised to see Reynolds taken off after the enterprise he showed (when he wasn't playing dummy half). NSW's forwards went missing for most of the match but I wonder if the real problem isn't Daley. I was just baffled by some of the decisions he made for and during that match.
Chris
Guest
The only changes I would make are Hayne fullback - biggest kick in NSW team. Dugan in for Merrit - played well enough to play game 3 plus can rotate with Hayne. A. Reynolds for Pearce - Reynolds has the best short kicking game in the Nrl. Tamou and Fifita starting props. Bird Gallen Lewis 2nd row. Bench Tolman Hoffman Watmought J. Reynolds or Carney. Would like opinion on this team
Clark
Guest
Im sorry, bu Farah has consistently been one of NSW's best. Maloney had a good game one but Qld targeted him in game 2 and should be able to bounce back in game 3. And if Merritt is anything to go by, Sutton has been an average firat grader at best and will get found out in tge same fashion because he doesn't have the likes of Inglis or the Burgess brothers on his side to make him look good.
Cyclone Country
Guest
RE: 5/8th is weird position @ this point in time. You really just have a left and right side halve (I don't like it but what ever). Let's just say if Daley/ Lockyer and Kenny = 10/10 I'll but J.T at 8/10 (he's a 7)...........The rest of the NRL #6's are 7/10 at best.
Cyclone Country
Guest
As a one eyed Queensland (far north) person that does love the game.......... I have always loved the phrase that " you should do what your opponent would least like you to do ". I rate Maloney over Sutton....just. Maloney has been a quiet improver for years with the Warriors, I would HATE Carney on fire but the boy has issues and the media and YOUR fans don't help him out at all. Your halves should be #7 A. Reynolds # 6 Maloney (with a protector, a 70 min forward that can tackle, who-ever). I hate Ennis more than Farrah......So you should pick Ennis... I would laugh but be scared on the inside. He is a mongrel grub. I do not want to play against Mongrel grubs........SO PICK HIM AND MAKE HIM CAPTAIN (lol). Merrit..................you's left it 6 or 7 years too late to pick him. If he was from Queensland we would all be like Darius who? Just a thought, I only just found this website and have observed you lot (QLD & NSW) to be the biggest bunch of whingers, complainers and just arguing for no reason lot I've ever seen. Have a nice day :)
turbodewd
Guest
Farah's choices on the night werent good. Will certainly admit he isnt the main problem. Its the halves and Merritt. Merritt and Maloney conceded all the points. 18 by Merritt and 8 by Maloney. Maloney's defence isnt good enough for Origin. Pearce simply brings competent defence to the table, but no kicking game nor attacking game of note. He is a competent first grader - not Origin caliber! Maloney just hasnt delivered with the ball enough to compensate for his poor defence. Im gonna go re-watch Game1 on the Media Center...
turbodewd
Guest
Raiders, cant u detect my Canberra accent over the internet? :P
dumb clarkey
Guest
Turbodewd, just out of curiosity, are you a bulldogs supporter?
The Koomz
Guest
Watmough played injured. Reynolds should have com on for Maloney. This was clearly a different side from Sydney.
Renegade
Guest
Cameron Smith >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Daylight>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Luke, Farah
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
turbo Its not that simple. Firstly Farah is THE highest rated player in NSW according to my database. The reason why he was forced to rush so many kicks was a) his forwards gave poor go forward and b) his 6 and 7 were not capable of doing the tactical kicking. Farah with Smith and Luke is in the top 3 hookers in the world, that is a fact. Loz wont change the 6 and 7 now but no doubt he got it wrong and the South 6 and 7 shud be there. O well
mushi
Guest
I think you missed a few events during the game...