The Queensland Maroons defeated the New South Wales Blues 11-10 last night at ANZ Stadium in Homebush to draw first blood in the 2015 State of Origin series.
In a game that had everything we’ve come to expect from rugby league’s biggest spectacle – passion, intensity, niggle and a tight finish – it was the experience of the Maroons that saw them home in the end.
Full State of Origin 1 wrap:
>> ORIGIN 1 MATCH REPORT
>> FULL ORIGIN RESULTS
>> Live blog and highlights
>> Cameron Smith given man of the match
>> The Roar’s official New South Wales player ratings
>> The Roar’s official Queensland player ratings
With Game 1 now decided, there’s no better time to fire up the ‘Five Questions Machine‘ for an Origin special, so buckle up . . .
1. What to make of the NSW halves’ performance?
In my Origin preview, I lamented the fact that Mitchell Pearce and Trent Hodkinson had the adjectives ‘much maligned’ and ‘out of form’ placed before their names. Their selections were met with widespread criticism, and Queensland’s Courier Mail even ran a headline that suggested the Maroons were laughing at the selection of Pearce.
Yet in the first forty minutes of the match, the egg was firmly on everyone’s face, as the Blues’ halves pairing were outstanding.
Hodkinson showed more variety, creativity and ball running than he has all season for the Bulldogs – which isn’t saying much – while Pearce took on the line aggressively, and his kicking game was excellent.
The try to Beau Scott was a just reward for the 26 minutes of playmaking that came before it, and to see the halves link up, before Pearce deftly ducked under Greg Inglis and then put the second-rower over the line, must have felt extremely vindicating for Laurie Daley.
Unfortunately, the second half was not such a pretty picture, as both players made a number of costly mistakes, and the Blues appeared to become rudderless.
Where halves really earn their coin is when the game gets tight, and direction, poise and execution are required.
Sadly, all three of those qualities were missing on the Blues’ last two sets of six, which resulted in Michael Jennings kicking the ball dead on the last tackle, and Josh Dugan pushing a drop goal wide after miscommunication led to him receiving the ball instead of one-point specialist Trent Hodkinson.
It was a disappointing end to a promising start for the Blues playmakers.
2. Conversely, how composed is Cooper Cronk?
I mentioned that if the Queensland playmakers were given the opportunity to punish the Blues, they would. And so they did last night. Halfback Cronk, in particular, was a constant thorn in the Blues side whenever the chance was presented to him.
In the first half, off the back of an excellent, quick play-the-ball by Sam Thaiday, and then equally excellent and quick dummy-half play from Cameron Smith, Cronk received the ball against a scrambling NSW defence, and stepped Josh Dugan to score the opening try of the game.
That one sequence was everything that’s great about all three players, and a fine example of their abilities, especially Smith, who was sensational last night.
In the second half, Cronk was at his poised, methodical, executional best, as his pinpoint kicks helped gain the Maroons repeat sets of six, and his calm field goal sealed the win for Queensland, punctuating the steady play the number 7 produced all night long.
3. What did the Queensland forward pack eat at halftime?
Sam Thaiday aside, I thought the Maroons forward pack went missing in the first half, and were totally dominated by their NSW counterparts.
Led by Aaron Woods, James Tamou and Beau Scott in the first 30 minutes, the Blues forwards controlled the middle of the park, and did a wonderful job of neutralising Queensland’s pack, who struggled to match the Blues’ forwards intensity and impact.
However, things couldn’t have been more different in the second half, as the Queensland forwards gained the ascension, bashed their opponents in defence, dominated the ruck, and gained plenty of go-forward for Queensland’s playmakers.
Honours were even between the two packs and it showed on the scoreboard – until Cooper Cronk broke the deadlock.
Yet considering that NSW’s advantage supposedly lay in the forwards, a stalemate upfront was actually a Queensland victory.
4. Did NSW err by not selecting a utility player on the bench?
I personally don’t like selecting reserves for the purpose of injury cover, as I find it negative to plan for something unfortunate.
So I therefore can’t criticise the Blues for not having a back-up option at dummy half for Robbie Farah, who was injured when Justin Hodges dumped him on his shoulder and head. (Which was no better or worse than the two soft penalties for lifting against both teams late in the game . . . but I digress).
However, the Blues definitely could have used a spark in the second half.
As the momentum shifted after halftime, and the Queensland forwards started to get on top, NSW would have dearly loved to have a fresh, fast player running support off the forwards, or someone darting our of dummy-half to test the Maroons marker defence.
Instead, with the Blues forwards being dominated, the halves losing control of the match, and the backs not able to have any impact, the game slipped away from NSW, even though they only ended up losing by a solitary point.
It’s clear that a utility player on the bench should definitely be considered by the Blues’ selectors for game two.
5. Can I have an obligatory NSW whinge?
If I’m asking the questions and also answering them, then the reply to this one is ‘yes’, of course.
Don’t worry, it’s not about the referees or any unfair treatment that cost the Blues the win – they’ve only got themselves to blame for that.
But how about Billy Slater’s cheap shot elbow to the kidney of a defenceless Josh Morris? I can’t believe that wasn’t a penalty, and it did nothing for Slater’s reputation as one of the game’s biggest grubs.
Meanwhile, Justin Hodges’ mantle as one of the biggest villains in rugby league remains intact. To be honest, I’d actually like to use a different word to ‘villain’, but this a family website. Mouthing off at the end of the game to Ryan Hoffman – one of the nicest and most respected players in rugby league – speaks volumes about Hodges’ class.
Before Queensland supporters lose their minds, let me assure you that hatred is what makes State of Origin great, and these acts certainly elicited plenty of that emotion. So in some sick, twisted way, I enjoyed both moments.
Kind of.
Actually, not at all.
When is Game 2 again?
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Yeah. It's quite a big "arguably"...given all those Clive Churchills he's won...
Darren
Roar Rookie
Right there with you I went even further... streamed the game through Toronto.CA (geolock) and streamed ABC live through VLC player onto the TV with the delay set so they were syncronised. No commercials, no moronic commentary. Only issue is the replay.... cant edit out stupidity!
tim
Guest
One all is not a series win.
Meesta Cool
Guest
"But how about Billy Slater’s cheap shot elbow to the kidney of a defenceless Josh Morris? I can’t believe that wasn’t a penalty, and it did nothing for Slater’s reputation as one of the game’s biggest grubs". Didn't yopu notice the grubby acts that Slater was receiving from the Blues, (From his first touch to his last they were working on his shoulder! yup, had it been me, I would have wanted to get a bit of my own back!... on ya Bill.
Boydy-In-Brisbane
Guest
Whilst we're on the subject of grubs Ryan, let us not forget one of the best in the game, one Cameron Smith. I haven't seen so many headlocks since Ronny Miller wrestled Killer Kowalski at the Hodern Pavillion in 1974! He was the third man in (and straight around the throat) in four of the tackles in the first set of six and that just set the trend for the rest of the match. I suppose when you don't get penalised for it you will just keep doing it.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Mate, a lot happens in SOO that would cause massive outrage if it happened in any other NRL game
Jay C
Roar Guru
Adequate back-rower. I called it before the game.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Nonsense. Justin Hodges is one of the greats of the game. You are all jealous of how awesome he is. How many times has he been suspended. Not many. He is if anything a clean skin.
ThugbyFan
Guest
2nd game is on in Melbourne at MCG. NSW were a bit like Souths when A.Reynolds isn't playing, just a rabble of good players needing a leader to point the way forward. This is where P.Gallen is so good for NSW. That 2nd half was like watching Mrs Brown's cows; Terrible leadership. Coach Daley needs to kick Hodkinson's butt and tell him "You are No 7, the piggies need your directions". Queensland saw there was no backup for the spine and went for the weakness. Apart from the backslam which did Farah's shoulder, they aimed forwards at him all night. By 65 minutes he was knackered. Btw that backslam earns you 10 minutes yellow and 2 weeks banned in rugby union, but I note Hodges was not penalised nor cited so we have to call it a fair slam. Pearce copped a head shot about 20 minutes (Guerra or Miles I think) and refs missed it. He played well but was outgunned by a far superior set of halves. Queensland left Hodkinson alone as it was in their favour if he stayed on. LoL. Nearly every Qld team has a back-up spine reserve, look what happened last year when Cronk broke his arm. On came DCE, not a bad replacement.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Do what I do. Listen to the ABC commentary on the radio and watch the tv with the sound off. The commentators are far more jocular, there is no inane banter from Dumb and Dumber and they don't rant about the next "9 Spectacular" or the latest odds by "Irobthem" bookmakers. Yes the tv is about 2 seconds behind, but that means you are really watching when the tv shows the incident. Previous years, I would listen to the 9 commentators on the Sunday match as the match wasn't shown live. Sterlo is always good value, Lockyer and Johns always amaze me when they spot and dissect something, but Ray Dumb and Gus Dumber have me reaching for the bucket by half time.
ThugbyFan
Guest
Pretty much agreed with matth and minge here. The 2nd half really told on the NSW forwards trying to run out from near their line with truckloads of canetoads in their face. Once it got to 10-all the refs just seemed to throw the off-side rule out the window. They rarely got to the 40m line after 5 sets which put them always on the backfoot. Cronk and Thurston's superior short kicking game drained the life out of the NSW forwards who noticeably tired after 4 sets on their line, unable to get out thanks to the game suddenly being a 5m rule. Agreed with the subs, Fifita and Klemmer were neutered by Maguire and Lilyman. I rate Maguire the best forward in the NRL atm, he has been awesome for the Broncs. What scares the Bejesus out of me is Inglis. He was crook and should not have been playing, yet NSW still lost. I really don't know what the Qld press would have said about playing Inglis had they lost last night. However by game 2 he will be snakey and fit, and gawd help NSW then. I would have had Mansour playing instead of Hoppy. For the 2nd match, if Gallen is unfit put L.Lewis instead of Merrin or Cordner and drop both if Gallen is fit.
Brendan
Roar Rookie
As a Kiwi, and a long time watcher of origin, something lacked for me in last nights game despite the one point score line. Both attacks didn't offer much ( bar dugan ) and it was more a case of watching old props past their used by date ( bar woods ) run around the paddock. Couldn't help thinking NZ would put 20-30 points on both those sides. Definitely seemed drab compared to the recent international test matches aus vs nz. Hoping for a more quality affair in game two.
James Preston
Roar Guru
Jesus, Thurston the greatest player ever? Mate pull your head in. Just wow
The Barry
Roar Guru
The quality of the chase and how much time the opposition fullback has depends heavily in where you're kicking from. In the first half Pearce was able to kick from 40 out, was able to roost them high and give his chasers time to get through. He was very effective. Second half he was kicking from his own 30 or 40 and having to kick low and long. That means the chasers don't have as much time to get through. Too much dropped ball, too many penalties in the second half meant they were digging out from their own territory too often. It was a vicious cycle and NSW weren't good enough or experienced enough to break out. I agree about the wingers. Terrible start to the sets.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Hodkinson was average but he was in position for the field goal, Farah threw the ball to Dugan. Farah admitted he stuffed up. What sort of a halfback "isn't a FG kicker" I think that says it all about Pearce. He may be the best NSW have but he's several rungs below this standard. A 7 that says "don't give it to me I'm not a FG kicker" that'll do me.
Haz
Guest
I agree he was primarily a defensive pick, and did that job well. But he's got some finishing chops (see 2011 Manly season, with him playing outside Matai or Lyon, and 2011, Origin 2), but never had the opportunity.
Haz
Guest
The bench should be blamed. Tamou and Woods were brilliant in attack and defence; they both stayed on for nearly 30 minutes (which is quite good at Origin level, where nobody would complain about a first prop rotation happening at the 15 minute mark). Merrin and Fifita especially went missing in attack. Fifita was flat-footed every time he caught the ball... from the post 2012 T-Rex school of ball-running. Tamou and Woods came back around the 60th minute, which roughly coincided with slowing the Maroon's forward dominance in the second half.
GPR
Guest
Split second?! He clearly had stopped then decided to drop an elbow into the back of a defenceless player. He's the second biggest a hole in that team- and that's saying something!
GPR
Guest
You're referring to Dane Eldridges article? You do realise he was having a laugh? Might need to make th "HA!" icon a bit bigger for the gullible...
Vic
Guest
I don't see anything wrong with Hodges tackle. Just because it injures a player doesn't mean it's grubby, if it was then NSW would've been awarded a penalty and Hodges would be charged by the match review committee. Merrin was the only one that charged for a dangerous tackle. The head rub? you guys are having a whinge about that too? I see it in every game, it gets under the opponents skin as it did on wednesday night, he shouldn't have done it since it gave Hoffman and excuse to stop the clock. Or are you worried that his head rub was so strong it would snap hoffmans neck? Slater's tackle on morris ingoal, it should've been a penalty, there was no need for that.