Match-winner Cooper Cronk has challenged NSW to lift for the second Origin bout at the MCG, declaring Queensland’s superior game management got them home in Sydney.
The Blues’ attack was disjointed in the final stages of the 11-10 loss to the Maroons in the series opener at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday night, while Queensland kept their shape under pressure.
NSW head to game two in Melbourne on June 17 under enormous pressure, thanks largely to halfback Cronk, who starred with a first-half try and a field goal six minutes from fulltime.
“One up in a three-game series going to Melbourne is pretty satisfying and puts the pressure back on them,” Cronk said.
“It’s about game management with under 10 minutes to go and I think we did a good job.”
Queensland have several experts in game management, including Cronk, Johnathan Thurston and Cameron Smith and it proved the difference, while their NSW counterparts Trent Hodkinson, Mitchell Pearce and Robbie Farah struggled steering the Blues around the park.
The Maroons, under the guidance of Cronk and Thurston, manoeuvred into a position to ice the game with Cronk dropping into the pocket and slotting the decisive point.
The Melbourne star’s field goal came a set after NSW ignored a couple of field goal opportunities, before messing up a third chance in the final minutes.
A poor pass from dummy-half Farah found its way to fullback Josh Dugan who missed with a wayward shot on the run.
“I think we managed the game a little bit better towards the back end of the half. We got over that advantage line and completed our sets,” Cronk said.
“It comes with experience. We’ve been there before, we know what it’s all about and you’ve just got to calm the nerves.”
Thurston admitted Queensland had spent part of their preparation on how to approach tight games at the death.
“We do a fair bit of preparation on it,” Thurston told AAP.
“But Coops (Cronk) has slotted those for us many times before, so when we get in that position, he’s one of the best at it.
“When the play goes down, I just try and hold a bit of shape on the left, but he always gets in a position for them.”
Thurston admitted he was surprised NSW turned down both opportunities to go for the go-ahead field goal.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I thought the press conference from Daley (and Meninga, actually) was just cliche after cliche. Daley's, in particular, just seemed... well, I wasn't very impressed with his answers.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
A lot of people would say he's perpetually concussed...the way he carries on a lot of the time does little to dispel that perception...
Jamieson Murphy
Roar Guru
Hahaha mate a concussion to Farah would explain a lot. Probably thought Dugs was Hodkingson.
Baily
Guest
Yea, I get confused by you lot in Blue, you only lost by 1 point?? which means you were pretty dam close ... mind you QLD had a lot of chances slip and it could have been a difference of 12+. Does Farrah not like Hodgkinson? did his best to get him dropped from the team ... oh' yea, and when Farrah dropped the ball from the body slam tackle, did the ref actually say that he dropped the ball after he was injured and play on? what the!
Brett
Guest
NSW looked so lost in attack at times. We know Daley likes to let the halves take control of the training sessions at camp, but it doesn't seem to be working.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Yeah, I actually reckon Faff was a bit concussed...although maybe that's being a bit charitable, because he's not noted for his focus, emotional stability and ability to perform in high-pressure situations.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
- He's a halfback who owns the result. - As I keep saying, in 2014, he was absent for the better part of two games - and NSW won both - but returns for the third and QLD score more in one game than NSW does in the entire series. Queensland also score only one try in the 150 minutes that Cronk wasn’t there, but then scored six tries in the 90 minutes that he was. - It's as much what he did as when he did it. It's fine to fill the stats books with all your on-game acheivements, but they rarely take into account the crucial factor of "when". A big play in a crucial moment is always worth several great plays when the game is just humming along. - Cronk scored first and last. (Well, he didn't actually, because Slater scored first, but that embarrassing decision is another story). - He makes clutch plays quite regularly. In addition to that field goal that other time, he also put Justin Hodges over to ice the game and the series when it was close. The other night was just a continuation of that trend.
HarryT
Guest
I'm a bit surprised at the criticism of Hodkinson in the last ten minutes. Twice he got himself in position to kick the field goal and twice Farah passed it to someone else. Being the only guy in the team that kicks field goals it's not as if he has to wave his arms and shout 'To me, to me' as Phil Gould is suggesting. Given his record, he would have kicked both of them.
V.O.R.
Guest
Hey Eye, Dugan looked great when he stretched out...if you look at my comments I acknowleged his running game....lucky for NSW he can put it on a dime with a kick because he can't pass. I really like watching Dugan in open play...still I stand by my comments...before the series is over you will see his weakness's exposed. I really can't take your point on Cronk....key play's my man....rising to the occasion....champions are able to do that I guess...can't say I get your perspective on this. If he was representing NSW I am sure your tone would be somewhat different. I missed you. ;)
Emcie
Roar Guru
Yeah, I think "we can take a lot of positives out of that game" is code for "I don't think I played bad enough to get dropped".
V.O.R.
Guest
Yer Muzz...reference that quote so I can have some context...can't say I would be inclined to think the greatest thing since sliced bread would be on the decline. Maybe it was an off day ;)
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yep game management in the last ten was clearly the problem. NSW just looked like they had no strategy or tactics in those two sets where they had FG opportunities. Running the wrong side of the field, heading towards touch, passing the ball to the wrong players - TWICE!!, running it on the last, kicking the ball dead. It was pathetic and inexcusable. What really annoyed me was the post game mantra from Pearce and Farah (and probably others) of "we can take a lot of positives out of that game". The players should be devastated at throwing the game and possibly the series away, not finding positives five minutes after full time. It was really hard not to swear in this post.
The eye
Guest
This comment suggests you didnt even watch the game..make that both games..go back,eyes open then record exactly what he DID in Game 1 between the 6 minute mark, ran 10 metres unopposed to score try and the 76 minute mark kicked field goal..its a statistical flat line..ie no blip..I've got 2 restarts from under the post from in goal on the positive and one handover of possession to opposition from poor pass on the negative...theres just white space for 70 minutes...whadidjaget ? A little bit more specific than 'he talks a good game' if you dont mind...theres no stat for that PS..Josh Dugan,had a shocker,hey ? You've got an egg moustache
Muzz
Guest
I was just trying to shed some light on your enquiry VOR. Reflecting back to one of your posts after last years SOO series about 'the game being on life support' How do you think it's going, both the season proper, the build up for game 1 and the game itself ?
V.O.R.
Guest
Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda.... yawn.
Muzz
Guest
A fit Cronk is worth a 1 point win against an understrength NSW team. WOW hold the phone : ) Add Gal, Hayne, Fergo and a halves pairing consisting of A Reynolds and Pearce and NSW would lap dads army.
V.O.R.
Guest
A stroke of luck last year for NSW that Coops broke his arm. Cronk's contribution in Sydney on Wednesday night highlights that last year was merely a small blip in the decade of dominance by the Maroons. Question is...why can't the great Rugby League state of NSW field a team that can beat a bunch of old has-beens in front of a 80,000 strong home crowd?