First off, well done to New South Wales. In a tough, hard fought and niggly battle the Blues won Game 2 of State of Origin, and with it the series.
The image of Jarryd Hayne, standing proud and triumphant, overlooking the adoring masses as he delivered their first win in eight years, will stand the test of time.
I predict it to become immortalised, much as Wally Lewis’ statue adorns the entrance to Lang Park, in time he will grace those as they arrive at the stadium to see the new gladiators enter the arena.
Oft are comparisons to Jesus made (at club level) – expected to perform miracles and carry the 12 other apostles – but this series he has done more than that. His line breaks in the first game were amazing, his consistency in the second was similarly awesome – let’s face it, a flawless game.
He may not be carrying the team, but when a New South Welshman thinks of a talisman, surely they think of Hayne. There were also other players on the field, and State of Origin will forever be a team endeavour, but it is amazing how a player contributes and how he can lift a team.
The Blues forwards, let’s face it, struggled. They never gained ascendancy. In a lot of ways, it was always going to come down to a clutch play.
Let us spare our judgments concerning the referees, the abilities of the players, where Queensland lost it and where NSW won it, the injuries and the fortuitous moments. This is the time for the players.
The honours should go to both teams for providing an entertaining spectacle. These are surely the modern gladiators. The fact that after eight straight losses the series never looked liked being cancelled is remarkable.
The fact that after 79 minutes into the second game the series was alive and well is remarkable (who could say that Billy Slater wouldn’t have scored that try?). The fact that State of Origin remains the most brutal of contests and the most important on the calendar is testament to its enduring qualities.
Brent Tate leaving the field, with an unknown injury, epitomises this contest. This is a man who clearly loves the game. There he was playing his guts out for Queensland, yet this was a man who has struggled throughout his career with season-ending injuries. No one would begrudge him taking his pension in peace, yet still he fronted up for this match.
It is the nature of Origin itself. It is the challenge thrown down, the fight against the might. Regardless the result, and no matter the odds, this remains to Australians the purest form of contest.
I hope State of Origin lives for another 1000 years, for then they may say that this was its finest hour.
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