After noticing my face streaked with maroon tears following Game 2 of State of Origin 2014, The Roar editor kindly offered up the New South Wales team for Game 3 for my appraisal. What happens next won’t surprise you.
With 2014 State of Origin glory already going the way of the Blues, the dead-rubber chatter has mostly centred around the inevitability of a brawl following the Game 2 niggle-fest.
There’s something deeper at stake, though. After enjoying eight years of dominance, Queensland fans don’t look at this NSW team with hatred so much as bemusement, like a Clive Palmer policy announcement or whatever Justin Bieber is up to this week.
>> Queensland’s team for State of Origin Game 3: Expert reaction
With victory in Game 3, the Blues can ensure nine million Queensland mouths will spit their names like cane toad venom for years to come, reanimating the corpse of a concept that lost its life force as soon as NSW went 2-0 up two weeks ago.
Here’s how the squad of super-sized Smurfs lines up.
1. Jarryd Hayne
Damn you, Jarryd Hayne and your skilful ways! Damn you to hell.
2. James McManus
Not so much an Origin specialist as a pinch hitter, with Blues hierarchy only having enough faith in him to play one game in each of his two previous Origin series. Even fellow Knights old boy Adrian Brunker got two shots at Maroons glory in 1992.
3. Josh Dugan
Very talented, very unlikable. A try or two at Lang Park followed by a celebratory RTD or five on Caxton Street could elevate him to the top of Queensland’s Most Wanted list.
4. Josh Morris
Only a complete jerk would hate this guy. I am one, and even I don’t hate him.
5. Daniel Tupou
Selected so the Blues halves could utilise his leaping skills over stockier rival Brent Tate, yet Hodkinson and Reynolds have barely kicked a ball in his direction all series.
Sound tactics.
6. Josh Reynolds
A directive came from the upper echelons of Roar HQ that the word ‘grub’ was banned from our collective vocabularies, yet Josh Reynolds’ nickname really is ‘Grub’.
I love a good loophole.
7. Trent Hodkinson
Has now won more State of Origin series than Mitchell Pearce, the girl in the yellow dress, and every Expert columnist on The Roar combined.
As if he cares what I think.
8. Paul Gallen
My Nan and Pop (bless his soul), New South Welshpeople to the core, used to hate Wally Lewis more than hate itself. ‘Spitting Wally’ they called him, a nickname they later bestowed on ‘Spitting Gordie’.
Gal is a Queenslander’s equivalent of Spitting Wally and Gordie rolled into one. We really, really hate that guy.
9. Robbie Farah
Hasn’t spent anywhere near enough of this Origin series thinking he was the halfback. Sort it out, Robbie.
10. Aaron Woods
Has the scruffy appearance that would blend into the crowd on the Henson Park hill while the Newtown Jets run around on a sunny Saturday arvo. Plays like a prop who would’ve fit into Bluebags colours when Tommy and the Wok steered them to the grand final in 1981.
Seems a decent bloke.
11. Ryan Hoffman
Fellow Roarer Ryan O’Connell declared Hoffman as a reliable “7 out of 10” player in his assessment of the Blues squad for Game 2, in which the Storm second rower promptly turned in a textbook 9.
There needs to be an investigation.
12. Beau Scott
How angry is this guy?
13. Greg Bird
See: 8. Paul Gallen.
14. Trent Merrin
I’m contractually obliged to mention Sally Fitzgibbons here. Apparently Merrin is in sparkling form on the paddock as well.
15. Boyd Cordner
When Cameron Smith finally retires, Cordner has a long and fruitful career ahead of him as the most chiselled jawline in the game.
16. James Tamou
Easily one of the top two Kiwi front rowers to lace up a boot in the Origin cauldron.
17. Luke Lewis
Lewis has rivalled Maroons enforcer Ben Te’o as the most effective impact player off the bench all series. His charges up the centre in the closing stages of Game 2 were instrumental in the Hodkinson try that created history.
Which is to say, I don’t really have a bad word to say about him.
Johnk
Guest
Just admit you're angry about it V.O.R and let's get on with game 3.
da plane
Guest
Big Mal made a mistake in game 2 as DCE was not fit to play - he should have either put Cam Smith at Half and bring in Jake Friend as hooker/dummy half and or move Inglis to 5/8 and Thirsty to Half and put Tonga in the centre with Friend on the bench
Greengate
Guest
Agreed! I don't know why Mal, especially, is so anxious to integrate players who, while very good, may not be prepared to "bleed Maroon" when the chips are down. Their base loyalties may lie elsewhere. I refer to players who (in RL terms) hold "dual citizenship" and deep down, call somewhere other than Qld or Aus, "home". They are here to further their commercial opportunities. Nothing wrong with that but it should be recognised for what it is. Every player's circumstances are different and I hope a measure of "one size fits all" isn't being applied.
PGNEWC
Guest
Lotta people still hate Newcastle for no good reason it seems. Johns Gidley Scott and now McManus of all people -- at least we still turn up at the game -- more than some can say
Jack Henry
Guest
For what it's worth mate, there are some of us down here who don't find all that impressive either, to put it mildly. The fact that that individual, with a rapsheet that rivals John Hopoate's, is chosen to be the figurehead of an entire state...well...if that isn't an attempt legitimise one of the worst records in the game, then nothing is. Breath-taking act of stupidity by the NSWRL.This is why we're decades behind other sports. He doesn't represent me or a lot of other Blues supporters that's for sure.
Jack
Guest
Got to agree, Voice. Imagine the Blues' popularity skyrocketing north of the border if Gallen was axed as captain or just banned from speaking to the press. Give the press-conference/post-match interview job to Robbie Farah or only let the coach speak (he seems like a fair enough bloke) and watch the public opinion of the humility shown by them change for the better. Living up here, being a Queenslander and reading and talking about Rugby League every day, he really is the most hated player in the game by us. I would argue more hated by us than Gordie or Wally ever was down Mexico way (and a lot less respected).
john360180
Guest
Not much to like about Cordner's comments over night. Hope he has bought into the change in culture.
soapit
Guest
yep qld education must really have you behind the 8 ball once you head south.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
You realise Kris has nothing to do with the comments on The Roar? And... now you're banned. Thanks for coming.
V.O.R.
Guest
I thought you said I could have the last word...
Mac
Guest
A few more pot shots with no real substance. It's obvious who the "poor loser" is. And yes you have given me some substance to my so called "provocations" if that's what you call them (I'll be more mindful of your sensitivity when sharing my opinion in future) the same way I have given you specific detail and substance during our exchanges which you have chosen to dismiss with the "you got nothing remarks". If attempting to reduce the discussion to me "being a fellas who likes to keep things simple" makes you feel better and allows you to ride high on a cloud of pseudo intellectualism well that's great too. On point with the article I think this is a good NSW team and should be able to make it 3 zip next week..
V.O.R.
Guest
Starting to sound a bit personal mate...let's not forget that you're the one who called me out..like you also did on a previous occasion....bit of a sore loser hey. This is an opinion site in case you did not realise. So I have opinions about Paul Gallen and you have opinions about me. Don't expect me not to defend myself. ...and don't read too much into the moniker...you are correct, it is actually meant to be ironic. I thought I gave quite a bit more substance in defense against your provocations than you give me credit for...but I now appreciate that your a fella who likes to keep things simple. For the record, nothing you would say to me could make me mad.
Mac
Guest
The true Irony is that he calls himself " The Voice of Reason" whilst relying on statements such as " nice try, you've got nothing, give it up mate and your clutching at straws" to win an argument then get's mad after being called out using a really really bad and irrelevant so called metaphor. Good stuff...
V.O.R.
Guest
mattray did you and Mac sit beside each other at school?
Simon
Guest
yep, this is THE best possible circumstance to blood a guy like Mansour. Maybe Loz only bloods debutants at Suncorp nowadays?
mattray
Guest
Never thought I would have to read about the legacy of George w bush on the roar. Seriously maybe you should write your comments on fox news
Simon
Guest
Mate, sure QLD suffered after losing Cronk in game 1, agreed, but really, DCE is a pretty handy replacement wouldn't you say? And before you start the "he didn't train at 7 all week" diatribe, let me ask what is the point of having a guy on the bench who is being groomed for the future as a 7 not run with the team at 7 during training?? Not complacent, no it was lazy and arrogant. Despite the fact that he was there to provide cover if injury created the need. The simple fact is that NSW would have begged for a 7 with DCE quality for YEARS, so no I don't think you can hang your hat on that excuse. My next point- the morris twins are the best answer to defending the prolific try scoring left side of QLD's attack, both picked up early injuries in game 1 and having them unavailable in game 2 was every bit as bad for NSW as QLD not having Cronk available. Qld chose to play DCE in game 2 despite carrying a leg injury, so that excuse won't gel either. If Hayne hadn't have done his hammy after SOO 1 last year who is to say NSW wouldn't have taken the series?? Injuries happen, get over it..
E-Meter
Guest
The same spirit that had difficulty filling a 52000 stadium, twice.
Andrew
Guest
Comment removed.
Chris Love
Guest
Completely agree. Mansour is an absolute weapon that should have got the nod over Hoppa in game two. If there's ever going to be a SOO player that racks up more tackle breaks than actual touches Manbeard will do it. About 50% of SuperCoaches out there rejoiced when he wasn't named this week.